The ISSA program contains extensive training materials. These teach a variety of areas that are important for personal training, including anatomy, program development, physical fitness and health, kinesiology, biomechanics and nutrition. ISSA requires 20 hours of continuing education and renewal every 2 years.
There are also a number of certifications and specializations available. These include fitness nutrition, group fitness, senior fitness and exercise therapy. ISSA makes things easy when it comes to choosing a package, as there is only one option! If you want to get the complete package, ISSA is one of the cheapest certifications. Retests are also relatively inexpensive.
ISSA is a solid personal training certification that provides plenty of scope for future specialization. While the lack of NCCA-accreditation may put some future trainers off, the DEAC is still a recognized accrediting organization and the certification is accepted by a number of large gyms. The whole package also provides an excellent range of training materials for a reasonable price - especially as the first retake is free.
I like that ISSA provides materials related to business and marketing, as this is often missed from certification programs. Make sure you check your employment options to see whether they accept ISSA though. If they don't, one of the NCCA-accredited options on this list is a better choice. For more information, take a look at our in-depth ISSA certification review. The five certifications above are my top picks, but they are far from the only options. Others include:. If someone can convince a client to pay them for personal training, they are a "professional" trainer - regardless of whether they have any certificates or qualifications.
That goes for the guy who read a Reddit post about Starting Strength and now thinks he's an expert, your granddad, or the woman in the gym who only ever uses the cross trainer but wants to earn some extra cash.
There are no regulations stopping anyone getting paid for providing fitness advice. You could theoretically setup a website today and be a "personal trainer. The real question is whether this is a good idea.
As you've probably guessed, it's not. Aside from showing potential clients you at least have some training and qualifications, many gyms won't hire you without a certification. Most insurance companies also won't provide liability insurance, which is essential if you're going to be running a personal training business read our guide on how to become a personal trainer for more information.
So, while many clients won't really care about which certifications you have, and they are just a starting point for your education, it's still important to have them as we mention on our homepage.
The best personal training certification programs also provide the foundational knowledge you'll need to start helping clients with a range of goals. While you might have learned a lot about workouts and nutrition over the years of going to the gym, this information is likely to be biased towards your goals and requirements. These may be very different to your average client. It's almost impossible to pick the "best" personal training certification for every future trainer.
The right option depends on your requirements, goals, experience and budget. It's still vital to choose a top certification though. The right program can open up more job opportunities, provide a solid foundation in the science of personal training and establish a pathway to more specialized training.
For this reason, I thought it would be useful to put together a list of some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a certification. One of the first things to check when considering a certification program is the prerequisites. These can be broadly divided into four categories:. If you meet these requirements, you'll have access to a wide range of accredited courses.
Another self-imposed prerequisite is how much time you have available to study. The process of getting certified varies depending on your time constraints, so if you're working a full time job it might be worth looking for a program that allows you to purchase the exam separately so there's no time limit. Even amongst accredited and nationally recognized personal trainer certifications, the information and skills taught can vary. All CPT programs give you a basic set of skills to cope with a "standard" client if there is such a thing.
They have different strengths depending on the type of client you eventually want to work with though. The various certification bodies also offer additional certifications to allow you to work with a broader range of clients.
While a certification doesn't limit you to a particular route - you can always take another at a later date - it's worth thinking about your target clients.
If you want to design training programs for the average person who wants to get in shape, it's an excellent choice. It also provides a broad focus that covers topics such as injury prevention and corrective programs. On the other hand, NASM might not be the best choice if you want to work with more athletic clients or in a clinical setting.
These people often have more specific goals and may need a more customized program. Additionally, some gyms are more likely to accept personal trainers with specific certifications.
If you're planning to apply to a certain gym, make sure you contact them before you make a decision. Some certifying bodies aim their programs at people without any experience in fitness or health. The material is often explained at a more basic level, so these courses are great if you don't have a technical background.
The best options still teach a methodology for training, but they don't go into as much detail about why certain movements, patterns and techniques work. Other programs are "harder," in the sense that they expect a level of technical knowledge.
These programs teach at a deeper level, with a focus on the mechanics and anatomy of the body. Again, there's no "best" option here. A nationally recognized certification is just a stepping stone into the personal trainer industry, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to continue learning.
It's also unlikely that clients will know the differences in technical detail between the various certifications. Ultimately, go with a course that allows you to start your career as quickly as possible.
If you don't have a background in anatomy and physics, you don't need to worry about gaining this knowledge before you get a certification. When comparing programs, pick an accredited course that allows you to use your strengths to qualify and start your career. If, once you're certified, you want to go back and learn at a deeper level, you'll be able to do so with more experience under your belt. Something else to consider is the expected length of training.
While you can technically take an exam as soon as you feel ready, especially if the training is self-paced, the various certification have different time expectations. If you have a full-time job, make sure you have enough time to study the provided material and take the exam. While getting a personal training certification is much faster than a degree from traditional colleges, it still requires dedication.
Most courses have an option of just buying the course material so you can set a later exam date, although this could encourage procrastination. Schooling may also include in-person workshops, classes or seminars. If you want to go to an in-person learning event, make sure the scheduled dates are suitable for your current commitments. You'll usually need to pay an extra fee for these events. Don't forget to check the pass rate of the certification.
While a high pass rate might seem tempting, it could indicate that the test is easier and therefore less valuable. Side Note: The number of exam questions also varies. Most exams contain around questions, although some have up to While this probably won't affect your decision, it's something to keep in mind when preparing.
You also need to ensure there's an exam location near you - or at least one you can get to easily. If you can't access a test location, check out our best online personal trainer certification page. Accreditation is one of the most confusing parts of choosing a personal training certification, so I'll try to explain it in simple terms.
A certification means that the individual i. It shows you have the knowledge and skills to pass the organization's exam. Accreditation, on the other hand, is effectively a certification for the certifying bodies. To become an accredited program, a certifying body must be reviewed by an external organization and found to meet their requirements. If a CPT program has been accredited, it meets the standards set by an impartial reviewer.
As I mentioned earlier, the fitness trainer market is unregulated. This doesn't just mean anyone can call themselves a personal trainer or instructor without a license. It also means anyone can create a certification! Accrediting bodies help sort the legitimate certifications from the rest. Accreditation means you can have greater trust that a program meets a high standard.
There's still variation in quality between accredited programs, but you at least know they meet a set of minimum requirements.
For this reason, I don't recommend choosing a program that hasn't been accredited by a recognized organization. This is usually considered the gold standard for accreditation, mainly because the evaluation is in-depth and repeated on a regular basis. There are other accreditations though.
This is an organization that's recognized by the Department of Education, and it also requires regular re-accreditation and reviews. It's probably not as well-respected in the fitness world when compared to NCCA though. I've talked a lot about how personal training schools provide you with "basic" or "foundational" knowledge. Don't confuse this with low-quality or useless information though.
The study materials and classes provided by the best CPT schools have been put together by a team of experts. Instead of searching for important knowledge in various books, seminars and courses, they provide a system for learning how to become a personal training instructor.
This saves you time and can make the learning process more manageable. You'll undoubtedly develop your own systems and ideas as you gain more experience. When you start your personal training career, however, it's vital to work with a system and school you can trust. The best personal training certification should give you the confidence to design effective custom programs. For this reason, make sure the program you choose has high-quality learning materials.
They might be the most expensive part of being certified, but you should never regret investing in your education. It's also worth checking the type of materials that are included. Some programs provide physical books, which are great for highlighting or making notes, or hands on weekend classes and seminars. A few are entirely digital and may provide live online classes. Many schools offer additional certifications beyond basic personal training.
Some of the most common include group exercise certifications, but there are more unusual options such as tactical strength and conditioning NSCA or medical exercise specialists ACE.
While you're not tied to courses provided by your CPT certification provider, it's worth taking a look at their other courses. It's a bonus if they offer certifications in areas you would like to train. You'll need to periodically recertify if you want to keep your certification.
The amount of time between renewals varies depending on the certifying body, although it's typically years. CEUs are an excellent way to broaden and sharpen your skillset, so they aren't a bad thing. Make sure you know how many CEUs or CECs you'll need to complete though, as this could affect the right course for your goals. The good news is that you don't always need to attend your certifying organization's seminars and conferences. Some allow you to submit external health and fitness-related education courses, seminars and events as continuing education credits.
Getting certified isn't always cheap, but it's still one of the least expensive careers to train in. Many certifying bodies also offer bundles, cheaper self-study options and payment plans to help you manage the cost. It's important to know the total price of a certification though. Don't make the mistake of choosing a program from a school that's cheaper upfront but costs more in the long run.
For more detailed information, check out our page about the cost of a personal trainer certification.
We also have a page listing out top picks for a cheap personal training certification. Most courses have a selection of packages depending on your budget. Self-study courses, for example, are often the cheapest, but don't offer one-to-one mentoring. You'll usually need to pay extra to get access to online courses, live workshops or even job guarantees.
On a side note, make sure you keep an eye on deal and coupon sites Groupon is a good example. Sometimes certifying bodies offer excellent cut-price deals on these sites. Some programs require you to sign up to an ongoing membership, while others just recommend it.
Required membership adds to the lifetime cost of the certification, although there may be added benefits of being a member. Make sure you know whether you're expected to continue paying for a membership. Tto finish this section, I want to make a point that might sound strange for a website dedicated to helping your choose a certification program The certification you choose isn't as important as you might think. Yes, it's vital to choose an accredited certification that provides a solid foundation with broad job prospects.
And choosing a bad certification is a waste of time and money. With so many different institutions offering online personal training programs, sometimes it can be challenging to distinguish what is legit and what isn't.
But there are a couple of things to pay attention to. One warning sign that it's a certificate instead of a certification is the time it takes. Unfortunately, there are places offering certifications "that want to just collect money and could care less about you being prepared and knowledgeable," he adds. The good news is there are a variety of legitimate certification programs available, but not all of them are one-size-fits-all.
Williams recommends that you know what type of work you want to do within the personal training field and the types of clients you'd like to work with. NSCA is a non-profit organization that focuses on training and educating professionals in different sport science careers.
Learn more about the NSCA here. NASM is well-known in the world of sports medicine and fitness and offers a range of personal training programs online. Learn more about NASM here. Length: Study at your own pace, but you must take the exam within 6 months of signing up. A non-profit organization, ACE is dedicated to exercise and health coaching through its various programs from personal trainer to health coach.
Alicea and Williams both recommend ACE because it's been around for decades and is well-respected in the industry. Learn more about ACE here. Created in , ISSA is known internationally as a source for fitness trainers and sports scientists.
It offers a range of personal trainer programs, depending on your professional goals. Alicea mentions that ISSA is known in the industry and its certification is accepted at most gyms. Learn more about ISSA here. In business for over 25 years, NCSF is dedicated to educating and training sport and exercise-focused professionals.
It offers personal trainer certifications as well as strength coaching and sports nutrition. Alicea suggests the NCSF because it's been around for a long time and offers comprehensive courses. Learn more about NCSF here. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. The curriculum is developed based on a Job Task Analysis for personal trainers which reflects both the U.
The Personal Trainer program utilizes self-guided online or guided instruction workshops, training schools, and colleges to teach this curriculum which includes physical evaluations and testing, result-based training methodologies, programming models for varied population segments, nutrition and weight management, and advanced instruction in resistance training, corrective exercise, flexibility, and aerobic fitness.
Student knowledge and skill development follow logically sequenced learning modules with interactive, engaging videos and study tools that culminate in the successful completion of the certification exam. Examinations can be taken online or at a local testing center when ready, through the organization's on-demand testing service. For continued education the NCSF offers workshops, online courses, and home study programs. Fitness Mentors is leading the industry in preparing trainers for the future and new-aged fitness landscape.
What I find most unique is their emphasis on the best business, marketing, and sales techniques that show you how to start and run a personal training business and online personal training business from the ground up.
The course work is self-paced and includes a personal fitness mentor to aid you in the study process. Due to the self-paced nature of the program, the student can test as soon as they feel ready, but Fitness Mentors does provide a four and eight-week study timeline for optimal exam preparation. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, a free retest is available if you go with their Pro Package. You can learn more about their test at the bottom of this page here.
One of the best resources in the Fitness Mentors Curriculum is the Facebook and Instagram Success module, covering how to get clients through these platforms.
This is unique to FM and not offered by other certifications, setting FM apart as the leader in Online Client acquisition. Fitness Mentors also offers a wide array of additional certifications for trainers that want to focus on nutrition, sports nutrition, nutrition coaching, special populations, business and sales, pain management, group fitness, and health coaching. Try Fitness Mentors! Become a trainer. The American Council on Exercise ACE empowers trainers and fitness experts with one simple directive: get people moving.
The training course and resources are built on that straightforward foundation, offering teaching that meets clients at their level, whether that means a walk in the park or a high-performance triathlon. And that singular mission seems to have results; the personal trainer program boasts over 53, graduates, with over one million client sessions all over the globe. The personal training program consists of the following:.
The training cycle for each program falls into four phases: function, health, fitness, performance. Each phase emphasizes different aspects of health: mobility and stability training, aerobic exercise, endurance and efficiency training, and more.
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