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In this tier list of top personal training certifications, I’ve ranked them from S Tier to D Tier based on my personal experience with each. Here’s what each tier represents:

  • S Tier (Super): The highest and best in quality.
  • A Tier: Excellent and reliable.
  • B Tier: Good but not outstanding.
  • C Tier: Average in quality.
  • D Tier: The least recommended.
  • F Tier: Fail

This setup will help you easily determine which certification is right for you.

After the tier ranking table below, I’ll explain the criteria I used for these rankings to give you a clear understanding of what went into each evaluation. I’ll also do a deep dive into the pros, cons, and share my personal experience with each certification.

Before we get started, make sure to take the quiz to determine which CPT is right for you, just as I would recommend to any of my clients or students.

What type of Certification are you looking to get?

Tier list of the best personal trainer certifications

Certification Best For
S Tier
ISSA CPT Best overall – See current packages
NASM CPT Best online learning platform – See current packages
A Tier
NCSF CPT Best training model – See current packages
NSCA CPT Best periodization design – See current packages
NPTI CPT Best practical program – See current packages
B Tier
AFAA CPT Best for exercise science
ACE CPT Best behavioral coaching
ACSM CPT Best for clinical exercise testing
C Tier
NFPT CPT Best mid-priced affordable option
NETA CPT Best affordable trainer workshop
NESTA CPT Best online certification
Fitness Mentors Best customer service
D Tier
Action CPT Best cheap certification
F Tier
AFPA CPT Best non-accredited certification

Below is my personal criteria for ranking each personal trainer certification. These 9 key points cover the essentials you need in a top tier CPT program based on my experience in the industry. I go much further in depth into the scoring criteria later on.

Why I’m Qualified to Rank These Certifications

Hi! I’m Tyler Read. In this article, I draw on over 15 years of experience as a personal trainer, both in-person and online, and a B.S. in Kinesiology.

This comparison comes from my hands-on personal experience going through each personal trainer certification and exam for the organizations on this list, ensuring you understand which certifications stand out and why.

This article has been thoroughly reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Amanda Capritto, one of our premier personal trainers.

This article focuses solely on the top personal training certifications, excluding strength and conditioning, corrective exercise, and other specialty certifications. Some leading organizations offer bundles that combine personal training with nutrition and other specializations, which can boost your earning potential early in your career.

If you’re curious I recommend looking at either the ISSA Elite Trainer, which includes 3 certifications, the NASM BOGO or one of the combinations from NCSF. Having more credentials in a competitive market like the world of fitness is always a good stepping stone towards success..

S Tier Certifications

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certification

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 15

Best Overall

Pros

  • Best business skills coverage

  • Excellent resistance technique

  • Good value with combo deals

Cons

  • High price for single certification

  • Lacks best behavioral coaching content

The ISSA Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification is a top-tier choice for those looking to break into the fitness industry. It’s designed to equip aspiring trainers with the knowledge and confidence needed for their first gig. If you’re considering a personal training certification, the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is hard to beat.

In fact, it’s my go-to recommendation for a solid CPT certification. I personally found ISSA to be a comprehensive and well-rounded certification when I went through it myself. ISSA-certified trainers come out of the program well-prepared to meet their first client and kick-start their fitness careers, whether that be in Pilates, yoga, or traditional personal training.

About ISSA

What really sets ISSA apart in the fitness world is its strong brand reputation and the quality of its education. Since 1988, ISSA has certified over 200,000 trainers. When I first started looking at certifications, I was impressed by how well-known ISSA was in the industry and how many trainers vouched for its quality.

It’s important to note, though, that ISSA offers two versions of its exam: one is NCCA-accredited, and the other is not. The non-NCCA exam is open-book, but it’s not as respected in the industry.

When I was preparing for my certification, I opted for the NCCA-accredited version because I knew it would hold more weight in the fitness world. If you’re serious about your career, I’d recommend the same—taking the NCCA-accredited version, which is administered through ISSA’s partner, the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT).

Both exams share the same curriculum, but if you opt for the NCCA exam, be prepared to take it without the help of your notes, as it’s in a closed-book format. This was a challenge for me, even with my background, but it was definitely worth it for the credibility it added to my certification.

ISSA Price

The most affordable package, which includes study materials, will set you back $828 before tax. However, ISSA offers a 12-month, interest-free payment plan for as little as $69 a month.

From my experience, ISSA’s curriculum offers excellent value, especially given its focus on resistance training, programming, technique, and periodization. I’ve found it to be one of the best all-around certifications, especially when it comes to mastering the basics of exercise science. When I went through the program, I appreciated how clear and practical the materials were, and the payment plan made it much easier to manage the cost.

ISSA Curriculum

The curriculum kicks off with foundational exercise science and transitions into more hands-on topics like resistance training. I remember diving into muscle physiology and learning how to design effective workout programs, which was both challenging and exciting. Additionally, ISSA emphasizes proper form and coaching to help reduce the risk of injury—a crucial skill I’ve used repeatedly in my personal training career.

For those new to personal training, this curriculum provides a thorough introduction. While it’s pretty basic if you already have a degree in exercise science like I did, it’s an excellent start for beginners. I found myself breezing through some sections, but I also appreciated how it reinforced the fundamentals I needed to know for the exam.

ISSA doesn’t dive as deep into corrective exercise or movement screening as other certifications I’ve taken, but it does touch on these topics during the client screening portion. On the aerobic side, I found the tools for designing programs based on intensity and goals to be quite effective, and I still use some of the programming techniques I learned in my own training sessions today.

When it comes to working with special populations, ISSA does an impressive job of covering what you need to know. This was particularly useful for me as I started working in health clubs where I encountered clients from various special populations. Having that knowledge from ISSA helped me feel more confident in those sessions.

The one area where ISSA falls a little short, in my experience, is behavioral change. While I’ve learned to work around this through additional training, it’s something I had to explore outside of the program, especially when working with clients who were hesitant to start an exercise program.

ISSA Exam

I personally took the NCCA-accredited version of the ISSA exam, and I found it relatively easy compared to other CPT exams. That said, I had a degree in kinesiology and prepared for about two months, so your experience may vary depending on your background. For me, the hardest part was adjusting to the closed-book format after going through the open-book quizzes during the course.

If you choose the non-NCCA exam, it’s open-book and boasts about a 90% pass rate. I’ve heard from colleagues that this option can feel much easier, but if you’re serious about your career, I highly recommend the NCCA-accredited route. On the other hand, the NCCA version is more demanding, with a pass rate between 65% and 70%, which is comparable to other respected fitness certifications I’ve taken.

ISSA Recertification

To maintain your ISSA certification, you’ll need to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years, plus pay a $75 recertification fee—standard practice for most top fitness certifications. I’ve gone through the recertification process a couple of times now, and staying on top of my continuing education credits has been key to keeping my knowledge fresh and up to date.

Overall Experience

Ongoing development is essential to staying on top of your game as a personal trainer, and ISSA offers plenty of opportunities to earn these credits, whether through third-party courses or their own fitness specializations. In my case, I’ve used both ISSA’s CEU offerings and other industry resources to keep my certification current and my skills sharp.

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 16

Best Online Learning Platform

Pros

  • Superb programming format with OPT Method

  • Great corrective exercise coverage

  • The most popular certification

Cons

  • Challenging exam

  • Not the best program for people who just study the textbook

The NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification is one of the most respected NCCA-accredited fitness certifications out there, and for good reason. When I went through the NASM CPT program myself, I found its impressive exercise programming system to be a game-changer. It really sets you up to train clients effectively, no matter their fitness level. The NASM OPT (Optimum Performance Training) Model, which I became very familiar with during my studies, provides the tools to design well-rounded workout plans for just about any fitness goal, whether your clients are beginners or seasoned athletes.

About NASM

NASM-certified trainers are highly sought after, and I can personally vouch for how much easier it was to land my first job with NASM on my resume. Employers in the fitness industry seem to love hiring NASM-certified trainers. Whether you’re working one-on-one or in small groups, this certification opens a lot of doors.

NASM has been a big player in the personal training world since 1987, certifying over 200,000 trainers along the way. The OPT Model was something I found particularly valuable during my training—it’s one of the first fully comprehensive training systems that uses science-based principles to guide programming. I noticed that gyms actively recruit NASM-certified professionals, and having this certification definitely gave me an edge.

In my experience, getting certified through NASM makes you stand out, especially when combined with additional qualifications like AFAA for group exercise, which NASM also partners with.

NASM Price

When it comes to pricing, NASM’s CPT certification starts at around $894 for the Self-Study package. I personally opted for this package and took advantage of their interest-free payment plan, which made the investment easier to manage. There are other tiers, like the Premium Self-Study at $1,115, and the CPT Essentials Bundle at $1,444, which includes an additional nutrition certification (NASM CNC). Based on my experience, I’d say you’ll need at least three months of study time, especially if you’re new to fitness. I dedicated about that much time, balancing study sessions with work, to really get a solid grasp on the material before taking the exam.

NASM Curriculum

NASM shines when it comes to teaching the fundamentals of exercise science. I found the OPT Model incredibly useful for breaking down everything from basic stabilization exercises to more advanced power and performance training. I remember learning in-depth about muscle groups—arms, legs, chest, and shoulders—and how to safely assign reps and sets to prevent injuries, especially with beginners. The system made it much easier to structure client programs and build confidence in my own abilities as a trainer.

The curriculum also covers areas like behavioral change, training for special populations, and even a bit of business, including sales skills. While NASM doesn’t conduct many of its own studies, I appreciated how the teachings are based on widely accepted research in the field. From my own experience, the OPT Model works well for most clients, though I found myself making tweaks when training more advanced athletes, which is something you’ll learn to do over time.

NASM’s focus on wellness and general fitness made it an excellent choice for me since I planned to work with clients who needed help with both fitness and overall health. I still apply many of the concepts from the NASM curriculum in my everyday training sessions.

NASM Exam

The pass rate for NASM’s NCCA-accredited exam is around 79%, and I was glad I took the time to really prepare for it. I found the exam straightforward but challenging, especially since the OPT Model is unique to NASM and heavily covered in the test. The section on program design, in particular, required a deep understanding of the Model, so proper preparation was key. I gave myself about three months of focused study time, balancing the material with real-life applications, which helped me pass the exam on my first attempt.

If you prefer something less rigorous, you can opt for a non-proctored version with a 90% pass rate, but I went for the NCCA-accredited exam to ensure my certification would be recognized in any gym I wanted to work at.

NASM Recertification

Once you pass, your certification is valid for two years, and I’ve already gone through the recertification process many times. You’ll need to complete 2.0 continuing education credits (about 20 hours) and pay a $99 recertification fee to keep it active. I found NASM offers plenty of opportunities for earning CEUs through their specialized courses, so it wasn’t difficult to stay on top of my credits.

As for salary, NASM-certified trainers can earn anywhere from $35,000 to $55,000 a year, depending on location and job type, according to ZipRecruiter. In my case, I found that my income aligned with NASM’s claim that most trainers make around $42,000 in their first year. Depending on where you live—like in New York or other high-demand areas—you can definitely see higher pay rates. From my experience, NASM trainers tend to earn more than others with less recognized certifications, making it a smart investment for your career.

Overall Experience

Overall, NASM is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to kick off a fitness career, especially if you plan on working with everyday clients who need help with general fitness and wellness. As I gained more experience, I found it easy to adjust the OPT Model to better fit advanced clients, which has been a valuable skill as my client base grew. Based on my personal journey, I can confidently say that NASM remains one of the top certifications in the personal training world.

A Tier Certifications

National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) Certification

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 17

Best Training Model

Pros

  • Great value

  • Up-to-date and easy-to-read textbook

  • There are no major gaps in the content

Cons

  • Not as well known as NASM and ISSA

  • Less coverage of business skills

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) CPT certification may not be as well-known as some of the bigger names like NASM or ISSA, but don’t let that fool you—it’s an NCCA-accredited certification that’s definitely worth considering. From my experience, going through the NCSF certification helped me build a solid foundation in training, even if it doesn’t have the same brand recognition as other certifications I’ve pursued.

About NCSF

Aimed at producing top-tier fitness professionals, the NCSF CPT is packed with solid content and value, even if it doesn’t have the same brand recognition as some of the giants in the industry. When I first looked into NCSF, I was curious about how it stacked up against more popular certifications like NASM and ISSA, but after completing it, I found it holds its own in terms of the quality of education and preparation it offers.

While the NCSF isn’t as popular, especially when you compare it to heavyweights like ISSA or NASM, it holds its own in terms of the quality of education and preparation it offers. In fact, since it’s NCCA-accredited, it carries the same weight as those certifications when it comes to expert-reviewed content, which is great if you’re looking to be a well-rounded trainer. I personally found the course content to be very thorough, especially in anatomy and biomechanics.

As an internationally recognized organization, the NCSF CPT will still set you up for success in your fitness career. Though it’s a bit under the radar, the program is packed with value, and depending on your goals or where you want to work, it’s definitely an option worth considering. I felt that having this certification on my resume, alongside other well-known ones, added diversity to my skill set and training credentials.

NCSF Price

When it comes to pricing, NCSF is fairly affordable compared to other certifications. If you’re just looking to take the exam without any additional study materials, it’ll cost you $299. However, if you want the full package, prices range from $399 for the basic Home Study option to $699 for combo certifications that include sports nutrition or strength coaching. When I was preparing for the exam, I opted for the Home Study Plus package because it offered the flexibility I needed with my schedule and gave me access to a physical textbook, which I found helpful.

All of the NCSF study packages include self-paced learning, video instruction, digital self-tests, and hundreds of practice questions to help you prepare. I particularly appreciated the digital self-tests, which helped me gauge my progress and focus on areas where I needed more review. There’s also full instructor support via chat or phone, which I found useful when I had specific questions about the material. One cool feature of the NCSF is their pre-recorded webinars, which can be a real asset for visual learners like me.

NCSF Curriculum

In terms of curriculum, NCSF covers all the important stuff you need to know to start your career as a personal trainer. The first sections dive into anatomy and biomechanics, which are key to understanding how the body works during exercise. As I went through the material, I found the depth of the anatomy sections to be especially strong—it really reinforced what I had learned from my previous certifications.

From there, you’ll learn about behavior change, client assessments, nutrition basics, and then move into resistance training programming and technique, which are the core skills for any trainer. I appreciated how the program emphasized the practical application of resistance training, which is crucial when working with clients. They also touch on flexibility training and special populations, though not as in-depth as some other programs I’ve taken.

One drawback of the NCSF program is that it doesn’t include a business skills section, which can be a downside if you’re looking to run your own training business. When I was first starting out, I found myself having to seek out additional resources to learn about sales, liability, and insurance. However, if you’re focusing primarily on training knowledge, NCSF does a great job of delivering that.

NCSF Exam

I found the NCSF exam easier than NASM, and you can take it either online or at an in-person testing center. Personally, I opted for the online option, which made the process much more convenient. The pass rate for the exam is around 78%, which reflects the more approachable difficulty level. Just make sure you prep well if you want to pass the first time! I found that the practice questions and self-tests provided in the study materials were really helpful in preparing me for the actual exam.

NCSF Recertification

Once you’ve earned your NCSF CPT certification, you’ll need to complete 10 CEUs (20 contact hours) every two years to keep it current, which is pretty standard compared to other certifications like NASM and ACE. I’m currently in the process of earning my CEUs, and NCSF gives you flexibility in how you earn those credits—you can take courses through them or from third-party providers, which is convenient.

As for salary, NCSF-certified trainers typically earn between $21.31 and $24.54 per hour as employees, according to NCSF’s own data. I’ve found that in bigger markets like New York, you can definitely command higher hourly rates, especially if you build up a solid client base. If you go the self-employed route, though, you could make much more—up to $60 per hour or more, depending on where you’re located. Trainers in bigger markets like New York tend to rake in even higher hourly rates. Personally, I’ve found that my rate increased as I gained more experience and certifications, which made the investment in NCSF worthwhile.

Overall Experience

Overall, the NCSF CPT is a solid choice if you’re looking to become a self-employed trainer or work for a gym with a focus on solid training fundamentals. It gives you all the tools you need to be successful with clients, and with the right business skills, you can make a great living as a personal trainer. Based on my experience, I’d recommend NCSF to anyone looking for a thorough certification without the high price tag of some of the more popular options.

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 18

Best Periodization Design

Pros

  • Best certification for training athletes

  • Great CEU opportunities

  • Great certification if you just like studying the textbook

Cons

  • No study system

  • Book is long and overcomplicated

  • Doesn’t go into how to build a training business

The NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification takes a unique approach by putting extra emphasis on performance assessments and strength and conditioning, making it a great fit for trainers who want to focus on these areas with their clients. When I went through the certification process, I was drawn to NSCA for its strong reputation in the strength and conditioning world, especially since I was looking to sharpen my skills in athletic performance training.

Among the big-name certifications, the NSCA stands out when it comes to training for athletic performance. This makes sense given that the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) specializes in strength and conditioning across all of its programs. From my personal experience, the focus on performance assessments was particularly valuable when working with athletes or clients who wanted more than just general fitness training.

About NSCA

Founded in 1977, the NSCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing athletic performance research and training. With over 60,000 certified trainers in the U.S., the NSCA has built a strong reputation as a global leader in strength and conditioning research, practical applications, and education. It’s especially respected among coaches in the strength and conditioning world, so if that’s your career path, the NSCA CPT is a solid choice. When I first got certified, I was excited to tap into NSCA’s wealth of resources, particularly their emphasis on cutting-edge research and practical applications.

One big perk of being an NSCA member is the access to discounts on all their products, including their CPT certification. Membership also includes access to the NSCA’s Journal of Strength and Conditioning, which is packed with peer-reviewed research on all things performance and strength training. This journal was a huge resource for me to stay updated on the latest trends and research, and I found myself constantly referring back to it for inspiration and to refine my training approach.

One downside to NSCA’s study options is the lack of multimedia resources. Unlike NASM or ACE, which offer video modules and interactive study portals, NSCA’s study materials are mostly PDFs. This was something I struggled with during my preparation, as I tend to learn better with a mix of formats. While they do offer the textbook, quizzes, and practice exams separately, I would have preferred more digital and video-based learning options. For people like me—and many of my students—having different learning formats really makes a difference, so I supplemented my studies with outside resources to get that well-rounded understanding.

NSCA Price

As for pricing, NSCA’s costs depend on whether you’re a member. The exam alone costs $435 for non-members and $300 for members. I remember taking advantage of the membership discount because it not only reduced the cost of the exam but also gave me access to resources that helped during my study process. Since the membership fee is less than the discount you’d get on study materials, it’s smart to sign up for an NSCA membership if you’re planning on going this route.

NSCA Curriculum

The CPT textbook covers over 25 chapters, diving deep into everything from stabilization and weight training to plyometrics and performance. I found this material to be more technical compared to some of the other certifications I’ve done, especially the chapters on biomechanics and performance training. Be prepared, though—the NSCA CPT takes more effort to prepare for than some other certifications because they don’t have a comprehensive, all-in-one course. I had to dedicate extra time to self-study, especially on the more advanced strength and conditioning concepts. But, looking back, the in-depth knowledge I gained was definitely worth the effort, especially when working with performance-oriented clients.

NSCA Exam

With a pass rate of about 72% (as of 2019), it’s not the hardest certification out there, but it does require solid preparation. I took my time studying for this exam—around three months—and focused a lot on the chapters covering performance assessments and programming. When I finally took the test, I felt well-prepared, though the in-depth nature of some questions still made me think critically. I recommend giving yourself plenty of time to study before you take the test, especially if you’re not already well-versed in strength and conditioning principles.

NSCA Recertification

In terms of continuing education, NSCA is a little different from other certifying bodies. You’ll need to complete 6.0 CEUs (60 contact hours) every three years to maintain your certification, which averages out to about 10 hours of continuing education each year. I found that NSCA offers a variety of ways to earn CEUs, including attending conferences, conducting research, or taking college courses. I’ve attended a couple of NSCA conferences, and they were great for networking and learning about the latest trends in athletic performance. The flexibility in how you can earn CEUs is something I really appreciated.

As for pay, NSCA-certified personal trainers can expect to earn between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, with the average being around $52,000, according to PayScale. My earnings as a trainer went up once I had the NSCA CPT on my resume, particularly because it opened doors to working with more performance-focused clients. If you’re interested in working at colleges or universities, this certification is a great option. And as always, salaries can vary by location—trainers in higher-cost-of-living areas like New York tend to make more.

Overall Experience

Overall, if you’re aiming to become a strength and conditioning coach or want to specialize in performance-based training, the NSCA CPT is a fantastic starting point. While it may require more self-study than other programs, it equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field, especially if you’re working with athletes or clients looking to enhance their performance. Based on my experience, I’d recommend this certification to anyone looking to specialize in athletic performance or strength and conditioning. The effort you put into studying will pay off in how confident and prepared you feel when working with clients.

National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 19

Best Practical Program

Pros

  • Subsidiary of NASM

  • Best hands-on program

  • Good career placement resources

Cons

  • Very expensive

  • Not for people who want to become certified quickly

The NPTI CPT is a relatively new player in the fitness world, standing out by offering something unique compared to other personal training programs. When I went through the NPTI program, what really impressed me was how it operates as a personal training school rather than just a certification body, which sets it apart from many other organizations in the industry. The hands-on experience they emphasize was invaluable to my growth as a trainer.

About NPTI

What makes NPTI special is its emphasis on hands-on experience. I remember going through the program and appreciating how much of it was focused on real-world application. The program is designed to ensure future trainers are fully prepared by learning directly from experienced professionals. This approach provided me with real-world training that gave me a lot more confidence once I started working with clients. If you’re someone who thrives on practical experience, this program will be a great fit.

As the fitness industry continues to expand, there’s room for various types of certifications, and NPTI’s blend of practical and online learning meets the needs of modern trainers. I found the flexibility of their online component particularly useful as I balanced my schedule, but the hands-on training at a partner gym was where the real value came in for me. NPTI’s courses are more akin to college-level education than traditional certification programs, offering an elevated learning experience that felt more comprehensive than what I had experienced with other certifications.

Although NPTI may not have the same brand recognition as the likes of ISSA or NASM, they have recently partnered with NASM, a leader in the field. This partnership added significant value to my certification, as NASM’s reputation is well-respected by employers. Knowing that I would graduate with both NPTI and NASM certifications made it feel like a solid investment in my career.

When you get your NPTI, it comes with a NASM CPT certification in addition to all of the hands-on tools NPTI adds to the equation. I found this to be an excellent combination because it not only gave me the theoretical knowledge from NASM but also the practical, in-person experience that NPTI is known for.

NPTI Price

NPTI will cost you either $2,999 or $4,999 depending on if you choose their Virtual learning option or the Hybrid option, which involves using an NPTI partner gym. I opted for the Hybrid option because I wanted that hands-on experience in the gym, and while the price tag is higher than other certifications I’ve completed, it was worth it for the 500 hours of on-the-job learning. The job placement assistance afterwards was another factor that made me feel confident in my decision.

This is a higher price tag than the other certifications on this list, but remember, this is more like a personal training school than just a certification. With 500 hours of hands-on training, you’re not just memorizing material—you’re applying it in real-world scenarios, which for me, made all the difference in terms of feeling ready to hit the ground running in my career.

NPTI Curriculum

One of the standout features of NPTI’s offerings is the consistent involvement of seasoned fitness professionals throughout the learning process. For me, learning directly from trainers who were already established in the industry provided valuable insights into client management, programming, and injury prevention. This is a major advantage, as many other programs don’t offer this level of practical training, which can make a real difference when it comes to personal trainer salaries and your ability to thrive in the job market.

The curriculum covered everything from anatomy and exercise programming to special populations and behavior change, but the real highlight was applying all this knowledge hands-on. It felt like an internship where I could ask questions and get immediate feedback from experienced professionals.

NPTI Exam

In addition to taking the NPTI course, you’re doing the full NASM CPT certification, so the final exam is the NASM exam. Having already worked through so much hands-on experience during the NPTI program, I found the NASM exam to be more manageable. I spent a lot of time studying NASM’s OPT model, but the practical experience I had gained through NPTI made the concepts easier to grasp and apply, both in the exam and in real life. When I took the NASM exam, I felt well-prepared because of how seamlessly the NPTI curriculum reinforced what NASM teaches.

NPTI Recertification

In addition to certifications, NPTI plays an important role in continuing education, offering a comprehensive range of courses to help fitness professionals stay on top of their game. Recertification can also be done through NASM, which is convenient since I already had access to NASM’s resources and continuing education options. Staying on top of my recertification has been straightforward, and NPTI’s focus on keeping trainers educated has helped me stay sharp in the constantly evolving fitness industry.

Overall Experience

Overall, going through NPTI was a transformative experience for me. It wasn’t just about passing an exam—it was about gaining the confidence and hands-on skills necessary to succeed as a personal trainer. The combination of NPTI’s hands-on approach with NASM’s well-regarded certification made it an investment that has paid off in my career. If you’re serious about personal training and want more than just a certification, NPTI is definitely worth considering.

B Tier Certifications

American Council on Exercise (ACE) certification

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 20

Best Behavioral Coaching

Pros

  • Easy to use exercise framework with IFT® Model

  • Great online study system

  • Best behavioral coaching

Cons

  • Less detail about cardiovascular conditioning

  • More expensive than it used to be

  • Very little sales skills coverage

The ACE Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification is a solid option if you’re looking to get into personal training and want a practical approach to working with clients. When I went through the ACE program, I found that their system made it easy to assess clients and create customized programs. This gave me the tools to mix things up and keep workouts engaging, which was especially useful when I was just starting out as a trainer.

About ACE

Since 1985, ACE has certified over 80,000 trainers, and it’s well-respected in the fitness world. When I was looking into certifications, ACE stood out for its reputation and the range of resources it offered. They provide workshops and certification programs to help fitness professionals grow, and I personally found their materials to be comprehensive and well-organized.

Most gyms and fitness facilities recognize ACE CPT, and although it has a reputation for being a bit easier than more rigorous certifications like NASM or ISSA, I still felt that the practical knowledge it provided was invaluable. I went through the course materials quickly, but I still made sure to review thoroughly before taking the exam. It’s true that ACE used to be seen as a more budget-friendly option, but prices have risen recently, making NCSF a more appealing choice for those looking to save.

ACE Price

ACE is still one of the more affordable options for personal trainer certifications that are widely accepted. When I took the certification, the exam alone cost $499, but I decided to go for the Basic package, priced at $587, which included access to the ACE study portal and a digital textbook. For me, bundling the materials together was the most cost-effective approach, and it gave me everything I needed to study efficiently. Even at $675, ACE offers great value, and I appreciated that financing options started at $49 per month, making it more accessible for me at the time. I know some colleagues who went for the ACE Plus package or the ACE Advantage for more comprehensive study options, but I found the Basic package sufficient for my needs.

ACE Curriculum

ACE does a great job of covering the essential concepts you need to be a personal trainer. I remember finding their Integrated Fitness Training (IFT) Model especially useful for programming workouts for clients of all fitness levels. It provided a clear framework that I could apply immediately with my clients, and it helped me build my confidence in designing customized programs.

One standout feature that really helped me was the ACE exercise library. It offers hundreds of exercises with descriptions and videos, categorized by the IFT stages. This was a lifesaver when I needed to quickly find exercises that fit a client’s specific needs, and I still refer to it from time to time. The variety of exercises using machines, free weights, and even floor-based movements gave me plenty of options to create varied, effective workouts.

You’ll also learn about behavior change coaching, which I found incredibly useful when working with clients who needed that extra motivation to stick with their programs. Between the IFT model and behavior change principles, ACE sets you up with everything you need to start training clients right out of the gate, which was exactly what I needed when I was starting out.

One area where ACE falls short is its lack of focus on sales skills. I noticed this pretty early on when I was trying to build my client base. While ACE equips you well for the training side of things, they don’t dive into essential business concepts like sales funnels, lead generation, or closing techniques. I had to seek out additional resources to learn these skills, especially when I decided to go the self-employed route.

ACE Exam

As for the exam, ACE is known for being easier than some other certifications, but don’t let that fool you—you still need to study. I prepared for about two months and made sure to review all the key concepts. The exam has a 65% pass rate, which might surprise people who assume it’s a breeze. I found the questions to be well-balanced, but you definitely need to give yourself 2-3 months of preparation to ensure you pass.

The testing platform was user-friendly, and I didn’t have any issues during the exam process. I appreciated how smoothly the whole process went, from scheduling the exam to actually taking it.

In terms of salary, ACE-certified trainers can expect to earn anywhere from $15,905 to $124,493, depending on location and experience, with the average salary around $53,693 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Personally, I found that once I gained some experience, I was able to increase my rates and grow my client base more effectively.

ACE Recertification

Continuing education is also a requirement, with ACE asking for 2.0 CECs (20 course hours) every two years, which is in line with certifications like NASM. I’ve already gone through the recertification process once, and I found it pretty straightforward. ACE offers a broad range of CEU options, including their own courses and third-party certifications, which gave me plenty of flexibility to continue my education.

Overall Experience

Overall, the ACE CPT is a great starting point for anyone looking to enter the fitness industry. It gave me the skills to screen clients, program workouts, and coach them effectively. Whether you want to work in a gym or go into business for yourself, ACE provides a solid foundation for a successful career in personal training. In my personal experience, ACE was the perfect certification to get me started, and it’s helped me grow as a trainer over the years.

Athletics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 21

Best for Exercise Science

Pros

  • Reasonably priced

  • NASM owns AFAA

Cons

  • Limited study materials

  • Less regarded compared to other organizations

The AFAA Personal Training Certification is a well-regarded program that equips trainers with the skills necessary to guide clients toward their fitness goals. When I went through the AFAA certification, I found that the textbook covers a comprehensive range of techniques essential for personal trainers, although some of the material did feel a bit outdated compared to more modern programs I’ve studied.

About AFAA

AFAA, which stands for the Athletics and Fitness Association of America, has been certifying fitness professionals since 1983. With over 40 years of experience, they’ve built a solid reputation as one of the top certification providers, particularly recognized for their standout group exercise instructor program. I was initially drawn to AFAA because of this reputation, and while I wasn’t pursuing group fitness, their personal training certification seemed like a good, budget-friendly option.

While AFAA partners with NASM for their Group Fitness Certification, the AFAA Personal Training Certification is different from the NASM CPT. I noticed that the focus is more on general fitness training rather than the performance-oriented approach that NASM takes, which made it appealing when I was looking to train a broad range of clients.

AFAA Curriculum

The AFAA Personal Training Certification is designed to equip you with the skills needed to train clients in a gym, studio, or other fitness settings. I found it to be a solid choice for training general fitness clients, although the textbook can feel a bit outdated compared to some of the more current programs out there, like NASM or ISSA. I had to supplement the course material with additional resources to make sure I was up-to-date on the latest fitness trends.

One thing AFAA has going for it is that it’s NCCA-accredited, meaning it meets the high standards set by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which is a mark of quality in the fitness world. That gave me confidence that I was getting a solid foundation, even though some parts of the curriculum felt a bit dated.

AFAA Price

While AFAA doesn’t particularly excel in any one area, it’s a great budget-friendly option at just $499, which is less than certifications from bigger names like NASM or ISSA. I chose it primarily because of the affordability, and it turned out to be a great value for the price.

AFAA offers a single package that includes a downloadable study guide, video lectures, practice tests, and the exam itself. When I was preparing for the exam, I found the video lectures to be a useful supplement, but I would have liked more interactive study options, like what NASM provides.However, the textbook, Personal Fitness Training: Theory and Practice, is not included in the initial cost, so I had to buy that separately for an additional $79. Altogether, the certification cost me just under $600, which still made it one of the most affordable personal trainer certifications available. I found a used copy of the textbook online for around $30, which was a nice way to save a little extra cash.

AFAA Exam

One unique aspect of the AFAA certification is that the exam includes a practical experience section, unlike many other certifications that only feature multiple-choice questions. This hands-on component really set AFAA apart for me and made the certification feel more practical. I enjoyed the practical section because it allowed me to demonstrate what I had learned in a real-world scenario, which isn’t something you get with other certifications.

The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, with 20 of those being unscored research questions that won’t count toward your final grade, though you won’t know which ones they are. You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the test, and you’ll need to score at least 70% to pass. I found the multiple-choice portion to be straightforward, but it still required solid preparation.

The pass rate for the AFAA PFT course is around 62%, so it’s manageable but not a walk in the park. I studied consistently for about two months before taking the exam and found that was enough time to feel confident going into the test.

AFAA Recertification

Once you’ve earned your certification, it’s valid for two years. Like most other programs, you’ll need to complete continuing education units (CEUs) and pay a small recertification fee when the time comes to renew. I haven’t gone through the recertification process yet, but AFAA offers plenty of CEU options to help you stay on top of your continuing education.

Overall Experience

All in all, while AFAA may not have the same brand recognition as some of the top-tier programs, it’s a strong, cost-effective option for those looking to break into the personal training industry without breaking the bank. In my experience, the practical exam component and the budget-friendly price made it a great choice, especially when you’re just starting out and want a solid certification without the higher price tag of some other programs.

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 22

Best for Clinical Exercise Testing

Pros

  • Great exercise physiology content

  • Respected organization

  • Longer recertification period

Cons

  • Little to know exercise programming

  • No exercise technique content

  • Textbook is outdated

The ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program is a great fit for anyone who wants a more science-heavy approach to personal training, especially if you’re eyeing a career in exercise physiology or working in clinical settings. When I went through the ACSM CPT program, I quickly realized that it wasn’t as focused on regular fitness programming like NASM or ISSA, but it was a solid starting point for anyone wanting to dive deep into the science behind fitness. I found this aspect particularly valuable as I was looking to enhance my understanding of exercise physiology.

About ACSM

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is one of the oldest names in the industry, having certified over 100,000 trainers since 1990. I chose ACSM partly because of its reputation, especially among universities and colleges that hold ACSM certifications in high regard. As a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing fitness research and exercise science, I knew that their certification would provide a solid scientific foundation. A lot of the big-name certifications even draw on ACSM research to shape their own programs, so I felt like I was getting an education straight from the source.

ACSM Price

If you’re ready to take the ACSM exam without any additional study materials, it’ll cost you $399. When I signed up, I opted for the extra study tools, like the online practice questions through PrepU, which cost $64.99 for three months. I also considered their CPT prep course, but I decided to go with the textbook and flashcards. In hindsight, the textbook layout felt a bit outdated, but the content was solid. While it was a bit more expensive than I anticipated, I knew that investing in quality resources would pay off in the long run.

I did find that third-party study options sometimes had better deals and even came with exam pass guarantees, which I seriously considered to save on the hefty $199 retake fee ACSM charges if you fail the exam. This pushed me to really focus on being well-prepared before I took the test.

ACSM Curriculum

When it comes to content, ACSM truly excels in exercise science and anatomy. I was impressed by how deep they went into the science, much deeper than what’s typically needed for general personal training. This was a huge advantage for me because I wanted to understand the underlying mechanisms of fitness. Their coverage of client safety, health screenings, and behavior change coaching was some of the most detailed I’d seen in any CPT program, which I found particularly useful when working with clinical populations.

That said, ACSM falls short in areas like exercise programming and technique, particularly in resistance training. I noticed this gap as I went through the material—there wasn’t a clear framework for designing long-term workout plans or selecting exercises for different training phases. This made me supplement my learning with other resources to ensure I had the practical knowledge needed for resistance training. While the aerobic training section was better, it still didn’t match the structured systems found in NASM’s OPT or ACE’s IFT models. However, ACSM’s strong focus on training special populations and its attention to business skills made up for some of these shortcomings.

ACSM Exam

The ACSM exam is known to be fairly tough, requiring a solid understanding of scientific and anatomical concepts. The pass rate is around 69%, and I can confirm that the difficulty level was comparable to NASM and ACE. I took three months to study for the exam, focusing heavily on practice exams and reviewing the more challenging scientific concepts.

When I passed on my first attempt, it was a relief because I didn’t want to deal with the $199 retake fee! I found that the combination of thorough preparation and the practice exams made a big difference in helping me feel confident on exam day.

In terms of pay, ACSM-certified trainers can earn anywhere from $18,500 to $95,500 a year, with the average sitting around $50,738 according to ZipRecruiter. Personally, I found that having ACSM on my resume helped open doors, especially in clinical settings where this certification is highly respected.

ACSM Recertification

One thing to note is that ACSM’s continuing education requirements are more demanding than other certifications. You’ll need to recertify every three years, which is longer than the usual two-year period for most other certs, but ACSM requires 45 contact hours—1.5 times the standard 20 hours for other programs. When I looked into the recertification process, I appreciated that the longer certification period gave me more flexibility, but the 45 contact hours definitely required more planning to stay on top of continuing education.

Overall Experience

All in all, the ACSM CPT is a fantastic option if you’re looking to pursue a career in a clinical setting or exercise science. In my experience, it provided a thorough understanding of exercise physiology and client safety, making it a great fit for those interested in working with special populations or in more science-focused roles. But if you’re focused on general personal training, I did find that you might need to supplement your learning, especially in the areas of resistance training and program design. Overall, it was a challenging but rewarding certification that helped broaden my knowledge in fitness science.

C Tier Certifications

National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 23

Best Mid-Priced Affordable Option

Pros

  • Affordable price

  • Easy exam

Cons

  • No industry recognition

  • No standout aspects of the certification besides the price

The NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers) personal training certification is geared towards beginners looking to get certified and build a foundation for training clients in a gym setting. When I went through the NFPT certification, I found that while it doesn’t dive too deep into advanced strength training or biomechanics, it covers the basics you’ll need to start your fitness career.

About NFPT

Right off the bat, I wouldn’t call NFPT the best personal trainer certification out there, but it does offer a solid entry point, especially if you’re working with a tighter budget. When I was looking for a more affordable option to add to my certifications, NFPT stood out for this reason. It’s more of a middle-tier certification based on feedback from those who’ve been certified by NFPT and industry reviews, and in my experience, it provided a decent starting point for those new to personal training.

Founded in 1988, NFPT has been offering certifications for decades and has been accredited by the NCCA since 2005, giving it a solid level of credibility. Knowing it was NCCA-accredited gave me some peace of mind when choosing it, even though it doesn’t have the brand recognition of more prominent certifications like NASM or ISSA.

NFPT Curriculum

NFPT covers essential topics like anatomy, kinesiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, and biomechanics, though not with the same depth as programs like NASM or NSCA. When I was going through the study materials, I found that NFPT’s approach to these topics was more basic, which made it a good entry-level certification for those just getting started.

I found the NFPT study guide helpful, especially when paired with the textbook. The online learning section and chapter quizzes were particularly useful for reinforcing the material. I appreciated how the quizzes helped me focus on weaker areas, and I spent about two months going over these resources before sitting for the exam.

NFPT Price

The NFPT certification is also one of the more affordable options, with prices ranging from $339 to $449, making it one of the cheapest personal trainer certifications available, second only to a few others in the market. The affordability was one of the main reasons I chose NFPT, and I felt it provided decent value for the price.

NFPT offers three options for its certification: the Standard Package, Premier Package, and an Exam-Only option. I opted for the Premier Package ($449), which included everything in the Standard Package plus practice tests, online study tools, and client assessment videos. These extras were especially useful for gaining more test experience before taking the real thing. The client assessment videos were helpful as I prepped for practical scenarios, and the practice tests gave me a good sense of what to expect on exam day.

NFPT Exam

The NFPT personal trainer exam is similar to NASM in that it has 120 questions, and you’ll have two hours to complete it, either at a testing center or at home with a proctor. I opted to take the exam at home with a proctor, and the process was smooth and straightforward.

The exam is divided into five sections: Human Anatomy Principles (20%), Principles of Human Physiology (19%), Fitness Components (23%), Program Development (33%), and Professionalism/Communication (5%). I found that most of the questions focused on basic training principles, and while it wasn’t the most challenging exam I’ve taken, I did spend time reviewing the anatomy and program development sections thoroughly.

To pass, you’ll need to score at least 75%, and if you don’t pass on your first try, you can retake it for $119. Fortunately, I passed on my first attempt after spending a good amount of time on the practice tests and reviewing the material, but knowing about the affordable retake fee was a relief in case I needed it.

NFPT Recertification

Once you’re certified, continuing education is key to staying competitive. NFPT offers several ways to earn continuing education credits (CECs) for recertification, including attending workshops, taking classes, maintaining CPR/AED certification, and even conducting research. The recertification fee is $85, which includes your membership renewal. I haven’t gone through the recertification process yet, but I’ve already looked into some of their continuing education options, which seem straightforward and affordable.

If you want to enhance your career, NFPT also offers additional certifications in areas like Group Fitness, Strength and Conditioning, Corrective Exercise, and Health Coaching. I’m considering adding one of these specialties to broaden my skills, and it’s nice to know NFPT provides these options for career growth.

Overall Experience

Overall, while NFPT might not have the brand recognition of some of the top-tier certifications, it’s a great option if you’re looking for an affordable and accessible way to get started as a personal trainer. In my experience, it provided a solid foundation for beginners, and the price made it an appealing choice when I was starting out. While it may lack some of the depth found in more advanced certifications, NFPT offers a good stepping stone into the personal training industry without breaking the bank.

National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 24

Best Affordable Trainer Workshop

Pros

  • Inexpensive

  • They have a great live workshop

Cons

  • No business skills coverage

  • Not well-known certification

The National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA) Personal Training Certification is a solid option for those looking to start a career helping everyday people improve their health, fitness, strength, physique, and endurance. When I went through the NETA certification, I found that it equips trainers with the knowledge and tools to guide clients toward achieving their fitness goals and living a healthier lifestyle, though it doesn’t quite have the depth of more advanced certifications.

About NETA

Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the NETA-CPT is recognized in the fitness world, though it may not be as widely known as certifications from bigger names like NASM or ACE. I went with NETA because of its solid reputation and long-standing presence in the industry—NETA has been around since 1977, making it a well-established player. Even though it’s not the most popular choice, I found that it still holds credibility, especially for someone just starting out in personal training.

NETA Price

The pricing for NETA is pretty simple, with two main options:

  • Self-Study + Live Workshop – $549-599
  • Self-Study – $549

I opted for the Self-Study + Live Workshop package because I wanted the extra guidance from an instructor. This option includes a two-day prep course led by an instructor, which can be done either online or on-site. The live workshop gave me the chance to ask questions and get real-time feedback, which made the material more relatable to the practical aspects of training clients. Both packages include everything you need to study from home, including the Personal Trainer Certification Exam, online review modules, The Fitness Professional’s Manual (5th edition), a workbook with practice exams, support from the education department, and a $10 voucher for your first NETA continuing education course.

When I compared it to other certifications, I felt like NETA’s pricing was on the lower side, especially considering the materials provided. However, I also recognized that the trade-off was that NETA doesn’t have the same name recognition as some of the more popular certifications like NASM or ACE, which could matter when job hunting. Still, I found that the affordability made it an appealing choice for getting certified without overspending.

NETA Curriculum

The NETA-CPT curriculum does a good job covering the essentials of exercise science, giving trainers a strong foundation. I found the material straightforward and well-organized, but it’s not as deep as some other programs I’ve gone through. The course provided a solid overview of anatomy, physiology, and basic training principles, which were enough to get me started, though I later supplemented my learning with other resources to dive deeper into specific topics like biomechanics and advanced programming.

One thing to note is that NETA doesn’t dive deeply into the business side of personal training, which is something to keep in mind if you’re planning to run your own business. When I started thinking about building my own personal training business, I realized that I needed additional resources to learn about client management, sales, and marketing. However, for the foundational training side, NETA did a decent job.

The textbook is all black-and-white, which felt a little dated, but it’s filled with helpful charts, infographics, and pictures to break up the text and make it easier to digest. I appreciated how the visual aids helped clarify some of the more technical concepts, and I found myself referring back to the charts quite often as I prepared for the exam.

Overall Experience

Overall, NETA offers a solid, affordable certification for aspiring trainers. The material is decent, and while it may not be the absolute best out there, it provides everything you need to get started on your personal training journey. In my personal experience, NETA was a great starting point, especially for someone looking to break into the industry without spending too much on certification. While it doesn’t have the same brand recognition as more well-known certifications, it still gave me the confidence to begin working with clients and expand my skills from there.

National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 25

Best Online Certification

Pros

  • Great for people who want to do online coaching

  • Low price

  • You only have to recertify every 4 years

Cons

  • Limited industry recognition

  • Study system is less refined than the bigger organizations

The National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (NESTA-PFT) program is designed to bring individuals without a formal background in exercise science up to speed on the essentials of training clients for better health and fitness. When I went through the NESTA certification, I found that it provided a clear and practical approach to learning, making it easy to get started, even if you’re new to the industry.

About NESTA

What sets NESTA apart is its emphasis on integrating technology into personal training, positioning the certification for the modern era of online fitness coaching. I was particularly drawn to this tech-forward approach because it felt like the certification was built for the future of fitness training. Unlike many other certifications that only touch on technology, NESTA places it front and center, offering trainers the tools to leverage data and digital platforms to enhance decision-making and develop more effective training strategies.

This approach was especially valuable for me, as I was looking to build my online training platform. I appreciated how NESTA gave me practical insights into using technology to track client progress and create virtual training plans, which have become key parts of my business. If you’re someone who’s looking to stay on the cutting edge of online training techniques, NESTA is an excellent choice.

NESTA PFT is also a great option for those who want to specialize in areas like MMA or triathlon training or focus on the latest trends in virtual fitness coaching. During my certification, I noticed how flexible the program was in letting me explore niche areas, which was a bonus for anyone looking to carve out a specialty.

The program is also affordably priced, making it a great option for trainers looking for a certification that delivers value without the higher cost of some top-tier organizations. As they promote, it’s a budget-friendly certification option with solid benefits. I personally found this appealing, as it gave me the foundational knowledge I needed at a price that didn’t break the bank.

Founded in 1992, NESTA is NCCA-accredited, which added an extra layer of credibility to the certification. Another bonus is that the entire course is available 100% online, and once you purchase it, you have lifetime access. This was a major selling point for me, as I could revisit the materials whenever I needed a refresher.

The textbook provided by NESTA is shorter and more to the point compared to other certs, which can be seen as a positive if you like concise material, though it might not be as detailed as some would prefer. I personally enjoyed the shorter textbook since it allowed me to focus on the key points without feeling overwhelmed by excessive information.

NESTA Price

NESTA offers three certification packages:

  • PFT Basic – $349
  • PFT Plus – $399
  • PFT Complete – $477

I went for the PFT Plus package, as it included the digital study guide/manual (the textbook), which gave me more prep material before taking the NCCA-accredited exam. This package worked well for me, as it struck a balance between affordability and providing enough study resources.The PFT Basic package, the most affordable option, includes just the exam and your digital and paper certificates upon passing. If you’re looking for a no-frills option, this might be a good route. But for me, having the additional prep material with the PFT Plus package made a big difference in my confidence going into the exam.

NESTA Exam

The NESTA PFT exam is divided into four main areas:

  • Business Application (15%)
  • Program Design (25%)
  • Exercise Science (25%)
  • Program Implementation (35%)

When I took the exam, I appreciated how well-rounded it was, especially since it covered both exercise science and business skills, which are crucial for running a successful personal training practice. The exam is entirely online but must be taken at a PSI testing center or through an online proctor at home (for an additional $45). I chose to take it from home, and the process was smooth and stress-free, which was a relief.

It’s 125 multiple-choice questions, with 120 minutes to complete, and you’ll need to score at least 71% to pass. I took my time studying, using the digital study guide and the lifetime access to practice tests, which NESTA provides. The practice tests were particularly helpful in preparing me for the real thing. While the exam isn’t as tough as certifications like NASM or NSCA, you still need to be prepared, as passing is not guaranteed. If you don’t pass, retakes cost $199, which is pretty standard across the industry. Knowing that the retake fee wasn’t too high helped ease some of the exam pressure.

NESTA Recertification

Speaking of recertification, NESTA’s $149 fee every four years is one of the best deals in the industry, especially compared to most other personal training certifications that require renewal every two years. This was one of the reasons I chose NESTA—it offers long-term value, not just with the initial certification but also with its affordable and less frequent recertification process.

To stay certified, you’ll need to complete 40 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which NESTA lists as 4.0 CEUs. I’ve already started planning my continuing education, and it’s nice to know that NESTA offers affordable options for earning CEUs, which helps keep things cost-effective down the road.

Overall Experience

Overall, I found NESTA to be a great value option for personal trainers looking to get certified without breaking the bank. The added benefit of their tech-forward approach to training was particularly helpful for me as I expanded into online fitness coaching. While it may not be as challenging as some other certifications, NESTA provides a strong foundation, especially for those new to the industry or interested in using technology to enhance their training methods. It gave me the skills and confidence to build my career, and I continue to benefit from the lifetime access to study materials and resources.

Fitness Mentors (FM)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 26

Best Customer Service

Pros

  • Good CEU courses

  • Updated certification content

Cons

  • Unknown certification provider

  • Fewer support services than the major certifications

Fitness Mentors’ Certified Personal Trainer (FM CPT) certification is a relatively new player in the personal training certification game. When I went through the certification, I found the materials and curriculum to be top-notch, though it’s still not as widely recognized in the industry compared to big names like NASM or ISSA.

About Fitness Mentors

Fitness Mentors is a smaller certification company that offers a variety of accredited programs under its own brand. While going through the certification, I realized that if they had stronger industry recognition, they could easily be in the running with the top certifications. The content they provided felt very thorough and well-structured, so the only thing lacking was that widespread name recognition.

Fitness Mentors Price

When it comes to pricing, Fitness Mentors offers four packages.

I chose the Starter Bundle at $499, which includes everything you need to get certified: the FM CPT exam, a digital textbook, lecture videos, audiobook lectures, study guide questions, chapter quizzes, two practice exams, and access to a Facebook support group. This package had more than enough material for me to prepare thoroughly, and the study guide questions and quizzes were especially helpful. It’s a solid deal if you’re looking to dive into personal training without breaking the bank.

The next step up is the Plus Bundle for $729, which adds extras like a Certified Nutrition Specialist Certification, an exercise library, bonus videos, flashcards, and interactive learning activities. While I didn’t go for this one, I’ve heard from other trainers that the nutrition certification can be a good add-on if you’re looking to expand your skills early on.

If you want to go all in, there’s the Modern Trainer Bundle at $999, which includes everything from the Plus Bundle, plus an Online Trainer Certification, nutrition certification, personal mentor access, and a pass guarantee. This would be a great option for those planning to work with clients online, which is something I considered as well. Lastly, the Ultimate Bundle at $1,599 comes with additional certifications in Virtual Group Fitness, Virtual Health Coaching, and Pain Management.

For most people, the Starter and Plus bundles offer the best value if you’re aiming to get your CPT. The higher tiers with multiple certifications may be overkill unless you’re looking to specialize in multiple areas. In my case, I found the Starter Bundle provided everything I needed, and I appreciated how Fitness Mentors integrates technology with solid training principles.

Fitness Mentors Curriculum

In terms of content, the Fitness Mentors CPT is on par with well-known certifications like ISSA, NASM, and ACE. One standout feature that I personally found very useful is their FORM program design model, which is comparable to NASM’s OPT and ACE’s IFT models. It gave me a strong foundation for creating effective training programs for my clients. The FORM Model became my go-to structure when designing programs for clients of varying fitness levels, and it helped streamline my approach.

The curriculum is comprehensive, covering 13 chapters that include fitness assessments, anatomy and physiology, exercise programming, nutrition, special populations, business and sales, and much more. I felt well-prepared not just on the exercise science side, but also on the business and sales end of personal training, which has been crucial for building my own client base.

Overall, the course content provides a solid range of skills that prepare you for the demands of the personal training industry. It felt like it gave me everything I needed to feel confident as a new trainer, especially when it came to understanding program design and client assessments.

Fitness Mentors Exam

When it comes to the exam, the FM CPT is relatively easy compared to others I’ve taken. You need a 70% score to pass, and many find it less challenging than exams from other certification programs. I found the practice exams in the Starter Bundle to be a great way to gauge my progress, and by the time I sat for the actual exam, I felt fully prepared. Fitness Mentors doesn’t publish their pass rate, but based on my experience, it’s one of the more straightforward exams out there.

As for salary expectations, because Fitness Mentors is still a newer certification, it’s hard to find specific data on how it impacts pay. However, I haven’t found that the FM CPT has had a dramatic effect on my salary compared to when I held more established certifications like NASM or ISSA. That said, the skills I learned have been invaluable, and I’ve been able to confidently work with clients right away.

Fitness Mentors Recertification

Continuing education requirements for the FM CPT are similar to other certifications—you’ll need to complete 20 hours (2.0 CEUs) every two years and pay a recertification fee to stay certified. The process is straightforward, and I’ve found it easy to keep up with their continuing education options, which are relatively affordable.

Overall Experience

Where Fitness Mentors falls short is in brand recognition. While the curriculum is excellent, it doesn’t yet have the same reputation as bigger organizations like ACE, NASM, or ACSM. I did notice that when applying for certain jobs, some gyms preferred more established certifications simply because they’re more familiar with their standards and quality. Because of this, I had to focus more on selling my skills and knowledge to potential employers.

Bottom line: If you choose Fitness Mentors, you’ll need to sell your skills and knowledge to potential employers since the brand alone won’t carry as much weight. However, in terms of the content and what you’ll learn, the FM CPT is a strong option for building a successful personal training career. My personal experience with the program has been very positive, and I’ve felt fully prepared to meet the demands of the personal training industry.

D Tier Certifications

ACTION

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 27

Best Cheap Certification

Pros

  • The cheapest personal trainer certification

  • Offers free recertification

Cons
  • You get what you pay for

The ACTION certification is a budget-friendly option designed for aspiring personal trainers who want to get certified without spending a lot. When I went through the ACTION certification, I found that it provides the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in various areas of the fitness industry, though it doesn’t go as deep as some other certifications I’ve taken.

About ACTION

Previously known as ACT (Athletic Certification Training), ACTION offers a straightforward certification path. I chose it because it was the most cost-effective option at the time, and I wanted a quick way to get certified and start working with clients.

The final exam for the ACTION certification is administered through the ACTION Governing Board, although there’s not much info online about this specific board. While this didn’t give me much confidence at first, I decided to give it a try since I was looking for something that fit my budget.

ACTION offers three primary fitness certifications: Personal Training, Nutrition, and Group Exercise. These cover the core areas that most clients look for when it comes to fitness and wellness training, so it’s a well-rounded combination. I focused on the Personal Training certification but considered their Nutrition certification as a potential add-on later.

One of the standout features of ACTION is its low cost—it’s the most affordable certification provider in the fitness industry. When I saw how much cheaper it was compared to other certifications like NASM or ACE, I decided it was worth exploring. However, as I went through the materials, I realized this comes with a trade-off: the content is quite basic compared to more comprehensive certifications. Essentially, you get what you pay for. I supplemented my learning with additional resources to make sure I was well-rounded in my knowledge.

ACTION Price

ACTION’s Basic CPT Plan starts at just $99, which is practically unheard of in the world of personal trainer certifications. I started with this option because I wanted to get certified quickly and was working with a tight budget. For someone in my position, this plan was ideal.

However, I later upgraded to the Professional CPT Plan for $149 (or $9.95 per month), which adds a lot more value for just $50 more. This upgrade was worth it for me because it included a textbook (in both PDF and Kindle formats), flashcards, online CPR training, 18 online classes, 12 real-world simulations, 200 practice questions, a job reference letter, a personal trainer form library, a business plan, and insurance rate benefits. The practice questions and real-world simulations were particularly useful as I prepared for the exam, and they made me feel more confident working with clients.

For those who want the most comprehensive option, there’s the Platinum CPT Plan at $249 (or $19.95 per month). This plan comes with everything from the Professional Plan, but also adds over 400 practice questions, 21 simulations, 28 online classes, free lifetime recertification, an advanced nutrition certification, and priority support. I didn’t go for this plan, but I could see how it would be a good option if you’re looking for more extensive resources.

ACTION Exam

When it comes to the exams, there are two options.

The basic certification, which is not NCCA-accredited, includes the exam in the program. It consists of 150 questions, and you’ll have 2.5 hours to complete it, needing a 70% or higher to pass. I opted to not take this version of the exam as it is less recognized than the accredited version.

The NCCA-accredited exam must be taken at a Prometric Testing Center and costs an additional $99 for the proctoring fee. However, the exam itself is still included in the program. It follows the same format: 150 questions, 2.5 hours, and a 70% passing score.

While the NCCA accredited ACTION exam it wasn’t as challenging as some of the other certifications I’ve taken, I still had to study diligently. The study materials included with the Professional Plan, like the practice questions and simulations, helped me prepare. If you fail, retakes cost just $35 and can be done anytime after the initial exam, which is a nice safety net to have.

ACTION Recertification

Recertification is required every two years and costs $65. I’ve yet to go through the recertification process, but knowing that it’s reasonably priced is a relief. However, if you opt for the Platinum Plan, you’ll get lifetime recertification, so you won’t have to worry about paying that fee again. This would be an excellent option if you want to avoid future costs.

Overall Experience

In short, ACTION offers some incredibly affordable certification options, and while the content may not be as deep as other programs, it’s a solid choice if you’re on a budget and need a quick, accessible way to get certified. For me, the ACTION certification served as a stepping stone into the fitness industry, and while I supplemented the content with additional learning, it gave me the foundation I needed to get started. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to begin your personal training journey, this certification is definitely worth considering.

F Tier Certifications

American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA)

Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S] 28

Best Non-Accredited Certification

Pros

  • Offers an open-book exam

  • Has free-financing

Cons

  • No NCCA-accredited version of the test

  • AFPA is known for their health coach cert, not their CPT

AFPA (American Fitness Professionals and Associates) was founded in 1994 with a mission to inspire and build a community of fitness and health professionals equipped with top-tier skills and expertise. When I went through the AFPA certification, I found that their holistic approach to fitness and wellness aligned with my goal of creating a well-rounded, client-focused practice.

About AFPA

AFPA aims to empower trainers and coaches to change lives through cutting-edge concepts in nutrition, coaching, and fitness. During my certification process, I appreciated how they emphasized the importance of integrating multiple aspects of health into fitness coaching.

While they’re most recognized for their Holistic Nutrition and Health Coach certifications, AFPA offers a wide range of certifications, including specialties in Weight Loss, Gut Health, Yoga, and Pilates. I explored some of their other options and was impressed by the variety of specializations available, which makes it easy to branch out into different areas of fitness and wellness.

One downside, though, is that AFPA has chosen not to pursue NCCA accreditation. This means their personal training certification might not be accepted at some gyms, depending on the facility’s requirements. This was something I had to keep in mind when choosing where I wanted to work after certification. However, if you’re not tied to working in a traditional gym setting, it’s still a solid option. For me, it worked out because I was more interested in building a private client base rather than working in a big gym. And also, I already had previous NCCA accredited certifications through NASM and the others on this list.

AFPA Price

The AFPA Personal Trainer Certification is currently priced at $549 (on sale), and they offer a convenient payment plan with six interest-free installments. The pricing was one of the reasons I decided to go with AFPA, especially since it fit within my budget while still offering a comprehensive curriculum. The program is fully online and can be completed in about six months or less, depending on your pace. I completed it in just under six months, balancing my studies with other commitments.

AFPA Curriculum

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  • The basics of exercise science, human anatomy, and biomechanics
  • How to assess cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular fitness, and flexibility to create improvement plans
  • How to design fitness programs that include cardiovascular, resistance, and flexibility training
  • Proper use of commercial fitness equipment
  • Exercise principles for different age groups—adults, children, and seniors
  • Exercise testing and modifications for special populations
  • Business fundamentals like marketing, management, and administration in personal training
  • Operating with compassion while upholding the AFPA Code of Ethics

I found the curriculum to be well-rounded and thorough. The sections on exercise testing and modifications for special populations were particularly helpful, as I knew I would encounter clients with varying fitness levels and health conditions. The business fundamentals section was also a standout for me since I was planning to start my own personal training business. It gave me a good foundation to market myself and manage my business effectively.

The program also stressed operating with compassion, which I appreciated as it aligns with how I want to approach my practice. AFPA’s focus on their Code of Ethics helped me understand how to create a professional yet caring relationship with clients.

Overall Experience

All in all, AFPA offers a well-rounded curriculum that blends fitness training knowledge with business essentials, making it a good option for those looking to grow their expertise and build a compassionate practice. I felt well-prepared to design personalized fitness programs and build relationships with clients. Just keep in mind the lack of NCCA accreditation if you’re planning to work in a gym with strict certification requirements. For me, AFPA was a great fit because of the flexibility, affordability, and the focus on holistic health, but it’s important to consider where you plan to work before choosing this certification.

My Scoring Criteria (Detailed)

Accreditation

Accreditation is a crucial factor when selecting a personal training certification because it ensures the certification meets industry standards for quality and professionalism. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation is considered the gold standard when it comes to ensuring that a fitness certification is top notch.

It validates that a certification program adheres to rigorous testing and evaluation processes, ensuring trainers are well-qualified and competent.

NCCA-accredited certifications are highly respected by employers and clients, giving trainers a competitive edge in the job market.

On the other hand, Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) accreditation focuses on the quality of online education programs. While it’s a recognized accrediting body, DEAC accreditation may not hold the same weight in the fitness industry as NCCA, but it still signifies that the certification program provides valuable, accessible education.

Ultimately, choosing a certification with strong accreditation, particularly NCCA, ensures better career opportunities and credibility as a personal trainer.

Almost all of these certifications are NCCA-accredited, however there are a few organizations that offer two versions of the exam, a closed-book version, and an open-book version. In all cases the open-book version is not NCCA-accredited.

NCCA Accredited Certifications

OrganizationOffers NCCA Accredited ExamOffers Non-NCCA Accredited Exam
ISSA ✅✅
NASM✅✅
NCSF✅❌
NSCA✅❌
ACE✅✅
NPTI✅✅
ACSM✅❌
NFPT✅❌
AFPA❌✅
NETA✅❌
NESTA✅❌
ACTION✅✅
Fitness Mentors✅❌
AFAA✅❌

Personal Trainer Certification Cost

Most personal training certifications cost between $400 and $900, depending on which study resources you purchase along with the test.  Other factors that can impact the total price include late fees, exam retakes, and financing costs if you go with a payment plan rather than paying the full amount outright.

Price is a key consideration when choosing a personal training certification because it directly affects your initial investment and the potential return. I had to weigh the cost against what I expected to gain from the certification.

While pricier certifications may offer more extensive resources, specialized training, or higher industry recognition, not all aspiring trainers, including myself, can afford them. Choosing a lower-cost option can be tempting, but it’s vital to ensure that it still provides high-quality education, accreditation, and support.

Balancing cost with long-term value is crucial, as a well-recognized, accredited certification can lead to more job opportunities, higher earning potential, and a solid foundation for a successful career. In my case, I looked carefully at how the cost aligned with my career goals and potential earnings.

Therefore, it’s wise to evaluate the cost versus benefits carefully, ensuring that the certification fits your budget without compromising on quality or career prospects.

Base Price of the Certifications

Base Price of the Certifications:

CertificationBase Price
NASM $894
ISSA $994
NCSF $479
AFAA $499
NSCA $435
ACE $685
NPTI $2,999
ACSM $399
NFPT $299
AFPA $549
NETA $549
NESTA $349
ACTION CPT Certification$99
Fitness Mentors CPT$499

Financing provides a solution for those people who can’t afford to pay the full certification fee outright. Let’s look at which certifications offer zero interest financing and how many months you can spread the payments over.

Personal Training Financing

CertificationNumber of Interest-Free PaymentsCredit Check Needed
NASM4 payments❌
ISSA12 payments❌
NCSF3 Payments✅
AFAAN/AN/A
NSCAN/AN/A
ACE3, 12, or 18 payments✅
NPTI6 or 12 payments❌
ACSM N/AN/A
NFPTN/AN/A
AFPA6 Payments❌
NETAN/AN/A
NESTA 4 payments✅
ACTION CPT CertificationN/A

N/A
Fitness Mentors CPTN/A

N/A

Study Aids

Each personal training certification provides different levels of study support at varying prices. During my certification process, I noticed this comes in the form of online study systems, videos, and practice exams. Having access to these resources made a big difference for me in terms of preparation, so knowing what each certification provides helped me make my decision.

Knowing when your certification provider is available if you need to call and ask questions is also a crucial part of the process. I had to reach out a few times during my studies, so I made sure to compare the support hours and availability of each certification provider when deciding which certification and study package to purchase.

Customer Service

CertificationLive ChatEmail Phone Phone Support Hours
ISSA✅✅✅24/7
NASM✅✅✅

Monday - Friday: 6 am - 6 pm (PST)

Saturday to Sunday: 8 am - 5pm (PST)
NCSF✅✅✅

Monday - Friday:

9:00 am -5:00 pm (EST)
ACE✅✅✅

Monday - Friday:

6:30 am to 4pm (PST)
NSCA❌✅✅

Monday-Thursday: 8-5 pm (MST)

Friday: 8-4 pm (MST)
ACSM❌✅✅

Monday-Friday: 8 am-5 pm (EST)
NFPT❌✅✅

Monday - Friday:

9 AM – 5 PM EST
AFAA❌✅✅

Monday - Friday: 6 am-6 pm (PST)

Saturday-Sunday: 8 am-5 pm (PST)
NPTI❌✅✅

Monday – Friday:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday:
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
AFPA❌✅✅N/A
NETA❌✅✅Monday - Friday: 8:00am – 4:30am (CST)
NESTA❌✅✅

Monday - Friday:

9 am-4 pm (PT)
ACTION❌✅❌N/A
FM✅✅✅N/A

Textbook Content

The textbook is, in essence, the content you will learn throughout the text. When I was choosing my certification, I found that understanding which topics are covered and how they are presented is crucial in your quest to find the right certification for you.

I personally reviewed each textbook to see how recently it had been updated. Since fitness standards and practices are always evolving, I didn’t want to study outdated information. Some textbooks I encountered looked like they were written in the 1980s, which wasn’t helpful. You want to make sure that whichever certification you pick, you’re learning the latest fitness science, just as I did.

Which Textbooks Have the Most Up-to-Date Content?

Certificationup-to-date content
ISSA CPT8/10
NASM CPT10/10
NCSF CPT9/10
AFAA CPT6/10
NSCA CPT7/10
ACE CPT8/10
NPTI  CPT10/10
ACSM CPT5/10
NFPT CPT6/10
AFPA CPT7/10
NETA CPT6/10
NESTA CPT9/10
ACTION CPT5/10
FM CPT7/10

Also, a few of these textbooks would be a bit dense to go through for anyone without a degree in exercise science. I was able to understand all of them, but if you’re just starting out, I’ve rated each textbook on a scaled of 1-10 to make life easier for you.

Which Textbooks are Easiest to Read?

CertificationEasy to read
ISSA CPT10/10
NASM CPT9/10
NCSF CPT10/10
AFAA CPT7/10
NSCA CPT6/10
ACE CPT7/10
NPTI  CPT9/10
ACSM CPT5/10
NFPT CPT6/10
AFPA CPT8/10
NETA CPT7/10
NESTA CPT7/10
ACTION CPT 6/10
FM CPT8/10

Professional Resources

Each certification offers certain career resources to help you after you pass the program. These give you a head start and make finding the right gym or clients easier.

Free Professional Resources

CertificationProfessional Resources
ISSA
  • Free CPR/AED certification
  • Professional website with a choice of templates
  • Unlimited support post-certification
  • Access to a CPT Education Bootcamp
  • Job guarantee program
NASM
  • NASM Edge App: App for personal trainers working with clients
  • Job Guarantee Program*
  • CPR/AED Certification*
NCSF
  • One year NCSF membership
  • Partnership with multiple gyms (Not the same as a Job guarantee)
ACE
  • CPR/AED Certification option*
  • Access to exclusive ACE Pro Career Support
  • Access to ACE Job Board (Not the same as a Job guarantee)
ACSMN/A
NSCAN/A
AFAAN/A
NPTI
  • NASM Edge App: App for personal trainers working with clients
  • Job Guarantee Program
  • CPR/AED Certification
NFPTN/A
AFPAFree Course: “How to Start a Successful Online Personal Trainer Business”
NETAN/A
NESTAN/A
ACTIONN/A
FMN/A
  • NASM: The Job guarantee program and CPR/AED do not come as bonuses on the basic package.
  • ACE: The free CPR/AED does not come with all packages.

Pass Rate

Understanding the pass rate of a personal training certification is important because it provides insight into the difficulty level of the exam and the preparedness of the candidates. When I was preparing for my certification, I found that a certification with a high pass rate may indicate that the study materials and exam content are clear and well-supported, making it easier for candidates to succeed.

On the other hand, a certification with a low pass rate might suggest that the exam is more challenging or that the program lacks sufficient resources for candidates to adequately prepare, which I experienced with one of the more difficult certifications I pursued.

Knowing the pass rate can help you gauge the level of commitment and preparation needed to succeed and decide if a certification aligns with your learning style and capabilities, just as it helped me assess my own readiness.

Additionally, a lower pass rate could be a sign of prestige and exclusivity, which might appeal to those seeking more advanced credentials. A higher pass rate, however, may be more suitable for beginners or those looking for a quicker entry into the industry.

Below I compare each training certification pass rate.

Certification Pass Rate

CertificationPass rate
NASM 79%
ISSA 75%
NCSF 79%
AFAA 68%
NSCA 66%
ACE 69%
NPTI 79%
ACSM 61%
NFPT 72%
AFPA 93%
NETA 65%
NESTA 62%
ACTION N/A
Fitness Mentors88%

I also added in the details for each certification final exam, so you know how long you have to complete the test and how many questions you’ll need to answer.

Final Exam Details

CertificationTotal # of QuestionsTime to complete% needed to Pass
ISSA120120 minutes70%
NASM120 120 minutes70%
NCSF150 180 minutes62%
ACE150180 minutes62.5%
NSCA155180 minutes70%
ACSM120120 minutes68.75%
AFAA120 120 minutes70%
NPTI120 120 minutes70%
NFPT120 120 minutes75%
AFPAN/AN/AN/A
NETA120 120 minutes72%
NESTA125 120 minutes71%
ACTION150 150 minutes70%
FM100 120 minutes70%

How long it takes to become a personal trainer

On average, it takes between 1 and 6 months to become a certified personal trainer, depending on the certification program and your study pace. Some programs can be completed in as little as 4 to 6 weeks, while others may take up to 6 months or more for comprehensive training.

Knowing how long it takes to complete a personal training certification program is valuable because it helps you plan your time, set realistic expectations, and balance your certification process with other commitments. When I was working through my certification, this was key for me as I had to manage my time around other responsibilities.

If you’re looking to enter the fitness industry quickly, choosing a program with a shorter completion time might be ideal. I personally found that some shorter programs got me certified faster, but others that took longer offered more in-depth content, better support, or additional resources that truly enhanced my knowledge and skills.

Understanding the timeframe also allows you to align your study schedule with your career goals, whether you need to fast-track your certification or prefer a more comprehensive learning experience. For me, knowing how long each program took helped me decide which one fit my needs at the time.

Additionally, knowing the program length helps you assess if it fits within your personal or professional obligations, making it easier to complete successfully and without unnecessary stress, as I learned firsthand.

Exam Prep Time:

CertificationStudy Times
ISSA3-5 months.
NASM3-6 months
NCSF3-6 months
ACE3-4 months
NSCA3-9 months
ACSM3-4 months
AFAA3-4 months
NPTI4-6 months
NFPT1-3 months
AFPA~6 months
NETA1-2 months
NESTA1-3 months
ACTION1-2 months
FM2-4 months

Popularity

Popularity is an important factor to consider when choosing a personal training certification because it often reflects industry recognition and acceptance. In my experience, this played a key role in my decision-making process, as I wanted a certification that would be respected and open doors for me.

A well-known and widely accepted certification, such as those from NASM, ACE, or ISSA, tends to have more credibility with employers, making it easier to land jobs or attract clients. I personally noticed that having a popular certification on my resume gave me an edge when applying for positions.

Popular certifications often have established reputations for quality education, comprehensive resources, and ongoing support, which can be beneficial as you start your career. When I first started, having access to a large network of professionals made a significant difference in finding mentorship and learning opportunities. Additionally, popular certifications typically offer larger networks of certified professionals, access to more career opportunities, and more widely recognized continuing education programs.

By choosing a popular certification, you increase your chances of aligning with industry standards, gaining trust from employers and clients, and setting yourself up for long-term career success. This was a big factor for me, as I knew it would help me build credibility in the fitness industry.

Certification Popularity

Cert/Search TermSearches/Month
ISSA CPT900
NASM CPT4,800
NCSF CPT100
ACE CPT700
NSCA CPT400
ACSM CPT300
AFAA CPT10
NPTI CPT10
NFPT CPT20
AFPA CPT0
NETA CPT10
NESTA CPT20
ACTION CPT350
FM CPT0

Renewal Process

Every few years you must renew your CPT, which means picking a certification with an easy renewal process helps you succeed in the long term.

CEUs Required to Renew

Certification# of CEUs CostLength of time
ISSA20 CEUs$99Every 2 years
NASM20 CEUs$99Every 2 years
NCSF10 CEUs$50Every 2 years
AFAA15 CEUs$99Every 2 years
NSCA60 CEUs$50Every 3 years
ACE20 CEUs$129Every 2 years
NPTI20 CEUs$99Every 2 years
ACSM45 CEUs$30Every 3 years
NFPT20 CEUs$85Every year
AFPA16 CEUs$85Every 2 year
NETA20 CEUs$75Every 2 years
NESTA40 CEUs$149Every 4 years
ACTION20 CEUs$65Every 2 years
FM20 CEUs$99Every 2 years

my personal training certification comparison Conclusion

When I compare all the personal training certifications, ISSA and NASM come out on top. ISSA has the best customer service hours, NASM has the highest recognition, and both textbooks are easy to read and constantly updated. They also offer easy financing without a credit check.

While they’re not the cheapest certifications, I really believe the price is justified. NASM has the easiest to use study platform and ISSA gives you unique business tools like a free professional website to get your career going.

If you’re more budget-conscious, I’d go with NCSF, which gives you a lot of the same resources of other certification, but at a lower price. Also, I’ve dealt with NCSF a lot and their customer service is really top notch. When I reached out to most of these certifications with questions, NCSF was the fastest to respond via e-mail.

While these are my top choices, you should also consider your specific career goals in fitness when picking your certification.

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.

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.

Now let’s turn you guys into the best fitness trainers out there!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does a personal trainer certification program include?

A personal trainer certification typically covers exercise science, nutrition, behavior change, exercise techniques, and program design. Most programs focus on client assessment and safety protocols. Graduates are prepared to create effective training plans, improve fitness, and guide clients toward goals.

What are the different types of personal trainer certifications?

Personal trainer certifications vary by organization, with specializations in corrective exercise, strength and conditioning, and nutrition coaching. Certified trainers with multiple certifications typically earn up to more annually. Popular organizations include NASM, ACE, ISSA, and NSCA, each offering niche programs that cater to specific fitness goals.

What is the cheapest personal trainer certification?

ACTION offers the cheapest personal trainer certification, priced at just $99. NFPT is only $299. NESTA is also very affordable, at $349. Other options include NSCA at $435 and ACSM, which is only $399 for the base price. After that, NCSF is the least expensive at $479.

What is the easiest personal trainer certification?

The ISSA non-accredited exam is often considered the easiest, with a 90% pass rate. ACE follows with a 65% pass rate, and NASM at 64%. However, it’s recommended to pursue an accredited certification for better career opportunities and industry credibility.

How long does it take to become a certified personal trainer?

It typically takes three to six months to become a certified personal trainer, depending on your study schedule. Accelerated programs or study guides can reduce this timeframe. Those with a background in exercise science might complete the certification in one to two months.

What are the requirements to become certified?

Most personal trainer certifications require candidates to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and hold a valid CPR/AED certification. These prerequisites ensure trainers can provide safe, effective guidance to all their clients.

Can you be a personal trainer without becoming certified?

Although it’s not illegal to work as a personal trainer without certification, it is highly discouraged. Most gyms won’t hire uncertified trainers, and working without proper knowledge can pose significant risks to client safety, reducing career opportunities in the long term.

Is a personal trainer certification worth it?

Yes, a personal trainer certification is worth it. Certified trainers earn more and have greater job opportunities. Certifications provide essential knowledge in exercise science, nutrition, and program design, enabling trainers to offer professional and safe guidance to clients.

What personal trainer certificate is most respected?

ISSA and NASM are among the most respected personal trainer certifications, recognized for their comprehensive curriculum, industry reputation, and high standards. Certifications accredited by the NCCA, like ACE and NSCA, are also regarded by fitness professionals and gyms across the industry.

How long are personal trainer certifications good for?

Personal trainer certifications are generally valid for two to three years. To maintain certification, trainers must complete continuing education credits and renew their credentials within this timeframe to stay current with industry standards. Every certification has different CEU requirements, but most require 20 or more hours of continuing education.

What certifications do most gyms accept?

Most gyms accept NASM, ACE, ISSA, ACSM, NSCA, NCCPT, and NCSF. All of these personal training certifications are nationally recognized and accredited by the NCCA. Other NCCA accredited certifications include most of the others on this list, with the exception of AFPA and ACTION, which offer unaccredited certifications.

What is the most respected personal trainer certification?

If you’re wondering what personal trainer certificate is most respected, I would say it is a close call between ISSA, NASM, and ACE for the most respected personal trainer certifications. The next most respected certifications are ACSM, NCSF, and NSCA. Any NCCCA accredited certifications carries some level of respect, even if it is less well known.

What certifications are best for different states?

Gyms across the United States accept most NCCA-accredited personal trainer certifications.

What is the process of becoming certified?

To become certified, choose a personal training certification, study the entire curriculum, and register for the exam. After passing the exam, you’ll earn your certification, allowing you to start working as a personal trainer in gyms or as a freelancer.

Which style of personal training utilizes both in-person and virtual training?

Hybrid training uses both in-person and virtual training as part of your sessions with clients. More and more trainers are coaching clients over the internet, and many of certification organizations (like NASM, ISSA, and Fitness Mentors) have specializations that teach you how to be an online personal training coach.

References

  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 Mar https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24616604/
  2. About ACSM. ACSM_CMS. https://www.acsm.org/acsm-membership/about-us
  3. ACSM journals. ACSM_CMS. https://www.acsm.org/read-research/journals-bulletins
  4. The Optimum Performance Training Model. NASM. https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/the-opt-model
  5. Personal trainer: IFT model. ACE. https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/ace-ift-model.aspx
  6. University L. Lionel University: Fitness and Nutrition Education. Lionel University | Fitness And Nutrition Education. https://www.issaonline.edu/company/
  7. Become a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist | NSCA. https://www.nsca.com/certification/cscs/
  8. “Google Trends.” Google Trends, https://trends.google.com/trends/?geo=US
  9. “Personal Trainer Accreditation.” IHRSA, https://www.ihrsa.org/industry-issues/personal-trainer-accreditation/
  10. Personal Trainer (CPT) (NASM) Salary | PayScale. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Personal_Trainer_(CPT)_(NASM)/Salary
  11. “Recertify Your NASM Personal Trainer Certification.” NASM, https://www.nasm.org/recertify/personal-trainer-recertification
  12. Stay Certified | NSCA. https://www.nsca.com/certification/recertification/
  13. The Mission of NESTA’s Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT) Program. https://pft.nestacertified.com/about-nesta-mission-statement/

Tyler Read - Certified Personal Trainer with PTPioneer

Tyler Read

Tyler Read, BSc, CPT. Tyler holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University and is a certified personal trainer (CPT) with NASM (National Academy of sports medicine), and has over 15 years of experience working as a personal trainer. He is a published author of running start, and a frequent contributing author on Healthline and Eat this, not that. | 
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Ask me a question and I will reply ASAP

209 thoughts on “Best Personal Trainer Certification Tiers [Ranked D-S]”

    • Hey Rojana,

      Ever since the pandemic, yes most certifications have the option to take the exam online in order to get certified as a personal trainer. A lot of them still offer in person exam taking. But the majority do not have any hands-on instruction. Is mostly book learning and typically when you start as a personal trainer you can do mentorships to learn more hands-on. Another good way to get hands on practices to work with friends and family and take them through exercise routines. But I agree, there should be a level of hands on instructions required.

      Reply

  2. Hi, thank you so much for the article and reviewing these programs. I’m in my mid-30s, female and looking for a career change. My goal is to work independently as a personal trainer and yoga teacher (for which I have a cert). While, I would like to be open to different populations, I want to focus on 55+ community to help them maintain balance and improve ROM. Which cert would be best for me between ACE, NASM and ISSE? Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Hey Ava, I would suggest a CPT from any of those three organizations you mentioned, with my personal favorites being NASM and ISSA. In addition, both of these two organizations do have Senior Fitness Specializations for personal trainers to pursue. I would check those out if I were you.

      Reply

  4. Hi Tyler,
    I want to thank you for your helpful overview of these CPT programs. Just when I thought I was closer in my decision of choosing one, I am still undecided, lol. However, I am leaning towards NASM or ACE.

    My goals/reasons for becoming a Certified Personal Trainer are to help people reach their desired level of fitness (regardless of health or body limitations), overcome struggles with weightloss/weight management, and overcome whatever is holding them back from achieving their health/fitness goals. To be honest, I have struggled with each of these, but have also had success in the past, which I think would make me a good trainer because I can empathize with my clients. It also encourages me when I encourage/motivate others and see them reach their goals.

    That all being said, which of these two programs do you think mostly encompass all the things I would like to do without having to get a specialization for a while? Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Hey Vanessa, I’m glad to have you on the site and using the articles. I would fully recommend NASM or ISSA first, but your second option of ACE is not bad either. These three CPT programs are some of the best you can go for, and you need to find the best on for your case. Since NASM is found in your two listed, and I would suggest it as well, perhaps that is your best starting spot to see if the NASM CPT is best for you.

      Reply

  5. I’m surprised NESTA wasn’t included in this list…

    Content is as good as nasm ans better than Issa (at least it was when I got certified) and there was no open book or online exam – closed book proctored exam at a testing center…. and if I recall it was even more questions than nasm… it’s no walk in the park – you need to know your sh*t to pass.

    Reply

    • Hey, I agree that NESTA is good. It could definitely be in a top 10 article, and for some other fitness professionals, I am sure it would make it into their top 7. There are a lot of categories to base the overall opinion on, and I tried to justify my reasons throughout.

      Reply

  6. Hi there,
    Thanks for this really helpful article. I’m currently a qualified Personal Trainer here in Australia but will be moving to New Jersey in just a few weeks and have been wondering how I can get my best foot forward for re-training in a Personal Trainer course. This was really useful to read. Thanks!
    Cheers,
    Sylvia

    Reply

    • Hey Sylvia, you can’t go wrong starting with any of the certifications throughout this article. In addition, experience is very important, and you will already have that going in, since you personal trained in Australia. Good luck in your endeavors!

      Reply

  7. Tyler,

    Thanks for all your help and information. This has been extremely helpful in deciding which certification to pursue. I have decided to go with the ISSA right now due to the state of everything and my learning style. I will look at your study material as well.

    One note, and one you may want to update: with the ISSA plans now, you no longer get the actual textbook, you only get the digital version. The hard copy text, which I like to have, must be purchased seperately.

    Thanks,

    Reply

    • Hey Blaze, that is true. If you purchase the basic package, then it does not include the hard copy of the textbook. But, some of the upgraded packages for the ISSA CPT does include the hard copy.

      Reply

  10. Hi Tyler! Thanks for this breakdown. Another certification program I have heard about it NCSF. It’s definitely the most affordable one I have found, but are you able to shed some light on what you know about a CPT with NCSF? Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Hello Tyler,

    I’ve doing research about CPT and read enough articles including yours and the better option was ISSA according to your article but i see lotta NASM, ACE, NCSA discussion in the comment section! What do you think is the best thing to do here?

    Reply

    • To be honest, all four of those options are fantastic. The only reason people used to discredit the ISSA certification was because it was not NCCA accredited. But that’s no longer the case. They have fantastic study materials, are accredited and have great support. All around it’s one of my favorite options right now.

      Reply

  12. Hello Tyler
    Thank you so much for all the articles and kwnoledges.
    I’m Davood I’m living in Turkey now and I’m planning to take ISSA PTC because its online and from what i read and understand that’s the ISSA PTC is suitable for me actually have a question im moving to live in Portogal is the ISSA PTC is accepted in the or in Europe
    If not which are accepted there that have online cert ?
    Thanks again for this wonderful article

    Reply

    • This is a very specific question regarding personal training certifications. I will definitely check in the area that you live in to see which personal training certifications are accepted and which ones are preferred by your local employers. Good luck with your personal training career.

      Reply

  13. Hello! First off, thank you so much for compiling all this information, definitely the most helpful website out there for comparing certifications.

    I’m not interested in making a career out of personal training, but I want all the knowledge that a personal trainer has (and the bragging rights to say I’m certified). I also want to learn more about nutrition. Which of these certifications would you say offers the most knowledge on nutrition and improving quality of life?

    Reply

    • Hey there, I definitely understand where you are coming from. All five personal training certifications on this list touch upon nutrition for at least one chapter. If nutrition is your final goal though, I would get a dedicated nutrition certification. Check out my article on the top 5 nutrition certifications.

      Reply

  14. Hey Tyler
    I love your content,thank you soo much for explaining things in such a great way.I am from India and my age is 23. I am an international artistic skater, how ever I want to get a certification which will help me to implement the knowledge and eventually help in in my artistic skating career.
    I have done my Bachelors degree in Commerce,basically I have no knowledge in the field of fitness, So what would you recommend, I am confused which course I should select.

    Reply

    • If you plan on mostly training in India I definitely recommend contacting some local employers to see which certifications are accepted and preferred in India. The majority of my audience is from North America.

      Reply

  15. Hello Tyler,
    I think i posted this question before but i don’t remember in which article.
    Which certificate best suits bodyweight training and movement exercise?

    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Moe

    Reply

  17. Hi Tyler,

    Thank you so much for this article, it turned out to be exactly what we were looking for! I’m writing to you on behalf of my sister, who is stretching and flexibility trainer here, in Kazakhstan. She wants to continue her education and get a certificate from ISSA. But she doesn’t know English fluently. Is it possible to sit the test in other languages, in Russian, for example? Or is it possible to have a translator nearby, during final exam?
    And one more question, how can she get CPR/AED certificate?
    Thank you in advance!

    Reply

    • That will definitely make it a little bit harder not being a native English speaker. But, if her English is okay she can work through the course content at her own pace and should be fine for the exam. If she signs up with the international sports Sciences Association the actually provide a CPR or AED certification free of charge or for very little extra money.

      Reply

  18. I’ve 2 Questions…

    1st. I wanna ask about what’s best CPT among NASM / ISSA / ACE ??

    And i see u always recommend “NASM”

    Btw…I graduated from law school so i didn’t study fitness field ;but i’ve been working out 8 years ago so i’ve experience & A lot of knowledge

    2nd. If the answer is ISSA or ACE should i go for NASM after that?..

    Reply

    • All five of the certifications on this list are definitely good options for General personal training certifications. If you want to specialize, there are plenty of other certifications to specialize in afterwards. That being said, out of these five, the National Academy of sports medicine is probably the most recognized by employers. You can always get multiple certifications and it will expand your knowledge as a personal trainer. It’s never a bad idea.

      Reply

  19. Hey Tyler! First of all, just wanted to say thanks for all that you do- I so appreciate this page as a resource. I have Canadian and American citizenship, living in Canada at the moment but would like to move to the US within the next 5 years. I was wondering if you had any insights into a good certification that would be accepted in both countries? Don’t know if I’m reaching for the stars here and will have to end up getting 2 separate certifications, but hoping you may have some advice:) I can’t seem to get a straight answer online. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Hey there, I know that ACE and NASM are pretty widely accepted up in Canada. I do know that there are specific certifications in Canada that are not really well known in the United States. Such as canfitpro.

      Reply

  20. I posted on another article but I think there may have been a glitch. Lol

    Anyway I was asking about specific certifications or what should I be diving deep into. I am getting my NASM – CPT. Once finished I am really going to try and focus on helping clients lose weight and keep it off, while also helping them time and build that “6 pack.” I was wondering if there’s a certain certification or anything that dices deep into turning the “dad bod” into that cut, toned athlete look. I’m not sure if I was clear enough, but thank you so much for your help!

    Reply

    • I think a general personal training certification such as the one you are obtaining from the National Academy of sports medicine is a great place to start. If you want to get more into bodybuilding stuff there are specific bodybuilding certifications out there that you can try to achieve.

      Reply

  21. Dear Tyler,
    My name is Anya and I live in Russia currently. Thank you very much for your review, it helped me a lot to choose the right certiicate for me. I am going for ISSA certificate. I also did a CPR/AED certificate online from the National CPR Foundation. Is this certificate is acceptable for taking CPT exam? Thank you

    Reply

    • I’m glad you found the personal training certification that was right for you. The international sports Sciences Association is a fantastic organization. Good luck studying.

      Reply

  22. Hello!
    This has been a very helpful website! Thank you!

    I am considering ISSA, probably the Elite bundle. My question is that there are the programs for to be a certified personal trainer but then there are other specialized certifications. How important is it to be specialized? If I were to just be a personal trainer for now would I still be competitive for jobs?

    Reply

    • I think it’s very important to One Day become specialized. It takes a while to find your Niche to see what people you like to train in what style of training is for you. Overall, the bundle of three is a very good deal as you will have them forever.

      Reply

  23. thank you for sharing these information,
    just some questions; this job guarantee and internship that comes with NASM is just for USA, right?
    I think for those who live in europe ACE now is better because of its discounts, what do u think?

    Reply

  24. Thanks so much “TYLER” for all the comprehensive articles and kwnoledges you are sharing here, i so much feel satisfy with them. Just a question please which certificate(s) are recomended in Canada, And will ISSA be accepted in Canada any idea! I love to be a great personal trainer Easy workout and see the effect. My type of person will like to have more than two CERT, but will start with ISSA if online or NASM if offline.
    Kind Regards!

    Reply

  25. Hey Coach,

    thank you for all the hard work you have put into this and the value you have given without me spending even a single cent. Your website has been extremely informative and helpful in helping me decide what kind of certification I want to do.

    I am in Japan at the moment, living in Tokyo and looking to change careers. I am Canadian but also a born-American citizen. I would like to do personal training here to clients, both ex-pats and Japanese, but conditioning and performance coaching is not super popular here; as such, corrective exercises and exercises that utilize bands, or just bodyweight would be more popular here. Especially with a culture of prevention rather than correction/cure is the name of the game here in Japan and in Asia in general.

    After reading your article on the 5 cert. offered, I am thinking to go with ISSA, since it is affordable and more international than NASM, and I can take the test online.

    Warm regards,

    Reply

    • Thank you for the kind words. Good luck with your personal training career and I hope that the international sports Sciences Association certification serves you well. I agree with what you were saying in that the Asian countries are more preventative than the United States or Western countries in general. Good luck with your new career.

      Reply

  26. Hello sir , i am from India .
    And i want to be a personal trainer as well as sports nutrionist .which brand is best for me.

    Reply

    • If you are out of the United States I would probably recommend the international sports Sciences Association (ISSA) as you can take the exam online. Have you looked into them?

      Reply

    • did you check PROPTA? They have courses in Hindi…www.propta.com I am in india and took their PT cert, taught by Bibhu, PhD guy. very detailed.

      Reply

  27. Hi Tyler,

    I live in the PHILIPPINES and would like to avail an on line PT certification.

    Although I will be in the US towards the end of next year. Any recommendations you can tell me which one I should take via on line?

    Reply

    • Hey there, the international sports Sciences Association certification can be done online and I think that would be a great bet for you to start studying now so you can get certified before you come over.

      Reply

  28. Hi Tyler,
    Thank you for all this Information it was so helpful and detailed!
    But I do have a question since I am living and working quite internationally. I’m from Germany and would love to stay in Europe (I lived in the US for the last 10 years so I would be open to going back there for a year or two, but ultimately want to end up in Germany or the UK). After just getting my BSc last year in Communications I want to follow my actual dream of working in Health and Fitness. I’m applying for a Masters degree in Sports and Exercise Nutrition and would like to combine the two things to open my own business one day. (Obviously I’d have to work my way up for a few years to gain experience but opening up a gym and building a fitness oriented community is my ultimate goal) I was leaning towards NASM and was wondering what you think? Does that work for being in Germany of the UK? I’m sorry for the long message I just wanted to give you enough info to go on. Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Hey there, yes the National Academy of sports medicine to my knowledge is very well-recognized through all of Europe. I would make sure though to see which employers you are thinking about working for. I would contact them just to double-check. Good luck with your personal training career.

      Reply

  29. Hi Tyler,
    Really interesting stuff here, I will sure dig a bit deeper around your site.
    I am interested can you invest in any of these certifications without prior diplomas or degrees as a personal trainer or anything related to health, fitness and do any of them offer writing exams in Europe.

    Thanks so much for your content, best wishes,
    Nikola

    Reply

    • I’m not really quite sure how many of these offer writing exams in Europe. I do know that you can take a lot of these personal training certifications in Europe in that they are accepted throughout the majority of the countries there.

      Reply

  30. Hi Tyler~

    I am considering the ISSA and the NASM certification programs. I may have missed it somewhere but what do you think is the reason behind the difference in the exam pass rate between the two certifications? 90% vs 64% is significant – how much does the content vary or is it because of the way the test is structured? I am a stay at home mom (ex advertising executive) and looking to pursue a different career where I can set my own hours. I do not plan on working in a gym – I would like to train at my home or client’s home. Target people who don’t want to commit to a gym due to expense or intimidation of the gym scene. I also feel it’s imperative to have the nutrition certification to go with. What do you recommend? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Overall the difference comes down to the fact that the international sports Sciences Association has their test online. For the National Academy of sports medicine U will need to go into a test-taking facility in order to take and pass your exam and get certified.

      Reply

    • Interested to hear which company you went with. I am somewhat in the same boat. I am a registered nurse looking to get into training and then add nutrition. I’ve spent weeks trying to decide between ACE, NASM and ISSA. I also plan to train outside of the gym. I just worry if I need to go into the gym and go with ISSA and not be able to get hired.

      Reply

      • I have personal training certifications from ACE, NASM and ISSA. They are all good options and give you different points of views as a personal trainer. I think that they are all a good starting point.

        Reply

  31. Hi Tyler!
    I love your post and everything you have to say! I am currently certified by ISSA and I love all he support they give me. I know a lot of people say that NASM, NSCA, ACSM and Ace are the way to go and that they are “better” than ISSA, but I love ISSA and their curriculum. I do have question about the amount of how much they make. ISSA trainers make way more than ACE, NASM and ACSM trainers. Do you know why this is? Even though people recommended the latter four? Thank you!

    Reply

    • I definitely agree Josh. The international sports Sciences Association has fantastic curriculum in a fantastic Supporting Cast. I think they are definitely a company that is growing fast and in the right direction and this might be the cause for this. I’m sure that you will become a great personal trainer with their certification. Good luck with your personal training career.

      Reply

  33. Thank you!!!
    I am so glad I stumbled upon your site!!! It’s been of great help in my decision making process to become a PT. Great breakdown of cert possibilities and the comparatives are ever so useful!

    Reply

  34. Good afternoon,
    I am interested in teaching stretching and posture to help people age with less aches and pains. Can you recommend a program that would focus on that?

    Reply

    • Hey Jennifer,
      The flexibility training is your primary goal, I still suggest getting a general personal training certification such as one of the five mentioned in this post. They all have a full chapter dedicated towards flexibility Training Concepts.

      Reply

  35. Thank you very much, Tyler. I appreciate everything you do. Really gave me a confidence boost with the decision I made as I enter my personal training career. Once again thank you greatly.

    Reply

  36. Hey Tyler,
    I recently took the plunge into the ISSA Elite and then found your site. I’m excited to get started; that said I now have a little ‘buyer’s remorse’ (just a little) seeing that none of the other agencies you reviewed are accredited by DEAC. I this going to hinder me in any way looking for employment in the field? Is this because they identify as an international agency?
    Also, if I decide to expand certification to another agency down the road, are they ‘friendly’ with each other when perusing CEU’s?

    Reply

    • Hey Justin,
      fantastic questions. First of all, the international sports Sciences Association is a great organization in the are accepted by a lot of gyms in the United States. I would definitely suggest calling up your local gymnasium that you want to work at to see if they accept ISSA. My guess is that they do. In terms of each organization working with the other ones, basically all full certification are accepted as continuing education credits for the other organizations. ISSA Is no exception.

      Reply

  37. Hi Tyler,
    Wow! Thanks for your insightful information–crazy helpful!
    1. You said you have a “discount code PTP25 to save 25% on all NASM CPT certifications.”
    This does not seem to be valid anymore. Did it expire or did I not attempt to use it correctly?
    2. As you mentioned to someone else, you think a 5th edition of the NASM textbook should generally be the same as the 6th (enough to pass the test) and then I could always reference the digital copy that comes with the self-study package. So long as that’s still your opinion, I think I’m going to aim for that as it cuts costs to a quarter.
    3. Last question: For the average person with a physical fitness background but no academic experience in exercise science, how many hours of studying do you think I should plan on before I take the test? Does the NASM self-study program give you 6 months or 12? (I’m getting mixed messages).
    Thanks so much! I’m so appreciative of your information!

    Reply

    • Hey Beth,
      Sorry about the discount code. I am contacting NASM about this right now to see what can be done. Yes I’m terms of the 5th edition textbook compared to the 6th edition, they are relatively the same. If you contacted nasm about this they would say that you can study with the 5th edition perfectly fine and passed the exam. Although my study guide here on my website and does follow exactly chapter by chapter with of the sixth edition textbook. I typically recommend at least 3 months to 6 months if you are not coming from any sort of exercise science background.

      Reply

  38. Hi Tyler,

    Thank you for this great information of Certification.
    I have one more question, if you don’t mind…
    What certification would you recommend for dancers or instructors who train dancers?

    Thank you in advance!

    Reply

    • Hello,
      if you are looking to train dancers, you are probably more inclined to take some sort of sports performance certification. All of these certifications are going to touch upon sports performance in some way, but they are not sports performance or strength and conditioning certifications. I would recommend getting the basic personal training certification from either one of these agencies, and then getting a specialist certification for sports performance such as the NASM PES, CSCS or strength and conditioning certification from ISSA.

      Reply

  39. Tyler, thank you very much for the detailed outlines of the certifications!

    After reading this, I am leaning towards ISSA. Another comment mentions continuing education being recognized from other organizations. I kind of wanted to expand on this for my own brain to understand- if I were to move forward with ISSA and choose NASM or another agency for my continuing education materials, (after the 2 years/re-certification), would this be accepted for the CEC requirements? My concern is the ISSA being DEAC, while NASM and others being NCCA accredited. Can you cross-platform (so-to-speak) the CECs? I hope that made sense!

    Also, I am currently on my own fitness journey and still losing significant fat and will need to tone my skin and muscles for that ideal instructor body- since I am not ‘peak’ physical condition, does it seem likely this will hinder me from getting a job? However, with it being more than likely 6 mos. before I get the certification, I may have the body by then but with life, you never know!

    Thank you for the work and materials you are providing to us all!

    Reply

    • Hey Katie,
      Don’t worry about being in peak physical condition in order to get a job. It is all about the journey. Everybody has different points that there and in their fitness journey and not every personal trainer is a chiseled beast. So definitely don’t even think about that as you were studying for in trying to become a personal trainer. In terms of the continuing education. Both ISSA and NASM will accept the other certification as a legitimate source for continuing education in order to get recertified. It’s always a good idea to expand your knowledge and a definitely recommend getting multiple certifications for people looking to perfect their craft. Good luck personal training in 2020 and I hope you had a great New Year’s.

      Reply

  40. Good morning Tyler!
    I normally read an article and get what I want and scram, but out of other articles where I have compared the top 5 P.T. Cert’s, this is BY FAR the most comprehensive and detail-oriented article. You allowed me to sink my teeth in each certificate and the how’s and why’s in each section. It is rare for me to have my want for details met or exceeded. A tip of the hat to you friend. I look forward to reading your other articles and I hope leaving a comment boosts your search potential.

    Thank you,

    C.J. Sobkowiak

    P.S. I’ll be signing up for ISSA. Wish me luck! Any additional tips or articles you’d suggest? My focus will be general health/ Weight loss but I’ll also focus on my little brother on the side to help him get a football scholarship when hes of age.

    Reply

    • Hey CJ,
      thank you so much for the kind words. I put a lot of time in research into this article and I really hope people get great use out of it. The international sports sciences Association is a fantastic notification so you have definitely chosen well. A general health and weight loss focus will lend you the most amount of personal training clients. It is also good to specialize down the road once you find your passion and what type of clients you like to train. Good luck to you and all your personal training efforts in the help you have a great 2020.

      Reply

  41. Tyler…my 22 year old grandson is unfortunately incarcerated and will be for five years….he has taken some basic college courses and is working in maintenance at this time…he works out on his own using some very clever techniques. In planning for his future he has asked me to do research on whether he is able to become a personal trainer while serving the remainder of his sentence…He has no access to a computer so what certification provides the best option for him….thank you so much

    Reply

    • Hello Jean,
      I’m sorry to hear that about your grandson. In the meantime it is a great opportunity for him to study up on exercise science so that he can get certified as a personal trainer afterwards. In terms of getting study materials to him, if he can have textbooks, thus all he really needs. All of the top five personal training certifications on this list have a primary textbook that can definitely be used in memorized while he is in there. I think this is the best idea.

      Reply

  42. Hello Tyler,
    My goal would be to do personal training for small groups or 1on1 with adults or kids that are in sports age of 9 to 15. This would be on the weekend side gig and sometimes during the week evenings. I work full time 8-5 40 Hours a week.
    If this gets big for me i would love to open my own personal fitness gym/crossfit gym.

    What cert would you recommend me to start with?

    Reply

    • Hey JV,
      I definitely still recommend getting a general personal training certification such as ISSA, NASM or any of the other three on this list. Afterwards, I think you should specialize in group exercise fitness. ACE and ISSA have fantastic group exercise certifications that are available through them.

      Reply

  43. I’d like to buy an online basic course for a young friend (34), who shows interest in possibly becoming a personal trainer. He would prefer working with senior clients.
    Thanks in advance for your advice.

    Reply

    • Hello Charles,
      if you’re friend is planning on working with elderly clients while personal training, I still suggest that he gives a general personal training certification such as from the National Academy of sports medicine, international sports sciences Association, American Council on exercise or any of the other top credentialed certifications. Afterwards, if he wants to focus on elderly clients, he can also get a specialty certification in that area. I hope this helps.

      Reply

  44. sir i am rengaraj form india. my age 22 sir i completed my bcom degree in 2018. sir my profession is become a fitness trainer and future bodybuilding contest prepare coach sir.so which course is usefull me sir please tell me sir issa or nsca.

    thank you sir

    Reply

    • Hey Rengaraj,
      If you want to get into bodybuilding and prep coaching for bodybuilding I would recommend starting out with the ISSA personal training certification in if you want they actually have a bodybuilding and a transformation specialist certifications that would go hand-in-hand for what you are trying to accomplish.

      Reply

  45. Hi Tyler –
    Thank you so much for everything you’ve shared with us on this website. I am considering becoming a personal trainer (I’m 42!) and I am looking at ACE as the training provider. They don’t have anyone available to talk to right now but they have a promo for their PLUS Study Program for $399!!! It says it includes ACE Certification Exam but I wanted to make sure that means the cost of taking the exam. When I spoke to someone at NASM, I was told ACE programs do not cover exam cost. Thoughts?
    Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Hey Rem,
      yes, they do seem to have an excellent deal going on for Black Friday/cyber Monday for half off their study plus program. I understand what the person from the National Academy of sports medicine was telling you. Previously, the American Council on exercise was selling their study materials separate from the exam itself which was something that they were trying out. It seems like they have switched back to the old system of selling the certification exam with all the study materials in a single bundle. I think this is a better idea because people were getting confused when they found out that what they purchased did not include the exam after all. The price and package they have on their site does include the exam so don’t worry about that.

      Reply

  46. Hello, I have always been interested in & have a passion fitness & nutrition. I turned 50 this year and its way past time to pursue my dream job. I am interested in some sort of program geared towards helping women.I am also on somewhat of a tight budget as I have just relocated to the state of AZ in hopes of a healthier lifestyle. Please provide any helpful feedback.

    Reply

    • Hey Kim,
      it is never too late to pursue your dream of becoming a fitness professional. All of these general certifications focus on men and women equally. They do not specialize as they are general personal training certifications. Later on down the road you can specialize in women’s fitness if you would like. It’s always recommended to get a general personal training certification first though to build a strong base of knowledge that you can branch off from later. If you are looking for something on a budget, I recommend checking out ACE.

      Reply

    • Hey Aliza,
      This is a good question. I would think that yes all of these certifications would be accepted in Canada but I usually focus my expertise on the United States and what is excepted here. For all other countries, I suggest contacting your local gymnasiums or training studios to see which personal training certifications except and which ones they prefer just be 100% sure. I hope this helps.

      Reply

  48. So regarding ISSA, you had mentioned the PT cert is $499-$799. They have a deal going in right now for both Nutrition and PT cert for $799. Would that be the best deal you have seen for this combo? Am I better of waiting for it to be discounted further? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hey Phil,
      This is absolutely a fantastic combination to get the personal training certification and the nutrition certification for $799. In fact, they also have another deal where you can get the nutritionist certification, the personal training certification as well as 1/3 certification of your choice for only $999.

      Reply

  49. Hi Tyler,
    I really appreciate the amount of time you spend in clearing everyone’s doubts in detail.

    I’m from India (City: Jaipur, State: Rajasthan)
    I’m a long distance marathon runner and have been doing some serious training for 5 years now. I’m among top 10 females in the country in terms of my timing, and fastest female runner from my state.

    I read a lot about food/ superfoods that I take and have an inclination towards nutrition for an athlete or a healthy layman too.

    I’ll be grateful if you can recommend me to do a course with which I can carry it forward in India.
    I’m open to do both : online course as well as I can physically go out for a short term course.

    Awaiting your response
    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Hey Charu,
      I noticed that you are leaving a comment on my article on the top personal training certifications although it seems to be that you are talking about nutrition certifications. If you want a full dedicated nutrition certification, I recommend you check out my article on the top ones. In terms of the nutrition advice given in these personal training certifications themselves, they all do have a chapter dedicated towards nutrition. It basically covers the very bare minimum of nutritional advice that you can and should give as a personal trainer. It does not go super in-depth though. In regards to which certifications will be accepted in India, I cannot tell you that information because I do not know. I recommend contacting some of the spots in India to see which certifications they accept and which ones they prefer.

      Reply

  50. Hello Tyler
    My name is Sara and I just love your website ! I love in Toronto Canada and moving to Dallas Texas in a month . I am a personal trainer got my certificate at can fit pro.
    Any idea if the state of Texas will Honour Canadian certificate ? Canfitpro is the most recognize Canadian one
    Thx so much

    Reply

    • Hey Sara,
      Can Fit Pro Is a fantastic certification up in Canada. In terms of whether or not it is accepted in the United States is a very good question. On top of that, even if the certification is recognized within the United States, sometimes certification acceptance can vary from gymnasium to gymnasium based on their personal preferences. The best way is to try to call up some of the local spots to see which certifications they accept.

      Reply

  51. Hi,

    thank you for all these well written and comprehensive articles! I am debating on which course I should take, but before that I would like to know if you have by any chance any affiliation with one of the above mentioned courses companies?

    Regards

    Reply

  52. Hii…IAM.from India…and in India..there is not much scope in fitness industry as compared to Australia; Canada etc…I have done diploma in sports science…and after that I have done ace certification….now IAM looking forward to do ace nutrition then nsca CSCS….I want to get job in fitness field in Australia or… New-Zealand but people say that ace doesn’t work in New Zealand and in Australia…pls help me now what should I do …pls help ??? Thanku

    Reply

    • Hey Bhup,
      As I have mentioned two other people asking about particular advice for specific countries, it all depends. The majority of this information was written for people training in the United States and in Canada. I do not know the regulations or the certifications that are accepted in every country. The best bet would be to ask potential employers which certifications they accept and which certifications they prefer for their personal trainers. That way you have your bases covered. I hope this helped.

      Reply

  53. Hello,
    I would like to become a personal Trainer. I’m Looking for an accredited school on line. There are 5 top schools advertised online as well , which one is the best and also an accredited school. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Thank You,

    Kim

    Reply

    • Hey Kim,
      All the personal training certifications on this list are legitimate and accredited. If you are looking to get hired in the United States, all of these certifications are widely accepted. I would think about more on the type of focus if certification has while trying to decide which one is right for you. What type of people do you want to train?. Do you want to try and overweight individuals? Do you want to train athletes?

      Reply

    • Hey Neethu,
      this is an interesting question to ask. The answer is really that all of these courses are meant for men and women. These are all general personal training certifications in create a strong base of knowledge in kinesiology and exercise science. Later, if you want to specialize as a trainer, you can start learning more about training for women or training for men. There are some specialist certifications out there. But for now, all of these apply to men and women as they are all general personal training certifications. I hope this helps answer your question.

      Reply

  55. Thanks! Also what do you think the amount of time to shoot for preparing for certification? Is there a general recommendation or just whenever you have gone through the materials and feel ready?

    Thanks again

    Reply

  56. Hi Tyler,
    I have always been interested in the personal trainer/nutrition world. I am interested in helping people , and I am curious if I should already have a fitness degree or anything to pursue ISSA or NASM program? Or how well someone might do self studying through any of the programs you list.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hello Sarah,
      No, you do not need any higher education more than a high school diploma or equivalent in order to get any of these five personal training certifications on the list. ISSA and NASM are fantastic options no doubt about it. You can definitely do self studying and I highly recommend doing that actually. There are some fantastic study programs for the majority of the certifications on the list. I have recommend A trainer Academy to hundreds of my students and they have had wonderful success with using their materials. https://traineracademy.org/

      Reply

  57. Hey Tyler – thanks for all of this. Amazingly helpful website. Question: I am going with the NASM training, self study. The earlier edition textbooks (4th and 5th edition) are a lot cheaper online than they use now (6th edition). Do you know if the material has changed much or will I be ok with an earlier cheaper edition? Thanks again!

    Mike

    Reply

    • Hey Mike,
      that is a great question and to be honest the textbooks have not changed that much from one edition to the next. I wouldn’t go much further past the fourth edition though. If you can pick up the fifth edition for much cheaper that would be a good way to go. Also, if you have signed up already with the national Academy of sports medicine, you will receive an e-book version of the sixth edition textbook. Unless you really need the physical addition in your hands, the e-book will be just fine.

      Reply

  58. Hello Tyler. Love the page and the information you provided. Do you absolutely have to have a PT Cert for to study Corrective Exercise. And if not, which certification provides that option. Please and thank you.

    Reply

    • Hello Sherman,
      it is absolutely recommended to get a general personal training certification before you move on to a specialty such as corrective exercise. You need to build a strong foundation first before you jump into style of training such as corrective exercise. I suggest getting the general personal training certification from the National Academy of sports medicine. After that you can move on to their corrective exercise specialist the CES. That is a very helpful certification and the combination of the two will give you a great understanding of personal training in general.

      Reply

    • Hey Kirti,
      You will have to check with each individual certifying agency to see if they have an exam center close to where you live. I do know that ACE and NASM have some international locations where you can take the exam but I do not know every single location. That being said, ISSA allows you to take the exam online so you won’t need to go into a study center to take this one. That may also be an option for you.

      Reply

  60. Hi Tyler – very helpful post – thanks! I am inquiring for a friend in Bhutan, Cheemi Deema, an amazing female athlete from the most fantastic country I have ever been to. We both competed in the Tour of the Dragon, a one-day 168 mile bicycle race over 4 Himalayan mountain passes and Cheemi is the first Bhutanese woman to ever complete the race. She just completed a bachelors degree and would like to get a personal trainer certification. Very few females are engaged in sports in Bhutan, so she is a Wonder Woman. The problem is, how can she take any certification tests if they are only offered in official testing sites, such as in the USA. What PSI site is the closest to Bhutan, or can she take a test online? She originally wanted to become a Level 1 Cross Fit certified trainer, but it is cost prohibitive. Thank-you very much, Lois

    Reply

    • Hey Lois,
      While that is in incredible story and that tour of the Dragon in the Himalayan mountains sounds absolutely epic. In terms of finding a PSI testing location for the National Academy of sports medicine, that might be difficult. I do believe however that there are locations outside of the United States I just don’t have all of the memorized off the top of my head. In terms of taking a test online, you cannot do that with NASM. You can however, get certified with ISSA online. I recommend going to the PSI online website and from there you can search the various testing locations around the world.

      Reply

      • Dear Tyler, I am very appreciative of your quick response, and have since suggested the ISSA online course to Cheemi. I wrote a story about my experience, if you want to read it, let me know and send an email to me at [email protected]. So here’s another question, Cheemi’s real dream is to open the first ever Cross Fit training center in Bhutan. I did some googling and see that Cross Fit offers level 1 certification in Bangkok (about a 3 hour flight from Bhutan) for $1000 USD. What do you think of Cross Fit certification? is it a good bang for the buck? I myself have mixed feelings about Cross Fit — having been in the fitness industry for over 20 years, I incorporate elements of Cross Fit in my training, but it has been years since I have stepped foot inside a Cross Fit training center.

        Reply

        • Hey Lois,
          I think CrossFit can be safe as long as it’s coached by somebody that is very knowledgeable. The problem I have with CrossFit is usually it contains a whole class with only one instructor. It’s very difficult to teach proper form to all students at the same time and that’s why it results in too many injuries coming from CrossFit. That being said, I think the CrossFit certification is great. Is it a personal training certification? No it’s not. I highly suggest anybody to get certified with a general personal training certification before moving on to getting the CrossFit level I certification. This would give them a better base of knowledge so that they can then further specialize with CrossFit.

          Reply

  61. Its actually quite daunting trying to figure out which certification to get, and i think it takes a bit of research. thanks for your website and info and I think it might have made me re-think which one to go for. I am a senior looking to be a PT for one on one in home senior clients. For fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. As an aside, I used to be a 325 lb 45 year old who with the help and advice of a sports chiropractor friend, went on a diet and exercise program and in 5 years lost 130+ lbs… that was 16 years ago! So its long been my desire to help older folks (people my age and older) to stay health by staying active, enjoy applicable exercise, and understanding good nutrition. Getting older should not mean giving up on life!

    I originally looked at ACSM, but it looks like to get some of their benefits you need to be a member of ACSM, but in order to be a member you need to be in the heath care industry already?? Anyway Im now thinking that ISSA might be a better choice for me. What do you think? Thanks!
    Greg

    Reply

    • Hey Greg,
      first of all, I’d like to congratulate you for losing over 130 pounds. That’s absolutely fantastic. I think it’s super cool that you want to get into the personal training and fitness industry as it seems like it has been a very big part of your life. I totally agree that getting a good base of knowledge on exercise and nutrition can be not only very helpful for your own programming but you can also help tons of other people as well. The American Council on sports medicine is a fantastic organization overall and being a member of their organization is definitely something that has value. I do think that ISSA better lays out their information in programming for people that are just starting out or that do not have exercise science backgrounds. That being said, both of them are fantastic certifications and are widely accepted if you are looking to become a trainer at a local facility. If the information is just for yourself though, I would say go with ISSA as their study materials and support is overall better in my opinion.

      Reply

      • Thanks again for your info! As I have continued to read about different organizations online, the list of interesting certs has grown! I am also now considering the ASFA. American Senior fitness Assoc., certification. Granted they do not seem to be credential by either of the two regular bodies that credential all the other fitness programs, but they focus on Senior fitness and nutrition, etc. Another one I came across is the AFPA, it looks like its more holistic in nature, etc. Boy or boy there are lots of them!
        Greg

        Reply

        • Hey Greg,
          I have heard of the American senior fitness Association. There are definitely a lot of legitimate credentialed personal training certifications out there on the market to choose from. It can be overwhelming I know. In fact, that’s why I created this website to help people navigate through all the certifying options available. If you think you want to go the holistic personal training certification route, you can definitely take a look at AFPA. Although, I recommend getting a standard personal training certification such as one of the five on this list first, and then branching off into other areas such as holistic certifications. I hope this makes sense and helps you out a little bit.

          Reply

  62. Thanks for these info! very helpful! one question tho. If a course for example is approved with NASM, does ACE, ISSA,NSCA etc recognize it?

    Reply

    • Hello Deborah,
      Are you talking about for continuing education credits with each of the personal training certifications? If that is what is what you are talking about, definitely each certification would be recognized by the other ones as sufficient continuing education credit to get recertified.

      Reply

  63. Hi Tyler,

    I’m deciding between ACE and ISSA for CPT and wondering which one is good for providing member supports after getting certification. The supports I mean like networking, online and offline forum and gatherings, and also the affiliate marketing if I want to have my own studio and start building my business from there. Please provide your advice. Thank you very much!

    Reply

    • Hey Eve,
      Both the American Council on exercise as well as the international sports sciences Association have a great customer service and member support team. They will both be able to help you both through the study process for their certification. Both programs have affiliate marketing teams as well that you can earn money from by recommending their services. If I hope this helped and good luck creating your own personal training studio and business. You’re going to do fantastic.

      Reply

  64. Thanks for all the valuable info on your website, Tyler! Could you please comment on which certification has the most information/assistance/support in the area of starting your own business as a private PT (in case I missed it)? Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Hey Justine,
      I think that for business/financial success information the National Academy of sports medicine as well as the international sports sciences Association both provide a fantastic amount of knowledge on the subject. If I had to decide between the two, I would say you get the best bang for your buck with ISSA as it comes with their package that is a fixed price. To get a lot of this information from NASM you will need to purchase one of the more expensive packages which sometimes is a little too expensive for most people’s wallets.

      Reply

  65. Great article! I was previously a CrossFit Coach and due to health issues had to stop coaching but it is still such a passion. I’m Now able and trying to jump back in but I want a more general certification. This article has so many links to information that you really take away the need for further questions about the different types of certifications. One question I have is which certification has more areas than you can branch off into and take classes for additional certs after getting my basic PT certification? Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • Hey Jennifer, great question on personal training certifications in general. Overall, you can take any of these general personal training certifications in branch off into other specializations from other certifying agencies. For example if you got the general certification from the American Council on exercise, you could also afterwards branch off to get the performance enhancement specialist certification from the National Academy of sports medicine. You could also do this vice versa. If you want to stay within one organization, I would say that the international sports sciences Association or ISSA and the National Academy of sports medicine or NASM have the widest variety of certifications that tie together better if that makes sense. A good combination for any personal trainer is the general certification from NASM combined with a corrective exercise specialist certification such as their NASM CES. Another popular combination is a general personal training certification as well as a nutrition certification. The best bang for your buck deal for this would be the general ISSA certification combined with their nutritionist certification in my opinion. I hope this helps shed some more light onto your question.

      Reply

  66. Am still in highschool (Senior) and will be 18 within a month. Was curious if I’m able to get a certification once I turn 18, but also while not graduated yet. If so, which one(s) would be the best? One more thing, wanted to ask if GPA typically matters when acquiring certifications.

    Reply

    • Hey Cameron,
      A lot of the prerequisites for the majority of these personal training certifications are that you are 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Since the basically all have this requirement, you should check out the certifications based off the type of training you want to do when you become a personal trainer. On your last point, your GPA will have no effect towards getting any of the personal training certifications that I mentioned in this article.

      Reply

    • Pepe Victor,
      It all depends on which certification you get. All of them are recognized in different locations around the world but in each specific country is hard to tell which personal training certification is recognized. I know that in Europe the American Council on exercise and the National Academy of sports medicine are both well recognized in that area. Also ISSA is getting more and more recognized in Europe as well. What I would recommend that you do is to ask the specific gymnasium that you plan on working at which certifications they accepted and which ones they do not accept. That is the best way to know for sure.

      Reply

    • Hello I had some questions. I have been thinking about being certified through NCSF. I have taken the in person workshop twice. I just working and life happens. Now with covid I think its time to just buckle down and get this done.

      So what do you know about NCSF? vs ace or issn I think it was called . Looking forward to hear back.

      Reply

      • The NCSF offers a solid certification that does compete with ACE and ISSA. It can oftentimes be found for cheaper than the others. I would definitely recommend it, as it is NCCA Accredited.

        Reply

  68. Thanks for the great info, really appreciate you article and responses! What are your thoughts on ACTION PT Certifications? They are NCCA accredited and have a great “Platinum” training package (includes adv nutritional cert) for $249. From what I hear, real education comes from years of doing it. I have a gym asking me to start doing PT, they just need NCCA accredited and have a team of PT’s to coach me as I learn. Seems like the amount I will learn from hands on and networking will eclipse any difference between ACTION and a more expensive program (NASM, ACE, etc…). What do you think? I’m just starting to look into and make sense of all this. Thank you:)

    Reply

    • Hey Curtis,
      The action certification is a decent certification. It does have NCCA accreditation which is the biggest barrier for most gymnasiums when they are hiring any personal trainer. If the gym that you are trying to work at simply suggest getting NCCA certified, this is definitely not a bad option. And it is true, you get a lot more experience from hands-on working with clients and learning on your own than any certification will ever teach you. That being said, a lot of places only accept big name certifications such as NASM. As long as you have checked with your gym before hand and they are cool with action, I say go for it.

      Reply

  69. Hey thanks for the great article, some really useful info in there. Just one suggestion, there is a fair amount of spelling and grammar errors in the text, not sure if you realized it.

    Reply

    • Hey Hayden,
      Thanks for pointing this out I will definitely run through it and check for any errors. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment and good luck with your personal training selection!

      Reply

  71. Thanks Tyler, great information for those of us who are starting out and need some guidance. Appreciate your efforts.

    Reply

    • Hey Pat,
      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope my article helped you guide yourself To choose the correct personal training certification for you. Which one are you going to go with?

      Reply

  72. Thanks SO much for putting together such a comprehensive article/site. I’m a Physical Therapist Assistant and want to branch out, learn more to share with my patient ps and friends as well as not have to deal with so much “red tape” of the required documentation…which has to be done at point of patient care for productivity and therefore takes away from patient care, in my view. But that’s a rabbit trail…
    Anyway, thanks and I’ll be passing this on through social media!
    Question: during my research on accreditation, I found an organization called W.I.T.S. who are accredited by NCCA. They have a 5 week, 5 days a week, 7 hr a day class through my local Community College, as a matter of fact, the same college I graduated with for my AA degree to become a PTA. Are you familiar with this group and their quality of education?
    Patti

    Reply

    • Hey Patti,
      I have heard of W.I.T.S. But I have not done an official review of the program. I also heard that they are accredited by the NCCA. I will have to do a full and thorough review to see if they meet the criteria of the top CPT certifications that are currently on this list. Stay tuned for this and think you so much for stopping by and leaving your opinion/experience as a fitness professional. It’s always good to hear new opinions!

      Reply

  74. I have a few questions. first you mentioned ACE CPT Pro Advantage Package would benefit individuals with weak math skills (me) When I go to the ACEfitness site it isn’t offered, just the basic and plus package. Am I missing something?
    Also, I am anxious to get started on my road to become a personal trainer and leaning towards the ACE certificate, I want to be able to properly come up with workouts and understand what their benefits are for the body, I’m hoping that’s the right one for me. I was wondering would a bachelors degree in something like kinesiology, or a fitness specialist help me understand the training world better? I want to understand why you are doing the workout and how it benefits you. and truth be told, I am somewhat doing this for myself as well, I found a passion and want to go for it, I don’t have much experience, I just go to the gym a lot and ask questions.

    Reply

    • Hey Kady,
      These are all great questions regarding personal training. Obviously, a degree in exercise science or kinesiology is also a fantastic option as you will learn a ton about the body and workout programming from going through a full degree. The American Council on exercise is a fantastic choice. I would suggest contacting ACE and asking about the fitness math booklet that they offer. They change their offers in packages from time to time and thanks for pointing this out as I will need to update this article.

      Reply

    • Hello,
      Over 10 years ago ISSA was not seen as up to par compared to other certifications. This is because it was accredited by the DEAC and not NCCA. This has changed dramatically over the last 10 years and it is a very legitimate certification indeed. Sometimes it takes people a little bit longer to realize this fact and some gymnasiums might not be up-to-date on how they should view ISSA. It should be accepted throughout the United States but unfortunately some people are just behind the times.

      Reply

  76. Hi Tyler,
    I am from India,
    I will go to US, UK but most probably UAE.
    I also play Tennis and want to work with Tennis player,
    I mean sportsperson in general.
    Which PT Certification is best for me.
    I read almost most of your articles but I am still confused
    because you know 1$ equals RS 70
    so in general $600 is a hell lot of money in India
    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Hey Nashit,
      It really depends on where you want to be doing personal training for which personal training certification you get. Are you going to be doing training in the United States? Or are you going to be doing training in India? I agree that $600 can be a good chunk of change. If you are going to be doing training in India I would recommend going with ISSA. Although you should ask the gymnasiums that you are applying to to see which certifications they accept before you sign up for any one of them. I hope this helps.

      Reply

  77. Tyler- I love what you have created here. More PT needed to have resources such as this before choosing this path. Have you heard of PTA Global? I would love a chance for you to review our material and see how the content differs from other NCCA certs out there. Thanks for the consideration, Israel

    Reply

    • Hey Israel,
      I definitely have heard of PTA global. You are right and thanks for pointing this out. I should have a full certification review on this. I have just been so swamped with other things I have not really written complete reviews in a little while. I will definitely check out this trainer certification more in depth.

      Reply

    • Hello, the recertification process for each certification varies. Check out the part on continuing education in recertification in this guide on the top personal training certifications. Most require you to pay an additional fee for recertification that varies by certification as well. None of these five certifications that I mentioned in this article will require you to take the test again. That is however unless you wait for a long period of time without getting recertified, then you would need to take the test again. I hope this helps

      Reply

  79. Should i get job after completion of ace cpt in US? I’m from india.
    Approximately how much should i get paid for personal training

    Reply

    • You can definitely get a job as a personal trainer after getting certified through ACE. The average starting pay for a personal trainer in the United States is between $17 and $20 per session. This varies widely depending on where you are working. For example people that are starting off in a commercial gym such as 24 hour fitness will probably be paid $17 or $18 per hour long training session. On the other hand, if you are working at a private club and need to get your own clients you could be starting off between $30 and $40. There is a trade-off though. You will have to get your own clients and you will not have a full sales team behind you at private clubs. That is the reason that you make more money. I hope this helps answer your question.

      Reply

  80. I teach PE and Health to K-8 students. I would love to have the background knowledge of a personal trainer as well to help my students even more. We have a fitness-oriented program and the students have responded well. Any idea which certification is best? I don’t plan to leave teaching to be a personal trainer outside of school but I feel like i am a personal trainer to these students. I see youth certifications but I’m not sure Which one to go with. Thanks

    Reply

    • Hello Denise,
      I feel that for your situation NASM would be a fantastic certification to go with. They also have a more advanced specialization certification called the youth exercise specialist certification that could be something to look into after you are certified through the general CPT. I hope this helps answer your question!

      Reply

  81. Hi Tyler, I must say this is a well put up content and In fact, the entire information on this website. It is simple and precise. Thanks a lot, god bless your hard work brother.
    I am looking to get Strength and Conditioning certification, which one would you suggest considering the fact that I live in Canada. I am thinking to get certified with ISSA since their course offers a lot of flexibility and its most suitable to my busy lifestyle.

    Reply

    • Thank you for the compliment. I think that the International sports Sciences Association is a fantastic Certifying agency overall. In fact there are definitely one of my top three certifications currently. They also have a great strength and conditioning certification as well. That or the performance enhancement specialist from NASM would be my top choices. In regards to living in Canada, it really does not matter as long as you check with the place you want to work to see what certifications they accept. I am sure that they will say either one of these two are great options.

      Reply

  82. I am looking to get certified as a personal trainer, but work with people primarily online. What program do you suggest? I am leaning towards ISSA… the only thing that concerns me is the fact that they are not NCAA accredited. How big of a factor is this?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hello Kelli,
      Maybe 15 to 20 years ago that used to be a factor in regards of not being NCCA Accredited. When it comes to getting a job at a gymnasium, it is usually important to ask what personal training certifications they like to accept. For the most part ISSA is very widely accepted and currently in 2019, NCCA accredited certifications do not really have an edge. I think that ISSA is a fantastic certification and is definitely one of my top three overall. In terms of working online, you should definitely have no problem repping ISSA on your personal training profile.

      Reply

  83. Hi Tyler, Thanks for the information! Have you heard of World Instructor Training Schools (WITS) A community college nearby is hosting their program this summer for $750. That includes 15 hours of lecture, 15 hours of instrution/simulation and a test voucher and optional 30 hour internship. What seems different about them is that it is in-person rather than online, which is what I prefer. Do you know of any other in-person CPT organizations? There is one called National Personal Training Institute, but it costs over $6000.

    Reply

    • Yes I have heard of the world instructor training schools but I have not done an official review on them. I have also heard of the national personal training Institute but for me that $6000 is very steep and in terms of employment opportunities, you will have just as good of chance getting hired with any of the cheaper certification such as NASM, ACE, ISSA, ACSM or NSCA. I hope this helps answer some of your questions.

      Reply

  85. Hello there!
    I am thinking on getting my PT Certification again. I had it through NESTA and expired last September. I am married to a motocross guy who compites in the 50 Intermidiate class. This has me interested in a very different training area I have never done. I have been an athlete for many years. Twenty plus yrs in Gymnastics and Dance, 17 yrs in powerlifting competitions and in an alternating way I have also compited in Figure and Bikini Contests. With this very wide and different areas of expertise that go from strength to shaping to endurance and also my passion for nutrition I cannot make up my mind what program and what institution to follow and get re-certified. Any thoughts and suggestions that help me making up my mind and start ASAP?

    Reply

    • Hello Claudia,
      It looks like you were trying to get specialized with your personal training. Most specializations require a general CPT such as the ones listed in this article. So what I like to do is recommend certifications first, and then typically I will recommend that same organization for their general certification. The organizations that have the most specializations are NASM, ACE and ISSA. For example, if you want to work with athletes, the NASM performance enhancement specialist certification is a great option. If that is your end goal, I would also recommend going with NASM as your general certification as well. ISSA also has a fantastic performance specializations certification that you should check out. If nutrition is your main goal as well, all of them have a decent nutrition certification as well and I highly recommend checking out my article on the top nutrition certifications here: https://www.ptpioneer.com/nutrition-certification-programs/ In fact, NASM just released their certified nutrition coach certification which is already getting really good feedback.

      Reply

  86. I just got my certification and I’ve been looking at some of the resources on this website… They’ve been pretty helpful for me. Especially with picking the gym I wanted to work at and how to start building my clients.

    There’s a lot of good information on the site. It’s http://www.TheSixFigureTrainer.com

    Reply

    • Hey Jayce, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I am glad that you are liking the comment and I will definitely check out the website you are suggesting. Good luck with all the personal training endeavors

      Reply

  87. Hi Tyler. Thanks for all the info. I was looking at NASM’s All Inclusive Program and noticed they have a “Job Guarantee”. I would really like to know your thoughts on their “job Guarantee”. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Hey Jack,
      sorry, it took me so long to get back to you, Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely hectic for me. Anyways yes the all-inclusive program is highly recommended by me. All of my students that go through it all speak very highly of it as well.

      Basically, the job guarantee is exactly as it sounds. The National Academy of sports medicine will connect you with an employer in your area immediately after certified for 80 hours of on-site training/internship. Most people that come out of the 80 hours of training with their gym usually get hired by that same gymnasium. At the end of your 80-hour internship, if you still do not have work, a 90-day timeline starts. During these 90 days, NASM will still continue trying to connect you with other employers.

      If for some reason at the end of the 90 days you do not have a job as a personal trainer, you can get a refund from NASM for the additional cost (or the difference) between the all-inclusive package that you purchased and the next cheapest package, which is the guided study program. This would mean you would get approximately $500 back. You would also have the option to receive something of similar value such as the NASM CES or NASM PES certification if you choose one of those instead.

      I think it’s definitely a win-win situation and that’s why I highly recommend this package. Most people come out with a full job. The ones who don’t, get all their money back anyway. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and NASM has a ton of connections with a ton of different gyms. I hope this helped, and sorry for the late reply. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

      Reply

  88. My goal is to become a well-rounded personal trainer with a strong foundation that can have a big impact in helping all types of people. Because I have not decided on any specialized fields to pursue yet, I am having a difficult time deciding which certification to pursue. Any advice would be appreciated. I have a high school diploma and am located in California if that makes a difference.

    Reply

    • Hey Jack, sounds like you have a good plan ahead of you. With these general CPT certifications, there is no rush to get certified as a specialist. They will all basically teach you the basics so that you can get a good idea of the people you want to train in the future. ACE and NASM have a good amount of specialty certifications so going with one of those two might lead you into an advanced cert down the line. They also both have really good study materials.

      Reply

      • Thanks Tyler. I was looking at NASM’s “All Inclusive” Program. Any thoughts? Is it worth the money? Also, can you tell me everything you know about their “job guarantee”? I can’t seem to find much info on it online. Thanks again for all your help and knowledge.

        Reply

  89. Thank you for all of the information, I found it very helpful. I’ve been thinking about becoming a trainer for awhile now and have always been interested in working with obesity and weight loss. I originally found ISSA but after reading your article i’m thinking ACE may be a better option for me. Their continuing education courses and their study material options are what sold me. Thank you for taking the time to put this together, I really appreciate the help.

    Reply

    • Hey Amanda,
      I am glad that you found what you were looking for on my website. The American Council on exercise is a fantastic organization and I have no doubt that you will be very happy with the choice that you made. They do a fantastic job of teaching all of the essentials in a very easy to understand manner. I also like how you have access to fitness professionals in case you have any questions with the ACE study materials that they offer. ISSA is another good organization as well but if you’re going to focus purely on weight loss and obesity I think you made the right choice. Let me know how it goes and good luck with your personal training adventure!

      Reply

  90. Hi,

    After reading most of your articles I’m pretty sold on getting certified with NASM. My question is to be CES is it required to complete the CPT first and then do that specialty!

    Reply

    • Hey Shonda,
      I am glad that you liked my material! In terms of the corrective exercise specialist certification, yes you do need a general cpt in order to move on to the CES certification. This is not necessarily have to be the NASM certification but it needs to be a certification accredited by the NCCA, NBFE or DETC.

      Reply

      • So is it possible to get CPT certification through one organization and a specialization through another? For example, could I get NASM CPT and then the CSCS certification through NSCA?

        Reply

        • Hey Jer,

          It really depends on which specialization certification you get and the specific requirements for that particular certification. Most specialization certifications only require you to have a general CPT but not necessarily through their organization. In regards to the CSCS certification I am pretty sure that you don’t even need a general CPT, you only need a bachelors degree (or be a senior) and hold a valid CPR/AED certificate. I hope this helps.

          Reply

  91. Hi! Thank you for your detailed comparisons. Very helpful! I’m a breast cancer survivor (3 years free now) and have been doing strength training in the last 2 years. Cancer caused my body to be deformed but I have never felt stronger in my life. I want to inspire and train other cancer survivors like me to get back on their feet, feel good about their body again, and be stronger. I was thinking ACE or NESTA, but your insights are tipping the scale. Thanks and God bless you!

    Reply

    • Hey Anne,
      Glad I could help and congratulations on overcoming cancer! I’m glad to hear that you are feeling stronger than ever now and I hope you keep on making fantastic progress. Becoming a personal trainer is something I know that you will enjoy!

      Reply

  92. I am a elementary school teacher and want to transition careers. I have always loved fitness and am taking the leap to be a group fitness instructor/personal trainer.
    I have been struggling on which certification would be best for my situation. Ideally, I would like to work in a smaller group fitness setting or 1-1 with woman who have hit 40 & need to change up what they are doing to get the results they want. Is it better to get a personal training certificate and then a group fitness certification? Or is it better to do group fitness then a PT certificate? I have spent a lot of time researching, but still can’t decide if I should go with NASM or ACE and what order to get the certifications. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply

    • Hey Laura,
      I would definitely go with the general personal training certification first before moving on to the groups certification. You will learn a lot more and build a stronger foundation that way. If I were you and looking at the clients that you would like to train I would get the general NASM certification and then after you have completed the actor with the ACE group fitness certification. I know lots of people that have this combination and it works out very well for them.

      Reply

  93. Hello PT Pioneer!
    I was wondering what the best Personal Training Certification would be for someone elderly (I am 67). I mostly want to train people my age that have not really exercised much in their life. These are mostly sedentary individuals that need to start exercising to preserve quality of life. I was thinking either NASM, ACSM or the ACE cert but do not know which to go for. Any help would be great! 🙂

    Reply

    • Hey Leslie,
      I am very glad to hear that you would like to start your career as a personal trainer. As I mentioned in the article, all three of those personal training certifications are good options to go for. For your specific client that you would like to train in the future, the top personal training certifications are the NASM certification or the ACSM certification because they both have a strong emphasis on corrective exercise and stabilization training which is very beneficial for elderly clients or people just getting started with exercise. For me the NASM certification is better for this because I really love the optimum training model (OPT) that they use. I hope this helps and good luck with your studying 🙂

      Reply

  94. I’m From india, and having a 2.5 years of experiences.. i’m looking forward to work in any of this countries like (USA,UK,NZ,AUS…).
    SO, which one would be the most likely certification you suggest me to go for it..??

    Reply

    • Hey Pritam,
      I cannot speak for other countries like the UK or AUS. But in terms of the United States I have noticed that ACE and NASM are two of the gold standard certifications of the modern era. Some other good certifications are the NSCA and ACSM certifications that I feel like their curriculum hasn’t been updated in quite some time compared to the first two. Most employers that I have encountered actually prefer NASM for the most part. Any one of these for would be a fantastic option in my opinion. I hope this helped answer your question and good luck with your training!

      Reply

  95. Hi, Really useful information. I wonder if you can help me decide whether ACSM or NASM would fit better for me. I’m a doctor from the UK (with a previous degree in Public Health Nutrition) but for now don’t want to take my USMLEs and re-train here. In the meantime I am looking at starting a career in women’s health and fitness with a special interest in re-building the core after pregnancy. I therefore want a clinical course but there will obviously be other fitness goals for clients too. Do you think ACSM would be better? Or NASM?

    Reply

    • Hey Laura,
      Did you know that there are actually pre-and postnatal exercise programs. Although there more like specialty programs that you should take after one of your base certifications such as NASM or ACSM. I believe that both of these certifications have a very small section on pregnancy training. If I were you I would go with NASM due to the fact that there are lots of extra specialty certifications you can get from them once you have a good base of knowledge from there general CPT. ACSM has much less to choose from in this regard. I hope this helped answer your question.

      Reply

    • Hey Saed,
      No problem I hope my website has helped you choose the certification that best fits your style of training and personality. Good luck with the studying and get out there and start training!

      Reply

  97. Thank you so much for your articles about certifications, they are so helpful, especially for people like me that are new to the fitness industry. it certainly provides valuable information necessary to guide a beginner to venture into becoming a personal trainer.

    Reply

  98. Thank you very much for guiding us! The world needs more men like you! I have a question though. I live now in Ecuador but next year ill be living in the States. Ecuadorian Red Cross offers also cpr/aed certification. Will that work? Once again, thank you very much for your help!

    Reply

    • Hey Allan,
      that is a pretty specific question you are asking about CPR. I am not sure if all Red Cross certifications are created equal. You should definitely contact the certification you are looking to go with to see if they would accept a Red Cross CPR certification from a different country.

      Reply

  99. Hello, if my overall goal as a trainer is to work with athletes and increase performance, which cert am I better off pursuing NASM or ACE? I would really like to continue education under one brand!

    Reply

    • Hey Sadiq,
      For the specific goal that you have I would go with NASM. That is because they have a more advanced PES certification that you can try to obtain afterwards that is much more focused on performance.

      Reply

  100. Thank you so much for all the work you have done in creating this website!
    It is incredibly helpful and I look forward to reading more of your articles along my journey!
    I am just starting and feel much more informed and educated after reading your articles about certifications.
    You should be proud and rightfully satisfied that you have successfully steered another newbie in the right direction!
    🙂

    High five and thumbs up!

    Reply

    • Hey Michelle,
      Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope your journey as a personal trainer is a great one as I know it will be! Matter which personal training certification you choose, this profession is extremely gratifying and will change your life for the better!

      Reply

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