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It means a great deal that I have complete this course successfully! by Bob Yandell submitted: 04/02/2008 Thank you very much for your exciting e-mail it means a great deal that I have completed this course successfully. Your comments are useful and encouraging and I can't wait to honour the institute by applying my new-found knowledge to help others reach their fitness goals.

It was great to hear positive feedback from an experienced trainer! by Becky Brown submitted: 04/02/2008 Thank you for your e-mail regarding my test. I worked hard on it and it was great to hear all of the positive feedback from an experienced trainer. I am happy that I chose ISSA and am pleased with the helpfulness of the programs. Thanks again for the positive feedback.

Now I'm so happy and can't stop crying from the joy!!! by Lisa Engersgaard submitted: 01/30/2008 OH MY GOD!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I can't handle this!!! I was just emailing Dr. Barnathan, informing him that I had submitted my exam and then I received your notice. I couldn't keep writing because I had to run and tell my family. My daughter clicked the submit button because I was a nervous wreck!!! Now I'm so happy and can't stop crying from the joy!!! You can't imagine how I felt after taking Dr. Jack's seminar - he is amazing and I look forward to continuing my education with ISSA. I'm so proud of becoming part of the ISSA family!!!!

Thank you so much for your professionalism and continued support by Maryann Sickels submitted: 01/30/2008 I just received my detailed letter letting me know I've passed the course. Thank you so much for your professionalism and continued support. I know I speak for us all when I say your time is of extreme value to us and is greatly appreciated. A million thanks to you!

What great support, advice and encouragement has been provided to me! by Grazyna Dabrowska submitted: 01/23/2008 I have just passed my final exam. I would like everyone to know, what a great support, advice and encouragement has been provided to me by Patrick throughout my studies. We can certainly count on the ISSA family!

The material was challenging and very informative. by Christine Del Boccio submitted: 01/23/2008 Thank you for your kind words and very prompt grading of my examination. I found the material challenging and very informative and plan to keep my textbook as a "resource guide".

I am proud to be apart of an association so knowledgeable and great! by Jordan Bruner submitted: 12/06/2007 Thank you for taking time to further my career and be a proud ISSA trainer to the world! The time and devotion our/your company puts forth is of a great standard and I ask for nothing more! I am proud to be apart of an association so knowledgeable and great! Thank you again! Take care and have a great up coming weekend!

You have helped shape my life, and helped me regain my health. by Steven Weinstein submitted: 11/26/2007 I hope this Thanksgiving eve finds you doing great and relaxing. I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving, and once again thank you for everything you do for all of us. You have helped shape my life, and helped me regain my health. These are both priceless things. There are no words to express my thanks.

I'm so proud to be a part of such a great group of individuals! by Sumer Lecompte submitted: 11/19/2007 Thanks so much. I just have to say I'm so proud to be a part of such a great group of individuals here, the support is unbelievable. I appreciate you and everyone here! Thank you so much!

I cannot thank everyone at ISSA enough! by Steve submitted: 11/13/2007 I really appreciate all of your help and advice, it has made a big difference in my studies. I cannot thank everyone at ISSA enough. As a result of everything I have learned, and continue to learn the quality of both my children's lives and my life are vastly improved. My intention is to take every course offered by ISSA, then go back to school for my Masters.

I'm very excited to become an official member of ISSA! by Elizabeth Iliescu submitted: 11/08/2007 Thanks for such a quick response. I'm very excited to become an official member of the ISSA, and I'm hoping to submit my test in a few weeks. Thanks again for your quick response; wish me luck! :)

The customer service there is great! by Louise Bagnaschi submitted: 08/29/2007 Thank you for all of your personalized help. I really appreciate it. This is one reason why I’ve been so happy being associated with ISSA. Everyone I’ve spoken with over the past year and a half has been very pleasant, supportive, and willing to help. The customer service there is great! It’s been a pleasure working with you today!

Refreshing! by Angela Taylor submitted: 08/20/2007 It is refreshing to be connected right to the person who can answer my questions in this world of "Press 1...etc" :).

I learned so much in 2 days! by Martine Wodka submitted: 07/16/2007 It was my pleasure to attend the Chicago/Crunch Seminar for the ISSA. I learned so much in 2 days. Thank you (Dr. Barnathan) for taking the time to speak with me after the exam. It encouraged me greatly, to proceed and go forward. I enjoy the Fitness portion more now that Science is backing it up. Well - I am off to conquer my destiny!

I want to make mention of the high quality of the seminar I attended in May 2007! by Jill Powell submitted: 07/02/2007 I am proud to join the ranks of ISSA trainers. I want to make mention of the high quality of the seminar I attended in May, lead by John Shaeffer. John is a wealth of knowledge, and answered everyone's questions thoroughly and patiently. His suggestions on program development, nutrition and exercise techniques are proving invaluable to me already, as I have been employed at a gym two weeks ago and have been just starting to train clients. I had an obese gym member who I was able to help with an abdominal exercise suggested by John. This message board is proving a good educational tool as well, and I will be a frequent reader and poster. I am ready, willing, and also a little nervous and anxious as I start my new career as a fitness professional, and will need all of your help and support. THANKS!!! :)

I look forward in representing ISSA! by Courtney Westwood submitted: 06/29/2007 I must say that I'm impressed with the feedback that was given, because not everyone does that. I'll definitely take your comments and fix my mistakes because I want to provide my future clients with the best. I look forward in representing ISSA and completing your specialist in sports conditioning to further enhance the work I currently do with high performance field hockey players in my area.

Becoming certified with the I.S.S.A. has been the best decision that I have ever made! by Laurie submitted: 06/28/2007 Things are going GREAT...As usual, I love being a professional with the I.S.S.A...I just signed up another trainer under my rep number this week! I will be launching a website next month that will consist of online fitness/nutrition programs/training..etc...I will also have a shopping section for ordering products! Anyway, you guys are the best...And becoming certified with the I.S.S.A. has been the best decision that I have ever made! Thanks again for all your help!

The CFT Seminar was Great! by Lisa Keisler submitted: 06/26/2007 Hi, Just wanted to thank the ISSA, Dr. Jack Barnathan and his team. The seminar was great !!!! Dr. Jack packs in so much vital information in such a energetic, non complicated yet cutting presentation. It is easy to get excited about choosing this great profession we all are passionate about. Thanks again !!!!

I will recommend ISSA to any person I know who's interested in Fitness Education by Angela Schumaker submitted: 06/25/2007 I am looking forward for a successful career in Fitness. I've had a great experience with ISSA, and will recommend to any person I know who's interested in Fitness Education. Thanks again for your all your support,

I am recommending your program to anyone interested in personal training! by Sean submitted: 06/22/2007 I recently purchased the ISSA personal training certification book. I just wanted to say thanks for breaking down all the information so well in the book. I am recommending your program to anyone i come across who is interested in personal training

I am so happy to be a part of this association! by Tiare Lum submitted: 06/18/2007 I just attended a wonderful weekend seminar for my recertification in Dayton, Ohio on June 16 and 17 led by JK. He was fabulous! He has wonderful energy, passion, and enthusiasm for this industry. I feel more knowledgeable and confident and feel I can finally do what I want with my personal training. I just wanted to say thank you to ISSA and to JK for the wonderful experience I had. I had a chance to network with other people in my workshop with a size of 20 people in class which made it a lot more personable. JK made us laugh and made us want to learn more and more. He was great! I am so happy to be a part of this association!

I am honored to be certified under the ISSA! by Glenn Moreau submitted: 06/18/2007 I just completed the ISSA CFT seminar in Houston,TX June 16-17, 2007, with John Shaeffer and took the official CFT test. I want to give John Shaeffer an excellent review. He is very knowledgeable about his subject area, established himself as a professional and established rapport with the entire class. I learned proper biomechanics, the quality of colostrum and a lot of great quality, very useful information from this seminar. I would highly recommend John Shaeffer to everyone. ISSA is honored to have him and I am honored to becoming certified under the ISSA body. Thanks John Shaeffer; you are the best!

ISSA support helps myself be successful in the fitness industry! by David Price submitted: 06/15/2007 I've recently accepted a position as personal trainer with LA Fitness and just wanted to give thanks to ISSA and those on the question board for the continued support and advice that helps myself and so many others to be successful in the fitness industry. I want to especially give much props and appreciation to "PGB" (Patrick) for contributing his time in making this board a valuable resource and blessing for ISSA trainers. Keep handlin' your business Pat and the best of success to all of ISSA and fellow trainers.

I wanted to thank you and all of your team members! by Jed La Lumière submitted: 06/12/2007 Thank you for taking the time to assist me with my studies and testing. Through this course I have realized that there is a great deal of responsibility both as a person and a professional that one must accept when training others. My education is far from over but I think this is a great start. I wanted to thank you and all of your team members, for assisting me in passing this certification. The ISSA organization is one that I look forward to working with for many years to come.

ISSA has given me the knowledge! by John Morrison submitted: 06/08/2007 I have been working out for about 6 years and prior to that have been an active climber, mountains, rock and ice which keeps you in shape. I'm thankful to be 51 and in the shape I am in. Often I have young people and folks my age ask what the secret is and that says to me that we truly are able to inspire others and influence others by how we live. I wanted to have a grasp on what I was doing so when anyone asked me a question in the gym, I was able to answer them correctly and know more about what I was saying. ISSA has given me that knowledge.

I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly ISSA took to grade the exam! by Nuttee Suree submitted: 06/07/2007 Thank you very much for the greatest news! I'm very delighted with the exam result and even more excited to start my personal training career. Moreover, I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly ISSA took to grade the exam. This shows an utmost attention to the students and great dedication to make us better. Thank you very much again for your sincere encouragement and suggestions.

Blown away by ISSA Staff's personalized approach! by Autumn Edwards submitted: 06/06/2007 I'm sure you hear it all the time, but I have been blown away by the staff's personalized approach (especially all the tremendous support on the board!). I may be taking on an exciting new fitness position when I return from NY and I'm just so blessed right now. I had planned (and still do) on being a physical therapist or physiatrist and ISSA has opened me up to thinking about fitness therapy and tying the two together in a new light.

Student Services: I am thankful for their support! by Michael Meredith submitted: 06/05/2007 I know I have stated many times to the Student Services Department how much I am thankful for their support, but I just can't say that enough. You all have been great! They made a real believer out of me and for that I am grateful. I feel like a graduate and although I have claimed the title of CFT; Man that feels good!! I know that I still have a lot to learn and I am looking forward to continue to further my education through ISSA. I also know that I will never know it all, because of the ever changing ever evolving field of Personal Training. That is what makes this field so cool, because you never stop learning and it never becomes a boring job. We have so many areas where we can branch off into with this kind of career and many of you will have a particular specialized field that you will want to venture into. For those of you who are new students coming, don't worry, just keep asking questions if you get hung up on a subject matter or just a general question. That is what this Question Board is for. I was afraid to use it at first as well, but as you can all see, that has changed. LOL... I know that you can pass because if I did then anyone can. Just stay focused and set small goals, one at a time and reach them. It worked for me. For those of you who have passed, I look forward to talking with you in the future and sharing information so that we may better serve our clients. I for one would love to help and if I don't have the answer then I will ask Patrick Gamboa...LOL... He has all the answers, and thank God for that! So, it was great being here at this stage of my new career and I again will be back to ask Patrick more questions about my CEU Courses... Thanks again Patrick and everyone else for making this an enjoyable and life changing experience.

You have no idea what this means to me! by Pennie Reed-Gunsalus submitted: 06/04/2007 Really, Really! You mean I really did it? Finally! You have no idea what this means to me. Needless to say it has sometimes been tough finding the time to study but, I finally put my mind to it, and my nose to the grind stone and accomplished this goal as well. Thank you so much Patrick for the support you continue to provide to me and everyone on the ISSA question board.

I've found so much happiness! by Mindy Horne submitted: 06/01/2007 Yesterday I conducted my first training session with my first paying client. We've already met twice for a complimentary session and a fitness assessment and body composition analysis. The session yesterday went very well; she was challenged but loved it and is really excited about her future progress. I felt great about the session and can't wait to have more clients. It's so great to share something with others. I've found so much happiness on my own. The mind body connection that comes from being fit and just existing in the physical self is amazing, especially to watch it begin to develop in another person and know you facilitated it! Thanks to ISSA for providing me the tools to share what I'm truly passionate about!

I am so Excited!! by Jim McFarland submitted: 06/01/2007 I am overwhelmed. This is one of the most exciting days of my life. I very much look forward to starting my training work after I receive the official documents. And I am so happy I signed up with ISSA. You folks are so helpful and knowledgeable. As I read the board every day I can see how much you help us with our trials and tribulations. I am sure we will be corresponding more in the future and thank you so much again.

I will never forget this day! by Michael Meredith submitted: 05/31/2007 I want to thank Staff Members that made this such a great experience. As a High School student I did not do very well at all, but my friends told me that it was ok because the subjects in High School just did not interest me. They were right. I found my passion and I went for it. I am still celebrating and I will never forget this 30th day of May.

I am proud to be called a Certified Personal Trainer! by Jermaine Medley submitted: 05/29/2007 I like to thank you all for creating such a great tool of excellence. I am proud to be called a certified personal trainer and I do look forward to all that it has to offer in benefiting my life and others. I like to thank Patrick for all the help he has been and the webmaster Barclay. You guys were the best. This started for me 10 yrs ago when I weighed in at 285 pounds a walking time bomb. I was diagnosed hypertensive taking three different kinds of pills. It seemed as If my life was at a stand still. I needed to make a change and thats what I did. It took me 6 yrs to lose the weight but now I am a healthy 185 pound trainer looking to help people who are in the same boat I was in. I was injured on my job a year back and working out three days a week help keeps me in tune and now I am a trainer I can leave this old janitor job in the drain. Thank you again ISSA!

Client signed up for 18 sessions and we start Wednesday! by Akanke Birmingham submitted: 05/23/2007 I just wanted to thank you for your input on my first appointment with a potential client. She signed up for 18 sessions and we start next Wednesday! Having worked in a gym for years, it certainly feels good to have my first "self employed" client!

An Incredible Informational Training Seminar! by Jacqueline Clegg submitted: 05/23/2007 Thank you so much for your incredible informational training seminar. You (Jack Barnathan, ISSA Professor) are a great teacher and I'm glad I registered for this seminar. I was worried about if this was going to be worth it, and it was. I will probably see you in the future at a New York seminar (my family lives there). Thank you so much I can't wait to impress every one at the gym.

Some of the best customer service I've gotten! by Anthony Church submitted: 05/18/2007 I've never received anything but fantastic customer service from the ISSA. Probably some of the best customer service I've gotten. I love the ISSA.

I look forward to using my newfound certification! by Jean-claude Lyall submitted: 05/18/2007 I look forward to using my newfound certification in the fitness field. My plans are to open a small fitness gym in my hometown in the very near future. I am looking forward to attaining 2 additional certification -- youth fitness (Youth Fitness Trainer)and the older generation fitness course (Specialist in Fitness for Older Adults).

I'm very proud as it was a very challenging test! by Jeni Johnson submitted: 05/17/2007 I'm truly pleased with the outcome and put 100% into it because I don't take on any task lightly. I'm very proud as it was a very challenging test.

I just finished my second day at my new job! by Kirsten Torokvei submitted: 05/17/2007 I just finished my second day at my new job. I got a job training at Goodlife Fitness Club. I am doing this to gain experience and hopefully will start my own business very soon.

Thanks to ISSA I feel more than ready to go! by Rich Hoffart submitted: 05/10/2007 Thank-you so much for the prompt response, I was quite shocked to see your e-mail so soon as it said it would take 72 hours and it has been less than a day. I am very pleased with the course and the outcome and am very excited to start my new career. Thanks to ISSA I feel more than ready to go!

The staff at ISSA are terrific! by Lynda Davies submitted: 05/10/2007 I am incredibly impressed my file has been updated already, The staff at ISSA are teriffic.

ISSA training helps me and people around me! by Jay Elkins submitted: 05/09/2007 Thanks for all your help and support that you gave me when i signed up. The ISSA training that I am going through will truly help me and the rest of the people around me in my life. As far as Patrick Gamboa goes, I read all of his comments that he leaves on the board and this guy really knows what he is talking about. The way that he explains everything…he even gets it down to detail. This guy is really dedicated to what he does and it is hard to find someone like that anymore. Even though I have been around for years reading the magazine hypes and the new stuff that has come out for years, there is a lot of misinformation coming out left and right. No wonder everybody is so confused after they read these magazines. So much information out there is only to sell the products that they are trying to sell and there’s less information about actually staying healthy. That is where I will come in with the help of the ISSA. When I get certified, I want to help these people understand what is true and what isn’t, and help them with their goals.

You are the absolute BEST! by Batrice Adamns submitted: 05/07/2007 I passed my exam! Got the letter this morning. I had JUST mailed it in last week and had no idea it would be graded so quickly. Thank you so much to the entire ISSA team. And Patrick, a sincere thanks to you for entertaining all of my questions no matter how goofy. Thank you for the great feedback on my exam. You are the absolute BEST. But again THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I'm just glad it's over! I can breathe again!

The help and support by the ISSA has been exceptional! by James Jansen submitted: 05/07/2007 Well, I finally did it! I was hired for Coop's Health and Fitness in Greenville S.C. I will be working directly for Mr. USA, John Defendis. The help and support given by The ISSA has been exceptional. Thank you guys for your help and guidance and I look forward to many years of being a certified ISSA professional!

I am so excited to get started! by Mary Beth submitted: 05/04/2007 Thanks so much for your persistence in getting this to go through. I am so excited to be getting started!! By the way, my job is quite similar to your role in admissions, working in follow-up and admissions, and I really respect the way you've followed up immediately with calls and with getting me through, as well as being available for questions as I thought through this decision.

I have my first client wooo! by Nichole Snow submitted: 05/03/2007 YAY LOL! I passed and I have my first client wooo! We have had our first few sessions. She loves to work out because she has someone to talk to... Can you believe this is a JOB!! YAY! A few years ago this was "Only a dream".

The ISSA material really is the best course out there. by Rick Zamojski submitted: 05/02/2007 I just received my SSC material and I can’t stop reading it. Just like the CFT program, it's great. The reason I am saying this is because I just read most of the (other certification company) book and I did not care for it. I am not trying to put down the (other certification company), but the ISSA (CFT) book was written a lot better and I learned so much. I don’t think the ISSA gets enough credit, like some of the other certifications do. The ISSA really is the best course out there.

ISSA treated me with the utmost courtesy! by Darlene Annunziata submitted: 05/02/2007 I want to thank you for your extreme patience and ... all the staff at ISSA has treated me with the utmost courtesy and professionalism.

California Seminar! by Lindy Gilkey submitted: 05/01/2007 Hi Dr. Jack! I just wanted to thank you for a great weekend. You have given me so much knowledge and your enthusiasm for this profession really affected me and has me so excited to get out there and learn more and educate others. I have been talking about everything I learned this weekend nonstop since I left just a few hours ago, and am already referring to chapters in the book and your blog! My mind just won't stop I tell you! So thank you for that.

Knowledge is why I love the ISSA! by Martin J. Cook, CFT, SPN submitted: 05/01/2007 The knowledge that you have and the input that you provide are one of the many reasons that I love the ISSA.

I am so proud to be an ISSA Trainer! by Roya Heydari submitted: 05/01/2007 I could have never done anything like this even in my wildest dreams if it was not because of an organization like ISSA. From day one until now,I still am getting help from you all in many area of my business. I am so proud to be an ISSA trainer and I will always support and do anything in my power to help my ISSA!! Live with passion and be happy.

I am so pumped to begin my life as a trainer! by Keren Reizer submitted: 04/30/2007 I am so pumped to begin my life as a trainer. I just got back from Agoura Hills where I was fortunate enough to be part of the ISSA seminar. What a weekend! I truly am proud to be affiliated with ISSA.

ISSA Certified and wants to take women over 40 to superior fitness! by Mary Velez submitted: 04/30/2007 Now that I can honestly say I'm certified and want to represent the ISSA in my endeavors to take women over 40 to levels of superior fitness. They deserve it. I'm a character with lots of humor; but normal and can relate to all of our baby booming ladies.

Together we ARE making a difference in peoples lives! by Karen Swogger submitted: 04/27/2007 I just wanted to thank everyone that has helped me through all that I have asked of you. Thanks again and keep up the good work. Together we ARE making a difference in peoples lives, and it’s an awesome feeling.

Already have 4 job offers with gyms in town! by Jamie Griggs submitted: 04/25/2007 Only been certified for a couple weeks and already have 4 job offers with some gyms in town. When I handed out my resume and people saw I was ISSA certified, I could see the interest in me spark immediately. Thanks ISSA!

The confidence I got through your certification process made all the difference! by Sandra Reibeck submitted: 04/25/2007 My business is growing faster then I imagined and it's all thanks to ISSA (and this great question board)! I already have 7 clients training 2 x's a week paying $35 a session (45 min. sessions). I didn't expect this income in only 8 months. The confidence I got through your certification process made all the difference! I was so nervous when I got my first client, but as time went by I realized I knew a lot more than them and a lot more then I thought I knew. SPN certification is next! Patrick, thank you so much for all your help and great knowledge and thank you to all the trainers who take the time to help others through this message board! You're a great organization - I'm so glad I chose you (the ISSA) when I decided to be a personal trainer!

My life has changed because I chose the ISSA! by Ruby D submitted: 04/24/2007 I started working at a gym 3 weeks ago and I am already overbooked because of referrals. I had to turn clients down because I didn't have the time. What really shocked me was that they said that they got more information about exercise from me than their doctor or anyone ever. You're clients will see the difference when they see you care. Many come to you skeptical after failing to meet their fitness needs for years and are about to give up but ISSA gives you all the tools you need to show your clients that you are the proper person to meet their fitness goals. I am glad I chose the ISSA and my life has changed so much because of it. I am now looking forward to taking the NBFE exam with all my fellow ISSA trainers.

I thank God everyday that I saw an ISSA ad! by Richard Hinkle submitted: 04/24/2007 I am morphing out of the corporate world and getting back to what I love, helping others to stay fit and healthy. I thank God, everyday that I saw an ISSA ad on a gym bulletin board. I am now an ISSA CFT and proud of it. We are Family!!!!

I am looking at signing up as a ISSA Rep! by Marvin Garvida submitted: 04/24/2007 I just received my certification through ISSA. I am looking at signing up also as a ISSA Rep as I have found a lot of folks interested in getting their certification and needing assistance. I want to thank Patrick for his help and quick response on getting my final graded and the excellent feedback. Keep up the great work.

ISSA is an upstanding company! by Diane Climer submitted: 04/23/2007 Thank you for the wonderful service and quick grading. I am very excited to start my career and have many great ideas to share with my community on fitness and want to make a difference. ISSA has been the very best to work with. I could have gone to a "weekend" class and received my certification, but I wanted to stand out with the best by having my certification with an upstanding company as ISSA!

Stay inspired; we are on a MISSION to educate and inspire everyone! by Brenda Martin submitted: 04/23/2007 I've been a certified trainer for less than a year and have some great news which I want to celebrate with you. I have a fabulous son, 31 year old (brainiac attorney). He's a smoker, with high cholesterol and hates exercise. When he was growing-up, while other kids played football, he stayed home and read books on past and present U.S. presidents. After receiving my certification, it put me at a knowledge and credibility level to try and influence him into making a healthy lifestyle change (he's a blockhead and not easily influenced). The difficult thing in working with an attorney (even if is my son), is that everything has to be factual and supported by documentation. However, I was on a mission to help him change his bad habits and it paid off. He called me on Monday to give me the great news that he had joined a gym in January and absolutely loves it. He had been reluctant to tell me because he didn't think he would be able to stick to it (we live in different states, unable to eyewitness his transformation). However, 4 months later, he is addicted to the gym. He has quit smoking and says the rush and exhilaration he gets from working-out is far greater than any head-rush or relaxation which he received from smoking cigarettes. He started jumping rope and he admitted that he initially struggled to make 70 jumps. He is now jumping 30 minutes twice a day and lifts 4 days a week. His cholesterol level has dropped 30 points, lost 32 pounds and his new aspiration is bodybuilding. He, also, acknowledged that seeing me overcome medical issues with my back, my strength, my physical physique and positive mental attitude were all contributing factors in making his decisions. (It was nice of him to say that, but I personally think the pictures I showed him of healthy lungs vs. cancer lungs and pictures of LBM vs. fat, and morphed pictures of the aging process, etc., scared him). We do make a difference and sometimes we are blessed that it is the people closest to us we witness the positive changes in. So guys, stay inspired, we are on a MISSION to educate and inspire everyone we know and meet to live a healthy, fit life. Have a blessed day!

I have a huge smile on my face! by Tony Medeiros submitted: 04/23/2007 Thank you very much for all of your assistance. You were extremely helpful and I really appreciate how quickly you responded. I have a huge smile on my face right now and already have a few job offers. I'm looking forward to my continuing my fitness education through ISSA.

It means a great deal! by Inga submitted: 04/19/2007 Thank you very much for your exciting e-mail. It means a great deal that I have completed this course successfully. Your comments are useful and encouraging and I can't wait to honor the ISSA by applying my new-found knowledge to help others reach their fitness goals.

Honored to be a CFT! by Tamara Knight submitted: 04/18/2007 I can’t believe how fast you got back to me! I am honored to be a CFT representing the ISSA. Thank you for all of your support and I look forward to working with you in the years to come.

Lightning Fast Grading! by Bob Nicholas submitted: 04/16/2007 I wanted to thank you for the lightning-fast grading of my ISSA online exam; moreover, your sincere feedback and encouragement. When I submitted my work late last Friday, I didn’t expect to hear anything until Wednesday. My wife received the good news late that evening but didn’t want to wake me up. (She knew that I would have been up all night with a case of adrenaline rush.) The thing is, even with the California time difference, Pat, I’m sure that you could have been doing something better than grading ‘just another exam’ last Friday night. I can only begin to tell you the strong, positive impression that you made on me by your obvious dedication In short, I’m extremely proud and honored to be a member of the ISSA team. Rest assured, I graciously accept my responsibility as seriously as outstanding folks like you accept yours.

I got more clients! by Kevin Richardson submitted: 04/16/2007 I started training my client again after his knee surgery and his doctor was very happy with the results of his weight loss (from 1 November until now he lost 35lbs). I’m very happy and I got more clients (most of them are attorneys like him). Thank you for the support that you giving me and I am very proud to be certified from ISSA. Thank you guys very much!!!

A Wonderful Weekend of learning and FUN! by Natalie Rossman submitted: 04/15/2007 I want to tell you that the recent ISSA seminar I attended was an amazing help for me. I signed up for the Study Program (8th Edition) in January of '07. If I hadn't attended the seminar, the certification exam would have been a lot harder. The hands on training, the effective instructional strategies, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic will be tremendous for my career. Although I did complete the text, workbook and practice exam, Dr. Jack really put all the information into perspective. He taught me how to apply science to my client's workouts and make it fun and interesting for them. Also, I learned some great tips in the gym from Dr. Jack. He showed us how to work each muscle and gave us insight on good form and technique. I now share a new love for the squat rack along with the rest of the students from the L.A. seminar! The notes I took at the gym were not things I could have learned from the textbook only. The lecture and notes taken during the classes are now tools for me to use in real life. I now feel very confident about entering the field of fitness even at my beginning level. Thank you Dr. Jack, the facilitators from ISSA and to the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles for a wonderful weekend of learning, networking and most of all, FUN!

Fitness Therapy Exam! by Antoinette Chang submitted: 04/15/2007 Thank you for the wonderful and astonishing feedback and I was very surprised with the results and still in shock to know I have attained such high marks. Will continue to do my best in representing ISSA and would strongly recommend fellow instructors to take the correspondence course.

Excited to use my acquired knowledge! by Danilo Castro submitted: 04/14/2007 Thank you for the timely manner in which I received my test grade. It was with great enthusiasm that I learned the good news. I am excited to embrace the career and look forward to using my acquired knowledge and help people in their pursuance for a better life style. Proud to be an ISSA Certified Trainer.

Irishman recommends the course to any aspiring trainer! by Niall Curran submitted: 04/14/2007 I’m actually delighted. I did put a lot of work into that exam and making sure I understood and could apply the information in my gym instruction. I used a lot of the techniques I learnt, but funny enough, I felt I learnt more in doing the essays than by studying the book if that means anything, I think that’s down to how someone learns. I will always appreciate what I learned and got from the ISSA and would readily recommend the course to any aspiring trainer.

Study Materials! by Sujata S Lajmi submitted: 04/14/2007 You all at ISSA have made the study material so easy and simple to study and understand that it was indeed a very good learning experience for me.

Overwhelmed by the level of assistance by ISSA! by ADNAN FAROOQ submitted: 04/13/2007 I am overwhelmed by the level assistance the ISSA team is willing to offer and guide a novice like me. Thank you once again for your support!

So much knowledge packed study material! by Tim Nevinger submitted: 04/13/2007 I would like to thank the ISSA for providing a certificate with so much knowledge packed study material. I look forward to a career as a ISSA certified personal trainer.

Thanks for the help to all trainers! by Robert Brown submitted: 04/13/2007 As you know I never want to stop my education, so I enrolled in the OPI program using my previous hours and I am going to finish this program. Thanks for all the ISSA and yourself does to help us trainers.

Fitness training is huge, we're very busy! by Amanda Butz submitted: 04/13/2007 I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your help and support! My husband and I just opened our first gym: Healthy Butz Fitness Club We are both CFT's and our members are benefiting from our gained knowledge. Fitness training is huge, we're very busy! Thank you again!

This is a huge stepping stone for me. by Sandi Porter submitted: 04/13/2007 Thank you for your assistance over the past few months in completing my SPN course. This is a huge stepping stone for me. I have been carrying and studying this book like a bible to me. I know I did that with CFT book until it came naturally to me and I feel I will do the same thing with this book, referring to it so often until it becomes second nature to me. Anyway, thanks again for all of your help. I was asked to speak to a teen group last week at our library and it was great. 80% of them were obese. I brought in healthy snacks and talked about the little things they could do to improve their diet. It opened my eyes to what is out there and how I can help. My husband and I own an advertising agency and I gave up selling a million dollars a year to become a trainer and was so glad I did. When I started my company, "Start With The Inside", it was my goal to fight obesity, one person at a time. This course will only help in that aspect. I’M SO EXCITED!

Surprised and Pleased! by Linda Samper submitted: 04/12/2007 I just wanted to thank you for your kind and generous words regarding my passing of the ISSA CFT test. I was very surprised and pleased to receive such a quick response on my results. I look forward to representing ISSA in my community and anticipate a long and lasting partnership with ISSA.

Professional superiority! by Brenda Martin submitted: 04/12/2007 Thanks for your continual support and professional superiority.

Thanks for your support! by Stefania Nuzzolo submitted: 04/12/2007 I would like to thank you and the ISSA for all the help and support you give to the ISSA trainers. You must be a superman, I do not know how you can do it all. More power to you.

Joining ISSA was the best thing I have done! by Lynda Davies submitted: 04/12/2007 Wow has it really been one year since I became a CFT? There have been so many changes that I can hardly believe it has only been one year. Joining ISSA was the best thing I have done since I move to the US in 2004. Personally my % bodyfat, fitness and strength have all improved. Professionally I have several clients who are getting great results and are happy with my services, and the odd one or two failures along the way. (This is OK because I find that when things don't quite go as you expect you tend to learn more) I love my life! Thank you to everyone for the support you have given and continue to give me.

Great Advice! by Jennifer Neubert submitted: 04/12/2007 Thank you so much for your advice, it was of great help and makes perfect sense to me now! I always love asking questions because I know that if a client asks me now I have the knowledge to be of help to them!

Follow the ISSA! by J.R. Smith submitted: 04/11/2007 I just want to let you know that the ISSA is really what gave me the foundation to provide these courses to the nurses in the hospital. With everything I have learned in mechanics from all the courses I have taken ( and one yet to be completed), along with the 5 Step Back Solution (CEU course), I have come off looking like a million bucks to these people and it is all because of the ISSA. Follow the ISSA program; learn it well and it will pay off big dividends for many years to come. And by the way, the ISSA has also given me the ability to believe in myself enough, along with my NBFE registration, to work so hard on developing the Kentucky Association of Fitness Professionals here in, obviously, Kentucky. You guys keep the faith and stay the course and maintain your affiliation with the ISSA, no matter what comes you way because it will definitely carry you into bigger and better things...more than you could think or ask.

Respect for your knowledge! by Bill Cloud submitted: 04/10/2007 Thank you for grading my exam so quickly and I will use your comments and work through my weak points on the exam! I highly respect your level of knowledge in so many areas of health and fitness. Thank you for all the assistance you have given me to complete my exam and much more.

Question Board Thank You! by Terry Dean submitted: 04/10/2007 I just wanted to give everybody here (ISSA Members Section Question Board) who has ever posted a question or response a special thank you. I don't post a lot but I am here every day. I read every post and every response. I got the results of my test today and I passed with a 92%. YAY!!! I owe a great deal to you all because I have learned so much from reading your questions and responses. Not only did I learn specifics from your direct responses but some of the questions got me thinking about things from a different perspective. This provided a different angle from which to view the difficulty I was having and actually helped me to figure out the answers to many of the issues I was having. Thank you all so very much for taking the time to participate on this board. And a special thanks to you Patrick for being so diligent, patient, and taking the time to respond to each and every post without fail. You really do make a difference.

ISSA is the Best! by Chris Roland submitted: 04/09/2007 Since January 07 I have been using my skills that I learned studying the ISSA course as a Personal Trainer at my local gym. I would like to report to you for the purpose of expressing my gratitude and for encouraging other trainer-to be's to keep plugging along. I'm having the time of my life helping people and they seem to be coming out of the woodwork for my services. ISSA is the best!!!!!

South African Thank You! by Greg van Graan submitted: 04/09/2007 Greetings from South Africa Just a little note to say thank you for all your help with my questions it is good to know you are an e mail away or on the question board.

My advice to those taking the Certification Courses. by Elizabeth Allen submitted: 04/08/2007 I passed! I am now ISSA certified. Thank you for your support Patrick. I love reading the Forum and its nice to know I can get dedicated expert advice in a timely manner. The service with ISSA has been very professional so far and I am glad I chose it. I look forward to getting to know my fellow trainers here on the forum and exchanging information. My advice to those taking the Cert.....Do your absolute best, treat every section as if you were answering your future boss at an interview and if you are in doubt about how your going about your exam, the staff at ISSA are so helpful. I gave them a call a few times and sent posts to the forum.

Canadian CFT Recommends the Question Board! by Michelle Gaulin submitted: 04/07/2007 I am from Edmonton and I started my study in late August for CFT and completed it in November and was certified on November 26, 2004. Welcome aboard and view the board often. You can learn much from the other trainers out there. Welcome to ISSA and I cannot say enough good things about them!

YFT course highly praised! by Laura submitted: 04/06/2007 Thank you so much for recognizing my hard earned efforts. I am very comfortable with my knowledge to successfully implement youth programs. I just completed a CEU, "Kids on the Ball", which was much easier to comprehend because of my ISSA exam. What I find even more interesting, (never having children), is that I know more about children and their growth than most parents. Again, thanks. I appreciate the personal email, you never get that from other organizations. I look forward to receiving my certificate.

She really LOVES our Question Board! by Cynthia Johnson submitted: 04/05/2007 I am flabbergasted! I have a passion for the fitness lifestyle because I personally lost 102lbs, and on a petite 4'10 frame... that's almost 1/2 of me. I spent a couple years trying to decide how I could best help others on their quest. I experimented with numerous fitness methods to try to see what fit best, looked into numerous vehicles for certification and decided on ISSA. I received my CFT study materials 1 year ago and finally am signed up for the seminar in Denver...terrified to take the test. I've studied the materials; tried to relearn my study skills (I've been out of school for... well, uh, awhile); worked on my self confidence; read every publication I could get my hands on; tried to relearn my study skills; studied the materials; worked on my confidence; spent endless hours on the web; being vivacious for information, I debated with my own trainer-gym owner; studied the materials, worked on relearning my study skills... get the point? And NOW, I've finally accessed these boards to finalize any gaps in my interpretations. Had I only known what a fabulous tool these boards could have been for me, Whew, studying would have been so much easier. What wonderful questions! What wonderful Posts! What fabulous and descriptive answers! You guys are great! Knowledge merely BEGINS with the book, it doesn't lie there. I think that the study materials should come with flyers that SHOUT, UTILIZE THE BOARDS. And they should be inserted in 15 page increments throughout the book! Ok, a little drastic, but you get the point on how sincere I am about this. Any newbies that are reading this; UTILIZE THE BOARDS!! Even if you don't understand the questions at first, I promise, you soon will and it will facilitate your learning, I assure you!!! I'm honored to be a part of the ISSA program. Keep learning!

Fitness and Attitude Go Together! by Pinaki Saha submitted: 04/05/2007 Sir, I am extremely delighted to know my score and that I am finally ISSA certified. You have correctly judged that I have taken immense effort and pains to become ISSA certified. What I've learned from ISSA is something which will help me in my future endeavours a lot. ISSA is an association with ATTITUDE. That's what i find great about you. FITNESS AND ATTITUDE GO TOGETHER. From last 15 years I am working out and pursuing fitness goals and it’s only my attitude which has kept me going. It’s my good luck that I am a part of ISSA which understands me. Actually it is your kindness to have given a poor person from India like me to be a part of your association.

What a wonderful surprise! by Margaret Hansen submitted: 04/03/2007 You can’t imagine what a wonderful surprise I got when I checked my e-mails a couple of hours after submitting my exams, to find that you had already corrected and sent me my results. Wow you are a true professional, thank you very much for not keeping me in suspense for the 3 days I understood it would take to get my results, I really appreciate it. I am also interested to take more of the courses offered by ISSA. Once more thanks a million for the quick and totally professional attention.

I am happy I chose ISSA! by Becky Brown submitted: 04/02/2007 Thank you for your e-mail regarding my test. I worked hard on it and it was great to hear all of the positive feedback from an experienced trainer. I am happy that I chose ISSA and am pleased with the helpfulness of the programs.

I am more than thrilled! by Jackie Grillo submitted: 04/02/2007 I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your VERY rapid response in regards to my training certification. I also really appreciate the fact that you let me know exactly what I got wrong so that I can take a look over that material. I am more than thrilled that I passed and even more excited to get out into the field and get started.

CFT Textbook is simple to understand! by Nicolas Amp submitted: 04/02/2007 I would like to say that studying with ISSA was by far the best choice for me. "Fitness, the Complete Guide" is such a wonderful material to me because it is very simple to understand, which means a better understanding of the course.

The seminar has helped me acquire more respect in the gym. by Martin Hernandez submitted: 04/02/2007 The workshop was such an eye opener for me. There were so many things that I believed were done a certain way, but now I found out the right way. The workshop was so informative. My knowledge has grown so much. The first thing I did when I went back to work was begin to educate others on my new knowledge. By me talking to others about what I learned at the seminar, those individuals are realizing the importance of educating themselves on fitness. This has helped me acquire more respect in the gym. Dr. Jack Barnathan has the best teaching method. The way he teaches just seams to stick. The workshop and Dr. Jack Barnathan have motivated me to take my education even further.

Great Inspiration and Support! by Dennis submitted: 04/01/2007 Thanks for all the great inspiration & support provided me by you, Rochelle, & everyone at ISSA!