Now is a fantastic opportunity to get certified if you’re thinking about working in the fitness sector. Personal trainer employment is expected to expand by 39% between 2020 and 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This prediction is much greater than the national average for employment growth. This suggests that during the next several years, there will probably be a greater need for personal trainers.
Since the majority of gyms decide to employ professional trainers, training programs will probably get more and more well-liked. Without a formal certification, it is theoretically possible to operate as a personal trainer, but it might be challenging to get respectable employment. The 10 best personal trainers certifications in 2022 that you can start right now are listed below by Topteny online magazine.
1 American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Health coaches and exercise experts are trained by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a well-known, approved nonprofit organization and certification program, employing an evidence-based methodology. The Personal Trainer Study Program from ACE is available online and is self-paced; the majority of students finish the course and exam in approximately three to six months, or in around 80 to 100 hours. All ACE programs are founded on functional movement training and empirical research, and ACE is presently the biggest certifying body for health professionals. Numerous professions, including personal trainer, health coach, group fitness teacher, medical exercise expert, and more, are covered by its ACE examinations. Prior to beginning a specialized program, it is important to obtain a personal trainer certification, as most fitness studios and gyms need this.2 National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) supports new trainers both during and after the program and helps them find employment, setting them up for success. NASM provides many programs and levels at various pricing ranges. For people who already have the expertise and want to further their education and obtain a formal certification without having a lot of previous information, the self-study program may be an excellent choice. According to the website, the course is created to be engaging with visuals and movies. It is also routinely updated to reflect “correct and up-to-date research.”3 The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF)
The NCSF is a pioneer in training and education. Regardless of the NCSF program you select, you’ll get videos, digital flashcards, instructor support, and review quizzes, all of which are beneficial for beginners to learn from and ask questions about. There are many pricing tiers available. This certification is the greatest choice for academics since it is a demanding and rewarding course that enhances your client communication, critical thinking, and training abilities.People who wish to work in a fitness club or gym or create their own business might consider getting this certification. More than 300,000 people have received an education thanks to the certification, which is recognized in more than 160 countries. There are more than 8,000 exam centers globally, making it simple to select a location to take the exam.
4 The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
ISSA offers a wide range of expert assistance to trainers, including a free professional site and assistance in finding employment. The International Sports Sciences Association is renowned for offering a wealth of professional assistance to its students.Notably, you will obtain a complimentary website that has been expertly built and is useful for demonstrating abilities and locating employment. In the six months following the completion of your certification, if you apply to and interview with at least three gyms and still have not secured employment, you can submit a form to ISSA. Within six months, they will either find you employment or provide a full refund. The program also provides experts’ lifelong assistance.
5 Action Certification
With a reasonable price tag, the Action Certification program qualifies a sizable number of people. It also offers online video lessons and real-world simulations for CPT certification preparation, which is probably part of the reason it is so reasonably priced. The curriculum prepares you to work with people or in groups utilizing video lectures and practice assessments, and everything is learned through the app (available for Android and iOS).6 National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA)
For aspiring trainers seeking a cost-effective, lengthy certification, NESTA represents the only certification on our list that is valid for up to four years (the majority call for renewal after two). Every four years, the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) requires recertification; for those who dislike testing or who live in rural areas where getting to a testing center is difficult, this is a perfect alternative. It includes exercise kinesiology and anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, client evaluations, nutrition, exercise programming, psychology and behavior, injuries and safety, and professional duties. The NESTA curriculum is comprehensive yet still reasonably priced.7 National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
Long after the program is over, NFPT stands out for offering certified personal trainers both paid and free continuing education. All personal trainers must accrue continuing education credits (CECs) to keep their credentials and stay current with industry knowledge, regardless of the certification scheme they pick. NFPT offers lifelong free access to these credits, which are sometimes expensive.8 Fitness Mentors (FM)
Fitness Mentors (FM) has successfully transitioned from a career advice platform to a professional and reputable instructor of certified personal trainers with the aid of its well-known form training approach. FM, which began as a platform for academic and career assistance for fitness professionals, has since expanded to include a personal trainer certification program of its own. Fitness Mentors are using their record for business savvy to draw applicants who are committed to making a living in a cutthroat industry.9 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
The American College of Sports Medicine’s extensive knowledge of fitness trainer certification helps define industry norms and is essentially responsible for the continued existence of the in-person CPT training business. With a history dating back to 1954, ACSM is the industry pioneer in personal trainer certification. Unlike many other providers, their training courses place a lot of focus on hands-on, in-person instruction. Their virtual study materials, in comparison, are scant in information, which makes ACSM training feel rather dated.10 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA)
NSCA has been awarding coveted credentials to aspiring personal trainers and strength and conditioning instructors for decades. It was the first organization to be recognized by the NCCA. It also has a long and excellent history of producing highly qualified certified personal trainers and strength and conditioning professionals when it first opened its doors in 1978. The NCSA training program has two main objectives. They support those desiring careers as strength and conditioning trainers. They also provide specific instruction for aspiring personal trainers who want to work with elite athletes or fitness lovers who want to perform to the very best of their abilities.Final Word:
The personal trainer certificates on this list have all been approved by the NCAA certifying organization, so you can be sure that you’ll receive a valid credential that most fitness clubs and gyms would accept. Some, nevertheless, are more recognized and held in higher regard than others.
Due to its size, the volume of course materials, and the assistance for jobs, American Council on Exercise (ACE) stands out from the competition. The largest certification body for health professionals, ACE, goes above and above by providing interesting course material, access to a job portal, and mentor-taught continuing education courses. According to studies, working with a mentor positively affects motivation, behavior, and career.