PTPioneer & The Team – the Fitness Career Guide
Tyler Read, BSc, CPT
Founder, Personal Trainer
Tyler Read holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University and is a certified personal trainer (CPT) with NASM (National Academy of sports medicine). Tyler has been training clients as a certified personal trainer both online and in-person for over 15 years.
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Amanda Capritto, BA
Nutrition coach, CPT, Editor
Amanda Capritto is a fitness expert and advocate for simple—but effective—fitness programming and health practices. Amanda has been an ACE-certified personal trainer since November 2017 and has since earned several speciality credentials.
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Kendall Bird, BS
Personal Trainer, Writer
KendallBird is a dedicated fitness expert hailing from the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee. Their journey through academia, athletics, and professional experience has solidified their position as a leading voice in the fitness and exercise science field.
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Kevin Farmer, MD
Chief advisor, Professor
Kevin Farmer, MD, Team Physician at the University of Florida and Advisor to PTPioneer. Having been an All-American high school athlete and a collegiate baseball player, I deeply understand the significance of sports and physical activity in people’s lives.
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Danny Sawaya, CSCS, BS
Personal Trainer
Danny Sawaya, with a Nutrition degree and CSCS certification, has over 22 years’ experience in strength coaching. Owner of Tucson Strength, he specializes in fitness, powerlifting, and training endurance athletes, including Olympians. He’s currently into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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Christian Kruszewski, CPT
Personal Trainer
Christian Kruszewski, with a BS in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Arizona and NCCA accreditation from NSCA, focuses on strength, hypertrophy, and online coaching, providing personalized training and nutrition strategies for various athletes.
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Mission Statement
As a fitness professional with many years of providing useful certification study programs and reviews, and many more years as a certified personal trainer with many specializations, My mission statement is as follows:
“My Mission is to guide both newcomers and industry veterans with my years of exercise science experience. I will ensure you have access to the best fitness materials and ace your fitness certification exam with quality study materials for free.”
I must present a tremendous amount of factual information in one concise and easy-to-find location so that readers can make a well-informed decision about their career.
All of the fitness content throughout this website is produced for free for readers to go through so they can make better decisions with insider info and opinions based on experience.
About PTPioneer.com
Hello, visitors to PT Pioneer!
If you have reached this page, I am guessing you would like to learn a little about who I am and why I started this website! My name is Tyler Read, and I am a 32-year-old guy living in my Hometown, Santa Cruz, California.
No matter how far I move away, I always return to this beautiful, sunny beach town. I live one block away from the beach! Even in early March, it is still sunny on most days 🙂
I was always interested in sports and fitness since I was a little kid. I played every single sport growing up. I started lifting weights in high school because I wanted to get bigger and stronger for lacrosse. I was amazed at how hard work, knowledge, and dedication can change how you look and feel.
Before I started college, I knew that I wanted to get into exercise science to help other people look and feel the way I do from exercising. Some other interests of mine include traveling, going on adventures, cooking, spending time with my cat (her name is Gatita), playing disc golf, studying Spanish, and working on this website!
Why I started this site about getting started as a trainer
I have been working as a personal trainer for the last ten years since I graduated from Sonoma State University. I graduated with a kinesiology degree with an emphasis on pre-physical therapy. After graduating, I started checking out the different personal training certifications that were on the market.
I knew that I wanted to work as a personal trainer and thought getting certified in addition to my degree was a good idea.
I quickly became confused about which certification to choose from because so many were available.
I started going around to different gyms and asking the employers what the best certification was. I found that no particular certification dominated the market. Multiple different certifications are legitimate. I started doing research and all of them.
One of the most common questions I get asked from random people in the gym is, how do you get started as a personal trainer?
I decided to make a website that educates people about personal training! That is why I started PT Pioneer. On this website, I will talk about everything you need to know about personal training. I will talk about training tips, different certifications, continuing education, working with clients, different exercises, and how to advance yourself within the industry.
I do reviews of most of the certifications that are on the market today. I have to gather this information by going through the certification myself, doing in-depth online research, and talking with friends/acquaintances that are certified.
I believe this website will serve as a launching point for many people getting into personal training.
PTPioneer links:
Tyler Read’s Amazon Author Page
ways to contact PTPioneer
Contact Form here
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 735-9399
Phone Hours of Operation: 6am – 6pm (PST)
Address: 4736 Royal Ave Unit #17137 Eugene, OR 97402
Hi Tyler,
Wanted to thank you for creating such useful resources it literally made it possible for me to pass my NASM exam on the first try😅🙏🏼
I had planned to take all the available quizzes on the NASM guided study I purchased the day before my exam so it would be fresh in my mind. What I didn’t plan on was having them do a page maintenance that wouldn’t allow me to access my course at all!! I came across your page and this valuable resource you created. I was able to take the 20 chapter quizzes and helped me so much. Thanks again for investing time and sharing your knowledge with others.
Thanks so much for the kind words and I’m super happy that you were able to pass the National Academy of sports medicine exam. You were going to have an excellent personal training career!
Hey Tyler,
I have recently graduated college with a human service degree with a minor in education. I also finished out my playing career in football this past fall. I was given a coaching position to still be a part of the program that I helped grow for the past four years. I am very passionate about my fitness and bettering myself. I think becoming a personal trainer would be a great career for myself but I need some direction. I had recently found this website and I believe that you would be the best person to discuss with. Could you give me any pointers on where I should start and what program I should get certified in? I look forward to hearing from you!
Best Wishes,
Nick
If you hold a four-year degree, I definitely suggest you check out the certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) as that is mandatory in order to take this exam. It is definitely the gold standard in the industry. If you did not have a degree I would say to go with the National Academy of sports medicine. I hope this helps and good luck with your training career.
Hey Tyler,
I recently found this page because I have been wanting information about becoming a personal trainer. I feel like you are the best person to ask because of your knowledge. I want to know the best program I should sign up for to get certified as well as what to be a personal trainer for. I have recently finished my football career last fall so I have a background in power lifting as well as knowledge in other styles of lifting. I would love to get your input and look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best Wishes,
Nick
Hey Nick, do you have a 4-year bachelor’s degree? If so, in addition with your football career, you might want to look into the certified strength and conditioning specialist. That is the best personal training and strength and conditioning certification but you do need to have the 4 year degree. If not, I would choose either between NASM or ISSA.
Hello, my personal training certificate expired with afaa and I have to do everything again.
I registered with Nasm but in the test what is better for me was the acee 🙁
Im just really nervous about the exam
but I don’t want Again read 700 pages, what you recommends me
To pass the Exam?
Hey there, try to skim over as much as you can and use my study guides to help you. Have you checked out trainer Academy?, they also have great personal training study materials.
I’m looking into doing ACE and noticed there are two different certifications: personal training and group fitness. If I just do the personal training program, does that mean I won’t be qualified to do group fitness classes? Thanks!
Yes, you should start out with the general personal training certification first from Ace. Then, if you want to specialize in group fitness, you can take a group Fitness certification course.
Hi Tyler
My friend has completed the Zumba Strong instructor training. However, they insist that she pay a monthly fee or her training is only valid for 6 months. Is there a similar instructor training program that does not require monthly fees to be paid. And if so is there a comparison to the Zumba Strong training so that on the basis of the Zumba Strong training the other training can be obtained?
Thanks for answering my questions.
Kind Regards
Lloyd
In terms of Zumba instructing oh, I’m not really quite familiar with the different certifications out there. It does seem kind of crazy that they would make you get recertified every 6 months though. Things don’t move that fast in 6 months is very strange.
Hey Tyler
I’m Aakash (Akki) from India (Nagpur, Maharashtra)I’m a professional footballer and now I’m working in a school as a football coach ,I use to train the students for football and for personal training,my question to you is, actually my all interest and passion in sports only and I love to train the students and I always wanted to be a sports trainer expertise but I’m in dilemma about my career and courses ,so please suggest me some related courses or anything related to same ,please help me…Thanks
Hey there, great to hear that you are a football Enthusiast. I would definitely check out my article on the top 5 personal training certifications as a good place to start.
Hi Tyler my comment is mainly a question I see the top three certifications that you highly recommend and ACE been one of them but my question is… do you think that the NFPT certification is good just for the sake of saying that I have a piece of paper for the people that like to know that you have a piece of paper of certification? I’ve been training people for many years, I am a professional athlete, people come to me based on my years of knowledge and expertise and level of achievement I’ve made they come to me for specialty knowledge that most certified trainers don’t know and they actually come to me for advice on how to train their clients. So for that name sake of playing the game for people who want to know you have a piece of paper in which I would still incorporate my knowledge and expertise & training style because that is what I do and I’m good at my art and craft, but is NFPT good to get….or do you think I should still get ACE. Sorry so long, and just another note I do my own research and continue education on workouts, and training, and customizing programs for people based on their goals and lifestyle and perhaps current fitness status everyone is different and not everyone gets a cookie cutter program. I hope I expressed my question correctly.
Tonia Moore IFBB Pro Athlete
Long Beach, Ca
Hey Tonia,
In terms of recognition of holding a piece of paper, I would say that NASM is the most highly recognized certification for employers. That being said, from the clients perspective there is no difference between any of these because they really don’t know. In terms of a legitimate certification, the NFPT is a fine certification. It is accredited by the NCCA and widely accepted throughout the United States as a legitimate certification for employment. I hope this helped answer your question. Also, is never a bad idea to get multiple certifications as you would get a slightly different perspective on personal training which would only make you a more well-rounded trainer in the end. I hope this helps answer your question.
Hi Tyler,
What a useful website you have created! Wow, very impressed and much appreciated for your hard work!!!
I have a question about S&C certs. In your article, you have stated that UE citizens who would like to attempt NASM PES have a bit different requirements than US citizens:
”Europe the list of the requirements:
Must be CPR/AED certified (this is a requirement)
Must be 18 years old
Must have graduated high school or the equivalent ”
Is that a legit info? I am Eurepean citizen, interested in NASM PES, but I havent found on NASM website any info about that ( will send them an emial shorlty ). Any thoughts/experience with that?
Any info will be appreciated !
Thanks so much in advance,
Greeting from Netherlands,
Cheers
Damian
Hey Damian,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a kind comment. Honestly I do not know the requirements for every country or every region of the world. Most of my information is geared towards residence in the United States and the certifications that are accepted here. I do know that the national Academy of sports medicine is excepted in Europe. It is one of the only certifications that is. So I would assume that the performance enhancement specialist certification is as well. You should however check with your local gymnasiums or places that you would like to work to see which certifications they prefer and which ones they accept. I hope this helps answer your question.
I love the content on your page! Can you please tell me any tips I will be taking my nasm cpt in two weeks.
Hey Mary,
Good luck on your NASM exam! I suggest picking up some study materials from Trainer Academy. They have excellent study materials and even a two week cram plan. https://traineracademy.org/nasm/
Please check out our app. The software was specifically designed with personal trainers and gym owners in mind – it will help you run a more effective and efficient business.
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https://www.getbright.app/
Hey Rosi,
I will definitely check it out and thanks for reaching out to me about this cool application!
Hello! I’m a diabetes prevention specialist for young children and I was wondering if you would know of a decent nutrition certification for children. I’ve seen Nesta, AFPA, and Dr. Sears wellness institute. I’m not really sure exactly which one would be the “right” one. If you could give me some insight on which you think may be a good one, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
Hello tyra,
Most of the nutrition certifications listed on the best nutrition certification article are all good options. If you are trying to find one that specifically focuses on children, or specifically children with diabetes, there is not one certification in mind. They all do touch on various aspects including nutrition for children. But there is no real specialty certification for that.
Thank you so much for creating an amazing website. It’s the only reliable source for prospect trainers. I would definitely recommend it to all of my friends who are interested to become a personal trainer.
Hello Anna,
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind words. I am glad to hear that my website has helped you and good luck with all the studying in your personal training endeavors!
Hi. Where are the answers to the practice test? Thank you. Your work is appreciated.
Hello Terry,
For the free practice tests I do not have the answers available on my website. If you would like to have access to full practice tests and their answers, I recommend checking out the premium study materials here: https://www.ptpioneer.com/nasm-prime/
Hi,
I love your picture in Machu Picchu. I am from Peru 🇵🇪.
What are your thoughts about NCSF?
Do I need to get certificate if I want to be independent? Can I read just the book(s)?
What are your thoughts?
Hello Dennis,
Awesome, Peru is a fantastic country and I have spent a good amount of time there. The NCSF is a pretty decent certification. Where are you planning on working as a personal trainer? If you are trying to work over there in South America, I know they have a lot of different requirements in regards to personal training certifications compared to the United States. Most of this information is geared towards students working in either Europe, Canada or the United States. You can simply read the textbook definitely if you want to learn as much information as you can. There are also some excellent study guides and practice tests out there that I recommend.