Best Personal Trainer Certification (Part 3)
Specialized Certifications for Personal Trainers and Strength Coaches: PICP
I just took the Level 1 Strength Trainer Certification from the Poliquin International Certification Program (PICP) in New York City ($ 650, 3 days). It was very good information.
I learned about the certification from a mentor, Joe Dowdell. I trust your opinion because you are very committed to continuing education and have obtained practically all the respectable certifications.
Charles Poliquin is a famous strength coach who has trained more Olympians than any other strength coach you can think of (except maybe Mike Boyle).
If you read Part. 1 in this series, you know that there are many good certifications and there is no one certification that is best for all. It all depends on who you want to work with and your career path.
But, if you want to work with athletes to increase performance, this certification is right up there with the NSCA’s CSCS and the Athlete Performance mini-internship (both of which I have taken, and honestly, although the NSCA is the most respected, I think as if I got more practical knowledge from Poliquin and Athlete’s Performance).
There are several things that I loved about this certification and a couple of things that I think could be improved.
Pros
* Level 1 Strength Trainer Certification focuses on manipulating the acute training variable (sets, reps, tempo, and rest) for highly effective program design. These may seem basic, but no other certification covers it like Poliquin. It’s amazing how few people really understand how to manipulate time under tension, pace, and rest for specific sports and goals. They also emphasize creating accurate descriptions of each exercise, to ensure the greatest amount of variation and adaptation (squat vs. back squat and shoulder width).
* I loved the amount of research they provided as evidence, although they could have done a better job summarizing it. I discovered that the best certifications specialize in one area. (Too many certifications try to be an expert in all trades and end up being a master in none.)
* The information is easily transferred to a practical application and is applicable to your general population customers. If you want to learn how to design programs, particularly for power, strength, or fat loss, this certification is great.
* They provide a good methodology and protocol for testing maximum strength, albeit somewhat incomplete (see below). Based on this test, they provide a nice, study-based formula for assessing upper body strength balance. (For example, if you lift xxx on the bench press, you should be able to do 8 rm of external rotation with 8.6% of that weight on the bench press, and if you can’t, there is an imbalance, etc.).
* The course instructors were friendly, knowledgeable, and generous with their attention.
* You have to take a test before being admitted to the class, plus a test at the end. I like this! Only committed coaches with a good understanding of the core material are featured, so no one asks stupid questions.
Cons
* One of the instructors did not understand BASIC biomechanics. Either that or we had a major miscommunication.
* Some of the images in the manual were misleading and / or confusing.
* The little demo on stretching was a waste of time at best and misleading at worst. Stick with what you’re good at – leave the stretch to certifications that focus on that!
* We were questioned about group training and German body training, which is something very interesting, but we only overlooked it during the conference. I wish I had spent more time on these specific programs, but there is also a lot of good information about them online.
* Some of the topics in the manual could be better written. Initially, they do a good job of defining the different strength qualities (limiting strength, maximum strength, absolute strength, speed strength, force endurance), but they are not as clear when referring to these qualities later in the manual.
* They were clearly negligent and did not follow their own methodology when choosing a coach to demonstrate the 1rm test protocol for the bench press. He specifically chose someone who seemed to be out of structural alignment, and then tested him to his limit, without even asking if he had been training consistently for the past 12 weeks (which is his own protocol).
* Also, they should change their protocol and ask what type of training has been done in the last 12 weeks, because a person could be working out for 12 weeks and not yet ready for a 1rm bench press. RULE # 1 in personal training is do no harm. The trainer came in the next day and was unable to participate in certain lifts, and it was my understanding that he had joint pain, not just muscle pain. It’s not cool and it’s not necessary. I later spoke to another coach who said he was injured on a PICP certification.
You can read this last part and say “Wow, I’m not doing this certification at all”, but I think you should reconsider, it is a very valuable certification, just know your own limits and don’t do anything you think is risky (and keep your cool! ego under control! I know it’s difficult when there are other trainers around).
We all had to take a 1rm test to gain experience; I chose the pull up because I am a climber. I was able to do 1 pull-up with 90 pounds loaded on me, with my chin on the bar. There are several exercises to choose from, so you should be able to find one that you are comfortable with, and if not, you can and should pass.
Biomechanics
On the subject of biomechanics, one of the instructors mentioned that he does 1 and ¼ reps on the bench press with girls with ¼ reps at the top of the movement, because this part of the movement overloads the triceps and girls are concerned about the back of the arms. Looking good.
Totally cool with me. This instructor had mentioned that he is very precise in following his programs and exercises, so I asked him if he ever manipulated his intention at the bar to overload his triceps as well.
In other words, you can push against the friction of the bar with your triceps, your hands are not going to move, but the line of force caused by friction, when combined with the line of force of the bar (gravity). creates a resultant with a different line of force that changes the angle of force on the axes of rotation of the shoulder joint and the elbow joint. (Not a typo, axes is the plural of axis. Who knew?)
With intent, you can make the lower part of the bench press more difficult on the triceps and the upper part more difficult on the chest. Can you do this and still lift the maximum weight? Do not! Can you lift a barbell with just your triceps? Do not! But that was not my question.
His response was “I’d love for you to come make the chest with me sometime”, as if who could do more in the bank decides who knew more (not so, duh).
Wow cowboy, firstly, I was just asking a question, secondly, it would be an honor to exercise with you because you know a lot, even if you don’t understand basic biomechanics, and thirdly, you can ask one. from my trainings on the stairs of the Empire State Building with me. I can climb 86 flights in LESS than 15 minutes, I would love to see your face as you try to keep up, although to do that I would have to slow down, and speed is not my style companion. Either way, none of these workouts would solve anything, I was just trying to learn from his perspective without losing my perspective.
His final answer was “Yes, you could probably do that, but why not do a triceps exercise instead of modifying a bench press?” Really, didn’t we start this conversation because you said you liked modifying a bench press with 1 and ¼ reps to hit the triceps more? Fuck! He wasn’t going to push, because it wasn’t a biomechanics seminar and he didn’t want to be one of those coaches who take over a lecture to prove their point. Anyway, this instructor has a lot of potential, but he is young and irritable! I liked it to say the least 🙂
I hope you have enjoyed this post and consider this certification. Also, if you want to be able to shred expert trainers, textbooks, and just about everyone else in the gym on biomechanics or exercise mechanics, you should seriously consider resistance training Specialist certification.
What is your favorite certification? Why? What information helped you choose a certification? Is there a particular topic you want to learn about? Would you take the PICP certification?
Leave me some questions in the comments and I’ll get back to you right away. SHOW ME YOU’RE ALIVE!
Until next time, keep your business in shape.
Johnny fitness