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Education
Hello Everyone,
I would love to know what everyone's thoughts were on your education. I am looking to combine personal training along with my massage practice, but I was also thinking what may be a good formal education? Exercise Science? Nutrition? What would go along well with a massage practice or make yourself more marketable and well-rounded?
Thank you very much for your input!
Views: 217
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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Personal trainer certification requires another course...another school. Much shorter time in school, however. A few weeks at most. Others will be better sources of info on this aspect, but I've read in M&B, for instance, that it is at the least unethical and perhaps violates scope of practice to combine a personal training session and a massage therapy session.
ISSA (International Sports Science Association) is one respected certification, but there are many others. All but one requires onsite training as well as correspondence or online courses. You'll study kinesiology, anatomy, nutrition--all in abbreviated form, compared to what you're receiving in your MT program. My advice? complete your MT schooling first, then enroll in PT school: the PT school will probably grant credit for your college credits, but the college may not accept credits from the less formal PT training. Hope I've explained it well. BTW, what you're learning in your MT classes will definitely benefit your own weight training!
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Well if you want credentials, thats one thing. But if you want to be a good massage therapist .. Know your own body. I mean really know it. Im a high school graduate.. But if you put me in a room full of Medical Doctors that were Experts on Herniated Discs. They wouldnt know a fraction of what I know about herniated discs,unless they have actually had one, because I have a herniated disc. I am the herniated disc. I didnt just study it... I am it... Know your body. By which I mean know your own muscles. As far as credentials go..Get whatever you want.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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If you want to add credentials stay with state licensed fields. They can add insurance billing to your practice if that is something you want. But rather than adding so soon, I suggest getting experience in one first. Become a good MT and if that isn't enough for you, then look for more.
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Permalink Reply by Nicole James on
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I started out with the intentions of going to Physical Therapy school. I did my internship and hated it. I got my B.S in Exercise Science and certified by ACSM. Instead of going to graduate school I went to massage school. I find that my exercise background is an excellent foundation to build my massage career upon. I currently offer personal training and massage therapy.Being in private practice for the last 4 years I realized that I am less interested in personal training and wanting to expand my knowledge in different massage modalities.However, I am going to incoporate some kind of consulting in regards to personal training in the near future.
You don't need to be a personal trainer/massage therapist to be well rounded. If you have a real passion for health/fitness then by all means I suggest going to a community college. If not then just become as knowledgeable as you can in your desired modality of massage. Be the best at it but know when it is time to refer your clients out. For example, if you have a client that would benefit from some core strengthening then refer to a personal trainer. If you have someone that needs to stretch send to a local yoga studio. This is a great way for cross referrals.
Making yourself more marketable requires marketing skills. Going to school does not make you more marketable. There are plenty of personal trainers or massage therapists struggling because the lack of marketing know how. For that matter even physical therapists or chiropractors.
Follow your passion first and foremost.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Porter on
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if you're serious about personal training then a degree in exercise science will help you ... and a minor in nutrition would enhance that... :-)
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Permalink Reply by Betty Schlesinger on
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Formal Education is important when you enter a Beauty Industry. Accredited certification will add value to your skill and knowledge. With regards to becoming a personal trainer you need to market yourself well.
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