Best certification for personal training

[Marvin Martian]

It’s been A while - but hopefully will complete some of my training/courses for work as well as get my team organized so I have more time and less stress.

I have never used a PT and no nothing in terms of the best / worst certification programs. A colleague - actually we’ve never met but he’s on most of my Zoom meetings - asked me what the best certification was, or if they were all BS. I don’t know if it’s his son interested or maybe he is looking for a PT himself. I told him I didn’t know but did know where to get the 411.
I am sure some on here are PT so if you wouldn’t mind please reply.

I hope all of you cats are doing well and I miss this place. There may be other boards that are now considered top - but I’ve always liked to PM for my info.

 

[Marvin Martian]

Not sure how to edit but before the grammar Nazi hits - I meant “I KNOW nothing....

 

[Fa Seeshus]

NASM is a good one that is generally accepted in the industry. They have good package deals on their specialization certs too.

 

[Marvin Martian]

Thanks man - I think I’ve heard of that one before. I don’t want to get too deep into with him but also didn’t want to just blow him off.

 

[machomadness22]

Probably your reputation these days who you trained and what they look like at the end of 12-16 weeks. I mean If you’re doing it for you’re own personal business I would just build up success story’s via social media why waste the money on schooling if you already have a god vision and idea in mind, if you want to go corporate or partner with a gym I’d say NASM.

 

[Bodyofwork365]

NASM or ISSA have pretty solid curriculums. I’m not sure the cert matters near as much as a proven track record of producing results but some gyms will only hire NASM trainers (at least here in Texas)

 

[lookslikesausage]

Certifications mostly matter when trying to get a job working for a gym. An independently owned gym might be more interested in you the trainer/person and what you bring to the table (can you make the gym money?) as opposed to what certification you have. Some independently owned gyms might only ask that you have A certification, meaning have something, as long as you have something. Of course, if you have great experience in something like competitive sports or bodybuilding and a great resume in coaching the certs become less and less important but again, this is if we're talking about an independently owned gym. Chain gyms on the other hand, will usually require anyone who works for them to have NASM and some might want ACE if you don't have NASM (NASM usually being the first choice). Being in business for yourself, this changes a little. Some clubs might still want NASM or ACE and some might not care if you're bringing clients to train in their gym. However, chain gyms almost never allow trainers to bring clients into their gyms. They hire all of their trainers.

 

[D2]

NASM, ACE, ACSM

 

[01dragonslayer]

The personal trainer certifications with an option for NCCA accreditation are the most respected in the industry. The NCCA is the gold standard for third-party personal training certifications. Some of these certs include, NASM, ACE, Fitness Mentors, and ISSA.

 

[Kaladryn]

ACSM for sure, they mainly certify doctors, personal training is their lowest level certification. That being said, they don't put a lot of work into advertising so your average gym owner/manager probably doesn't consider them the most respected but they are definitely the most scientific and most difficult.