Those associations as much as they claim to be authentic, are in fact a factory for cheaters. We the ones that have the utmost compromise and respect to this complex science, go to Colleges and Universities to learn and study in Physical Education programs. That’s the way to do it, if you want to truly become a professional. The Science of Exercise and Sports is not something you learn in a jiffy, which is what this vulgar farce associations are doing. We have to cover literally a galaxy of different disciplines. Too many to count on here. I did a personal revision on three of these associations and their so called texts that you receive on the mail. They were NSCA, IFPA and the ISSA. After three years of university academic learning, I can tell you that those cheating books do not even cover 1% of what we have to study. You are reading correctly, not even one percent. Thomas R. Baechle can kiss my rear end. As a matter of fact one of my professors met him twice in person and had not much to say about him. Met once a cheater from the IFPA lightning certification and I mentioned stroke volume and the Frank Starling Law Mechanism and he had no idea what I was talking about. Even if I had used the word cardiac output, he still had no idea. Be careful in taking the easy way out. Apply to a college Phy. Ed. program. You’ll thank me later. Glad I did not use the terms Cardiovascular Drift and Hemoconcentration it was like speaking in Cantonese and Mandarin to these sham PT’s.

I think you really have to look at these certs as a supplement to an exercise physiology, or kinesiology degree. As a matter of fact, I believe with both ACSM, and NSCA you must possess a 4 year college degree prior to being admitted a member.