The Most Prestigious Personal Trainer Certification

While hundreds of personal training certifications flood the fitness instructor education market, some are more prestigious than others. The American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association lead the list, but, in most cases, the American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM, trumps all other programs. The American College of Sports Medicine exam is more challenging than those offered by other organizations. Many gyms do not require ACSM certification, but few would reject an applicant with these credentials.

ACSM History

A group of 11 physicians founded the American College of Sports Medicine in 1954, making it the oldest certification program. The organization has over 20,000 members from 80 countries around the world and sponsors 180 exercise sports medicine conferences each year, as of 2011. Trainers planning to work in other parts of the world benefit from this type of certification. In addition to its certification programs, the American College of Sports Medicine sponsors exercise science research studies.

Accreditation

As the fitness industry gained momentum, many so-called certification programs sprang up overnight. Some only required attendance at a one-day workshop, while others presented all their material, including the exam, online. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association introduced the certification accreditation concept in 2005, and suggested that gym managers only hired trainers whose certifications met the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies standards. This organization, now called the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, evaluates the training, certification exams and continuing education requirements of certifying organizations, and awards accreditation to those who meet or exceed its standards. The American College of Sports Medicine is accredited.

Why ACSM?

Personal trainers do not always work with the healthiest gym members. In fact, some clients may suffer from heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis or other types of illnesses and conditions. These members, while a source of income for a facility, are also a potential liability. While all the accredited personal training organizations address special populations, the American College of Sports Medicine offers advanced certifications, which delve deeply into exercise programming methods for high-risk members. The organization, because of its extensive body of researchers, also sets the physical activity guidelines by which other certifying organizations follow. It offers multiday workshops, as well as online webinars for training and continuing education.

Considerations

While the American College of Sports is a prestigious certification, the test is challenging and filled with an abundance of technical terminology. The exam and training covers all aspects of fitness, but the emphasis is on aerobic exercise. If you plan to do most of your training in the weight room, the National Strength and Conditioning Association may be a better option. Those interested in cutting-edge sports-conditioning techniques, which include balance, postural alignment, coordination and agility training, may prefer the National Academy of Sports Medicine certifications.