Mentor’s Corner #3: Difference between A Sports Science Degree vs a Personal Trainer Certification

Some would argue that a sports science degree is more superior than a personal trainer certification because students spend up to 3-4 years to earn the degree and have fulfilled a lot more learning hour.

We also have people on the other end of the spectrum claims that a personal trainer certification is enough to get started. In fact, there are more personal trainers with a certification than with a degree.

Many employers accept both as a job requirement while some does not even require any.

This is all discussed with @linoralow and @jerricantan. Have a listen and share with us your thoughts too on the matter

Here is the summary of what Jerrican explains: –

a. Sports science – is the study of how the human body works to assist in improving performance and encourage physical activity. It gives evidence to fitness practitioners so fitness practitioners can use the evidence to improve their approach in their training. Having a degree in sports science does not necessarily mean one has met the competency of a personal trainer because it MAY not be part of the grading criteria.

b. Certification – is an examination to evaluate the ability of a trainer to implement safe and effective programmes to encourage people to increase physical activity. It is important that a certification meets “internationally acceptable standards of the fitness industry), guidelines and theory presented are evidence based and peer-reviewed as well as accredited my established standards (e.g., NCCA in the US, Europe Active in the Europe)