Personal Trainer Certification Exam Prep Course: Over ... (ISBN 1438201389)

Don't Miss the Online Testing Part:
I bought this book to help study for my NASM certification. I was not very impressed with it at first glance because it has a homemade feel to it (the graphics were a bit grainy and the text is very plain). But then I stumbled on the instructions for accessing the online portion of the book. I didn't even realize that there was an online component when I bought it. But you just need to send an email to (...) and they will give you your passwords to access the online tests. The online tests were very helpful and turn this rather lackluster book into an excellent product. THINGS I LIKED: The online tests give you immediate feedback. Most questions will tell you WHY you got a question wrong. I found this very helpful to my learning process. I also liked how it keeps track of your score and tells you if you passed or failed a section. There are also whole discussion forums devoted to each of the certification tests. The NASM one was full of test tips. I peeked at some of the other certs and they had similar discussions (although the discussion was a bit limited for some certs I have not heard of). THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: There was one question about BMI and obesity that I disagree with, but I guess one question out of 500 isn't too bad. I also think they need to get some better graphics for the book. The graphics look fine on the web site quizzes, but are grainy in the book. Although the online components are where this product shines, I did end up using the book to study when I was not near my computer. It was also helpful for me to add notes in the margins next to the questions that I needed to review.

ACE Certification Study Resource:
I don't recommend this book. It's not approved by ACE and does not follow the ACE Personal Trainer Manual. I found it impossible in most cases to validate the answers to questions against the ACE Personal Trainer Manual. A prior review on this book mentioned an online study course. There is none. The online version is only a replica of the 500 questions on this book with no additonal online study materials. I also found errors in the book. The answers to the nutrition questions relating to Nutrition Labels starting on page 105 are incorrect. The questions re: the sample label for Macaroni & Cheese are based on nutrition values per serving. The answers provided in the book are based on the entire contents of the box (which are 2 servings). I quit using the book since I'm not sure of it's accuracy or inaccuracy.