How Long Does it Take to Become a Personal Trainer?
Personal trainers are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. In order to become a certified personal trainer, you must complete a nationally accredited personal training program. There are many certification courses and the length of time it takes to complete a program varies widely from as many as 4 – 52 week-long programs. So make sure the choose the right program based on your personal training experience and educational background.
Once you have completed a program, you must then pass a nationally recognized personal training certification exam. After passing the exam, you will be a certified personal trainer and can start working with clients.
To receive a personal trainer certificate through the most credible organizations that most name brand gyms will approve of such as ISSA, NSCA, NASM, or ACE, it will typically take 3-6 months of study time and passing the test. On the other hand, taking the OPEX Coaching Certificate Program quizzes and case studies can take most fitness coaches 6-12 months. With any of these certifications, you will be able to start your personal training career whether that’s working at Gold’s gym or creating your own personal training business and building up your own client base.
In this article, we will discuss the different personal trainer certifications and how long it takes to become a personal trainer through each program.
Personal Trainer Certification Programs
There are many different personal trainer certification programs available, each with its own unique benefits. Deciding which program is right for you depends on your goals and interests as a trainer.
The most popular certification programs are offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). Each of these organizations has different requirements for certification, so be sure to research them before you decide which program to take. They each also offer their own study guide as well as study materials, and practice exams.
Personal trainer courses are rewarding and once you have your certification, you can start working towards your goals as a personal trainer. Remember, continuing education is important in this field, so be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments. Continuing your education will also help you maintain your passion for fitness.
NSCA – Certified Personal Trainer
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a professional organization of fitness professionals that focuses on the study and application of physical training principles and techniques.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association certifies personal trainers who are knowledgeable in areas such as exercise physiology, weight management, fitness nutrition, injury prevention, and strength training. The NSCA CPT program takes roughly 3-6 weeks to complete all of the program materials.
Trainers who are certified by the NSCA have completed a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of personal training and are able to provide their clients with the most up-to-date information and techniques available.
NSCA certifies that personal trainers are well-grounded in fitness and strength programs. This certification is given to professional trainers who have a good understanding of the body, exercise science, nutrition, and weight loss. An NSCA-certified personal trainer has earned themselves the title through extensive study, intense in-person training, and successful completion of an exam created by top fitness professionals.
Having a certification from NSCA helps you earn credibility and will make you stand out from other trainers. Being certified will help you gain experience, increase your knowledge base, and potentially even get exposure.
ACE – Certified Personal Trainer
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) certifies personal trainers who have completed a comprehensive training and education program in exercise science, kinesiology, psychology, and more. ACE Certification courses teach the fundamentals of running, strength training, group fitness management, as well as eating habits, and finances. To become certified they also must pass a certification exam and fulfill continuing education requirements. Certified trainers are also required to maintain continuing education and pay annual fees to keep their certifications active.
ACE offers a self-paced learning experience that is designed to take 80-100 hours over 3-4 months. You will have access to their intuitive learning platform, ACE University, as well as ACE Answers study support to make sure you are fully prepared for your certification exam. The course material is designed by experts in the field, and you will have everything you need to succeed at your fingertips.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is an organization that offers certification and continuing education to personal trainers in the form of training classes and exams. Personal trainers can become certified ACE Professionals by taking a series of online, classroom-based courses through their website or through one of their many partner organizations. They must also continually fulfill the requirements for continuing education and certification renewal.
NASM – Certified Personal Trainer
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is one of the world’s most respected sports medicine and exercise organizations. Their certification is internationally recognized and held in high regard in the health, fitness, athletic training, and medical professions.
There are different ways to become certified in NASM. You can complete an online course, attend a live workshop component, or do both. In total, it takes around 10-12 weeks to complete all of this. This will cost you around $699.
In order to become NASM certified, you have to complete the following:
- Study and prepare through one of their study program options such as the NASM-CPT Digital Textbook
- Complete the NASM CPT Course
- Pass the NCCA-accredited personal trainer certification exam (NASM-CPT Exam)
Below are the requirements to be eligible for becoming NASM certified:
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Candidates must possess current Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitated CPR and Automated External Defibrillator AED certification prior to sitting for the exam.
- A passion for health, fitness, and helping others is essential.
On our website, you can search for personal trainer programs and also check out the NASM website for more information on the different study programs they offer.
ISSA – Certified Personal Trainer
An ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) personal trainer certification is a great way to get your foot in the door of the fitness industry. It is a well-respected certification and will give you the knowledge and skills you need to be a successful personal trainer. The coursework is comprehensive and covers everything from anatomy and physiology to nutrition and exercise programming.
The ISSA – Certified Personal Trainer examination is challenging, but if you study and prepare properly, you will be well-prepared to pass it and earn your certification. If you are planning on taking the ISSA – Certified Personal Trainer examination, you will want to make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to study and prepare for it. The examination can be challenging, but if you take the time to prepare properly, you will be well-prepared to pass it and earn your certification.
There are a number of resources available to help you study for the examination, including books, online courses, and practice tests. You will want to make sure that you use all of these resources to your advantage and give yourself the best chance possible of passing the examination.
The ISSA personal trainer certification program takes about 4-10 weeks. They promise that you’ll get a job or that the program is free. Included is help from a success coach that will ensure you pass the program.
Why Become a Personal Trainer?
Becoming a personal trainer is a highly rewarding career if you enjoy working out, eating healthy, and helping people meet their fitness goals.
Personal trainers create individualized fitness plans for their clients. Fitness trainers also educate their clientele on proper technique, helping them avoid injury. By providing nutritional guidance and helping clients stay motivated, personal trainers develop lasting bonds with clients.
Another reason the fitness industry is becoming increasingly appealing is due to the ability to conduct personal training sessions online providing a more flexible career. This not only expands the potential client base beyond the local area but also provides greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and locations. Additionally, there are many personal trainer certifications offered through online programs with self-study options.
This article provided information on the most credible personal training certification programs available. Each has its own set of requirements, but all require passing an exam. Some also require continuing education credits to maintain the certification.
In conclusion, becoming a certified personal trainer is a straightforward process that can be finished in a few months through one of the certification bodies and lead to a highly rewarding career in personal training services.
Now you know how long it takes to become a certified personal trainer and begin working at a major gym such as Gold’s Gym, Lifetime Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Planet Fitness, and more. Good luck in your fitness career whether that is becoming a beginner fitness instructor or a personal fitness trainer with advanced clients. In addition to personal training courses, you may also want to learn about nutrition certifications and other additional certifications that could supplement your personal training job.
Check out our other page for more details directly from a certified personal trainer on personal training qualifications and how to become a personal trainer.
