Saturday, August 3, 2013

How the National Academy of Sports Medicine Can Benefit Your Career


The National Academy of Sports Medicine has been around since 1987 and offers one of the most prestigious certifications in the health and fitness industry.? The National Academy of Sports Medicine offers fitness education and continuing education courses that excel in helping personal trainers with their professional growth.? An often asked question is "what are the benefits of a certification from the NASM?"

For starters, say this out loud "I'm personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine."? How did that sound to you?? Now imagine a perspective client hearing that.? The name alone carries reverence.?? Along with the aesthetic benefits, the NASM provides members with information about:


  • Getting Certified

  • Training Athletes

  • Preventing Injuries

  • Continuing Education

  • Workshops

Imagine for a moment not only getting clients, but training Professional athletes who only look for the most qualified trainers.? Imagine being responsible for helping seniors get out of and staying out of wheel chairs because they trusted you to help them become more active.? ?Or maybe you will take your new talents to a Fortune 500 company to lead a corporate wellness program which helps to reduce workplace and repetitive stress injuries.

These are just a few of the possibilities that are available with a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certification.? With the variety of credentials offered:


  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification

  • Corrective Exercise Specialist

  • Performance Enhancement Specialist

Along with the live workshops offered, and the NASM academic partners, the sky really is the limit in the health and fitness field.

Training Overviews

Starting with the NASM Certified Personal Trainer Certification (CPT), one must pass a 120 question proctored exam covering the basics of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and behavioral coaching.? Once completed, you will understand how to design exercise programs for clients to help them achieve their goals.? There are plenty of study aids available for the test on the NASM website which include; textbooks, online study resources, flash cards and live workshops.? Depending on the package you get, you can even get a 90 day job guarantee.

Once you have completed the CPT, you can move onto an advanced specialization.? If you are looking to gain recognition as an elite sports performance professional, you may consider the Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES).? This credential is designed for those looking to become coaches, physical therapist, chiropractor and trainers who would like to specialize in helping to improve an athlete's endurance, strength, speed, and power, while avoiding injury.? A CPT is required and you must pass a 70 question multiple choice tests for this certification.? Once again NASM offers course, online training and live workshops to prepare you for the test.

How will these and the other National Academy of Sports Medicine certifications benefit a personal trainer?? Well, the median income for a personal trainer is $54,200/yr. with the top 10% earning $100,000/yr. and more.? According to SimplyHired.com, the average starting salary of an NASM certified trainer is $42,000/yr. The next highest paying certification is the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) at $36,000/yr.? That is from working for someone and not considering any other streams of income.? So an NASM certification starts you off earning more, and with the support and continuing education opportunities they provide, keeps you ahead of the pack.

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