Do I Need to Switch to the ACE 4th Edition Personal Trainer Manual Materials?

This is a good question…and a frequent one since we released our 4^th edition ACE Personal Trainer Manual and supporting materials this month. Many candidates currently have the 3^rd edition materials and are wondering what is needed to sit for their certification exam.

First, when are you taking your exam? The 3^rd edition Personal Trainer Manual and supporting material can still be used to prepare for exams taken before the end of 2010. If yourexam is scheduled, or if you plan to schedule it shortly, then you are fine still using the 3^rd edition Personal Trainer Manual.

How long have you been studying?  If you’ve been working with the 3^rd edition Personal Trainer Manual for a while, I’d encourage you to finish up your studies and sit for the exam. Although you wouldn’t be starting over with the 4^th edition , the format of the manual is different enough that it might take a while to review.

What materials do you already have? If you’ve purchased the whole package, all the accessories, and even some extras, then get going with those studies and sit for the exam before the end of the year. You’ve made a substantial investment in your preparation so far, and now you just need to study hard and motivate yourself to sit before the end of December. Remember we recommend 3-6 months to prepare for your exam.

Why switch to the 4^th edition Personal Trainer Manual and supporting materials? There have been substantial updates to the manual, including the introduction of the new ACE Integrated Fitness Training Model (ACE IFT) for exercise program design. This full-color version now comes as a two-book set with two companion DVDs, one on the topic of exercise coaching and the other on applied anatomy and kinesiology. In addition, the 3^rd edition materials will not always be supported. For example, the 3^rd edition Personal Trainer Study Coach Program is no longer available for new sign-ups. Yes - if you have it, you will still receive it; however, if you sign up today, only the 4th edition version is available. 

If you are sticking with 3^rd edition materials and there is a certain study material you are looking to acquire, call ACE's Educational Services team now to inquire about its availability.

So what materials are similar in the new 4^th edition exam prep plan? Well, you’ve got your Personal Trainer Manual, Master the Manual workbook, paper Sample Test, Online Diagnostic Exam, Written Simulation (same one as before), Online Exam Review, and Study Coach 12-week and 20-week programs. Now, keep in mind, all these ‘similar’ products are based on 4^th edition materials so all have been updated to reflect the information in the new manual.

And what materials are different in the new 4^th edition exam prep plan? The ACE Personal Trainer Manual comes with a companion book called ACE’s Essentials of Exercise Science for Fitness Professionals which covers the background sciences (i.e. the first 4 chapters of your 3^rd edition Personal Trainer Manual, except expanded with more info). This Essentials book has its own ‘Master the Manual’ at the end of each chapter, and a set of flashcards that relate directly to the Essentials book. You also receive two DVDs – ACE’s Essentials of Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology (back of the Essentials book, 2 hrs long) and ACE’s Practical Guide to Exercise Coaching (back of 4^th edition manual, 3hrs long). Also, the 4^th edition material discusses the ACE IFT Model at length.

Anything else to keep an eye out for? If you stick with the 3^rd edition materials, or even if you switch to the 4^th edition Personal Trainer Manual and supporting materials, read documents carefully to determine which edition they relate to. For example, in this Exam Prep blog I’ll talk about a page in the manual by saying ‘check pg. 31 in the 3^rd edition Manual, and pg 67 in the 4^th edition Manual’. If you write in to ACE with a question about your materials, their content, or prepping for the exam, just mention ‘I’m using the 3^rd edition manual’ or ‘I’m using the 4^th edition PT manual’. It will help us get you an answer quicker.

So, which set of materials should you choose?
Well, in the end that’s up to you. Read over this information carefully, consider your choices, and if you’ve got questions, just contact an ACE Education Consultant at 1-888-825-3636 x782.