It's designed around ACE's "Integrated Fitness Training" model and provides an excellent entry into a personal training career. Personal Training is a highly specialized profession. The courseware equips you to undertake the roles and responsibilities of a certified personal trainer. This includes a number of expert demonstrations and presentations - plus the event can be used as part of your CECs. Make sure you check with your main employment options to see whether they accept ISSA as a certification though. I'd love to hear from you in the comments section. If you want more assistance with learning for the exam, the guided-study program includes webinars, access to a mentor and coach, a live workshop and various other perks. If you can't access a test location, check out our best online personal trainer certification page. To know more about ExpertRating and other fitness certifications, please visit the General FAQ page. The result of the exam appears as soon as it is completed, and your certificate is mailed immediately. The certification you choose isn't as important as you might think. Just be aware that there are costs involved, and there are different certifications for each career path. It's one of the most expensive certifications on the market though, especially if go for one of the pricier plans, so if you're on a tight budget you may want to consider a less expensive option. Exams cost $435 for non-members and $300 for members. They are unlikely to know (or care) about the subtle differences between accredited CPT programs. All rights reserved. With that said, NSCA provides heavy incentives to be a member. at my own pace was priceless. Don't be afraid to uproot yourself to take an opportunity in a new city. While you're not tied to courses provided by your CPT certification provider, it's worth taking a look at their other courses. you) has met the required standards of an external certifying body. Be safe, not sorry! I feel that everyone can always have room to expand their knowledge You'll undoubtedly develop your own systems and ideas as you gain more experience. But before you get your first client (or job), you need to get certified. It's one of the only certifications to be provided by a recognized academic organization. While you can technically take an exam as soon as you feel ready, especially if the training is self-paced, the various certification have different time expectations. It's important that you choose the right certification for your career goals. Once you've made the decision to pursue a career in personal training, keep in mind that you have to invest a fair amount of time and money in order to be successful, as is true with most things in life. NSCA requires you to renew your certification every three years. You will learn a lot early on, and you will eventually discover your niche, your area of expertise, and the styles, spaces, and nuances that work best for your own training. There's also an option of lifetime recertification for $299, although you still need to complete the same amount of CEUs. It provides foundational knowledge, but you won't really start to learn until you get hands on experience. Certification programs aren't cheap. my new results, zest for exercise and diet, I have gotten numerous clients that If you're planning to apply to a certain gym, make sure you contact them before you make a decision. This is more than ACE and NASM, but less than the 60 hours required by NSCA. This award has been instituted by Google to honor IT companies that have excelled in their domain and have leveraged the internet to grow and expand their businesses in innovative ways. Though no certification is required to become a Personal Trainer, most gyms and health clubs prefer to hire people with a valid Personal Trainer certification. Most courses have an option of just buying the course material so you can set a later exam date, although this could encourage procrastination. CEUs are an excellent way to broaden and sharpen your skillset, so they aren't a bad thing. What exactly is OPT though? ", "It has opened up an entire new career for me. ExpertRating Personal Trainer Certification is the best value for money Personal Trainer Skills Program available till date. If you're looking for a certification that prepares you for the eventual goal of working in a clinical setting, it's a great choice. You'll need to periodically recertify if you want to keep your certification. The price of the Standard program is $699, while the Premium and Premium Plus options cost $799 and $899 respectively. with expert rating. I like that ISSA provides materials related to business and marketing, as this is often missed from certification programs. Make sure you know how many CEUs or CECs you'll need to complete though, as this could affect the right course for your goals. Try as many different things as you can. Would you rather command a room of 20 individuals ready to work up a sweat? ", "I have learned more about personal training than before, this is my second certification I think this is a reasonable price, considering the extensive training materials that are included with the program. When studying, check with your certifying body for online portals to help you prepare. The interactive training platform, known as ACE Academy, is particularly useful when learning for your exam. If you're not sure which to go for, I don't think you'll be disappointed with NASM. What certification do most personal trainers have? You're not alone! If you choose to work for yourself, however, the hustle is a little more critical.". The downside to building your own business is a lack of early stability and benefits: health insurance, retirement, and steady pay. Over 5 million people from 120 countries have benefited from ExpertRating Online Tests and Certifications. Get off on the right foot by following these 7 steps to become a certified personal trainer! ExpertRating is a PayPal verified seller with over 200000 sales through PayPal. For more information, check out my NASM reviews page. There are no regulations stopping anyone getting paid for providing fitness advice. One thing to note is that the Premium Plus package can be paid for via a free financing plan. You can start at a gym, then move out on your own, but be aware of when and if your contract will allow that movement. These teach a variety of areas that are important for personal training, including anatomy, program development, physical fitness and health, kinesiology, biomechanics and nutrition. NCCA-accredited programs are widely accepted, but that doesn't mean every gym accepts all accredited certifications. I am ACE-certified and frequented the ACE Exam Preparation Blog regularly. First is free with program; $50 for Additional Retests. Do you want to work with the average gym-goer and people who haven't exercised in the past? One thing to note about the NSCA-CPT exam is that the pass rate is 58%. ExpertRating consistently ranks within the top 0.1% of websites in the world in terms of traffic and popularity, according to the Alexa Rankings. If you have gone through the courseware properly you should not have a problem clearing the exam. It's also important to know exactly what you're getting from a certifying body before you hand over your cash. The possibilities are almost endless as fitness continues to evolve with new methods. ACSM requires you to recertify every three years. Additionally, some gyms are more likely to accept personal trainers with specific certifications.