He enjoys working out and spending time working with trainers on WeStrive on how to manage/grow their business. Both ISSA and NASM are highly regarded personal trainer certifications that are likely to help you form a sound foundation for program design and training. There is not one certification that is objectively better than the other, just the certification that is best for you. The best test prep for me was a combination of reading the book and my background in fitness. There are a lot of questions about how to cue clients during certain movements, like a squat, a dumbbell scaption (an exercise I had never heard of), and a stability ball lat stretch. I’ve done most of those things with people already, so the responses came easily.
The course covers applied sciences like the nervous system and bioenergetics, movement assessments, client behaviors, exercise technique, program design, and professional development. Our 5-test bundle of practice exams costs less than the cost of taking the actual certification exam. I started my career off via the NASM CPT and would recommend it for anyone looking for a solid choice. It gave me all of the basic knowledge and confidence I needed to kickstart my career as a trainer. Once you’ve got a strong grasp of the movement science, nutrition and training fundamentals, the rest of it comes down to marketing and landing clients.
Fortunately, the power came back on quickly, and I was able to connect with the online help. But, I had to completely redo all the videos and again show my proctor my workspace. NASM has been educating people about fitness for more than 35 years and has certified more than 1.3 million people.
Many different certifications are available to fitness professionals. The most fundamental and essential is the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification. The CPT is one of the best launching pads to gain entry into the exciting world of personal training. When just starting out to become a personal trainer, one of the first things you’ll want to do is to get certified. One of the first programs that comes to mind is the National Academy of Sports Medine (NASM) CPT program.
Without the necessary muscular endurance, your clients won’t be able to push themselves to achieve other desired training effects. It covers a wide range of fitness concepts designed at correcting and optimizing the biomechanic state of your clients. But let’s get back to the main story here, corrective exercise, which is administered through the OPT model or Optimum Performance Training model. Having large amounts of otherwise free time means you’ll have ample opportunity to hunker down and minimize the period between registration and the final exam.
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The stat also shows that trainers who go for a NASM cert are likely to hold other higher education credentials such as a college degree. Now, this is partly because NASM certifications are amongst the most converted and widely accepted in the industry. When it comes to the NASM fitness trainer salary, it wasn’t surprising to find that trainers holding this cert raked in the highest annual income with an average of $41,598.00. With an added specialization you also can train a wider variety of clients, from groups to athletes, to people with mobility restrictions and you can’t do much better than NASM’s 6-in-1 promo.
But the truth is, you can take just about any workout program and rip it apart. Each chapter is devoted to a mode of training, detailing why you do it, how you do it, specific exercises and progressions/regressions for them, and demonstrations of the exercises. If you don’t have much of a background in anatomy, kinesiology, and/or nutrition, strap in. Many of the sections of the course build on each other, so following the text (or online sections) in order is important. I read every page in the textbook, which is filled with citations to peer-reviewed studies. NASM’s basic offering starts around $900 (compared to the ACE program with a price tag of $979).

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While NASM has among the fewest test questions in the industry, ISSA offers unlimited time. So if you’re a test-taker who needs a bit of extra time to think, or has a tendency to cave under the pressure of being timed, ISSA may be the better choice for you. You start with a five-question practice test so you understand how to respond to questions. During the actual exam, you can bookmark questions you aren’t sure of to return to them later, which was pretty easy to do. For coverage on topics that apply to most clients, NASM does a decent job. The organization really pushes SAQ (speed, agility, quickness) training and places an emphasis on core and balance training as well.
Although, it’s usually recommended that you save specializations like these for later in your career after obtaining your CPT certification. NASM offers a long list of certifications, including the CPT, which is their “bread and butter” certification. Another reason college students would instead opt for NASM CPT Certification is the price.
If you are marketing yourself as an in-person personal trainer or starting an online personal trainer business we recommend always taking business courses to support your trainer skills. The CSCS is the one of the best certs if you want to learn how to become a strength and conditioning coach, although it is probably the most challenging test to pass. As we’ve already touched on, the NASM fitness assessment has a focus or leaning towards corrective exercise. If you have extensive knowledge in the field of fitness science, say you’ve certified with another institution, or have a degree, the study time can easily be reduced.
These chapters have some pretty good information about how to work with clients and understanding their motivations. It details goal-setting, like SMART goals, and how to set people up for success. I learn well by reading and taking notes, so the hardcover textbook was great for me. However, there is a plethora of other study tools like video, audio, and podcasts, so you might find the textbook isn’t necessary. To be clear, you don’t have to purchase any materials to take the NASM CPT exam. You can simply sign up for the “Basic” package, which gives you access to online materials and, most importantly, the ability to schedule the exam.
Having an existing busy schedule will mean you will have less time to allocate per day. You may even review the corresponding NASM-CPT exam answers, to check your work. If you are unfortunate enough to fall into the 36% that fail the exam, fear not, because just like any other certification, you will be allowed to retake it. The NASM exam pass rate is 64%, which means your odds of failing are 36%. This allows candidates to take the exam at a preferred location with all the structures and quality control you would expect from a real-world exam experience. Trainer Academy packages cut out a lot of the fluff and cut straight to the chase, offering you a guaranteed pass when sitting for your NASM finals.
What this means is trainers in this socio-economic grouping would likely have access to more savings, assets, and disposable income that can potentially accelerate their careers. Graduates in health and fitness sciences are often influenced to get top-tier certifications such as ACE and NASM. Many factors are influencing this ultimately, but one that we will take a look at is making money as a personal trainer as it relates to the certifying agency you’ve obtained your cert from. An interesting statistic you’ll find when delving into the world of professional fitness training is how income levels correlate with different credentials and specializations. 3 months is the sweet spot in terms of giving yourself enough time to master a new set of knowledge principles while retaining it fresh enough to apply it with a sharp memory. But, with adequate prep and a thorough perusal of the study material, such as what we provide here at Trainer Academy, you won’t have any problems passing NASM’s CPT.
Here, you’ll learn how to build a program based on the OPT model for clients. I particularly like the chapter in this section that addresses chronic conditions and special populations, as well as exercises that are contraindicated for people who fall into those groups. Because as a personal trainer, you should be acutely aware of how pre-existing conditions affect whether or not someone can be in a prone position for training. While we feel it’s debatable as to which organization offers the best certification, several of us at Garage Gym Reviews can attest to how thorough this course is. In this NASM certified personal trainer course (CPT) review, you’ll find what you can expect to learn, how the information is presented, and what you should know before taking the exam. The biggest name in personal training certification brings you best in class technology to help you provide exceptional training – and superior results – for every level of client.
NASM is debatably the most respected certification for Personal Training. NASM certified personal trainers typically have an advantage in the job market when we look at the average salaries of trainers with only a CPT certification. The NASM accreditation is with NCCA, which is the industry gold standard for Personal Training certs. Another standout portion of the material is the OPT model and NASM assessment, which is considered highly among personal trainers.

The only difference is you’re taking the exam on a computer at a testing center, and not from your home. Personally, I have been working in the fitness industry for more than 15 years and hold certifications from USA Weightlifting and CrossFit, so going into the NASM course, I felt pretty well-prepared. Right off the bat, you should know this isn’t an exam you can take lightly. If you don’t have an exercise science background or experience in the fitness field, the information may even seem overwhelming. I love how NASM covers every aspect of training and creates a picture of how you would apply each for certain clients.

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Take a deep breath and decide which one aligns with your career goals in the long run. We’ve all known about the Nintendo Wii and WiiFit; well, AFAA was on hand to help trainers capitalize on this huge fitness phenomenon. Today, fitness is regarded in many forms, with many essential aspects contributing to an effective approach.
Jason Dunaway’s martial arts background began with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and at age 1 4 he began competing in kickboxing. He competed internationally, winning the IKF World Classic in both 2011 and 2012. Coach Dunaway focuses on the fundamentals and practical application of kickboxing as a martial art. Interns are expected to work a minimum, but not limited to, 20 hours per week throughout the duration of their program. Previously seen as a titan in the North American fitness scene, NASM has broadened its approach to an international audience. As of 2020, both agencies allow the administration of online exams through a live remote proctor.

AFAA and NASM are NCCA accredited, making them on board with the “gold standard” in fitness certification. Here at Trainer Academy, we take pride in providing the most up-to-date and correct information. That is why we have a rigorous editorial process to fact-check and review all content on our site. We only provide up-to-date and accurate information that comes from relevant and trustworthy sources. If you would like to learn more, check out our editorial process here.
Certainly, if you’re picking between NASM or ISSA and you want the easier route, ISSA is more of a sure thing (although in most cases ISSA lacks the NCCA accreditation). As we mentioned, the Trainer Academy only provides access and insight into THE BEST certifications and their study materials. You have to take at least 2.0 credits from continuing education (CECs) within two years. You’ll have to pay at least $99 to re-certify and if you want a lifetime certification you’ll need to pay $299. If you want a career path that offers dynamic opportunities, then it’s in your best interest to get certified. Certifications not only provide you with advanced credentials but they’ll also vastly enhance your performance with your clients.

The cost of the NASM personal trainer certification course depends on which package you choose. The basic package often goes on sale for around $600-$700, with the “premium” package costing close to $2,000. If it’s your only focus, then getting through the online program can take as little as 10 weeks. If you’re working a full-time job and have other commitments, it could take three to six months.

Once you arrive at Movement Edge, our front desk will greet you and ask you to fill out some simple paperwork. We will ask you to tell us about your medical history, past/present injuries and other physical conditions we should be made aware of. They will inquire about the reason(s) you are coming in, any current physical conditions and your goals.
“I believe that training should be relatively simple, and the foundation of any good training regiment should be basedaround compound movements. I think people want there to be some sort of magic training plan that will make them the best, but most of the time it’s a matter of consistent hard work. I think a good plan executed well will be more beneficial than the best plan executed poorly.” For personal trainers to discuss their experiences, ideas, and tips with other personal trainers. Remember, what you do with your certification will ultimately determine your success and your salary.
You have to know the program design in order to pass the CPT exam with NASM. In practice, what you do with the numbers/program model should always come down to your specific client. We have the most in-demand trainers from the world’s top professional sports teams and fitness studios, and we provide them with the best tools to help them be more effective and deliver more training. We are fully accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and have many satisfied customers who have successfully passed their certification exam with the help of our test preparation materials. The course material is easy-to-understand and great for those who are just starting out to learn the basics of being a personal trainer. You will be eligible to schedule your exam three business days after signing up with NASM and will be required to schedule your exam appointment at least 72 hours in advance.