How tough is the NSCA CSCS exam?
This is undoubtedly the one question that most personal trainers will ask when they are contemplating to do the National Strength & Conditioning Association – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification. On top of that, you will also need to hold a bachelor’s degree to the the exam. However, this should not stop you from adding value to yourself by obtaining knowledge to train clients and athletes with the primary goal of improving performance.
So we spoke to our current CSCS program students to help you have an idea what are their experience in the course.
Sebastian
I hold a Bachelor of Social Science (First Class Honor) Psychology degree and was a Researcher/Graduate tutor in HELP University for health psychology. I started as a fitness instructor with Fitness First since January 2014 and has been conducting PT and Group Exercise. I’m currently the Health and Fitness Manager of Fitness First Paradigm Mall, Freestyle Specialist Presenter for Fitness First and BioScore Master Trainer for Fitness First
Do not enjoy conduct group exercise classes due to my introverted nature. It is a struggle to stand in a crowd. A lot of fear to overcome.
I suffered serious spinal injury when I was 18 years old. Damaged L2-3-4 of Lumbar discs due to football game. Never undergone surgery however, resistance training has been helpful. I am a cat person
What caught your attention that led you to join the CSCS course?
Well, It is a renowned certification. I believe it will serve as a platform for me to learn more about training clients who have different needs (athletic goal). And Basically, I am inspired by the glute guy-Bret Contreras’ training philosophy, therefore I am motivated to learn more about it in CSCS.
Being a personal trainer and group exercise instructor, can you share with us how does taking CSCS possibly add value to you?
In the PT perspective, it’s a lot easier to educate people the importance of taking up PT by providing knowledge and scientific evidence. For eg, detailing the periodization program & quantify the fitness tests with sufficient datas to compare catered to their needs.
In terms of Group Exercise, I could enunciate better coaching cues to allow members move, feel and drive their body achieving the results they wanted. Simply put it, the things I’ve learnt over the course period allows me to develop myself and also develop the people around me to apply fitness with scientific backings instead of blindly following BroScience lol!
It equips me with extra knowledge to training clients of different demands.
Definitely a career advancement in the sense that I can venture out to training athletes in the future with necessary knowledge to help clients with better way of programming/periodization which also covers sport nutrition.
Hans
I am the Fitness Team Leader of Fitness First Paradigm Mall started in May 2016, in charge of assisting The Health & Fitness Manager for the PT team & Group Exercise departments. Also am one of the 12 winners of The Hottest Hunks in Malaysia 2012, Watson You Awards Fit Figure Winner Season 4 (2011).
I’m a big fan of the King of Fruits (Durian), and have an insatiable appetite for it. :p
I used to emulate & idolized the Korean Singer (Rain), hence I wouldn’t have come this far if it wasn’t for that I really vainly wanted to look as good as him. I’m actually a very lazy person, but circumstances don’t allow me to be one as much as I would enjoy.
Can you share with us how’s your experience in class thus far?
Informative, detailed & taught me an overview about methodologies used by professionals to train athletes or people generally interested in improving their sports performance.
Being a personal trainer and group exercise instructor, can you share with us how does taking CSCS possibly add value to you?
In the PT perspective, it’s a lot easier to educate people the importance of taking up PT by providing knowledge and scientific evidence. For eg, detailing the periodization program & quantify the fitness tests with sufficient datas to compare catered to their needs.
In terms of Group Exercise, I could enunciate better coaching cues to allow members move, feel and drive their body achieving the results they wanted. Simply put it, the things I’ve learnt over the course period allows me to develop myself and also develop the people around me to apply fitness with scientific backings instead of blindly following BroScience lol!
Jonathan
I am the co-owner/founder/head coach of Revelation Republic, education enthusiast and competitive athlete.
I have a Masters in Educational Psychology and Bachelors in Psychology and graduated Summa cum Laude for both. I was a former tutor at HELP University teaching Psychology. Revelation Republic was started by me in the garage in my house with 2 clients
What caught your attention that led you to join the CSCS course?
I was always interested to further my teaching credentials and wanted the CSCS because it was one of the most prestigious certifications a trainer can get in the United States. When I found out that there was an opportunity to get more teaching from establish coaches and teachers from FiT to better prepare myself for the certification, I immediately signed up.
Being the owner of Revelation Republic and a coach, can you share with us how does taking CSCS possibly add value to you?
It has definitely widened my knowledge base in terms of exercise science and technique. Thus, explaining the processes of training and communicating them to my clients has become that much easier. Additionally, it has changed the way I look at programming in a sense that, I now look at each client as an athlete (which can vary from fitness goals and demands).
Therefore, whenever I tweak programming, I analyse what needs to be done in terms of movement patterns, sporting demands with specific phases of periodization. Thanks to the knowledge I have attained from CSCS, this has become more clearer and significantly better.
Steven
I started my career as a Personal Trainer in 2008 with California Fitness and in 2009 he became a freelancer. I have been in various sports back in his school days namingly Football, Rugby, Karate, Track and field and even muay thai. Due my venture in sports and influences of peers, I started working out in the gym since I was 15 and fitness training has been a part of my life ever since. My clients are mostly senior females above 40years old and has previously trained celebrities and tv personalities previously as well.
Before I started in the fitness industry I was a Psych major back in college interning at a home for underprivileged children. The first time I ever represented my school sports team was at Handball at the age of 12. Never played the sport before that and have not played it since. I like to spend most of my time outside fitness playing the drums. It can be a physically challenging instrument depending on the genre of music played.
Can you share with us how’s your experience in class thus far?
I think my learning process has been greatly enhanced by attending the classes rather than sole dependency on the course text book. The educators do a great job to clarify and provide relevant examples of any of the theories or methodologies that I would sometimes find it challenging to relate to.
In case you didn’t know it by now, the FIT educators for this course are some of the most reputable and experienced fitness professionals in the industry. That’s the most valuable part the whole experience. (Glad to hear that, Steven! )
What caught your attention that led you to join the CSCS course?
I first saw this credential next to the names of some of the international fitness writers and entrepreneurs. I also later found out that it’s a mandatory pre-requisite in the US for all strength and conditioning coaches.
I would love to coach an amateur or recreational sports team in the near future. And I think taking this course might provide me the tools to successfully carry out this venture.
Being a personal trainer for 8 years, can you share with us how does taking CSCS possibly add value to you?
For me it’s an opportunity to grow in the terms of knowledge and skills in the industry. One of the best ways to do so is by taking up advanced certifications like the CSCS . It’s also a chance to network and learn from my other peers in the fitness industry. I can bear witness to this through the group discussions and practical components we have done so far.
Related Course Information
Personal Trainer Development Programme (PTDP)
This is the perfect blend of all that are essential to make you a competent personal trainer. Leave this 54-hour course feeling confident and ready to bring the best out of your client(s)
Upcoming: Price:
