My personal view of certification is that it’s more of a business than a necessity for credible trainers. CPT has been around for almost 40 years, but in truth anyone can get it, just as they can most certification that’s accredited on the basis of recall. The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) provide a more up to date certification, but again I don’t think it supercedes ‘knowing your shit’! The sad fact is that a vast majority of certified trainers know f*** all (excuse my French), and remain locked in the habit of regurgitation.
What’s your personal experience with sport and exercise? What drew you to Personal Training, and who do you see as potential clients? Fat couch potatoes (who will ignore 90% of what you tell them), or competing athletes? My advice would be to self study in your chosen area as much as possible, and above all else be the embodiment of what you strive to be athletically and physically. There isn’t much unholier than an overweight (certified!) trainer whose midsection is falling out of his shorts while he checks his mobile phone beside a client making zombie paces on a treadmill. Don’t be that guy!!!