Working On It

Think personal training involves just showing people how to lift barbells and use equipment? Think again.

As BMCC’s newest instructors—professional personal trainers Billy Davis and Brian Semonian—explain, personal training involves much more than utilizing equipment.

And if you’re interested in taking the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) exam, you better brush on your science knowledge…

This summer, two NASM/BMCC Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification courses are being offered through BMCC’s Department of Continuing Education. One is led by Davis, the other by Semonian, both certified by the NASM.

The course focuses on Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, and Physical Education, Personal Training, Wellness and more.

“I think you’re more marketable if you’re NASM certified,” says Semonian, who describes himself as “a huge advocate for health and wellness training” and founded the non-profit organization Phys Ed Plus.

Davis, an athlete, personal, and corporate trainer, calls NASM  “the gold standard for trainer certification. With it, you can work just about anywhere, in any city.”

BMCC’s course prepares students for this exam, which Davis warns, “is not easy. It’s very in-depth and requires a lot of research, especially in the sciences. I wish they offered a course like this when I was studying for the NASM. But if you really want to be a trainer, you’ve got to put in the work.”

Beyond the barbell

According to Semonian, in some places, “the benchmark for quality training is low.  It’s not ‘OK, here’s a dumbbell…’” It’s so much more than that. In this course, we really get into the science of it all and learn how and why the body breaks down. “

Walter Singleton is a student in Semonian’s course this summer.

“I studied personal training at a gym, but I want a NASM certification because I’m interested in training professional athletes,” he said. “I’ve always viewed the body as a temple you take care of, and find the course extremely informative. I’m enjoying the anatomy behind everything we’re learning because I’ve always been a bit of a science geek.”

Semonian adds: “Additionally, you learn about bedside manner and how to grow your business in the fitness industry.  We also focus on the principals of the body and how to put together a program for clients.”

Davis says being an instructor at a university “makes me a better trainer,” and wants interested individuals to know, “If you enjoy fitness and helping people, this may be a field for you.”

For more info, click here or call 212-346-8410.