Personal Trainer Certifications
Q: Hey James, what type of certification would you recommend to be a personal trainer?
My Answer: If you get a certification, then get one that will teach you how to grow and run a business. People in the industry always point to the NSCA certification (which I have) or the ACSM certification as the best certifications to get. But quite frankly, your clients don't give a shit as to what certification you have. They can't tell the difference. Plus these certifications don't do anything to help you with getting your personal training business off the ground. They just take your money and call you certified. If you do get certified, then I would suggest something like ISSA, which provides business support.
Q: I am going to try out your 10-8-6-15 pyramid program.
Just want to know how much weight to use?
For example, my 1 rep max is just 13 pounds. how many percent of weight should I use?
Let say I used 10 pounds for 10 reps (failure on the 11th rep),
rest 3-5 minutes,
How much weight I should use for the 8 rep set?
rest 3-5 minutes,
How much weight I should use for the 6 rep set?
rest 3-5 minutes,
How much weight I should use for the LAST 15 rep set?
Really appreciate your attention and your reply.
My Answer: Not to put you down, but 13 POUNDS is your 1RM?! What's the exercise where your 1RM is 13 pounds?
I don't think you understand what your 1RM is. To clarify, your 1 rep max is the maximum weight where you can perform no more than 1 full rep in good form.
Your 10RM is the maximum weight where you can perform no more than 10 full reps in good form.
So start off with your 10RM, rest for 3 minutes at most, add a little weight, do 8 reps, rest for 3 minutes, add a little weight, do 6 reps, rest for 3 minutes, remove a lot of weight, do 15 reps.
Your 10RM is the baseline weight, so start with that.
GET BIG and order the Strength and Physique E-books
“This book is terrific. It distills years of experience and research into short sections laying out specific, creative programs for the major body parts, using the best science and advanced training techniques. Some of them created by the great 'masters' of bodybuilding like Larry Scott. Almost every section has a 'eureka' idea that I'm craving to try, like the back trifecta! The book is much more useful than subscriptions to all the muscle mags. I only wish I had it when I was a kid."
- Bob Vastine, world record holder in powerlifting
"Your arm blast routine from Volume One that you pointed me to is phenomenal. Maybe it's just the pump, but I'm measuring 16 inches compared to 15 inches before - after just 2 trainings!"
- Steve Murphy, Australia
"Sticking to your principles to the letter has helped me improve immensely. When I started lifting over two years ago I was 125 pounds and now I'm over 170.
"What I'm trying to say is that reading your books helped me understand what I needed to do to gain [muscle]. My dedication plus your expertise really worked out well for me."
- Mike Crothers
My Answer: If you get a certification, then get one that will teach you how to grow and run a business. People in the industry always point to the NSCA certification (which I have) or the ACSM certification as the best certifications to get. But quite frankly, your clients don't give a shit as to what certification you have. They can't tell the difference. Plus these certifications don't do anything to help you with getting your personal training business off the ground. They just take your money and call you certified. If you do get certified, then I would suggest something like ISSA, which provides business support.
Q: I am going to try out your 10-8-6-15 pyramid program.
Just want to know how much weight to use?
For example, my 1 rep max is just 13 pounds. how many percent of weight should I use?
Let say I used 10 pounds for 10 reps (failure on the 11th rep),
rest 3-5 minutes,
How much weight I should use for the 8 rep set?
rest 3-5 minutes,
How much weight I should use for the 6 rep set?
rest 3-5 minutes,
How much weight I should use for the LAST 15 rep set?
Really appreciate your attention and your reply.
My Answer: Not to put you down, but 13 POUNDS is your 1RM?! What's the exercise where your 1RM is 13 pounds?
I don't think you understand what your 1RM is. To clarify, your 1 rep max is the maximum weight where you can perform no more than 1 full rep in good form.
Your 10RM is the maximum weight where you can perform no more than 10 full reps in good form.
So start off with your 10RM, rest for 3 minutes at most, add a little weight, do 8 reps, rest for 3 minutes, add a little weight, do 6 reps, rest for 3 minutes, remove a lot of weight, do 15 reps.
Your 10RM is the baseline weight, so start with that.
GET BIG and order the Strength and Physique E-books
“This book is terrific. It distills years of experience and research into short sections laying out specific, creative programs for the major body parts, using the best science and advanced training techniques. Some of them created by the great 'masters' of bodybuilding like Larry Scott. Almost every section has a 'eureka' idea that I'm craving to try, like the back trifecta! The book is much more useful than subscriptions to all the muscle mags. I only wish I had it when I was a kid."
- Bob Vastine, world record holder in powerlifting
"Your arm blast routine from Volume One that you pointed me to is phenomenal. Maybe it's just the pump, but I'm measuring 16 inches compared to 15 inches before - after just 2 trainings!"
- Steve Murphy, Australia
"Sticking to your principles to the letter has helped me improve immensely. When I started lifting over two years ago I was 125 pounds and now I'm over 170.
"What I'm trying to say is that reading your books helped me understand what I needed to do to gain [muscle]. My dedication plus your expertise really worked out well for me."
- Mike Crothers
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