Earning an accredited personal training certification is essential when pursuing a career in health and fitness. The right certification program will give you the necessary knowledge and expertise needed for numerous career opportunities, client attraction and retention, and credibility within the fitness industry. However, in a field of hundreds of personal training courses and certifications, it can be a daunting task to select the best one for you based on your budget, personal goals, and time available to study and take the exam.
Below are our top choices of personal training certifications, paired with some TRX certifications that will help you maintain your CECs, stand out in a crowded industry, and allow you to put your education to work.
1. TRX Suspension Training Course (STC)
Key Features:
The TRX Suspension Training Course (otherwise known as the STC) is a 7-8 hour certification that takes the participant through the following:
- An overview of suspension training
- Proper set-up of the TRX
- Anatomy of the straps and basic use
- Science of adjusting stability, resistance, and program design for all fitness levels
- 35+ exercises coached and cued based on foundational movement standards
Above and beyond the use of the TRX Suspension Trainer, the STC takes a deep dive into the understanding of foundational movements (plank, pull, push, squat, hinge, lunge and rotate) by setting standards, addressing common faults, and creating user-friendly cues that are appropriate not only for the TRX Suspension Trainer, but for all fitness modalities.
Eligibility:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Credibility:
STC Graduates will receive CECs from the following organizations: NASM 0.7, ACE 0.7, AFAA 7.0, AFLCA (CAN) 7.0, Can Fit Pro 4.0, NESTA 0.8, PTA Global 7.0, ISSA 7.0, IYCA 3.5, BCRPA 7.0, Fitness Australia 7.0, PA Australia 2.0, SkillsActive REPS 8.0, and REPS 9.0.(ACSM accepts ACE CECs).
Cost: $295
2. American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Key Features:
One of the most respected and recognized certifications in the industry, The American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer Program (ACE-CPT) takes the most up-to-date exercise and behavior change science and makes it understandable and usable, giving trainers the skills needed to design programs and instruct exercise technique starting on day one. The ACE Integrated Fitness Training Model (ACE-IFT) is a straightforward framework for program design that is based on science yet understandable enough to use with clients at 5 am. ACE is also well known for its systematic behavior change coaching model known as the ACE Mover Method. ACE offers a complete online study platform and the 16-chapter book is available in digital format or print. The 3-hour exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering the following topics: client onboarding and assessments, program design and implementation, program modification and progression, risk management, professional conduct, and ethical business practices.
Eligibility: According to their website, “Enrollees must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent education), have a current government-issued photo ID with a signature and earn an adult CPR and AED certification to be eligible to sit for the ACE certification exam. Those enrolled must pass the exam in order to become an ACE-CPT. The certification is valid for two years, and a trainer can recertify by meeting ACE’s continuing education credit requirement of 20 hours, maintaining their CPR certification and paying the organization’s recertification fee.”
Cost: Study packages begin at $675, including the exam's cost.
Other Certifications Offered:
Group Fitness Instructor:
Health Coach
Medical Exercise Specialist
3. YBell Coaching Course (YBCC)
Key Features:
YBell Training is based on a tool that was created out of necessity by Aaron Lawrence on Bondi Beach in Australia. The YBell replicates multiple pieces of equipment, a dumbbell, kettlebell, double-sided med ball, and push-up stands by having multiple handles that form a Y shape.
The YBell Coaches course is designed to give all users, from the fitness professional to the fitness enthusiast, a deeper understanding of the makeup of the YBell, the tools it emulates, the coaching skills needed to coach YBell exercises, as well as specific programming centered around the Bell. This course involves a mix of hands-on training as well as theoretical lecture-style learning.
Eligibility:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Credibility:
YBell Graduates will receive CECs from the following organizations: NASM 1.1, ACE 1.0, REPS 10-hrs, AUSactive 10.0.
Cost: $295
4. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Key Features:
Another highly recognized and accredited personal training certification is the National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Training Program (NASM-CPT). A highlight of the NASM-CPT is the NASM OPT Model or the Optimum Performance Training Model. The OPT Model is a fitness training system based on scientific evidence and principles that progresses individuals through five distinct yet complementary training phases. With a strong focus on corrective exercise, the NASM-CPT is an excellent choice for trainers looking to work with the general population and deconditioned individuals. The 2-hour exam contains 120 questions and is considered one of the more difficult and rigorous personal training certification exams.
Eligibility:
According to their website, “Enrollees of this program must have a high school diploma (or equivalent education) and earn an adult CPR and AED certification to be eligible to sit for the NASM certification exam. They must pass the exam with a scaled score of 70% or better to become a NASM-CPT. The certification is valid for two years, and a trainer can recertify by earning 1.9 continuing education units, maintaining their CPR certification, and paying the organization’s recertification fee.”
Cost: Starts at $799, which includes the price of the exam.
Other Certification Options:
Certified Nutrition Coach
Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
Certified Wellness Coach
5. TRX Yoga Foundations Course (YFC)
Key Features:
The TRX Yoga Foundations Course is a 7-8 hour certification that takes the participant through the following:
- Experience why we use the TRX® Suspension Trainer for Yoga.
- Learn the TRX methods to teach TRX Yoga poses and movements.
- Learn proper alignment and cueing techniques.
- Explore ways to release and move through tension.
TRX YOGA is a style of vinyasa yoga that uses the TRX Suspension Trainer as a helping hand to make you feel safe to explore a deeper stretch, try new poses, and advance your practice.
This fitness-based take on yoga fuses the science of Suspension Training with the amazing mind-body integration of breathwork, alignment, and dynamic balance of movement and flexibility that comes from a Power Yoga practice.
This course will show you why the straps matter in your yoga practice while you learn everything you need to know to build a yoga pose using the TRX Suspension Trainer
Eligibility: no prerequisites
Credibility: TRX Yoga Foundations Graduates will receive CECs from the following organizations: Ace (0.7), AFAA (7.0), Canfitpro (3.0), CIMSPA (4.5), NASM (0.7), Yoga Alliance Credit Eligible
Cost: $295
6. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
The National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer Program (NSCA-CPT) is the most in-depth certification on our list with regard to details on science-backed strength and fitness coaching protocols. The NSCA is most well-known for their Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification and their CPT certification is also written under the lens of performance improvement. Although one of the best personal training certifications on the market, the NSCA-CPT is missing a strong framework model for program design as seen with ACE (the IFT Model) and NASM (the NASM OPT). This certification is recommended for those working with a fairly athletic population. The exam contains 150 questions that test a candidate's knowledge, skill, and ability in the following four domains: client consultation/fitness assessment, program planning, techniques of exercise, and safety, emergency procedures, and legal issues.
Eligibility:
Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or an equivalent, and have a current CPR/AED certification.
Cost: Essential study materials begin at a cost of $225, which do not include the exam fee of $435.
Other Certifications Offered:
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Performance & Sport Scientist
Certified Special Population Specialist
Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator
7. International Sports Science Association (ISSA)
Key Points:
The International Sports Science Association Certified Personal Training Program (ISSA-CPT) is an accredited certification with some of the highest earning potential for certified trainers. This is due to a stronger focus on business skills and their guarantee of a training job within six months of certification. This certification is also known for its strong coverage of aerobic training and information on working with special populations. The ISSA-CPT is also popular due to having a less challenging exam than some of the other top certifications. The open-book exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering the following 6 domains of the textbook: anatomy and physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, health and physical fitness, program development, nutrition, and fitness for all. It is also important to point out that there is an additional fee for the NCCA-accredited exam. The standard ISSA-CPT exam is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for certification enrollees must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, provide government identification, submit and pass all course quizzes, pass the exam with a score of 75% or higher, and have a valid CPR/AED certification.
Cost: Packages start at $999 which includes the CPT exam.
Other Certifications and Specializations:
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Yoga Instructor
Certified Nutritionist
Bodybuilding Specialist
Certified Health Coach
Corrective exercise specialist
Glute Specialist
8. TRX Yoga Flow (YFlow)
Key Features:
The TRX Yoga Flow Course is a 7-8 hour certification that takes the participant through the following:
- Experience and Learn the TRX Yoga Signature Vinyasa Flow
- Understand the theme and main focus of each TRX Yoga Flow Series
- Learn the cueing techniques to teach an impactful and safe TRX Yoga Flow
- Explore ways to roll out TRX Yoga in your Studio successfully
The TRX Yoga Signature flow is a 60-minute vinyasa practice that leverages the suspension trainer throughout the entire class. With the perfect blend of intensity and restoration, you have to experience this all-level practice for yourself. Fusing the TRX methodology with the best practices of teaching a vinyasa yoga class you will gather everything you need to roll this class out to your community.
Eligibility: Completion of the TRX Yoga Flow Course qualifies you for the Tier One TRX Yoga Certification Exam. TRX Yoga Foundations Course is recommended to be a prerequisite to the TRX Yoga Flow Course. Many of the exam questions are predicated on the content you learn from the TRX Yoga Foundations Course.
Credibility: TRX Yoga Foundations Graduates will receive CECs from the following organizations: Ace (0.7), AFAA (7.0), Canfitpro (3.0), CIMSPA (4.5), NASM (0.7), Yoga Alliance Credit Eligible.
Cost: $295
9. National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)
Key Points:
The National Council on Strength and Fitness Certified Personal Training Program (NCSF-CPT) is not as well known as others on our list, but this certification proves that mainstream isn’t always necessary. The NCSF-CPT doesn’t provide as much information on behavior change, corrective exercise, and business as its competitors, however, with a strong focus on exercise science and strength training, this certification provides a substantial amount of quality information for its affordable price. The 3-hour exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering the following topics: functional anatomy, exercise physiology, health and physical fitness, screening and evaluation, nutrition, weight management, exercise programming, training instruction, considerations for special populations, and professionalism and risk management.
Eligibility:
The NCSF requires you to be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully pass the NCSF Certification Exam. CPR-AED is required for the recertifications which happen every 2 years.
Cost: Certification packages begin at $399, including the exam's cost.
Other Certifications and Specializations:
Certified Strength Coach
Sports Nutrition Specialist
10. National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
Key Points:
With the best price of NCCA-accredited fitness certifications, many opt for the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) personal training certification. With a short textbook (only 343 pages) and 400+ testing sites around the US, this is one of the easiest and quickest certifications to complete. That being said, the text lacks a significant amount of important detail that the other leading certifications provide. However the pros still outweigh the cons, as the NFPT exam is NCCA accredited, NFPT trainers get free continuing education credits annually, and there are an abundance of easy-to-understand study materials available in print and online. The exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions and covers the following topics: principles of human anatomy, principles of human physiology, fitness components, training program development, implementation and modification, and professionalism and communication skills.
Eligibility:
The NFPT requires you to be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully pass the NFPT Certification Exam with a score of 75% or higher.
Cost: Certification options start at $246, which includes the cost of the exam.
Other Specializations:
Cancer Recovery Specialist
Endurance Training Specialist
Fitness Nutrition Coach
Functional Training Specialist
MS Fitness Training Specialist
Sleep Coach
Conclusion
When choosing a certification, it's essential to consider your career goals, the content covered in the program, the cost of the study materials and exam, the credibility of the certifying organization, and any specific areas of specialization you are interested in. It is also important to note that exercise science and the fitness industry are ever-evolving. Staying current with continuing education is essential not only for professional development but to keep your original passion for health, fitness, and helping others shining bright
