
Includes:
- Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) Guided Study
- Corrective Exercise Specialization (NASM-CES) Self-Study
- Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC)
- Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) ...
- Corrective Exercise Specialization (CES) ...
- Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES) ...
- Behavior Change Specialization (BCS) ...
- Fitness Nutrition Specialization (FNS) ...
- Group Personal Training Specialization (GPTS) ...
- Weight Loss Specialization (WLS)
How long does it take to study for NASM?
You can receive a diploma. This course is very dense and will take you 500 hours of study over six months. This includes 50 hours of practical training sessions with a qualified instructor. Similarly, how many hours study for NASM? To stay active with NASM, you need to obtain 2.0 or 20 hours of continuing education credits every two years.
How much does the NASM certification cost?
When we compare the fees of both certifications, the NASM certification will cost you in the range of $524 to $2199 if you are opting for the premium package. ACE certification fee ranges from $599 to $799. The passing rate for both certifications varies slightly.
What certification is offered by NASM, ACSM, NSCA?
The NSCA focuses more on sports performance while the ACSM certification focuses more on corrective exercise. Both certifications have an option to be a member with the organization to save on certification costs. The ACSM currently costs $500 whereas the cheapest option for the NSCA is $350.
What is the best personal training certification program?
Others include:
- NCCPT. The National Council for Certified Trainers offers some excellent certifications that are NCCA accredited.
- IFPA. The IFPA offers several personal training certifications, including a master course. ...
- NESTA. ...
- NETA. ...
- NCSF. ...
- AFPA. ...
- Cooper Institute. ...
- ISTA. ...
- American Fitness Institute (AFI). ...
- Fitour. ...

What NASM certifications are there?
NASM Fitness CertificationsCertified Personal. Certified Nutrition. Coach.Certified Sports. Nutrition Coach. Certified Wellness. Coach.Group Fitness. Instructor. G.E.A.R. Certification.
Is NASM certification any good?
It is a stamp of approval awarded by a panel of experts and organizations of authority in the field of health and fitness practice. NASM is accredited by the NCCA, which is the most recognized and reputable accrediting body in North American sports science.
Is NASM nationally certified?
The NASM-CPT online personal training certification is proudly accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is a nationally recognized third party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards.
What are 3 types of certifications that you can get to be a personal trainer?
The NCCA is the gold standard for third-party personal training certifications. Some of these certs include, NASM, ACE, Fitness Mentors, and ISSA.
Is NASM hard to pass?
Overall, the NASM certification has been notorious for being one of the more difficult in the industry over the last decade. NASM has made their test difficult on purpose because they are trying to raise the standard for the knowledge required for personal trainers.
Does NASM require a degree?
2.3 NASM-PES and NASM-CES Advanced Specialization: You must hold either a bachelor's degree in a health and fitness field or have a current NCCA accredited CPT certification.
How long does the NASM course take?
approximately 10-12 weeksThe standard NASM certification program is a 10-week online course. Candidates can also participate in a hands-on, live workshop component in addition to the online course. Start to finish, participants can expect to invest in approximately 10-12 weeks to complete the online modules and prepare for the exam.
How long is NASM certification good for?
two yearsFAQs. How often do I need to recertify my Personal Trainer Certification? Your NASM-CPT certification must be renewed every two years. You will be required to earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units, which includes 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED Certification.
What's the difference between NASM and ACE?
NASM certification focuses on corrective exercise education while ACE covers the overall fundamentals of health and fitness. Both certifications are popular and well-accepted in the fitness industry. They also both offer exclusive study materials and digital education support to the candidate.
What is the most difficult personal trainer certification?
* The “hardest” personal trainer certification: The NCSA-CPT is the most difficult of the three, as its content is relatively technical and assumes a solid background in the subjects of anatomy, physiology and physics.
Which is the best fitness certification?
Best Personal Trainer Certification Programs for 2022Best Overall: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)Best for Basic Certification: American Council on Exercise (ACE)Best Low-Cost Certification: Action Personal Trainer Certification.Best Online: International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)More items...•
What is the best PT course?
The 12 Best Personal Training CertificationsISSA – International Sports Sciences Association. ... ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine. ... NASM – National Academy of Sports Medicine. ... NFPT – National Federation of Professional Trainers. ... ACE – The American Council on Exercise. ... TPMUK - The PT Mentor UK.More items...
Is it worth getting certified as a personal trainer?
Career after Getting Certified The salary range for professional personal trainers ranges from $39,000 to $49,000 on average. But there are also professionals in this field who earn as much as $200,000 in a year.
Why is NASM the best?
The NASM-CPT is actually the best personal trainer certification program in the fitness industry. It is NCCA accredited, contains high-quality content to prepare for your exam, is cost-effective, offers unique specialization options, and contains the least amount of questions on the exam.
Is NASM nutrition certification worth?
The NASM Nutrition Certification is a highly respected program that will arm fitness professionals with essential knowledge, dietary trends, and behavioral change strategies. The program is immersive and engaging and written by well respected nutritional experts. Given the price point, this program is full of value.
Which is better NASM or NSCA?
If you want to work with general populations, NSCA will suffice. Whereas, if you want to focus more on corrective exercise techniques, then NASM would be a better option.
What does NASM stand for?
NASM stands for the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
What does the NASM personal training certification cost?
As we have touched on in this article, there is no one overall NASM certification cost. To determine the overall NASM-CPT price and NASM exam cost,...
What study materials do you recommend for the NASM-CPT?
The NASM-CPT has an extensive study program design. It can be overwhelming for people without experience in the realm of exercise science and exerc...
Is NASM respected?
NASM is debatably the most respected certification for Personal Training (check out a roundup article here). NASM certified personal trainers typic...
Does NASM require a degree?
The NASM certification for personal training does not require a degree, but it does require a high school diploma or the equivalent. If you wish to...
Can personal training be a side job?
Personal training is a unique field where you can, in many scenarios, make your own schedule. So, it is possible to do personal training as a side...
How do I prepare for NASM?
Preparation for the exam depends on your own ability to study and follow through with a study program. Taking CPT practice tests, highlighting key...
How long does NASM certification take?
According to most National Academy of Sports Medicine reviews on the duration of the program, it depends! If you already have a background and fami...
Is NASM certification worth it?
The NASM certified personal trainer certification is totally worth your while if you plan on becoming a fitness professional within a general popul...
Is ISSA or NASM the better personal trainer certification?
Both the ISSA and NASM-CPT certificates offer their own unique values. While NASM offers higher-quality study materials, ISSA offers a comprehensiv...
Which is the more respected personal trainer certification?
Although both NASM and ISSA-CPT reviews tend to be very positive., the NASM-CPT is the more respected certification than the ISSA-CPT. This is beca...
How much does an ISSA certification cost?
The ISSA-CPT costs $799.00.
How long does it take to become an ISSA-CPT?
Typically, students in the ISSA-CPT program will spend roughly 8-10 weeks. However, you will have a full calendar year before you must take the exam.
Is the ISSA certification respected?
Though not NCCA accredited, the ISSA-CPT certification is still respected. However, you can definitely get a free NCCA accredited ISSA-CPT exam.
Do gyms accept ISSA certification?
Gyms and most health and fitness clubs will accept ISSA-CPT certificates. Keep in mind that it is not accredited by NCCA and that you may want to l...
Is NASM a good certification?
NASM is considered the best fitness trainer certification program in the fitness industry.
How much does it cost to get NASM certified?
Students in the NASM-CPT program will have four options to get NASM certified. The Self-Study option costs $799.00. The Premium Self-Study costs $1...
How long does it take to get NASM certified?
Students in the program will generally take approximately 120-180 days.
What are the education requirements to become a NASM personal trainer?
You must show proof of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and also be CPR/AED certified.
How to become a certified group fitness instructor?
In order to become certified, you must pass an NCCA-accredited certification exam. The course content is designed to prepare you to pass this exam. The course is designed to be self-paced, and has been designed to walk you through ...
What is group fitness certification?
A Group Fitness Certification is the Foundation. Group fitness formats have gained and waned in popularity through the years. With a Group Fitness Certification you'll learn foundational teaching skills, empowering you to adapt quickly and easily to new exercise formats. 1980.
What certification do you need to be a group fitness instructor?
After passing an NCCA-Accredited exam, you will become an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor.
What are the expectations of a certified fitness instructor?
Included in these expectations is the need for continued educational and experiential development, as well as methods for self-care to help you sustain and thrive.
What is a good resource for a group fitness instructor?
One precious resource for an aspiring Group Fitness Instructor is a vast inventory of exercises that might be useful across multiple formats. Additionally, instructors should be familiar with the appropriate technique for each exercise they offer, as well as be prepared to offer modifications to accommodate participants' needs.
What are the different types of training?
Training on modalities, including: strength and resistance, hiit and interval, boot camp, yoga, cycle and more.
Does GFI require AFAA certification?
Add the GFI In-Person Exam (no preparation materials included) to your cart by clicking here. Purchase of AFAA certification preparation materials is not required in order to become eligible to sit for the GFI exam and does not guarantee a passing score.
What is NASM certification?
NASM specialization certifications are meant for personal trainers that are already certified through a general CPT certification and are looking to specialize in one area or another. The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certifications vary in many ways, while some are focused on senior fitness professionals, ...
What are the NASM Specializations?
In this first section, I will introduce you to all the NASM specializations just before we proceed with the reviews.
Why is NASM PES important?
The honorable mention is the NASM PES certification because it has a ton of valuable information and will help you be a super badass athletic trainer. It only does not have as large of a market as the FNS and CES certifications do. Check out the NASM PES right here.
What certifications do personal trainers need?
The certifications that I recommend the most are the CES and FNS certifications because the information you will learn will apply to practically every client that you train.
What is NASM CPT?
The NASM CPT is at the top of the fitness industry as far as personal training certifications.
What is CES in healthcare?
In short, the CES is to help clients that have pain.
Can a CNC be used by a personal trainer?
Similar to the CES, the CNC can be used by practically every single personal trainer.
How long does NASM certification last?
As with most certifications, NASM has a validity period of 2 years from the date of certification.
What is NASM in sports medicine?
NASM or the National Academy of Sports Medicine was founded in 1987. Their mission was to merge the corrective and therapeutic aspects of kinesiology with the prescription and delivery of health and fitness protocols.
How to prepare for NASM?
Preparation for the exam depends on your own ability to study and follow through with a study program. Taking CPT practice tests, highlighting key concepts in the NASM book, and knowing the ins and outs of the material are required for proper NASM preparation. It can be beneficial to seek outside sources to help know the subjects to focus on.
What is the best certification for personal training?
NASM is debatably the most respected certification for Personal Training (check out a roundup article here ). NASM certified personal trainers typically have an advantage in the job market when we look at the average salaries of trainers with only a CPT certification. The NASM accreditation is with NCCA, which is the industry gold standard for Personal Training certs. Another standout portion of the material is the OPT model and NASM assessment, which is considered highly among personal trainers.
How much does it cost to become a NASM CPT?
Entry to NASM starts at $559 and goes higher depending on the package. Some higher-level packages include information like professional development, client relations, and NASM continuing education, which may not benefit all people.
What is the National Academy of Sports Medicine?
The National Academy of Sports Medicine certification (NASM-CPT) is a leader in the fitness industry when it comes to personal training certifications.
Is NASM a fitness certification?
As we’ve already mentioned, NASM is one of, if not the most popular fitness certifications in North America.
How often do you need to renew your NASM certification?
Both NASM and ISSA require you to renew your certification every two years.
How much does it cost to get a NASM CPT?
Students in the NASM-CPT program will have four options to get NASM certified. The Self-Study option costs $799.00. The Premium Self-Study costs $1099.00. The Guided Study costs $1124.00. And finally, NASM’s All-Inclusive program costs $1539.00.
What is the difference between NASM and ISSA?
NASM is options heavy and material dense, while ISSA takes a very streamlined approach. This may be because ISSA, being an international cert, is aiming to capture as much of the global market in a way that isn’t too complex.
How many questions are asked in NASM exam?
NASM and ISSA have 120 and 160 exam questions respectively, but 40 questions aren’t really what separates the two. NASM requires a 70% minimum to pass, while ISSA needs you to score at least 75%. The way the exams are administered is way different. NASM is a proctored exam.
What is the pass rate for NASM?
NASM has a 64.3% pass rate. That means most candidates are successful, but a significant amount fails the first time. With adequate prep, practice questions, and even flashcards, this shouldn’t pose any major headaches, but don’t be fooled into believing you’ll just magically fall into the 64.3% winner’s circle.
What is the difference between accreditation and certification?
Accreditation. When comparing certifications, there’s one primary attribute you should always consider and that’s accreditation. Think of it this way, a certification grants you the authenticity to pose and work as a trainer, while accreditation grants your certification the authenticity to be…well… a certification.
What is a certified PT?
As a certified PT, you are a walking, talking business. And businesses are there to make money.
What is NASM?
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is in its 30th year of being world-renowned for their personal trainers and scientific rigor of their certifications.
How much does NASM cost?
NASM starts at $799* for the basic self-study option (Click here for 30% Off). This cost includes:
How much does a NASM trainer make?
NASM certified trainers average $42,000. ISSA certified trainers average $36,235. Remember, what you do with your certification will ultimately determine your success and your salary.
How many certifications does ISSA offer?
ISSA offers five accredited exams, including that of Certified Personal Trainer. They also offer advanced coursework in several specialties. ISSA is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which the Department of Education recognizes.
Which is better, NASM or ISSA?
While NASM has among the fewest test questions in the industry, ISSA offers unlimited time. So if you’re a test-taker who needs a bit of extra time to think, or has a tendency to cave under the pressure of being timed, ISSA may be the better choice for you.
What is ISSA training?
ISSA: General fitness training with an emphasis on program design, athletes, powerlifting, and peak performance.
How many questions are asked in the NASM exam?
NASM: 120 questions with an allotted 120 minutes (70% or higher is passing) ISSA: 160 questions with unlimited time allotment (75% or better is passing) To increase pass rates of either exam, students often use third-party educators like Fitness Mentors to provide more in-depth education.
About NASM
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is one of the most popular organizations for gaining a personal training certification. The NASM-CPT program is NCCA-accredited, widely recognized, and based on the organization’s Optimum Performance Training model.
NASM Prices and Plans
There are currently four packages available. All include an exam token and core training materials, but higher-priced options have more materials, support, and perks.
Accreditation
The NASM personal training certification is licensed by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is a broadly perceived organization that accredits certification programs that can meet and follow its guidelines.
Test Format and Locations
The test contains 120 numerous choice questions, yet just 100 of these are stamped. The other 20 are for NASM’s examination and don’t count towards your score. Every test lasts two hours and you should get basically 70% to pass.
NASM OPT Model
The Optimum Training Model is a fitness training model created by NASM.
NASM Now Accept International Students
Are you located outside the USA, and you want to become a certified personal trainer?
NASM Recertification
All NASM personal trainers are required to recertify their CPT certification every two years. It costs $99 and you’ll have to earn 2.0 CEUs (20 contact hours) during this period, albeit 0.1 CEUs can be acquired from your CPR/AED certificate.
How many trainers have NASM certified?
This isn't just marketing talk though. The organization has certified and recertified over 190,000 trainers in the last 10 years. This is an astonishing number - and it continues to grow. NASM is also one of the most well-known certifications in the industry, so it's widely accepted in gyms.
What is NASM fitness?
NASM is a well-respected organization that offers a range of fitness credentials. In the unregulated and confusing world of personal fitness training, they are an established name that trains professionals to attain science-backed credentials.
What is core training?
These provide a solid foundation of knowledge when training the average client, including how to design a program that's suitable for people with common health problems. This is essential when providing personal training services.
What is the NASM CPT?
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is one of the most popular organizations for gaining a personal training certification. The NASM-CPT program is NCCA-accredited, widely recognized and based on the organization's Optimum Performance Training model.
How much is self study with exam?
Self-Study with Exam ($699). This is the basic package and doesn't provide access to mentors. The self-study program includes the testing exam, text book (hard copy and PDF), lecture videos, cueing library, exercise library, practice exams, quizzes and a study guide, so there is plenty of material to learn from. While the self-study program isn't cheap, it's decent value for a high-quality certification. If you're happy to learn independently, this is probably the best package.
When was NASM founded?
Founded in 1987 , NASM has over 20 year's experience providing education to fitness professionals. They certainly aren't a "fly by night" operation, like many that have appeared due to growth in the fitness market. While they are best known for their personal training certification, they also offer a number of specializations, including:
Is the NASM CPT exam NCCA accredited?
The NASM-CPT exam is NCCA accredited. This is the most widely recognized accreditation for a personal training certification. The organization is also partnered with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and Premier Global in the UK.
How long is the NASM certification?
The standard NASM certification program is a 10-week online course. Candidates can also participate in a hands-on, live workshop component in addition to the online course. Start to finish, participants can expect to invest in approximately 10-12 weeks to complete the online modules and prepare for the exam.
What is a NASM certified personal trainer?
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is among the most well-known and accredited certifications out there. Established in 1987 by Dr. Bob Goldman, NASM’s personal trainer certification specializes chiefly in functional training, and is recognized throughout the world for the quality of its trainers and the scientific approach from which its programs are created. In 2000, Dr. Micheal Clark joined NASM as a partner and created the Optimum Performance Training™ (OPT) model – the first science-based training system in the industry – which has become the foundational methodology for NASM’s programs. NASM carries out research into cutting-edge fitness techniques and programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill., They are partnered with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America, as well as Premier Global in the UK. As a leading CPT certifier, NASM has certainly made its mark: as one example, the vast majority of athletic trainers in the NBA are card-carrying NASM members, with specializations in Corrective Exercise or Performance Enhancement.
How many CECs are required for NASM?
NASM requires 2.0 CECs (20 hours of continuing education credits) within two years, which is also the length of time after which re-certification is required. NASM charges a fee of $99 per year to re-certify, or $299 for lifetime certification.
What are the requirements for a PT certification?
Prerequisites. All PT certifications have prerequisites, and NASM’s are fairly standard. Applicants must be 18 or over and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They must also have current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. These certifications are not required to purchase ...
Is NASM a CPT?
As a leading CPT certifier, NASM has certainly made its mark : as one example, the vast majority of athletic trainers in the NBA are card-carrying NASM members, with specializations in Corrective Exercise or Performance Enhancement.
