Are you a personal trainer looking to take your career to the next level? Or maybe you’re just starting out and are seeking a great personal training certification guide to make sure you get the best certificate, you can stand out, land jobs faster, and quickly grow your career.
Well, you’ve come to the right place because, in this blog post, we’re going to break down the top certification courses for personal trainers so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Did you know that the number of personal trainers in the US is expected to grow by 15% from 2019 to 2029? (Ibisworld) There’s a lot of competition out there, so it’s important to set yourself apart by getting the best possible education. And with so many different certification courses to choose from, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is the best fit.
That’s where we come in. We’ve done the research and compared the top certification courses, so you don’t have to. In this article, we’ll cover everything from the course content and level of difficulty to the accreditation and recognition of each program. Plus, we’ll share our top recommendations for new personal trainers, so you can start your career on the right foot.
Overview of Different PT Certification Courses
Let’s jump into some of the most reputable courses out there so you can choose. If you’ve done any bit of research, you already know that ACE, NASM, ISSA, and ACSM are the top four. So, let’s talk about those.
ACE (American Council on Exercise)
The ACE certification program is one of the most popular options for personal trainers. It covers a broad range of topics, including exercise science, client assessment, program design, and behavior change.
ACE’s program is holistic in that it touches on pretty much everything you need to get started as a PT. You’d still need to learn on the go, but it’s a fantastic starting point.
ACE also offers both online and in-person study options, as well as a variety of specialization courses to help trainers stand out in their field.
NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
NASM is another widely recognized certification program for personal trainers. It focuses on evidence-based research and practical applications for training, along with a great emphasis on corrective exercise techniques.
NASM is also great because it offers online study options if you’re unable to attend physical classes. You’ll also find great specializations in areas like sports performance and corrective exercise.
ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association)
ISSA is a comprehensive program that covers exercise science, nutrition, and business skills for personal trainers.
ISSA isn’t as popular as ACE or NASM, but is still an excellent choice for PTs looking to launch their career with a sound knowledge of theory and practice.
ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
The certification program is considered one of the most prestigious in the industry and is highly recommended if you plan to work with clients in sports. The program covers a wide range of topics, including exercise science, client assessment, and program design.
As with the other great options, ACSM offers online and in-person study options, depending on which ones are more comfortable for you. You can also take advanced certifications if you’re looking to specialize in areas like clinical exercise physiology and cancer exercise training.
You may be reading all this, thinking, “yeah, but which one is best for me?” That’s what the section answers. Let’s go over each of these programs and compare what’s in the course material.
More about ACE’s PT Certification Course
As mentioned before, ACE covers a wide range of material, including exercise science, program design, and client assessment. You’ll also find detailed and recognized specializations if you want to stand out in your field.
ACE is generally considered to be one of the easier certification programs, with a passing rate of over 60%. Depending on who you ask, this pass rate is due to either the clear instructions or the easy questions.
But, it’s also one of the most popular options, with over 90,000 certified professionals. (ACE)
Accreditation and Recognition
ACE’s Personal Trainer Certification is accredited by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). It’s also recognized by various industry organizations, including the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the Medical Fitness Network (MFN), and the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF).
These are all reputable bodies, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find your first PT job without a certificate that’s recognized by these organizations.
Costs and Accessibility
ACE’s Personal Trainer Certification program starts from $979 and goes as high as $1,729. There are three course options with increasing perks.
Each choice comes with a certification exam, ACE University course content, at least one practice test, the personal trainer textbook, and the personal trainer study comparison. The more expensive tiers offer more accessibility options for each of these, and additional perks like Exercise Science and a dedicated advantage team.
ACE’s certification programs are available online, with in-person workshops and events available for additional fees. ACE offers ongoing education resources, including webinars, online courses, and a quarterly magazine.
More about NASM’s PT Certification Program
NASM’s program is known for its in-depth coverage of corrective exercise techniques and evidence-based research. It’s a practical program that focuses on preparing trainers for real-world scenarios.
But it’s so much more valuable because it also covers a broad range of theoretical knowledge, including anatomy and physiology. NASM is generally considered to be one of the more difficult certification programs, with a passing rate of around 64%. If you’re looking for a program to get you equipped for any kind of client, from elderly clients to unmotivated clients, this is it.
Accreditation and Recognition
NASM’s Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program is accredited by the NCCA. It’s also recognized by industry organizations such as the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) and the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).
Again, these are reputable organizations and PTs with these certificates are highly sought after.
Costs and Accessibility
NASM’s Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program has four tiers with increasing perks. The course ranges from $649 on the low end to $1,484 on the high end. Some of the higher-end perks include a job guarantee, one year NASM EDGE Trainer Plus, and CPR/AED online certification.
They also offer interest-free payment plans (usually around 12 payments) that can help you pay off the course.
NASM’s certification programs are available online, with in-person workshops and events available for additional fees. NASM offers ongoing education resources, including webinars, online courses, and a quarterly magazine.
More about ISSA’s PT Certification Program
ISSA’s program is unique in that it covers not only exercise science but also nutrition and business skills for personal trainers. Plus, if you enjoy it, you can always try their other courses, as well as the continuing education program.
ISSA offers a practical focus with hands-on training and real-world case studies. However, it’s also a comprehensive program that covers a lot of theoretical knowledge. ISSA is generally considered to be one of the easier certification programs, with a passing rate of over 80%. It’s a popular choice for trainers who want a well-rounded education, with over 300,000 certified professionals.
Accreditation and Recognition
ISSA’s Certified Fitness Trainer program is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ISSA is also a member of the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs), which sets global standards for the fitness industry.
Costs and Accessibility
Unlike other bodies, ISSA has one single payment plan. You can either choose to pay $69 monthly or save by paying a lump sum of $699. The payments are interest-free, making it easier for trainers to manage the cost of certification.
Additionally, all of ISSA’s courses are available online, making it accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
More about ACSM’s PT Certification Program
ACSM’s program is known for its high level of difficulty and emphasis on working with special populations, such as those with chronic conditions or disabilities. It covers a broad range of theoretical knowledge, including exercise physiology and client assessment.
The program is generally more focused on theoretical knowledge than practical application and is perfect if you want to learn a lot about how the body works.
ACSM is one of the most difficult certification programs, with a passing rate of around 56%. Despite this, it’s also one of the most prestigious programs and remains a popular choice for trainers who want to specialize in clinical exercise physiology. There are over 50,000 certified professionals with ACSM.
Accreditation and Recognition
ACSM’s Certified Personal Trainer program is accredited by the NCCA and is recognized by industry organizations such as the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) and the Medical Fitness Association (MFA).
Costs and Accessibility
ACSM’s Certified Personal Trainer program costs $399 for ACSM Non-Member Candidates and $299 for member candidates. There are also additional costs for optional study materials like the ACSM’s Certified Personal Trainer Digital Flashcards ($52) and resource books.
If you need a retest, you can also get one for $199. ACSM’s certification programs are available online, with in-person workshops and events available for additional fees.
Final Recommendations
We mentioned earlier that the number of PTs in the US is growing at an exponential rate which means the time to get certified and start landing PT clients is now. You should hit the ground running because there are many things no-one tells you as a new PT; you have to learn them on the job.
It’s also important to focus on continuous education so that you can stay up to date with the latest events and developments in the PT industry. Luckily, all these certification bodies have affordable continuing education programs to get you started.
Finally, it’s important to realize that while important, the certification doesn’t make the PT. In fact, there are way too many PT certification programs out there today, and many of them aren’t worth their salt.
Focus on improving as a PT and helping your clients achieve their goals, and you’re bound to become a successful PT.
