Final Verdict
The personal training certifications on this list are all accredited by the NCCA certifying body, meaning you will achieve a legitimate certification that will be recognized by most gym and health clubs. The National Academy of Sports Medicine is an exceptional choice for new trainers, while the International Sports Sciences Association is an great program for those going into sports.
If you are looking for a personal trainer certification course that is more affordable, National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) is a good choice. The program is well-regarded and has a thorough curriculum, although it does not offer the same caliber of job placement opportunities as ACE.
Guide for Choosing the Best Personal Trainer Certification Programs
Is It Worth Getting Certified as a Personal Trainer?
Becoming certified as a personal trainer is an added expense, and, in some cases, you do not need a formal certification to work. However, most reputable gyms, health clubs, and institutions prefer or mandate that trainers have an accredited certification, and often the best personal trainers have certifications. You can expect to earn more, have improved visibility online, and be more in demand with a certification.
Is a Personal Trainer Certification Program Right for You?
A personal trainer certification program is generally a good idea for someone who is just beginning a career in the fitness or health industry and doesn’t have existing clients. These programs often help with job placement and many teachers will offer their students industry connections.
Seasoned exercise professionals may also wish to advance their fitness careers by getting certified or by adding an additional certification to their resume (like elite trainer or nutrition coach).
Compare Personal Trainer Certification Programs
With many personal trainer certification programs available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you and your specific goals. Factors to consider when choosing a certification program include:
- Cost: Accredited programs range from a few hundred dollars to over $2,000—in most cases, a higher cost means more mentorship and help with job placement.
- Program length: If finding a job quickly is important to you or you have a lot of free time, it may make sense to do a self-led certification program that you can finish rapidly.
- Accreditation body: An NCCA-accredited program is your best bet since it’s most widely recognized and respected by gyms, clubs, institutions, and more.
- Job support: For those just starting their careers, it can be helpful to pick a program that provides mentorship and job placement support. This may be less important, however, if you already have a job lined up that’s simply dependent on you passing the exam.
How to Choose a Personal Trainer Certification Program
All of the programs on this list are NCCA-accredited. They are also all online, though some do require you to sit for the exam in person.
The first step in choosing a personal trainer certification program is to compare your options. Keep in mind your career goals, budget, and timeline, and decide what aspects of a program (e.g., affordability, flexibility, accreditation, mentorship, and job placement) are most important to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Personal Trainer Certification Program?
A personal trainer certification program prepares you to pass the CPT exam. These programs are in course format and are suitable for existing health and fitness professionals looking to formalize their skillset, or those looking to break into the industry.
Some studies indicate that having a certified personal trainer who is certified will become increasingly important to clients in the coming years as a way of establishing trust and professionalism.
How Much Do Personal Trainer Certification Programs Cost?
The cost of a personal trainer certification program varies. Generally, they run between $200 and $2,000 with most hovering somewhere around $1,000.
How Do You Become a Certified Personal Trainer?
The only step that’s absolutely essential to becoming a certified personal trainer is passing the CPT exam so you can receive your certification.
What Will I Learn in a Personal Trainer Certification Program?
CPT training certification programs prep you to pass the test and teach you important skills for training, offering fitness advice, building trust with clients, and developing your business. The exact curriculum may vary depending on each specific personal trainer certification program, but most will cover exercise science, anatomy, how to motivate clients and develop plans for individuals, and more. Some may teach nutrition and other health topics and offer business advice (like how to find clients).
Methodology
All certification programs on this list come from an accredited organization (NCCA) and have national recognition; we reviewed over 15 companies and selected our top picks. We made sure they had course materials online, though some require sitting for the Certified Personal Trainer exam (CPT) at an approved location. (In some cases, you can take the exam online with a proctor.) We considered certifications that have self-paced, at-home study options as well as scheduled curriculum; some are completely self-led while others are live classes with the ability to ask a mentor a question. We evaluated various price points and timelines, but favored programs that are budget-friendly and offer some flexibility.