Personal Training Certification School

ACE

NASM

ACSM

NSCA

NCSF

NFPT

NESTA

IFPA

Certification

Personal Trainer

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) 1987

Certified Personal Trainer (cPT) 1954

NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)

Certified Personal Trainer (cPT)

CPT Certified Personal Trainer 1988

Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT)

CPT Certified Personal Trainer 1994

Established

1985

1993

Workshop length

2 days

2 days

1 or 3 days

2 days

2 days or extended 2 days school option US major cities

2 days

2 days

Workshop Availability

US major cities

Select US US major cities cities

Limited cities

Major U.S. very Cities limited

Major U.S. Cities

Program Cost

$399

$629$799

$129 or $375

N/A

$309

$425

$489 or $389 without Polar watch Included

$399$459

Materials cost Included Industry recognition

Included

$125

up to $468

Included Included Med High

Included Med High

High

High

High

High

High

Med

Accreditations NCCA

NCCA

NCCA

NCCA

NCCA

NCCA

NCCA

NCCA, ACET

Prerequisites

High 18 years 18 years old, School old, Adult Adult CPR/AED Diploma, CPR/AED Certificate Adult CPR Certificate Certificate

18 years old, Adult CPR and AED Certificate, high school diploma or equivalent

None

High School Diploma, 18 years old, 2+ years fitness experience

18 years old, high school diploma or equivalent

High School Diploma, 18 years old, CPR

Exam Questions Exam Time

150

120

125-150

140

150

120

100

100

3 hours

2 hours

2.5 hours 3 hours

3 hours

2 hours

2 hours

2.5 hours

Exam Cost

$219 (pencil/paper), Included $249 (computer)

$279

$235-270 (members)/ $355-390(non-members) (Pencil/paper exam) $199 $285(members)/$405(nonmembers) (Computerbased exam) $185220(members)/$305340(non-members) (Pencil/paper exam) $135 $235(members)/$355(nonmembers) (Computerbased exam)

$44

$199

included

Retest Cost

$135 (pencil/paper) $199 $184 (computer)

$150

$60

$95

$79

Exam deadline Exam Major cities

180 days

1 year

1 year

90 days

6 months

Major

Major

Major cities worldwide

400

300

Major US

Major

locations

worldwide

U.S. Cities

cities (pencil/paper) United worldwide States only (computerbased)

testing testing Cities locations centers in North worldwide America

Cities worldwide

Time to Complete (Approx.)

3-6 months

4-9 months

4-9 months

4-6 months

2 to 6 months

4-6 weeks

2 to 6 months

Recertification every 2 years

every 2 years

every 3 years

every 3 years

every 2 years

every year

every 4 years

every 2 years $20 + $319 CEU costs

Recertification Cost including $400 CEU (Approx.)

$500

$800

$500

$400800

$85

$600

Expert Insight

When finally choosing a certification, the best way to find out if it's best for you is to see if it's backed by the NCCA, (National Commission for Certifying Agencies.) This is the gold standard that proves that a company is legit and follows necessary guidelines in certifying individuals. Here is a listing of some of these companies: ACSM - American College of Sports Medicine. NASM - National Academy of Sports Medicine. ACE - American Council on Exercise. NFPT - National Federation of Professional Trainers NSCA - National Strength and Conditioning Association

Education

The NSCA does offer books, CDs and other study materials to help trainers prepare for the NSCA certified personal trainer exam. However, the organization stresses that none of the materials are required for success on the exam. Candidates need a bachelor's degree in order to take the exam, and a college education in an exercise science-related field should provide adequate preparation.

ACSM offers three textbooks for trainers to study in order to gain the necessary knowledge in exercise science fundamentals as well as methods for recommending and demonstrating exercises and motivating clients. ACSM also hosts one-day and three-day training workshops in major cities throughout the nation. ACE provides a home-study program through which trainers can learn fitness assessments, nutrition and exercise programming by reading the provided books and materials. ACE recommends that trainers give themselves at least three to six months to study prior to taking the exam. NESTA offers interactive DVDs and CDs along with online videos and study materials to help trainers prepare for their certification exam. NESTA's educational materials cover assessment, program design and instruction, and also cover the business aspects of personal training for trainers who want to work independently instead of for a gym. Exam

The NSCA has more than 150 testing sites in the United States. The exam consists of 140 scored multiple choices, the first 35 of which correspond to a video. Trainers will take their ACSM exam at one of over 5,000 testing centers nationwide. The exam is all multiple choice and may include video questions. ACE has testing centers nationwide at which trainers take a 150- question multiple-choice exam and a written simulation client scenario test. Trainers seeking certification through NESTA take a proctored exam at one of NESTA's over 400 testing centers in the United States. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

Considerations

Different employers sometimes regard certain organizations more highly than others. The best way to ascertain which certifications will improve your job opportunities is by contacting local gyms and inquiring which certifications they prefer to see in job applications, if any. You aren't constrained to one organization--personal trainers often hold two or more certifications. Earning multiple certifications can often increase your career options