Top 5 Personal Trainer Schools

Are you considering being a fitness guru? Then you are in the right place. This guide will help you in choosing the ideal personal trainer school for your training style. It will help you make a more informed decision without taking much time deciding on the route you should follow for your fitness training career.

What are personal training degrees?

Today, personal trainer professions can prove their competence through applied knowledge (experience) and by a personal trainer certification acquired from a certifying agency, also known as a personal training school. Nowadays, there are tons of certifying agencies, but only a few are worth considering. To become a personal trainer does not necessarily need a traditional tertiary degree like in the case with many other degrees. But once you become a certified personal trainer, it is equivalent to attaining a personal training degree.

Why are there no personal trainer degrees?

Personal training is a new career path that emerged around the 90s when going to college to attain a degree no longer held the same significance as it did before. The idea of fitness as a program for lifestyle improvement can be linked to Dr. Ken H. Cooper, who in 1968 invented the term Aerobics, which was the first formal workout program. The idea gained popularity due to added influence from precise military training, bodybuilding, and professional sports. Over time the entire idea saw the birth of modern fitness. In around 1996, the first accredited personal training certifications by the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF), came giving personal training all over the world an opportunity for real recognition. Today NSCF offers accreditations for personal training globally.

To acquire the necessary credentials, you do not need a degree to be a personal trainer; you will only need to acquire a personal trainer certification from a certified agency.

Top 5 personal trainer schools you can trust.

With tons of personal trainer schools out there, choosing the best becomes a daunting task. When selecting the school to attain your PT certification, you will need first to check if the agency you want to attend is accredited. Accreditation refers to a formal seal of approval to the school by a unifying authority. Accreditation of a personal training school assures you of the authenticity and quality of what you are learning. There are two accrediting bodies; the DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission) and the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies), specializing in personal trainer school remote learning online.

Here is a list of the best five personal training schools based on several different factors, including reputation, price, exam difficulty, accreditation, study materials, and many others. Go through the list to see which will be the best for you.

#1. NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)

It is one of the best worldwide certifying institutions. NASM has been a leader in personal training certifications for over the past 30 years. The exercise institution has been around for longer, making it pioneers in exercise science and personal training. It offers four packages that allow you to take a full spectrum approach. The NASM uses proprietary Optimum Performance Training™ methodology to develop and update their courses using scientific and evidence-based models.

NASM is accredited by NCCA and offers various study materials ranging from ebooks and digital flashcards to textbooks, which can reduce your study time by 50% and help you pass the exam for certification. NASM CPT final exam is not very easy, but with enough preparation and guidance, attaining the passing grade won't seem out of reach. The exam has 20 questions that are not graded and 120 graded ones, and the test takes 2hours, which is sufficient time for most people. To pass the exam, you are required to score 70% or better. If you fail, you get a chance of resetting after one week. NASM CPT charges different prices depending on the package.

  • Self-study package-$699
  • Premium self-study package-$999
  • Guided self-study package-$1299
  • All-inclusive package-$1999

Overall, the package is worth considering and offers promos and discounts from time to time. So with the right timing, you can get a package at a great price.

Pros:

  • It is the most credible and reputable certification in the Personal training industry.
  • It offers a different array of study packages.
  • Excellent study materials
  • Uses proprietary Optimum Performance Training that can apply to a diverse spectrum of clients

Cons:

  • It is one of the most challenging certifications to pass.
  • The packages tend to be relatively pricey, especially in the top tier.

#2. ISSA (International sports sciences Association)

Another personal training school you can consider is ISSA. This certification is done almost entirely online and offers a free retake after failing the exam after the first attempt. ISSA is accredited by DEAC and offers excellent study materials, including an Exercise guide video package, Chapter by chapter practice exams and quizzes, a fully comprehensive business and marketing guide, and many more.

One of the features that make ISSA different from others is the certification test. Unlike others that offer multiple choice only, the ISSA test is divided into four different sections with diverse testing methods on each section. The first section is true or false; the second is multi-choice questions, the third section is short essay questions, while section 4 includes 2-case studies. To pass, you will need to score at least 75% on each of the four sections. The price of a general ISSA certification package is $599, subject to periodic discounts and promotions.

Pro:

  • Free exam retake
  • An international certification you can take from any corner of the world
  • 2-year completion window
  • Study material includes a business guide to being a personal trainer

Cons:

  • The final exam is an open book hence reducing the quality and credibility of the certification.

#3. American Council on Exercise (ACE)

ACE is a professional credential that is a leader and pioneer in exercise science. NCCA accredited and offers comprehensive piles of study materials, including practice tests, various textbooks, study companions, and ACE Academy Elite. ACE offers certification exam tests in the form of 4 domains, each focusing on a different important aspect of personal training. Domain 1 has 29 questions and focuses on interviews and assessments; domain 2 has 39 questions and focuses on program design and implementation. Domain 3 covers program modification and progression and has 32 questions. While domain 4 focuses on professional conduct, safety, and risk management and has 25 questions.

The exam questions are multiple-choice, and you will require to score at least 500 points to get the certification. In case you fail, you can retake the exam for $199 if you are in the US and $299 for international test-takers. ACE comes in two packages which are available at different prices. The basic package cost $299, while the plus package cost$499.Below are its pro and cons

Pros:

  • Accredited by NCCA
  • The fully comprehensive study material
  • One of the most credible and recognized certifications in the industry

Cons:

  • Not very specialized like some other top tier certifications
  • It is relatively expensive.

#4. American college of sports medicine (ACSM)

Founded in 1953, ACSM is another one of the personal trainer schools you should consider. It is NCCA accredited and offers you an opportunity to qualify as a more specialized health and fitness practitioner or a general fitness professional. ACSM provides study material that is a bit weak and not included in the exam cost.  So, you will have to buy the recommended textbooks separately. Its test consists of 150 questions-20 graded and 30 non-graded questions and offers 2 hours 45 minutes to complete the test. The test is divided into four domains, and you will need to score 550 out of 800 or 70% to pass. If you fail, you can retake the exam after 15 days. The ACSM live workshop costs $129, while the 3-day webinar goes for $375. As part of your study suite, you will also be required to buy three textbooks; one primary textbook costs $70, and 2 secondary textbooks cost$ 40 each. Here are its pros and cons.

Pros:

  •  It is present globally.
  •  NCCA accredited
  •  Research hub for the latest fitness findings

Cons:

  •  Textbook not very comprehensive
  •  Offers inadequate study material

#5. National strength and conditioning Association (NSCA)

It has been in this industry for over 40 years and is accredited by the NCCA. It has robust study material, including the Essentials of Personal Training textbook. The NSCA test exam is multiple-choice questions. The total questions are 155, of which 140 are scored, and 15 are unscored. The exam is divided into four different domains, and you are given three hours to answer the questions. You will have to score at least 70%, and the exam cost nonmembers $345 while members require $ 300. Here are the NSCA pro and cons

Pros:

  •  Features fully comprehensive textbooks
  •  Unlimited retake policy
  •  In addition to English, it is available in five other languages

Cons:

  • It is a super tricky exam
  • Apart from the textbook, the other study material is limited.

Conclusion

The personal trainer school you choose will depend on your niche. Choose the one with the exam structure and recognition you want and one that is aligned with the areas you are specializing in. Use this guide to decide on the best personal trainer school for you.