Many promising fitness pros face an overwhelming menu of certification options when deciding how to become certified personal trainers. Cost, prerequisites, program specializations, and course length are key factors.
With many personal training certification options available, this article will give you an overview of one of the most recognized programs in the fitness industry: the NASM personal training certification.
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The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is a renowned and accredited certification for personal trainers, specializing in functional fitness training. Known for developing a training program called the Optimum Performance Training or OPT model, this program helps clients improve their physical abilities like flexibility, endurance and coordination, reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass.
The NASM’s certified personal trainer (CPT) program has educated over 1.4 million fitness professionals in 100 countries, offering certifications in nutrition coaching, sports nutrition coaching, wellness coaching, group fitness and indoor cycling instruction.
The NASM-CPT program is an online course covering anatomy and fitness program design, divided into six sections. The course includes exam prep materials including learning videos, interactive graphics, exercise demonstrations, downloadable resources, a practice exam and mini-quizzes.
While most of the course is through self-study, certification candidates can receive guidance from fitness experts or hands-on experience.
You’re required to take a two-hour certification exam with 120 questions, with a 70% or better passing score. If you don’t pass the final exam, a retest may be available.
All NASM certifications have prerequisites. To be eligible for the personal training course, applicants must have:
Candidates can obtain certification through the NASM, community education programs, or local Red Cross chapters. Trainers can enroll in personal training programs without CPR and AED certifications but must get them before taking the NASM-CPT exam.
The NASM recommends investing at least 15 weeks to complete the NASM-CPT course, but completion times may vary. Candidates have up to 180 days to finish the online course and attempt to pass the exam.
Yes, NASM-certified personal trainers must recertify every two years to ensure they remain current on best practices and skills.
To recertify, trainers must earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The NASM charges a $99 recertification payment every two years. Your credentials will expire if you don’t meet recertification requirements by the certificate’s expiration date.
However, the NASM accepts recertification applications up to one year from the certificate’s expiration date if all continuing education courses are completed within 90 days.
NASM-CPT certification costs vary depending on the program chosen, with discounts available through sales and bundling specials.
The base self-study program costs $899, including exam options, lecture videos, exercise library, study guide, and practice tests.
Premium tracks offer more benefits and personalization, and bundle options offer savings with other types of certifications including CPR/AED certification and Certified Nutritional Coaching (CNC).
The NASM also offers payment flexibility; trainers can make one-time payments or pay by the month after putting in a down payment.
Check NASM’s website for the latest prices; they often have sales and bundling deals to help potential trainers save.
To emphasize all-around fitness, corrective exercise and injury prevention, NASM offers various courses to enhance professional development.
Achieving a specialization in a specific niche sector increases your value as a personal trainer and broadens opportunities as your career develops.
Here are some of NASM’s fitness certification programs and specializations:
NASM also offers other courses that help round out total fitness and health including:
No matter which personal trainer certification and specialization you choose, getting insured is essential, especially if you start your own personal training business or contract with gyms. NASM has partnered with NEXT as the preferred business insurance provider for its trainers and coaches.
Being insured is often essential when you have a fitness career. Gyms often recommend or require personal trainer insurance before teaching, depending on employment status, services provided and local regulations.
Personal trainer insurance can also help protect you from common accidents, injuries and damages associated with your profession. For instance, if you accidentally drop a dumbbell at a client’s house and damage their wood floor, general liability coverage would help pay for repairs.
When you have business insurance, you won’t have to pay entirely out of pocket to defend your business or solve the problem.
NEXT is committed to helping personal trainers and every fitness professional thrive. That’s why we’ve made it easy to get affordable, customized business insurance.
Everything is 100% online, so you can get an instant quote, review options and buy coverage in about 10 minutes — no calling an agent. You’ll have immediate 24/7 access to your certificate of insurance (COI) as soon as you buy your insurance. Even better, NEXT customers have access to unlimited COIs at no additional cost.
Eddie Lester is a personal trainer from Los Angeles and the founder and CEO of Fitness Mentors. With over 20 years experience, 10 different certifications and specializations, and multiple years teaching personal training at the university level, Eddie loves sharing his personal training knowledge and PT exam strategies.
Eddie is the author of Business and Sales: The Guide to Success as a Personal Trainer.
