7 Best Personal Trainer Certifications - 2024 Prices & Reviews (2024)

This best personal trainer certification comparison roundup details my experience studying for, taking the test, and working with each PT certification. It details the cost of signing up, and recertification, chances of passing, CEUs fees, and a lot more.

When you finish reading, you will know the inside scoop on these popular PT certifications and how to get a personal trainer certification.

My review looks at the following aspects of personal trainer certifications:

• Effectiveness of content and skills coverage for personal trainers
• Personal trainer certification costs, study materials, and exam difficulty
• Career and earning prospects for each CPT
• Breakdown of my review criteria and methods

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If you want more direct guidance on choosing your fitness certification, take the quiz to determine which CPT is right for you.

Let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of these personal trainer certificate programs without further ado.

CPT	CPT	Features	Price
	ISSA CPT	Excellent Coverage of Technique and Aerobic Training Good Programming and Periodization Minimal Corrective Exercise Best Fitness Certification Bundles	Check ISSA Pricing
	NASM CPT	Solid Corrective Exercise Versatile OPT Model Solid Behavior Change Coaching	Check NASM Pricing
	NCSF CPT	Lower Cost than Comparable Certifications Contains Essential Knowledge for CPTs Excellent Online Portal Less Brand Recognition	Check NCSF Pricing
	ACE CPT	Complete Skillset for Healthy Clients Great IFT Model for Programming Excellent Mover Model for Behavior Change Less Corrective Exercise Coverage No Sales Skills	Check ACE Pricing
	ACSM CPT	Excellent Science and Behavioral Change Coverage Good Special Populations Training Poor Coverage of Resistance Training Technique No Comprehensive Program Design Framework	Check ACSM Pricing
	FM CPT	FORM Model is Good for New Trainers Comprehensive Coverage of Training Principles Very Little Brand Recognition	Check FM Pricing
	NSCA CPT	Bigger Focus on Strength and Conditioning Great Starter for Advanced Certifications Comprehensive Textbook Limited Study Materials from NSCA	Check NSCA Pricing

1. International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) PT certification

What is the ISSA PT certificate?

The ISSA Certified Personal Trainer certification is an industry-leading PT certification designed to prepare aspiring personal trainers for their first training job.

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is among the top picks for the best CPT certification and is in first place in my book. ISSA-certified trainers who get their fitness education are more than prepared for their first client interaction. ISSA is a great launch point for many fitness careers, including Pilates, yoga, and certified fitness trainers.

ISSA credibility and reputation

ISSA stands out among the fitness industry for brand recognition and quality. International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has certified over 200,000 personal trainers since 1988. (Source: ISSA)

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has accredited multiple ISSA certifications, including the ISSA CPT test. The training certification you choose is among the factors that can help you get a job after passing your exam. Opportunities depend on many things, including the certification you select. Popularity is important for online training certification programs, especially when looking at health clubs for employment.

The NCCA is the gold-standard organization for determining whether a fitness certification is legit. You need to choose an NCCA-accredited fitness certification to ensure the curriculum is accurate and vetted by experts.

Note that you can take a non-NCCA accredited version of the exam, which is easier but far less respected.

I always recommend taking the NCCA-accredited version, which is administered through the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT), a subsidiary of ISSA and one of its partners.

The curriculum for both tests is identical. If you want to take the NCCA exam, you will have to learn it without referring to your notes because the NCCA version of the test is not open-book.

ISSA CPT pros and cons

ISSA CPT study materials and costs

The ISSA pricing depends on what level of study material you choose.

To take the NCCA-accredited exam only without receiving any additional materials from ISSA costs $599.00 at the time of this writing.

The lowest-tier option that includes study materials is the basic CPT package, which costs $828.00 before tax. However, you can finance the program interest-free at $69.00 monthly for 12 months.

Picking the finance option is a great approach to limit your initial out-of-pocket expenses for the certification.

Materials in the ISSA basic ‌program include:

• Online Study Materials & Infographics
• Dedicated Student Success Coach
• 4-Week Fast Track Program
• Job Guarantee
• Free CPR and AED Certification Course
• ISSA Community Membership
• Passing protection with a free retest
• Online Bootcamp and study group

ISSA personal trainer content coverage

ISSA’s strongest curriculum component is resistance training programming, technique, and periodization. In my experience, the ISSA is the best certification overall.

Additionally, the ISSA PT certification curriculum includes excellent fundamentals of exercise science.

The first section of the curriculum is primarily devoted to exercise science, with the later sections covering elements of resistance training. You will study the muscles on your arms, legs, chest, core, and shoulders to program your workouts.

You will also learn to coach clients with weights and monitor proper position to reduce the risk of injuries.

While this is very basic information if you already have an exercise science degree career, it is a great and thorough introduction to the topic for new personal trainers.

ISSA less emphasizes corrective exercise specialization and screening, but they do discuss it in the client screening section.

For aerobic training, ISSA gives you the basic tools to develop training programs based on relative intensities and different aerobic goals.

Regarding special populations training, ISSA does a great job of covering the different special population clients. If you work in health clubs, you will train special populations sooner or later.

The weakest section in ISSA is behavioral change, which is important when working with clients resistant to beginning an exercise program.

Nevertheless, the excellent science, resistance training, and special populations training make ISSA an excellent general PT certificate.

Taking the ISSA PT certification exam

The exam difficulty depends on whether you choose the NCCA-accredited version or not.

I took the NCCA-accredited ISSA personal trainer exam and found it one of the easier CPT exams.

However, I did prepare for 2 months and also had a BS in kinesiology, so I did not need as much prep as someone with no fitness background. Be sure to schedule your exam with enough time ahead to prepare adequately.

The non-NCCA exam is an open book and is fairly easy, with around a 90% passing rate.

The NCCA-accredited exam is much more rigorous and has between a 65% and 70% pass rate, making it on par with most other respected fitness certifications.

I always recommend students pick the NCCA-accredited version, which is much more respected by gyms and fitness centers.

If you want to start studying for ISSA now before spending any money, take a look at my free ISSA study guide and ISSA practice test.

ISSA CPT continuing education, salary, and career prospects

Maintaining your PT certification requires 20 hours of personal trainer continuing education credits every 2 years, in addition to candidates paying a $75 recertification fee. This requirement is similar to virtually every top fitness certification in the industry.

Development is vital for top personal trainers, and continuing education is part of this.

You can get these credits through third-party courses or through ISSA fitness specializations.

I generally recommend going with an ISSA specialization on top of the CPT certification since that allows you to target a more niche clientele.

Examples of these specializations include the ISSA nutrition coaching certification and ISSA strength and conditioning certification.

Additionally, if you end up choosing the ISSA CPT, you can get a free specialization certification included in your purchase.

Finally, you can stack two specializations on your CPT when you go with the ISSA Elite Trainer program. This package is for trainers who want to advance their fitness career when they become certified quickly.

You can choose from any ISSA specialization depending on your long-term career goals.

An ISSA personal trainer starting with just the CPT earns, on average, $35,522 annually.

The exact personal trainer salary varies depending on location and your employment setup. You can check your local job board to see who hires ISSA trainers.

Trainers earning one or more specializations tend to see more than $45,520 annually.

Similarly, the more years of experience you obtain, the higher your earning potential becomes.

ISSA CPT overall rating

2. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification

What is the NASM CPT certification?

TheNASM CPT certificationis a highly-respected NCCA-accredited fitness certificate with an incredible exercise programming framework for training clients.

The groundbreaking NASM Optimum Performance Training Model (NASM OPT) prepares fitness trainers exceptionally well to train general fitness clientele.

NASM is excellent for working in virtually any 1-on-1 training scenario. Employers also greatly respect ‌NASM-certified trainers.

NASM credibility and reputation

NASM is among the largest NCCA-accredited personal trainer certifications by market share – and for a good reason. They offer some of the best certifications in the industry.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has certified over 200,000 personal trainers since 1987. (Source: NASM).

NASM’s OPT Model was one of the first complete training systems. It uses science-based workout principles to create a framework to plan excellent workout programs for any fitness goal. In terms of popularity, NASM is among the best training certification programs.

Every gym I have worked for actively sought-out NASM-certified trainers. In general, NASM is one of the better certifications for quickly landing a personal trainer job after you finish the program. NASM also partners with AFAA for group exercise.

NASM CPT pros & cons

NASM CPT study materials and costs

NASM pricing usually starts around $749 for the CPT (when on sale), with interest-free payment plans available.

The overall package pricing varies but is typically in the following range:

• NASM Self-Study – $899.00
• NASM Premium Self-Study – $1,124.00
• NASM CPT Essentials Bundle – $1,349.00
• Lucky Fit Exclusive Bundle– $1,529.00

The first two tiers include the NASM CPT and materials for studying, which the third tier also includes the NASM CNC and fourth tier includes the CNC and NASM CES.

Expect to spend roughly three months studying for the NASM exam, at a minimum, if you have no previous experience.

You can start studying for free today with my NASM study guide and NASM practice tests.

The best value for paid study plans comes from third-party study guides that offer the same resources as NASM but at a discount. I recommend this approach to your studies.

My students typically prefer the NASM CPT Prep Course from Trainer Academy, although many options are available for personal trainer certification study materials.

You can get a great deal on the NASM CPT and NASM Nutrition certifications when you purchase these two certifications as a bundle.

This additional certification is worth considering since you need to complete credits every 2 years, and it will boost your career prospects.

NASM certification content coverage

Overall, NASM excels across most domains relevant to new personal trainers.

NASM does an effective job of teaching the underlying exercise science that is fundamental to delivering client results.

The NASM OPT model seamlessly allows you to progress clients from ‌early stabilization training to power and performance training. You learn about arm muscles, leg muscles, knees, chest, and shoulders from front to back.

You will learn to assign reps and sets for exercises with weights, monitoring safety and position to keep clients free from injury, especially beginners.

The additional skills that round out the OPT model include behavioral change, special populations training, and basic business skills, including sales. NASM does not conduct many studies but draws on other providers’ scientific studies.

The NASM OPT model is highly effective. However, following a strict OPT model sometimes does not make sense for a particular client’s goals.

Ultimately, to train more advanced clients, particularly athletes, you must do additional research on higher-level strength and conditioning coaching.

NASM focuses greatly on wellness, making it great for general fitness and health clients.

If you do plan to coach athletes for strength and conditioning, consider the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist.

Nevertheless, NASM knocks it out of the park for general fitness clients and special populations.

Taking the NASM certification exam

As of 2024 data, the NASM exam pass rate is roughly 79% for first-time test takers. You can also opt for a non-proctored exam that has a pass rate of 90%, but does not include the NCCA-accredited status.

Despite my background, I had to study quite a bit because the OPT Model is NASM-specific and covered on the exam. So, you really have to learn the NASM curriculum.

Preparing well for the NASM PT certificate exam is your best shot at passing on your first try, so be sure to schedule it after planning your studies. Many candidates fail due to a lack of preparation.

If you want to get your CPT directly from NASM, you should check the latest pricing on the organization’s website.

NASM CPT continuing education, salary, and career prospects

After you pass your CPT exam, your certification is valid for 2 years.

Within those two years, you must complete 2.0 continuing education credits as added studies, which equates to 20 contract hours.

Example CEU courses include the NASM Senior Fitness Specialist and the NASM Certified Nutrition Coach.

In addition to the CEUs, you will need to pay a $99 recertification fee.

The NASM salary varies substantially depending on your location and your specific employment situation. You can check a job board to gauge your local salary expectations.

According to data from ZipRecruiter, the average salary varies from $35,000 to $55,000 for NASM-certified trainers.

NASM claims that the average NASM CPT will make $42,000 in their first year as a trainer. Expensive states such as New York may command higher pay.

Compared to many certifications, NASM is definitely among the higher-earning options on the market.

The NASM personal trainer certification is a great way to start ‌a successful fitness career. I recommend NASM for general population trainers who plan to work with average de-conditioned clients.

Since most fitness clients fall into this category, NASM allows you a lot of freedom in finding suitable clients immediately.

Additionally, you can always modify the OPT model as you become more experienced at training advanced clients. NASM is definitely a top personal trainer certification.

NASM CPT overall rating

3. National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) Certification

What is the NCSF certification?

The National Council on Strength and Fitness CPT certification (NCSF CPT) is a lesser-known NCCA-accredited fitness certification.

The NCSF CPT aims to foster high competency levels in the next generation of fitness professionals.

The NCSF is certainly on par with the big names regarding content and value. However, fewer people know about the NCSF CPT, which is worth thinking about, depending on where you want to work. Overall, the NCSF is lower in popularity than ISSA or NASM.

Nevertheless, as an NCCA-accredited fitness coach certification program, the NCSF technically carries the same weight as the other certifications regarding expert-reviewed content.

NCSF credibility and reputation

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) is an internationally-recognized fitness certification organization. As an organization, the NCSF is less well-known compared to NASM or ACE.

Nevertheless, it still excels at preparing its CPT students for their new careers.

NCSF CPT pros and cons

NCSF CPT study materials and costs

The NCSF offers a range of prices based on the level of study material you want from the organization.

The base exam cost is $299 if you do not care for any study materials directly from the NCSF.

For exam study packages that include study materials, you have the following tiers:

• • Home Study – $399.00

• • Home Study Plus – $449.00

• • Combined CPT & Sports Nutrition Coach – $649.00

• • Combined CPT & Certified Strength Coach – $699.00

Each program includes the following:

• • Self-paced learning with full instructor support via chat or phone

• • Interactive video instruction (hundreds of lifts and drills)

• • e-Learning with digital self-tests

• • Hundreds of practice exam questions with detailed answers and explanations

• • Digital study materials for an optimal learning experience

• • On-demand testing vouchers for certifications purchased

The home study package includes basic study materials with a digital textbook. The home study plus includes a physical textbook. I also really liked the pre-recorded webinars that are not included in all fitness credentials. This is great because it has options for different types of learners.

To start studying for the NCSF immediately, check out my free NCSF study guide and practice test.

If you want the third-party study guide option, take a look at the Trainer Academy NCSF CPT Prep Course.

Check the NCSF directly for any additional deals.

Overall, the NCSF CPT bundles really are a no-brainer.

NCSF content quality

The NCSF content is great for learning exercise science and the general skills needed as a CPT.

The earlier parts of the curriculum teach you the key anatomy and biomechanics that you need as a fitness professional.

From there, you will learn about behavioral change, client assessments, basic nutrition, and finally, the bread and butter of training: resistance training programming and technique.

Additional standout sections include flexibility and special populations training, although the latter is less covered than other CPT certifications.

The biggest downside to the NCSF is the complete lack of a business skills section. Business skills include everything from administration, liability and insurance guidelines, and of course… sales!

Luckily, you can pick up these skills outside your actual CPT certification curriculum, which is necessary for long-term success as a trainer.

Taking the NCSF exam

The NCSF was fairly easy compared to NASM.

I took the exam at an in-person testing center, meaning there was no chance of using outside resources on the exam. You do have the option to take the exam online through your account.

The NCSF personal trainer certification exam has a roughly 78% pass rate based on 2022 data.

The NCSF pass rate reflects the relatively easy exam.

NCSF CPT continuing education, salary, and career prospects

The NCSF requires 10 CEUs every two years, corresponding to 20 contact hours. This number puts the NCSF CEU requirements in the same vein as ACE or NASM.

Thankfully, the NCSF gives you great flexibility in choosing your CEUs. You can use their own courses or third-party approved training courses to keep your CPT cert current and continue your professional development. You should peek at your local job board to see your expected NCSF salary.

According to the NCSF organization, NCSF-certified trainers average from $21.31 to $24.54 per hour as employees.

Self-employed trainers can make anywhere from $40-$60 per hour or more, depending on location and setup. I know trainers in New York who make a ton of money per hour.

I recommend getting an NCSF CPT certification if you plan to become a self-employed trainer with your own training business. The NCSF has the requisite information to train clients effectively.

Because it is less well-known, I would not recommend it if your goal is to work at a gym immediately after getting certified.

NCSF CPT overall rating

4. American Council on Exercise (ACE) certification

What is the ACE certification?

The American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer (ACE CPT) certification is an affordable personal trainer certification that covers the skills needed for the job.

TheACE CPTsystem for assessing clients and building ACE CPT programs is practical, so you can easily add a lot of variety to your training programs.

ACE credibility and reputation

Unlike ISSA and NASM, ACE is a non-profit organization offering fitness credentials. As such, they are less “sales-ey” regarding promoting their overall brand offerings and are more focused on studies. The non-profit status also helps gain more respect from colleges and universities. I also feel ACE reflects this brand in its logo and overall materials, which is a nice touch.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has certified over 80,000 personal trainers since 1985. (Source: ACE)

ACE has respect as an organization, offering an amazing array of resources for fitness professionals, including workshops and training certification programs.

Many gyms and fitness businesses accept the ACE CPT.

However, the ACE exam has a reputation for being easier, so it is slightly less respected than NASM and ISSA.

Also, although ACE used to be the budget personal trainer option, now their study packages have gone up price-wise, making NCSF a better alternative for those cost-conscious individuals.

ACE CPT study materials and costs

ACE is among the least expensive PT certifications and training courses that still hold weight in the marketplace.

The exam only costs $499.00 before any study packages.

However, purchasing the Basic package for $587 includes the full ACE study portal and digital textbook.

With that said, it does not make sense to do the exam-only purchase. You will need ACE materials at some point and the textbook costs more when purchased separately.

Even at $675, the ACE CPT is still a great deal. Plus, you can finance for as low as $49 per month.

For more beefed-up study materials, you can purchase the following tiers of study packages:

• • ACE Plus – $745.00

• • ACE Advantage – $975.00

These include all the basic package materials and additional resources such as webinars. If possible, schedule a webinar and tutoring session.

If you want a more streamlined study package for the ACE CPT, take a look at the ACE MVP Prep Course from Trainer Academy.

This study package includes flashcards, practice quizzes, and additional materials. Plus, they guarantee 100% money back if you do not pass on your first try.

You can also study immediately with our free ACE study guide and ACE practice exam.

ACE content coverage

Overall, ACE does a solid job of teaching the basic concepts and skills needed for personal training.

The comprehensive ACE Integrated Fitness Training Model (ACE-IFT) gives you the framework needed to program for clients of all abilities and fitness goals.

You also get the ACE exercise library, which contains hundreds of exercises with descriptions and videos, categorized based on the IFT model stages. You also learn safety checkpoints for technique. The library includes exercises you can perform on the floor, machines, free weights, and other options you may have space for in your gym.

This seamless way to add exercises to a program ‌is great for newer trainers.

Furthermore, the ACE-IFT exercise library makes finding variations on exercises very straightforward, allowing you to modify existing programs depending on the circ*mstances easily. You can easily assign reps, sets, and other programming variables as well based on the client’s current phase of the IFT.

Additionally, ACE gives you the basics of behavioral change coaching.

Between the IFT and behavioral change models, the ACE-CPT gives even the greenest personal trainer all the skills needed to start working successfully.

The biggest weakness I see in ACE is a lack of sales skills in the business section of the certification.

Concepts such as sales funnels, leads, prospects, and other sales jargon are‌ vital to close prospective clients. Without closing personal training sales, you won’t have anyone to train. Top personal trainers know how to sell personal training sessions.

Closing sales is what gives you, as a trainer, the opportunity to implement the IFT coaching programs you worked so hard to learn during your study time. To be the best fitness trainer, you need to know sales.

The good news is that, for the most part, a good gym for employment will teach you how to sell personal training.

The bad news is that for self-employed trainers, getting ACE certified alone will not prepare you to build your own fitness business.

Nevertheless, ACE will prepare you very well for the job of screening, programming, and instructing your clients in safe and effective workout techniques.

Taking the ACE exam

I found the ACE exam easier than NASM and ISSA. The ACE exam has a reputation as one of the easier exams in the industry. With that said, you still need a good grasp of the ACE material.

The ACE exam has a 65% pass rate, which is surprisingly low. I believe it speaks to the fact that you cannot rely on the “easy” reputation in place of studying. Thankfully, the test taking technology from ACE is excellent at making the exam a seamless process.

With that said, be sure to prepare for 2-3 months before taking your exam.

ACE CPT salary, continuing education, and career prospects

According to ZipRecruiter, an ACE CPT can expect a salary of anywhere from $15,905 on the lowest end to $124,493 on the highest end.

The average ACE salary is pegged at around $53,693 per year.

Regarding continuing education, ACE requires 2.0 CECs every 2 years, which equals roughly 20 course hours.

This requirement is the same as NASM and many CEU options could apply to both certifications.

ACE allows a massive range of CEUs, including courses directly from ACE and third-party CECs across a broad range of fitness niches.

Ultimately, you can use the ACE Certified Personal Trainer program as a launch point for whatever career you choose in the fitness industry.

ACE CPT overall rating

5. Fitness Mentors (FM) certification

What is the Fitness Mentors certification?

Fitness Mentors’ personal training certification (FM CPT) is a recently added certification to the market. The certificationcontains excellent materials but is less well-known in the industry.

Fitness Mentors’ Credibility and Reputation

Fitness Mentors is a smaller certification company that offers a lot of accredited certifications under its own brand.

Fitness Mentors have quality offerings but less brand recognition than the bigger top-tier organizations like ISSA and NASM. Fitness Mentors could be in my top picks if they had better credibility.

Fitness Mentors CPT pros and cons

Fitness Mentors CPT study materials and costs

The Fitness Mentors pricing includes four different options as of February 2023.

The lowest option, Starter Bundle, clocks in at $499 and includes the following:

• • FM CPT certification exam

• • Digital textbook

• • Lecture video presentations

• • Audio book lectures

• • Study guide questions

• • Chapter quizzes

• • Two realistic practice exams

• • Facebook support group with expert and peer guidance

The next tier is the Plus Bundle, which costs $729 and includes everything in the starter bundle in addition to the following:

• • Certified Nutrition Specialist Certification

• • Exercise Library

• • Bonus Learning Videos

• • Flashcards

• • Interactive learning activities

• • Study guide answers

• • Final exam preparation guide

The third tier is the Modern Trainer Bundle, which costs $999, and includes the full Plus Bundle as well as:

• • Online Trainer Certification

• • Nutrition Certification

• • Access to a personal fitness mentor

• • Pass Guarantee

• • Finally, the Ultimate Bundle Costs $1,599 and includes everything in the Pro Bundle as well as:

• • Virtual Group Fitness Instructor Certification

• • Virtual Health Coach Certification

• • Pain Management Specialist

Overall, the Starter and Plus bundles have the best value if you want a CPT. I do wish there were more webinars or similar resources.

Pre-paying for an additional five certifications is a bit of overkill especially because there is a good chance you do not need to complete all the additional five certifications.

The good news is that the Starter Bundle alone includes a substantial number of resources for you to pass the FM CPT and contains an excellent integration of technology and training principles.

FM-CPT content coverage

The Fitness Mentors certified personal trainer program is on-par with ISSA, NASM, and ACE overall.

A standout component is the FORM program design model, which gives similar programming abilities as the IFT and OPT models.

The curriculum covers the following content across 13 chapters:

• • The Fitness Assessment

• • Anatomy and Physiology

• • Exercise Physiology and Energy Systems

• • Program Design and the Form Model

• • Flexibility, Mobility, and Range of Motion

• • Programming Considerations for Exercise Related Injuries

• • Fitness Programs for Special Populations

• • Professionalism, Business, and Sales

• • The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

• • Psychology: The Science of Behavior and Mind

• • Components of Nutrition

• • Emergency Procedures for the Fitness Professional

Among everything, the Fitness Mentors FORM Model is by far the strongest component of the certification.

Overall, the content in the FM-CPT gives you a great range of skills for meeting the demands of the personal training industry.

Taking the Fitness Mentors CPT exam

Exam-wise, the FM CPT exam is pretty easy. I passed without issue.

You need a 70% score on the exam to pass. However, the test is easy to pass compared to other certifications with more difficult exams.

Fitness Mentors do not publish their pass rate data. I found the FM CPT exam much easier than most of the other CPT exams I’ve taken.

Fitness Mentors salary, continuing education, and career prospects

Regarding salary, Fitness Mentors is a fairly new certification, so finding salary data is tough. If you land a job as a trainer, having the FM CPT is unlikely to increase or decrease your salary relative to other CPT courses.

The FM CPT requires 20 hours (2.0 CEUs) of continuing education every 2 years and a recertification fee.

Career-wise is where the Fitness Mentors CPT falls short compared to other certs.

Fitness Mentors has nowhere near the brand recognition of other organizations.

Some gyms specifically want ISSA, ACE, NASM, or ACSM, simply because the curriculum and reputations are well-known.

The bottom line with Fitness Mentors is you must be able to sell your experience and knowledge.

The Fitness Mentors CPT is a great curriculum. However, the Fitness Mentor’s name does not currently carry weight with employers.

Fitness Mentors overall rating

6. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification

What is the ACSM certification?

The American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer program (ACSM-CPT) is a highly science-focused personal training certification. The ACSM CPT is a good starting point for an exercise physiology career or clinical training setting.

The ACSM CPT has less of a framework and programming style for regular fitness training than flagship certifications like NASM or ISSA.

ACSM credibility and reputation

The American College of Sports Medicine is one of the oldest organizations in the fitness certification world.

As a non-profit, the ACSM is dedicated to promoting and conducting research in fitness and exercise science and partners with many researchers to advance the science of fitness knowledge. Universities and colleges respect the ACSM certifications as well. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has certified over 100,000 personal trainers since 1990. (Source: ACSM)

In fact, many of the other certifying organizations draw from ACSM research for the base of knowledge needed to develop a CPT program.

As such, the ACSM remains among the most influential organizations regarding modern fitness training standards.

ACSM pros and cons

ACSM CPT study materials and costs

If you want to take the ACSM exam without purchasing study materials, the cost is $399.00.

Depending on what materials you want, you can purchase the following:

• • Online practice questions through PrepU – $64.99 for 3 months of access)

• • ACSM CPT Prep course – $529.00

• • ACSM CPT Facebook Group – free

• • ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer Textbook – $110

• • ACSM Certified Personal Trainer Digital Flashcards – $51.99

• • ACSM Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription textbook – $87.19

If you purchase every single study option directly from the ACSM, you pay a similar price range as the ACE, NASM, and ISSA packages. However, the ACSM webinars can be worth it. I have taken courses at universities that are less in-depth on science than the ACSM.

If you want to dive right into studying for the ACSM CPT, check out my free ACSM study guide and ACSM practice exam.

The ACSM textbook layout feels dated and could use an update.

The other resources are decent, but your best bet is to consider third-party study options with better deals and even exam pass guarantees.

For this reason, if you do take the ACSM CPT exam, I highly recommend using a third-party study guide such as the Trainer Academy ACSM CPT Prep Course.

If you fail your attempt at the ACSM exam, you have to pay a hefty $199 retake fee.

ACSM personal trainer content coverage

Content-wise, the ACSM exercise science and anatomy sections are top-tier.

The ACSM information does go deeper than you need as a personal trainer.

However, knowing the underlying science behind effective fitness training is beneficial if you work with clinical populations. Furthermore, this knowledge is excellent preparation for science-focused careers like exercise physiology.

Additional standout sections in the ACSM include behavioral change coaching and client health screenings. I especially like the focus on client safety.

The ACSM coverage of these topics is the most in-depth I have seen from any CPT certification.

Sadly, the ACSM falls short on the actual program design and exercise technique sections.

It does not provide a great system for designing long-term exercise programs or choosing exercises efficiently for each training phase.

The aerobic training section is slightly better than the resistance training section. but still falls short compared to the very structured methods found in training models like the ACE IFT or NASM OPT.

The ACSM does bring more for special populations training and business skills sections, which go beyond other certifications.

However, it’s tough to compensate for a weak resistance training section, regardless of the other coverage. Without resistance training knowledge, you cannot be an effective trainer.

Overall, the ACSM certification is great if you want to take your career in a more clinical direction.

Taking the ACSM CPT exam

The ACSM exam is fairly difficult. Passing requires a good grasp of various scientific and anatomical concepts.

I passed on my first try but I studied for about 3 months and took a lot of ACSM practice exams.

According to 2020 data, the ACSM has a 69% pass rate, making it of similar statistical difficulty as NASM, ACE, and ISSA.

As such, 31% of students were forced to accept failure or shell out some additional cash.

ACSM CPT salary, continuing education, and career prospects

According to ZipRecruiter data, an ACSM CPT can earn between $18,500 and $95,500 per year, averaging $50,738. This data is not bad when compared to the stats from other certifications.

In general, ‌top-earning ACSM CPTs likely have additional certifications or many years of experience before earning higher salaries.

The ACSM’s CEU requirements are more rigorous than other CPT certifications.

The ACSM requires you to recertify every 3 years, which is a longer timeframe than the typical 2-year recertification period for other CPT certs.

That said, the ACSM requires 45 contact hours compared to the 20 contact hours that are usual for 2-year recertification.

As such, you must do roughly 1.5 times the number of contact hours of other certifications to stay certified with the ACSM.

In the long run, the ACSM does offer great career prospects.

However, for general personal trainers who do not want to work in a clinical setting, the ACSM CPT is not my top choice.

ACSM CPT overall rating

7. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification

What is the NSCA certification?

The NSCA CPT certification is a personal training certification with an extra focus on performance assessments and strength and conditioning programming applied to general fitness clients. Among the main fitness credentials, the NSCA has the most information on training for performance.

This focus makes sense since the National Strength and Conditioning Association focuses on strength and conditioning across all of its certifications.

NSCA credibility and reputation

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a non-profit certifying agency focusing on athletic performance research and training.

Over 60,000 fitness professionals in the US have earned a personal trainer certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) since 1977. (Source: NSCA)

The NSCA is a global leader in research, practical application, continuing education, and networking opportunities for strength and conditioning coaches and personal trainers.

Credibility-wise, most gyms will accept the NSCA personal training certification.

However, the NSCA CPT is extra-respected among coaches in the strength and conditioning field. If you plan on becoming a strength and conditioning coach, the NSCA PT certification is a good choice.

Additionally, becoming an NSCA member gives you excellent discounts on all NSCA products, including the NSCA CPT program.

You also get access to the NSCA Journal of Strength and Conditioning.

The publication is full of peer-reviewed scientific research on all athletic performance and strength and conditioning topics.

NSCA CPT study materials and costs

The NSCA offers multiple study material options depending on your study preference.

The NSCA textbook contains everything you need to pass the NSCA PT certificate exam.

However, you can purchase the NSCA Digital Package if you want additional practice questions. This option includes a basic study outline and 200 practice questions, and the NSCA textbook.

The next package is the NSCA CPT Essentials Package.

This option includes the NSCA digital materials and the hard copy of the NSCA Essentials of Personal Training 2nd edition.

The NSCA CPT Essential Plus Package includes everything in the Essential package and the 3rd edition of the NSCA Exercise Technique Manual.

My biggest complaint is the lack of video or digital resources available for NSCA exam prep.

The “digital” components of the study materials are all in PDF format. It is not a truly “digital” course like NASM and ACE have full video modules and interactive study portals. When I approach my studies, I personally prefer having multiple formats. My students include various types of learners who also prefer a wide range of study options.

Pricing on the NSCA materials varies depending on whether you are an NSCA member.

The NSCA pricing is as follows:

• • Exam-only (no study materials included) – $435 (non-members), $300 (members)

• • Digital Package + exam – $636.40 (non-members), $452 (members)

• • NSCA-CPT Essential Package + exam – $749.45 (non-members), $555.55 (members)

• • NSCA-CPT Essential Plus Package + exam – $976.50 (non-members), $779.75 (members)

• • NSCA membership – $130/year (professional), $70/year (with student discount)

The annual membership cost is‌ lower than the discount you receive on study materials. So, it makes sense to sign up for an NSCA membership when you purchase your exam.

To dive right into your NSCA CPT exam prep today, check out my free NSCA CPT study guide, which includes a practice exam.

If you want a great deal on third-party study materials, I recommend the Trainer Academy NSCA CPT Prep Course.

NSCA CPT content coverage

The CPT textbook covers over 25 chapters of content. Coverage ranges from basic stabilization training to weight training, plyometrics, and performance.

Taking the NSCA PT certificate exam

Overall, preparing for the NSCA CPT will require far more effort on your part simply because the organization lacks this comprehensive course.

Based on 2019 data, the NSCA CPT has a 72% pass rate, making it slightly easier on paper than the other certifications we’ve covered. I recommend test candidates schedule the exam a way out for adequate preparation.

NSCA personal trainer salary, continuing education, and career prospects

According to PayScale data, the salary for an NSCA-certified personal trainer ranges from 50,000 per year to 60,000 per year, with the average coming in around $52,000. If you want to train clients at colleges or universities, consider the NSCA CPT.

Regarding continuing education, the NSCA is a bit different from other organizations. The NSCA requires 6.0 CEUs every 3 years to stay certified. As always, states such as New York have higher earnings than cheaper states.

This equates to 60 contact hours every three years or an average of 10 hours per year.

The categories for NSCA CEUs are as follows:

• • Conference attendance in-person or digital

• • Sharing expertise/research conducted through presentations or publications

• • Educational activities such as college courses, internships, and CPR/First Aid

• • NSCA Quizzes and assessments typically as part of a CEU course

• • The number of allowable credits within each category varies. For a full breakdown, check out the NSCA recertification guidelines.

Career-wise, the NSCA CPT is a great starting point for becoming a strength and conditioning coach.

NSCA CPT overall rating

Which is the Hardest Personal Training Certification

The hardest personal training certification is arguably the NASM CPT or the NSCA CPT, depending on your background knowledge and study proclivities. Both exams have challenging questions and structures, but NASM has better study materials when you purchase a study package, which can make the exam easier to pass.

Runner-Up Best Personal Training Certification Credentials

The following certification credentials didn’t make our top list picks but are still worth mentioning as excellent alternative options.

NFPT Personal Fitness Trainer Certification

The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) offers a very affordable alternative to more expensive fitness credentials. The NFPT Personal Fitness Trainer approach includes similar factors as the other top CPT program picks. You can take the NFPT exam for $250.

If you look at the program tiers, for $299, you will receive the textbook and exam, and for $399, you can get the premier package, which includes the maximum amount of study resources available for the NFPT. I definitely recommend checking the NFPT certification if you are on a strict budget.

If you are still unsure about which certification to choose, be sure to take my quiz to determine which coaching certification is right for you.

Best personal training certifications FAQs (frequently asked questions)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Takeaway

Regardless of which certification you choose, you can be sure these nationally recognized personal trainer certifications will prep you for becoming a successful personal trainer. Let’s take a look at my top personal training certification.

While ISSA is by far my top choice, but you should also consider your specific career goals in fitness when picking your certification.

Additionally, being a great trainer requires far more than just a CPT.

Skills such as getting creative with exercises and workouts, as well as learning how to motivate your clients requires getting hands-on experience.

If you are nervous about training clients because you lack experience, seeking out a personal training internship is a good bridge between having no experience and becoming a professional trainer.

Finally, if you have a specific gym in mind where you want to work, always check to make sure which gyms accept which personal trainer certifications. Also, if you want a list of the NCCAonline best personal trainer certifications,check out that article. Let’s turn you guys into the best fitness trainers out there!

References:

1. 1. McClaran SR. The effectiveness of personal training on changing attitudes towards physical activity. J Sports Sci Med. 2003;2(1):10-14. Published 2003 Marhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24616604/

1. 1. About ACSM. ACSM_CMS. https://www.acsm.org/acsm-membership/about-us

1. 1. ACSM journals. ACSM_CMS. https://www.acsm.org/read-research/journals-bulletins

1. 1. The Optimum Performance Training Model. NASM. https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/the-opt-model

1. 1. Personal trainer: IFT model. ACE. https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/ace-ift-model.aspx

1. 1. University L. Lionel University: Fitness and Nutrition Education. Lionel University | Fitness And Nutrition Education. https://www.issaonline.edu/company/

1. 1. Become a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist | NSCA. https://www.nsca.com/certification/cscs/

1. 1. “Google Trends.” Google Trends, https://trends.google.com/trends/?geo=US

1. 1. “Personal Trainer Accreditation.” IHRSA, https://www.ihrsa.org/industry-issues/personal-trainer-accreditation/

1. 1. Personal Trainer (CPT) (NASM) Salary | PayScale. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Personal_Trainer_(CPT)_(NASM)/Salary

1. 1. “Recertify Your NASM Personal Trainer Certification.” NASM, https://www.nasm.org/recertify/personal-trainer-recertification

1. 1. Stay Certified | NSCA. https://www.nsca.com/certification/recertification/

1. 1. The Mission of NESTA’s Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT) Program. https://pft.nestacertified.com/about-nesta-mission-statement/