There are three major certification organizations: The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), The American Fitness Institute (AFI) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). These are the big three and while there are other certification organizations, a trainer who has his certification from one of the “Big Three” is best.
The NSCA has many different levels of certification, starting with Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) designation and working all the way up to Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. To win a CSCS certification you have to have a college degree.
As for the other two major certification associations, the AFI has two degrees of certification the Personal Trainer Certification and Master Trainer, and ACSM is the granddaddy of them all, having been in business for 50 years. Their top designation is the Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. It’s always a good idea to make sure any prospective personal trainer is certified by one of the Big Three and it’s always a good idea to find out which level of certification the PT has obtained. Use the accompanying sidebar to find out more about the Big Three.
How to interpret personal trainer certifications
Want to understand that mysterious certification designation of the personal trainer you are considering hiring? Here’s the rundown of how the Big Three keep score:
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Personal Trainer: This is the NSCA’s basic certification. Awarded upon passing a comprehensive exam. Designed for professionals working one-on-one with clients in a variety of environments.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist: This program requires a BA/BS degree. Successful applicants must pass a stringent test. This advanced certification has the highest regard within the industry.
Coach Practitioner Distinction: This CSCS certification designation is designed to identify and reward experienced trainers who’ve successfully worked with athletes at the professional and collegiate level.
American College of Sports Medicine
Health/Fitness Instructor: This is the ACSM entry-level certification. The successful applicant is able to conduct fitness testing and implement exercise programs. Works with patients suffering
Exercise Specialist: This advanced certification trains the individual in testing, exercise prescription and specific emergency medical procedures. Also teaches how to council patients with Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist: Educational and experience prerequisites are required. This high level designation prepares the individual to successfully deal with patients and clients in a variety of medical and rehabilitative situations.
American Fitness Institute Personal Trainer Certification: Teaches personal trainers how to provide expert one-on-one fitness instruction and how to make the most money.
As you prepare yourself for choosing a personal trainer certification, you must also ask yourself how much time and effort you’re willing to devote to the process of getting your certification—it’s not going to happen overnight.
Here is a quick break down of the "Big Three"
Certification-------------Cost-------Restest--------Months----------Level of Difficulty
NSCA -------------------$415---------$355----------4-6----------------Very Difficult
AFI----------------------$249----------$0------------1-2---------------Moderate Difficult
ASCM-------------------$618---------$135-----------4-8--------------Extremely Difficult
The NSCA has many different levels of certification, starting with Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) designation and working all the way up to Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. To win a CSCS certification you have to have a college degree.
As for the other two major certification associations, the AFI has two degrees of certification the Personal Trainer Certification and Master Trainer, and ACSM is the granddaddy of them all, having been in business for 50 years. Their top designation is the Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. It’s always a good idea to make sure any prospective personal trainer is certified by one of the Big Three and it’s always a good idea to find out which level of certification the PT has obtained. Use the accompanying sidebar to find out more about the Big Three.
How to interpret personal trainer certifications
Want to understand that mysterious certification designation of the personal trainer you are considering hiring? Here’s the rundown of how the Big Three keep score:
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Personal Trainer: This is the NSCA’s basic certification. Awarded upon passing a comprehensive exam. Designed for professionals working one-on-one with clients in a variety of environments.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist: This program requires a BA/BS degree. Successful applicants must pass a stringent test. This advanced certification has the highest regard within the industry.
Coach Practitioner Distinction: This CSCS certification designation is designed to identify and reward experienced trainers who’ve successfully worked with athletes at the professional and collegiate level.
American College of Sports Medicine
Health/Fitness Instructor: This is the ACSM entry-level certification. The successful applicant is able to conduct fitness testing and implement exercise programs. Works with patients suffering
Exercise Specialist: This advanced certification trains the individual in testing, exercise prescription and specific emergency medical procedures. Also teaches how to council patients with Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist: Educational and experience prerequisites are required. This high level designation prepares the individual to successfully deal with patients and clients in a variety of medical and rehabilitative situations.
American Fitness Institute Personal Trainer Certification: Teaches personal trainers how to provide expert one-on-one fitness instruction and how to make the most money.
As you prepare yourself for choosing a personal trainer certification, you must also ask yourself how much time and effort you’re willing to devote to the process of getting your certification—it’s not going to happen overnight.
Here is a quick break down of the "Big Three"
Certification-------------Cost-------Restest--------Months----------Level of Difficulty
NSCA -------------------$415---------$355----------4-6----------------Very Difficult
AFI----------------------$249----------$0------------1-2---------------Moderate Difficult
ASCM-------------------$618---------$135-----------4-8--------------Extremely Difficult
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