Personal training is not a structured field. There's no central regulating body and no guidelines on what the curriculum must include. This means basically anybody can set up a school and offer a certification. As a general rule, online certifications are not a good idea unless you're already well-experienced and only need the certification to prove it. If you need to actually learn how to be a personal trainer, a face-to-face workshop or even a final exam might be better.
National Academy of Sports Medicine
NASM is one of the largest personal training certification providers in the United States. Study materials include not only a textbook but also MP3 audios, iPod videos, DVDs and other resources to help you get through the materials. For those who need more personalized help, there are also live workshops to help prepare for the exam. Topics covered include fitness and nutrition, but also behavior modification and how to increase revenue in your business. Aside from CPR certification, anyone wanting to pass the test will need a certification in the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
American College of Sports Medicine
The ACSM is the oldest certifying body in the country, and as such it's also one of the most respected. This organization's exams are considered particularly challenging, so people who don't have a background in the industry might have a difficult time passing them. Aside from meeting the traditional requirements of age and CPR certification, the ACSM requires a high school diploma before you can sit in the exam. You can buy the textbook and study at home, but the ACSM also offers exam-preparation workshops and free practice exams.
American Council on Exercise
ACE differs from other personal trainer certifications in that you don't need to attend any classes. In fact, you can simply visit its website, buy the study materials and prepare for the exam on your own. The book covers topics such as fitness assessment and programming, nutrition, spotting techniques and professional practice. When you're ready, you can register for the exam, which you can sit for in many cities around the country. Exams are offered only a few times every year, so you'll need to time your studies properly. To become certified by ACE, you must be over 18 years of age and hold a CPR certification.
Other Certifications
Other major certification providers include the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT) and the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). The NSCA is unique in that it requires a college degree before you can sit for an exam.
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