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The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is one of the most recognized, NCCA-accredited institutes and certification programs and the largest certifier of health professionals. Over the course of three to six months, students learn an evidence-based approach to the latest scientific research and functional movement training. The program is designed to bring success to all kinds of learners, through textbooks, videos, audio, graphics, and interactive activities along with live webinars, study groups, and Q&A sessions. 

In 2022, ACE won gold for best technology in the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards and honorable mentions for its flagship course on DEI for health and fitness instructors. One successful graduate writes, “ACE has transformed my life. I have found something that is more than a job and am able to help people in ways I could have never imagined. I am extremely proud, successful, and happy in what I do.” 

If you’ve asked around the gym, you might’ve heard trainers say that the National Academy of Sports Medicine has one of the most competitive CPT programs around. Santucci confirms that NASM is in the top two most-respected programs in the industry. In its NCCA-accredited 10-week courses, students receive one-on-one coaching and an 8-week hands-on, on-site “Gymnternship”. 

Plus, NASM sets new trainers up for success with support in their job hunt even after the course has ended. Fans of NASM appreciate the course’s user-friendly graphics, videos, and comprehensive curriculum that are constantly updated with the latest research. While there are self-study programs available, the all-inclusive program and guided study program offer the most value (by a landslide). 

NASM guarantees connections with some of the best fitness experts, with the NCCA Accredited stamp of approval to showcase the quality of your certification as a personal trainer. One graduate writes, “The NASM certified personal trainer certification is totally worth your while if you plan on becoming a certified personal trainer. It is a highly respected certification, and you will have many great specialization opportunities as well.”

Santucci says the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification® (CSCS®) is the most respected certification. “It has been around for a very long time (the first-ever nationally accredited strength training and conditioning certification program) and is recognized by colleges and universities as an accreditation. It also is the most in-depth course available for strength and conditioning coaches.” 

A note for beginners: this isn’t a formal program–it’s all self study. The organization offers three study packages, each designed to meet the needs of candidates based on their background and level of experience, along with helpful resources and Facebook study groups to help set enrollees up for success. 

NSCA requires more prerequisites than other programs. To qualify for enrollment, you must either have a bachelor’s degree or be enrolled as a college senior with a current CPR/AED certification.

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) has partnerships with Equinox, LA Fitness, Gold’s Gym, Orange Theory, YouFit, and other fitness studios to help you land your first gig at a top institute. As for the curriculum, the NCSF Easy Learning System™ is one of the industry’s most advanced e-Learning platforms and features digital flashcards, videos, quizzes, and instructor support–which beginners love. 

With over 300,000 personal trainers certified by NCSF, the reviews are extremely positive. One person writes, “The Sport Nutrition Specialist certification was very informative with easy to navigate study materials. NCSF was always there to answer any questions I had promptly and professionally. A good experience overall that I would recommend.”

For just under $10 a month, you can get equipped with the knowledge you need to pass your CPT exam through online video classes and real-world simulations as well as the skills to train and motivate your future clients in a safe way. The learning takes place through an app, but the course comes with a physical textbook and digital certification badge. Level up to the mid or top tier options to access helpful add-ons like Kindle textbook, a professional business plan, and a job reference letter. 

The sizable downside is that if you choose the most basic of the three class tiers, your certification is only for a “certificate in personal training” and will not be NCCA-accredited. This may not hold up in certain gyms, so if you’re committed to this career path and are seeking a specific job, it’s well worth it to choose the accredited (in-person) exam option.

For future trainers who love the work but loathe taking exams in dead-quiet, fluorescent-lit test halls, NESTA is a great choice. They are the only certification on our list that’s valid for four years. Typically, CPT’s need to renew their certifications after just two years, but NESTA exempts you from that at an affordable price, so you only have to put yourself through exam hell twice a decade. The extensive curriculum covers a number of topics including anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, client assessments, exercise programming, and even how to market your own personal training business. 

Trainers are largely pleased with their decision to get certified through NESTA. One writes, “After doing research, I decided to take [all of my courses] through NESTA. Best decision I could have made. Every class I have taken teaches you very practical and useful information to set you up for success in your career goals.”

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) curriculum is built to accommodate a range of desired time-frames. If you want rapid progression in your career as a CPT, the 4-week accelerated study Fast Track Program accompanies the CPT course for just an extra $99 and covers all of the course material and chapters at a much faster pace, focusing on the most crucial information you need to be successful. Not as in-depth, ISSA is said to be less challenging than NASM, but it still results in a NCCA-accredited certificate. You’ll also get your very own personal coach to study with before the exam. 

ISSA boasts over 10,000 five-star reviews. One ISSA-certified trainer writes, “ISSA made it so easy for me to not only become an elite personal trainer, but a smart business person in the health and wellness industry. If you’re looking to begin or extend your fitness career, I can’t think of a better organization.”