I haven’t checked this post in a while, so I’ll also email you this response. I just updated the post with this info that you might find useful (I’ll email you this as well, be sure to check your spam box because AOL always throws me in there):

Earning statistics of dietitians:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm#outlook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm#projections_data
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291031.htm

Earning statistics of trainers:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm#outlook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm#projections_data
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes399031.htm

Thanks

All – Thanks for reading & pitching in.

Thanks for emailing me and giving me the link to your blog Parts 1-3 on this issue of directions
toward a career in fitness.

Although, I still disagree with you not have the CN (Certified Nutritionist) next to your name, I do agree with your thoughts on the career, credentials, etc…

I am still going to stick to my opinion which I have mentioned to you before and that is, I believe anyone trying to become a certified nutritionist, should do so by getting their degree in nutrition first, then submit for their license for RD or CN with ones State.

This way if any client a fitness professional is working with in ones State, the trainer who is titled CN or RD is covered for liability in the event whatever dietary program or plan you have them follow goes south and they try to sue you, you are covered for any liability because you are an actual CN or RD, not a wannabe CN from any of the those unaccredited groups.

This includes the ISSN, because they too are not accredited with NCCA, DECA, or other governing agenices, not to mention, they are not approved like many others with ADA, FDA, or any other dietetics or nutrition governing bodies/agencies.

Unfortunately, the fitness and nutrition worlds are crossing paths every day and no matter what people write or tell me, I truly believe the reason all these wannabe certifications, ISSN included are popping up is because of MONEY….in business it’s always about the BOTTOM LINE and when guys leave companies or branch off on their own, the certs, products, books, articles, etc….seems to be the growing trend, rather than the real reason we as fitness professionals got into this biz in the first place, TO HELP PEOPLE.

Don’t get me wrong, we all should get paid generously for our time and effort with whatever we do as fitness professionals, but at what cost.

So many guys and gals are popping up as experts in fitness and even in nutrion, but they never go thru the formal process of getting the degree in nutrition and becoming a RD or even better yet and real CN with ones State, license and all.

You know I respect what you do, but truly believe even you Alan, with your Masteers in Nutrition, should have your CN in your State of California, if not for just to cover yourself legally in case that one client has a problem with your nutritional advice or plan that doesn’t work for them and then something happen to their health and they try and sue you. I think every guy or gal that wants to become a nutritionist should follow the proper route and the same goes for guys or gals becoming trainers.

Unfortunately, like I stated in your other blog post, the industry is going to have to crack down and become more regulated and this will weed out the true fitness or health professionals that really want to be the CSCS, PT, or RD or CN and get the proper education and credentials.

Regards,

Tom

Reading your article sparked my interest in obtaining a training certification once I finish my degree in exercise science (I’m currently a senior in my final semester.) I’d like to go for the NSCA CSCS due to the marketability you mentioned and the requirement of a bachelor’s degree for certification. My question is about the relevancy of this program to training individuals. On the NSCA website they present the CSCS as a certification designed for coaches and trainers working with groups or teams, not with individuals. Their CPT program is recommended for those working with individual clients, but does not require a bachelor’s and I suspect lacks much of the prestige and marketability of the CSCS. Is the CSCS an appropriate certification for those looking to train individuals, or is more suited to team coaching and/or bootcamp style personal training?

Thanks for the article!
Ben

I struggled with the idea of becoming and RD and/or nutritionist a few years ago, as nutrition is incredibly important to me but decided against it since I’m not a huge fan of the conventional teachings- however, I’m happy to read all that you have written on your experiences with pros and cons of that industry and the fitness ventures…

Anyway, thanks!

Thanks a ton for posting this.

I also need some specific career guidance and I am really hoping to receive some input from you. Like some of the other people in the comments that you emailed – I am hoping you can email me as well. I do not see your email anywhere here though. Could you please email me? Thanks!