If your goal is to become a personal trainer, the number of course providers available to offer their certifications is countless. How can you decide which is best suited for you?
That will depend on your current level of understanding of anatomy, training methods and nutrition principles. How much practical experience you have in fitness and training will also decide what you should seek from a personal trainer course.
In this article, we listed the best 12 personal training certifications so you can read through them and decide which might be the best for you. Let's dig in!
1. ISSA – International Sports Sciences Association
ISSA has several different fitness certifications available, including the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) qualification. ISSA was established in 1988. So, with a long history in the industry, you can be sure that the ISSA brand will provide a course that will take you from a fitness enthusiast to a fitness pro.
You'll receive knowledge based on the latest exercise science and fitness research findings with the course material. Once you completed your certification course, you'll have an understanding of anatomy, learn how you can assess clients and their unique movement patterns and strength, and you will also be able to advise them on other areas of their lifestyle.
Once you're an ISSA qualified personal trainer, you'll have access to all their continuous development courses, including Strength and Conditioning Certification, Online Coach Certification, and Yoga Instructor Certification. In addition, the Master Trainer Certification and Elite Trainer Certification are both excellent options to consider when advancing your skills and presence.
You'll receive knowledge based on the latest exercise science and fitness research findings with the course material. Once you completed your certification course, you'll have an understanding of anatomy, learn how you can assess clients and their unique movement patterns and strength, and you will also be able to advise them on other areas of their lifestyle.
Once you're an ISSA qualified personal trainer, you'll have access to all their continuous development courses, including Strength and Conditioning Certification, Online Coach Certification, and Yoga Instructor Certification. In addition, the Master Trainer Certification and Elite Trainer Certification are both excellent options to consider when advancing your skills and presence.
2. ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine
There are a lot of different benefits that you will reap by going down the ACSM route. The cost of recertification is very cheap, and it is only needed every three years. In contrast, a lot of other course providers require this every two years. Aside from this, the certification is accredited by NCCA, and it also boasts an adaptive quiz platform for studying, which is a great help. Founded in 1954, this is another organisation with a great history in the industry.
3. NASM – National Academy of Sports Medicine
NASM has been advancing successful personal trainers in the fitness industry for more than 30 years now. The program they have designed ensures that you are given all of the most scientifically accurate data delivered by a modern and new digital learning platform.
Many people champion the NASM certification because of the approach to learning, which is all about making it as easy and fun as possible. Not only are you taught about the different training strategies, but you will learn everything you need to know about how to apply them correctly as well.
Many people champion the NASM certification because of the approach to learning, which is all about making it as easy and fun as possible. Not only are you taught about the different training strategies, but you will learn everything you need to know about how to apply them correctly as well.
4. NFPT – National Federation of Professional Trainers
NFPT is a family-operated and family-owned organisation. They are known for their personal and friendly touch when tutoring future personal trainers. You can expect to receive ongoing education and support throughout, with plenty of different resources and lots of advice for anyone who wants to be a personal trainer. Plus, they provide straightforward financing, with pay later options for those who cannot afford to pay for all of their certification requirements in one go. There are no finance fees or interest either, so you do not end up paying more.
5. ACE – The American Council on Exercise
The ACE has an excellent reputation in the industry regarding the various certifications designed for those wanting to work in the fitness industry. Not only will you be able to get going with their personal training courses, but you can advance your skills and add a specialism to your repertoire by taking one of the other certifications that they have available.
This includes Health Coach certification and Group Fitness Instructor certification. You may even decide to brand out and take their course in becoming a Medical Exercise Specialist.
This includes Health Coach certification and Group Fitness Instructor certification. You may even decide to brand out and take their course in becoming a Medical Exercise Specialist.
6. TPMUK - The PT Mentor UK
The PT Mentor is an excellent course provider for UK based aspiring personal trainers. If you are looking to go beyond the basic curriculum and ensure you have all the skills and knowledge required to run your personal training business, The PT Mentor UK has you covered.
The Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification is very popular. You will cover a wide range of subjects, from medical and lifestyle factors that impact wellbeing to the physiology, anatomy, functional kinesiology, and components and concepts of fitness. This is a comprehensive course that will leave no stone unturned while ensuring you get the support and education you require.
The Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification is very popular. You will cover a wide range of subjects, from medical and lifestyle factors that impact wellbeing to the physiology, anatomy, functional kinesiology, and components and concepts of fitness. This is a comprehensive course that will leave no stone unturned while ensuring you get the support and education you require.
7. AFAA – Athletics and Fitness Association of America
With over 35 years of experience in the industry, the AFAA is another trusted body that will look great on your CV if you decide to go for the personal trainer course that they offer. This course covers many different subject areas, including the basics of weight management and nutrition, fitness screening, health assessment and prevention, behaviour modification and communication, and exercise physiology and the human body. There are different payment plans available, including an interest-free option that breaks the payment into four manageable amounts.
8. NCSF – National Council on Strength & Fitness
When looking for the best personal trainer certification, you want to consider the presence of the body around the world. As a globally recognised brand, the NCSF certainly ticks that box. They have provided their courses for more than 250,000 people across 160 countries.
One of the great things about choosing this option is that you will get access to one of the best e-learning platforms available today, meaning you can learn at a pace and in a manner that suits you. You can choose between home study and workshop education as well, enabling you to select the approach that best suits you.
One of the great things about choosing this option is that you will get access to one of the best e-learning platforms available today, meaning you can learn at a pace and in a manner that suits you. You can choose between home study and workshop education as well, enabling you to select the approach that best suits you.
9. NSCA – National Strength and Conditioning Association
The NSCA also has an excellent personal trainer course to bring to the table. Four key domains are covered in this course. The first is fitness assessments and client consultation. Another section of the course covers program planning. After this, you have exercise techniques. The final element of the system is the safety, emergency procedures, and legal issues segment.
Program planning and exercise technique make up the most considerable percentage of the exam. Some of the different methods you will cover include cardiovascular machines, free weight exercises, machine resistance exercise, flexibility exercises, and much more.
Program planning and exercise technique make up the most considerable percentage of the exam. Some of the different methods you will cover include cardiovascular machines, free weight exercises, machine resistance exercise, flexibility exercises, and much more.
10. LTBT - Lift The Bar Training
If you are yet to find the personal trainer certification that is right for you, you may want to consider opting for the course provided by LTBT. Their Level 3 Personal Trainer course covers everything you need to know to become a personal trainer.
This includes program design and delivery for personal training, business acumen and professionalism, understanding medical conditions, health, lifestyle, and much more. The course lasts for 16 weeks and should give you all of the tools and knowledge you require to start your personal trainer career.
This includes program design and delivery for personal training, business acumen and professionalism, understanding medical conditions, health, lifestyle, and much more. The course lasts for 16 weeks and should give you all of the tools and knowledge you require to start your personal trainer career.
11. NESTA – National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association
Another option that is well worth considering is the NESTA Certified Personal Trainer course. One of the distinct advantages that this course has over the other options in the industry today is that it is valid for four years. A lot of the other options are only valid for two years.
With NESTA's approach, all of your training is done online, and you can expect lifetime support. Moreover, there is a business and career system included, so you will learn about everything from online coaching to social media so that you can get your career up and running smoothly.
With NESTA's approach, all of your training is done online, and you can expect lifetime support. Moreover, there is a business and career system included, so you will learn about everything from online coaching to social media so that you can get your career up and running smoothly.
12. NCCPT – National Council for Certified Personal Trainers
Last but not least, we have the NCCPT personal training certification. This certification will demonstrate that you have all of the necessary knowledge to work effectively as a personal trainer. There is a handbook that will cover everything you need to know and several different course providers that offer training for the NCCPT exam.
You will need to register for your exam. Once you do so, you will have 12 months to sit the exam from the registration date, so you must keep this in mind when plotting your career path.
You will need to register for your exam. Once you do so, you will have 12 months to sit the exam from the registration date, so you must keep this in mind when plotting your career path.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it: everything you need to know about 12 of the best personal training certifications available for people today. If you want to make it as an expert personal trainer, it is imperative to have marks and symbols of your quality, and there is nothing better than a relevant PT certification for this. If you opt for one of the solutions mentioned above, you will enhance your profile and brand as a personal trainer.
