This year has been pretty crazy for me so far. I have completed countless road races (including my 6th marathon!), was selected as a Lululemon running ambassador, crossed the finish line of my very first triathlon, and am just now entering into fall race season. Over the summer, other than marathon training, I have had something up my sleeve. My friends and family know about it, but I just wasn’t quite ready to share it on the blog. In November, I’ll be taking my test to become a NASM certified personal trainer!
I’ve been studying little by little since July, and finally signed up for my testing date last night. I am so excited about this, as I have been thinking about becoming a certified personal trainer for so long! This means it is crunch time! For the next month, I am going to be studying like crazy and getting very familiar with all of the tricky parts of my study book, which for me are some of the scientific terms.
What do I plan to do with it? I’m not 100% sure yet. I am not going to be leaving my current job at BlueGlass – no way! I love the company that I work for, and would never want to jeopardize that. I plan to be working here for many years to come. What I do know is that I plan to put more circuit and strength training workouts up on the blog to share with everyone. I love posting the ones that I have up so far, and can not wait until I have a little bit more klout behind what I am sharing with all of you. I also hope that readers start to ask me more questions about workouts and ways to get fit. Oh yeah, and I can change my disclaimer to say that I am a certified professional – once that time comes that is 
I chose NASM because of the forward way of thinking that it provides, along with the more scientific based approach. When I was researching on which program to go with, I really liked how NASM was known as a very challenging program. I am always up for something to give me a run for my money, and this test is no different. There is a lot of information to take in, and I have to make a conscious effort to cut out the time in my schedule to get the studying in.
I hope some of you are excited for this new phase on the blog. It will still be the same ole me on here, but now I’ll have a little bit more knowledge to back up my workouts! I’m pretty excited!
P.S. I have a guest post up today over on Ashley’s blog, Healthy Happier Bear, for her Marathons and Moderations series. Find our how to run a marathon without much motivation. Go check it out!
Go, Mary! What a great idea – the world needs more (and better!) personal trainers that work primarily with runners. Good luck finishing up the process! I can’t wait to see what exercises you post, and I can’t wait to try them out on my own! You’ll be my cyber personal trainer
Well of course! I am pretty pumped about it!
I took the exam in 2007. There is a lot of anatomy on the exam so make sure you have that down. Also a lot of questions about muscle imbalance i.e if the knees cave in xxx is tight and xxx is weak. Best of luck!
Yes, I am focusing on that part right now. I definitely have the most trouble with the imbalances.
That’s very awesome Mary! I’m certain you will be great at it.
Thanks Beth. I am so excited to finally cross that off my list!
Congrats girl! I hope you do well! I plan on getting certified with NASM in a year after I finish up my year course at Integrative Nutrition. My boyfriend was certified through them and he recommended them to me. Good luck!!
I would love to look into some nutritional stuff after I finish this exam!
Congrats! That’s a great cert! I still have all the material to get mine through the NASC. I really should finish it:)
Yes! You definitely should
That’s so cool Mary! I am ACE certified and have to renew it every 2 years. I got my certification in college at William and Mary when I trained there. The hardest part was knowing the musculoskeletal components. I’m sure you’ll rock it though!
Yea, I am definitely putting a huge focus on that part! Thanks for the advice!
Ah yes, I would love to get certified too! It’s honestly just a matter of waiting for the funding for it to all roll in. I actually would quit my day job (freelance PR) to dedicate myself to fitness and health! Good luck!
That is amazing!
Go Mary! I’m actually toying with the idea of getting NASM certified, too. I’d love to hear more about your experience studying, preparing, and taking (and passing!) the exam.
Definitely. Let’s chat about it after I take the test in November
wohooo I spent most of today studying for ACE
hope i can get through everything and take the test in a month or so!
You will be good to go in a month! Its taking me so long because I only get in about 30 minutes a day!
Congrats on your decision! I might eventually get mine but I’m going to do some nutrition education first.
Very cool – what kind of nutritional program are you in?
Mary, Yea! Glad to hear you registered, so now it’s really real. Good luck…
Yep! I am in it to win it!
Good luck Mary, I am sure you will do great!
Thank you Kelly!
EXCITING!! I went with NASM too. Big tips = know the biomechanical chain and imbalances and ways to correct them. And program design, regressions/progressions of exercises, etc. I found doing all the practice tests and flashcards helped me so much.
Thank you Tina! I wrote all of those things down so that I can be sure to focus on it!! Such a big help!
That is so cool! I was thinking about doing something like this too. But, I am already in school so its just too much! I will have to follow your lead later on! Good Luck with your test! I think you will do great!
Yea don’t get too overloaded!!
Hi Mary! We’re so excited that you decided to get our certification! Some tips for your studies:
1. Be sure to check out our exam prep section at: http://bit.ly/hVZJeP.
2. Like our NASM Facebook page where we’re constantly posting health and fitness info, testing tips, contests, and more at: http://on.fb.me/h2AHOB! You can also post any questions you have to our wall and an NASM rep will get back with you.
3. If you have any study questions, you can contact our Student Success Reps at 800.460.6276, Option 1 and they will be able to help you out.
We wish you the best and hope to see you join the NASM team soon!
Yours in health,
The NASM Team
Thanks for the tips! I am excited to be on my way to taking the exam!
Yeah Mary!!! Good luck!!
Thanks Steph! I’m so pumped!
Yay! You’ll do great! If you need any tips on what to study just let me know! I took mine in April and would be happy to help! Best of luck!
Thanks Whitney! I will definitely be coming to you for pointers!
Woo hoo! I’m so happy for you!! I know you will do great. Way to follow your dream and live your passion. Truly inspiring!
p.s. I can’t wait for you to blog more workouts
[...] I have been studying for this for the past few months, and I am thrilled to have completed (and passed!) the exam. I will share with you all my thoughts on the program and why I chose NASM over other programs, but for now, I am going to throw these out and enjoy the rest of my Friday! [...]
[...] I mentioned when I announced I signed up for the exam, I chose NASM for the forward thinking. It is not the same type of strength training like it used [...]