Top 10 personal trainer certifications
Vendor: Test Prep
If you want to be a certified personal trainer, Personal Trainer Certification is required. There are so many institutions offering different certification programs, which can make decisions difficult. It order to choose the best certification for you, you need to know your requirements first!
Discussing the top 10 best Personal Trainer Certification as follows:
ACE
The American Council on Exercise, it is a 30-year old scientific research program. It is widely accepted among most of the fitness organizations and is the largest non-profit institution among health and fitne3ss certification. With the assistance program, ACE IFT (Integrated Fitness Training) it has trained thousands of people.It is highly recommended by most, as it builds a very strong fundamental in their 2-day workshop.You must recertify in ever two years to be certified ACE.ACE certification is accredited by both the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) and the EHFA(European Health and Fitness Association).
CSCS
The CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) is offered by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association). A 4-year college degree is required to attain CSCS certification. It is designed for those, who want to professionally train athletes and increase their performance. It is one of the toughest certification to earn. They provide information to the athletes regarding their proper intake of nutrition, prevent from injuring themselves and strength to self-healing.
The NSCA is accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). A bachelor’s degree is mandatory for the applicants applying for CSCS. The standards set by the NSCA is high in the industry.
ISSA
The International Sports Science Association (ISSA) is among the first organization, to design a fitness certification program for professionals and first to offer Personal Trainer Certification in the U.S. The ISSA has certified over 1,80,000 professionals and is spread across and recognized by 91 countries worldwide. The test can be taken online which deals with Fitness Nutrition Certification, Fitness/Exercise Therapy Certification, Senior Fitness Certification, Youth Fitness Certification, Strength and Conditioning Certification, Sports Nutrition Certification, Elite Trainer I Certification Program, Elite Trainer II Certification Program and Master Trainer Certification. The ISSA gives you unlimited support even after you have been certified. High preference is given to ISSA certified holders by many gyms operating in the United States.
NASM
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is an effective fitness program since 1987. You need to be at least 18-year old to be eligible for the NASM certification. It is given high priority in the gyms as implements corrective measures to fix muscles imbalance by practicing safe exercises. It is a 2-hour exam with 120 questions, which needs to be taken in an authorized facility. Knowledge on eating disorder, heart attack, pregnancy, obesity, etc. is imparted through the learning program of NASM. It is accredited by NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). In order to remain certified you need to recertify every 2-years.
AFAA
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) is a fast way to boost your certification. It has certified nearly 3,50,000 candidates spread across 73 countries. It features Personal Trainer Certification Online, Self-assessment courses through workshops, DVD, CD, etc. In order to be certified one has to attend two-weekend workshop and take a written and practical exam. It focuses on aerobics and gives attention to train your cardiovascular muscles.
ASCM
The American College of Sports Medicine is a non-profit organization formed in 1954. These certify health and wellness coach, who professionally work on those who are healthy and those who have been medically cleared to exercise. The professional’s trainers help the individuals to build muscles, keep physically fit, and maintain flexibility and body strength. It is accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) and amongst the most expensive certification program.
NSCA
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) offer CSCS as mentioned earlier. These specialized professionals are capable of assessing their client’s health and physical needs. The certification features NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Special Population Specialist (CSPS). A candidate must be 18-year old and CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation)certified college student.
AFPA
The AFPA (American Fitness Professionals and Associates) provides certification, which masters and updates, exercises, nutritional researches and medicines. In order to be certified as AFPA Master Personal Trainer, one needs complete the AFPA Personal Trainer Certification course, the AFPA Advanced Personal Trainer Certification course, the AFPA Sports Conditioning Specialist Certification course, and the AFPA Nutrition & Wellness Consultant Certification course.
NFPT
The NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) accredits NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers), which was created in 1988. It is a widely recognized fitness program and is counted as one of the best personal trainer certification. To be eligible to give NFPT exam one must have a high school diploma, should be at least 18-year old and should have fitness experience of 2 years. In order to remain certified you have to recertify every year.
NESTA
The NESTA (National Endurance and Sports Trainers Association) was formed in 1992 and is recognized in 20 countries. To be eligible to take the NESTA test one needs to be at least 16- year old, must have basic experience in fitness industries, and should possess good reading skills. In order to remain certified you have to recertify every 4-year.
There are many other certification programs, which offer different fitness courses. Highly recommended and recognized are NSCA and ASCM. These are designed in such a way that professionals know their fundamentals and scientifically know how muscles react to any physical movement. If professionals seek to work on client’s body fat, ACE, NASM and ISSA are recommended.
Choosing a Fitness Certification
In order to choose from a list of certifications it is important that you must know who would you like to work with? It can be kids, teens, athletes, or elderly people. If you intend on working in a gym you must consider the minimum certifications required. Some may require you to have a Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators (AED) certification. You must know what kind of personal trainer you would like to be only then you can make a choice with a decision, but do not fall for the scams. Analyze the certificate program, read instructions carefully, physically gain the acceptance of the certificate to be availed and then make a decision.