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Comparing Personal Training and Strength and
Conditioning Certications Across Multiple
Organizations
Quentin Cieslinski
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ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………………….……………iii
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…iv
CHAPTER
I. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………………...1
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE…………………………………………………………………………………4
III. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS……………………………………………….………………12
IV. RESULTS……………………………………………………………………………………………….………14
V. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………….…………24
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………………..27
iii
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1. Basic Information on Educational Requirements, Cost and Accreditation Status of
Agency Certifications…………………………………………………………………………………….14-15
2. Examination Specifics and Average Salaries of Certified Professionals…..……..15-16
3. Continuing Education Requirements ………………………………………………………...22-23
iv
ABSTRACT
Personal training is a largely growing field in the health and fitness industry.
There are many different personal training and strength and conditioning
certifications that accredit comprehension in the field, and it is often tough to make
a decision on which certification to choose. PURPOSE: To centralize information on
some of the most well known and sought after personal training and strength and
conditioning certifications. METHODS: Research was conducted through the online
database SPORTDiscus, on certifying organizations’ websites, and through various
other online resources. Categories that were research included educational
requirements, cost of certification, NCCA accreditation, time to complete
certification after registration, available training for exam, number of questions on
the exam, and the average salary of trainers with the certification. RESULTS: All
certifications require applicants to be at least 18 years of age, as well as possession
of a CPR/AED certification. The American College of Sports Medicine, American
Council on Exercise, and International Sports Science Association all require a high
school diploma or equivalent, the National Strength and Conditioning Association
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification requires a Bachelor’s
degree from an accredited school, and the National Strength and Conditioning
Association Certified Personal Trainer, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America,
and National Academy of Sports Medicine certifications do not require either of
these. The ACSM certification is the least expensive, ($299 for non-members), while
the NASM certification is the most expensive ($599). All certifications except for the
AFAA, and ISSA CPT and SSC are accredited by the National Commission for
v
Certifying Agencies. Most examinations range from 3-6 months to take the
examination after registration, with the exception of the ACSM CPT exam, which
allows 12 months. All organizations have training materials as well as additional
training available prior to the exam. The ISSA CPT certification yields the lowest
average full-time salary for trainers ($31,000), while the ACE CPT the highest
($52,537). CONCLUSION: With many options available, individuals should choose
the certification that best fits their needs and career goals.
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The field of Exercise Science is a very broad one, and for those in the field
that have aspirations of becoming a personal trainer, additional education is
required. Personal training is at the forefront of the field, and is predicted to grow at
an incredible rate of 24 percent between 2010 and 2020 (Archer, 2014). Personal
training was also listed among the top 10 of fitness training professions desirable
fields by the United States Department of Labor (“Role of a personal trainer,” 2016).
In such a growing field, there are many ways to get started. There are many
personal training certifications that are acceptable by the majority of employers in
the field, and for this reason, it is very difficult to decide which certification best
meets the personal trainer as well as employers needs. Employers typically strive to
hire candidates with certifications from National Commission for Certifying
Agencies (NCCA) accredited institutions, often including the American College of
Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Strength and
Conditioning Association (NSCA), and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
(“ICE,” 2016). Each certification has positive and negative factors that influence an
individual’s choice, but a select few are widely accepted and regarded of higher
quality than others.
Personal training certifications are meant to serve as adjunct training in
addition to a college education. As Thompson (2015) found in his study of popular
fitness trends, personal training was shown as the number six trend for 2016, and
has been in the top ten for the past 9 years. However, ranking above personal
2
training at number five, is “Educated, Certified, and Experienced Fitness
Professionals,” demonstrating that education and certifications are important
factors in choosing one personal trainer over another (Thompson, 2015). Due to the
competitive field of personal training in today’s society, it is nearly impossible to get
a job as a personal trainer without a personal training certification; however, a
majority of employers that hire fitness professionals do not require a Bachelor’s
degree. Third-party organizations such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredit academic institutions based on the
“the quality of institutions, programs and services, measuring them against agreed-
upon standards and thereby assuring that they meet those standards,” (“About
accreditation”, 2016; Thompson, 2015). Certifications vary in prerequisites, covered
material, and even exam format; with some being written, some oral, and some
practical. Personal training certifications cover a wide variety of material that
encompass the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for a personal trainer;
having a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science or a related field can provide more
extensive knowledge and training.
With so many personal training certifications available, it is often difficult for
trainers to decide which certification best fits their needs. This study hopes to serve
the purpose of informing students and peers which personal training certification
would best suit their goals in becoming a personal trainer. Comparisons will be
made between highly regarded certifications such as American College of Sports
Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT), National Strength and
Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) and Certified
3
Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS), American Council on Exercise
Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT), National Academy of Sports Medicine
Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT), Aerobics and Fitness Association of
America Certified Personal Trainer (AFAA-CPT), and International Sports Sciences
Association Certified Personal Trainer (ISSA-CPT). Certifying agencies were
researched to ascertain the following: educational requirements of each
certification, cost of certification, time to complete certification process, available
training prior to the exam, and average salary of trainers with certification. The
conclusions that are made hope to serve as a resource to finding the most highly
regarded personal training certification to fit an individual’s goals and meet
prospective employer needs. The purpose of this study was to compare multiple
personal training certifications in multiple concentration areas including the
certification and educational requirements, accreditation, and type of examinations,
as well as average salaries of those holding each certification.
4
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Personal trainers are often thought of mainly as people to help you exercise
through written workouts; however, two of the more important reasons personal
trainers exist in the exercise field are because of safety and motivation to exercise
(Cotton, 2013;“Top Ten,” n.d.). Janot (2004) states that everyone who participates in
exercise may be at risk for injury of some kind, whether it is cardiovascular,
muscular, etc., but exercise also reduces risks for multiple chronic health conditions.
Exercising with a certified personal trainer helps to eliminate the potential risks of
exercise, and focus on the health benefits associated with exercise (Archer, 2014;
Janot, 2004). For this reason, it is imperative that personal trainers are properly
educated and certified, so that they can provide safe and appropriate exercise plans
(Ashmore, 2009). Exercise adherence and compliance are also positive factors that
are increased while exercising with a personal trainer (Kennedy-Armbruster,
Shipley, Yoke, Calvert, 2015). Due to social support and many other factors, studies
have shown that exercising with a personal trainer increases exercise adherence
(Kennedy-Armbruster, et al., 2015; Kravitz, 2011).
Safety should be the main concern of all personal trainers when working
with clients. Currently, there are no minimum standards for personal trainer
education or training requirements in the United States (Bracko, 2011). However,
some organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) are
implementing standards for minimum expectations of health and fitness facilities
and employees, which if universally implemented could greatly benefit consumers
5
in choosing where and with whom to exercise or train (Cotton, 2013). With the
current lack of minimum standards for exercise professionals those working with
unqualified exercise trainers are at increased risk of injury while exercising. The
most common injuries in non-elite, untrained individuals are sprained ligaments,
muscle tears, joint pain, tendonitis, fractures, and dislocation (Grice, Kingsbury,
Conaghan, 2013). In a report from the Center for Disease Control, injury rates from
exercise increased four percent from 1997 to 2007, largely in part to unqualified
personal trainers (Archer, 2014).
Certification, education, and training background are the top three factors
that influence clients when choosing a personal trainer. Currently, most facilities
have their own standards for certification, education, and experience when hiring a
personal trainer. Possessing an NCCA accredited certification ensures the validity,
reliability and competency of individuals holding one of these certifications. Such
agencies with NCCA accredited personal trainer certifications include: ACSM, ACE,
NASM, or NSCA (Archer, 2014). Furthermore though education is listed as the
number two benchmark for elevating the personal training profession by Archer
(2014), as well as the number five worldwide fitness trend for 2016 (Thompson,
2015), having an education does not equal the ability to apply the knowledge in a
practical setting (Archer, 2014). This is why so many organizations are pushing for
minimum standardization of personal training certifications.
It is crucial for personal trainers to be properly educated and certified
because of the growing number of individuals looking for personal trainers. Archer
(2014) predicts an increase in business growth due to employee incentives, health
6
care reforms, aging baby boomers, and an increase in the unfit youth population.
This is why it is growing ever important that there are an ample amount of certified
fitness professionals to competently address the growing health and wellness needs
of our nation. The fitness industry generates over ten billion dollars annually
(Halvorson, 2015), and personal training generates more revenue than any other
service offered by gyms (Kennedy-Armbruster, et al., 2015). An estimated five
million people currently use personally hired trainers or trainers provided through
their gym (“Role of a Personal Trainer,” 2016). Due to other exercise options like
CrossFit, more people are also asking for proper coaching in resistance training in
order to perform power and Olympic lifting movements safely and effectively
(Halvorson, 2015). In a continually growing industry measures need to be taken to
ensure proper safety of clients.
“Role of a Personal Trainer” (2016) states, “a fitness professional possesses
knowledge, skills, and abilities for safe and effective exercise and fitness program
design, instruction, and assistance for the purpose of reaching personal health and
fitness goals.” Three goals of kinesiology and applied biomechanics as emphasized
by Ashmore (2009) to develop a proper exercise prescription include: safety,
effectiveness and efficiency. There are many different ways that personal trainers
can improve safety in fitness facilities. One way that personal trainers can reduce
the risk for injury during exercise is through pre-participation screening such as the
PAR-Q and You (Bracko, 2011). Also, many organizations require CPR and AED
certifications for all personal trainers in case of emergencies (“Implementing Safe,”
2013). Properly trained and certified personal trainers also possess knowledge of
7
proper lifting technique, which can greatly reduce the risk of injury, as well as how
to employ proper spotting techniques (“Implementing Safe,” 2013). Personal
trainers should also implement proper planning of exercise progression and
regression in order to reduce the risk of overuse injury (“Implementing Safe,” 2013).
Ashmore (2009) also goes in great depth about exercise safety in his
article Biomechanic Basics for Safe, Effective, Efficient Workouts. As stated before,
Ashmore lists the three goals of kinesiology and applied biomechanics: safety,
effectiveness, and efficiency. He defines safety as correct exercise biomechanics or
form, and also states that this can differ for every individual on the basis of age,
fitness level, balance, and bone and joint health. Effectiveness in a workout program
is defined as timely results meaning that clients achieve their goals through proper
programming and progression (Ashmore, 2009). Finally, Ashmore (2009) defines
efficiency as the degree of ease with which clients achieve safe and effective
movements. The common theme of this article is safety. Not only is it the trainer’s
job to provide a safe workout environment, but also monitor the client’s feelings of
safety during the workouts (Ashmore, 2009). This includes a change in movement
patterns from the norm, a shift in body weight, forward flexion during lifts, and
improper biomechanics. If a personal trainer is properly educated and certified,
they should be more than capable of recognizing exercise errors such as locked
joints and improper alignment.
Using a personal trainer is a great beginning to ensure safety during training;
however, true safety will not be completely achieved until there is standardization
of fitness facilities and employees. With the help of the major certifying
8
organizations, this standardization could occur in the near future. Along with added
safety, standardization could increase the volume of potential clientele. For example,
if there is no guaranteed standard in the fitness industry, doctors may refrain from
referring health-related obesity patients to personal trainers, and instead use
hospital programs which may not be covered by insurance (Halvorson, 2015).
Standardized certifications may allow personal trainers to be considered allied
health professionals in both the prevention and treatment of the lifestyle related
chronic diseases so prevalent in our society.
Not only should personal trainers help to create and maintain a safer
environment for clients, but they should also be able to provide effective strategies
for sustainable behavior change (Janot, 2004). Health and wellness coaches, a close
relative to personal trainers, are known for their focus on facilitating motivation and
confidence in clients (Sforzo, Moore, Scholtz, 2015). Their benefits include improved
program satisfaction, physical health, healthy behaviors, weight management, mood,
and participation (Sforzo, et al., 2015). With proper standards in the fitness
industry, all personal trainers could acquire these skill producing similar benefits,
which would help to motivate clients, and facilitate their ability to adhere to
exercise programs.
In a United Kingdom study analyzed by Sforzo, et al. (2015), exercise
programs guided by personal trainers experienced up to an 80% dropout rate.
Kravitz (2011) also reported that an estimated 50% of guided exercise program
participants in the United States dropout of the program within six months.
Unqualified trainers are largely the cause (Sforzo, et al., 2015; Abbot, 2013),
9
however an inability to overcome personal barriers was largely responsible as well
(Kravitz, 2011). Conversely, in a study conducted by McClaren (2013), it was found
that when working with properly certified personal trainers, 60% of clients moved
up one stage of the transtheoretical model, and 13% moved up two stages in just six
weeks. The Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change is a model that suggests that
people go through several stages before actual behavior change occurs. These stages
are listed as Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and
Maintenance (Wilson, 2014). Although not cyclical, as individuals can move back
and forth through the various stages, with stage appropriate targeted strategies,
individuals are more likely to move to the next stage. The action stage is the most
vulnerable to dropout occurring when the individual has been regularly engaging in
the new behavior but for less than six months. Working with a properly trained
exercise professional may facilitate their movement to the maintenance stage
(Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982). This shows that adherence to exercise programs
appears to increase when working with properly certified personal trainers. In a
study by Sykes, Probst, Otto, and Wygand (2013), it was found that there was no
difference in exercise adherence between in-home exercise with a personal trainer
and exercising at a facility with a personal trainer. This shows that the setting where
a personal trainer works with a client has no differential influence on adherence.
There are many ways to overcome the problem of exercise adherence and
low motivation with clients. Many studies have suggested that personal trainers can
be one of the most effective ways to increase both adherence and low motivation
levels in clients. They do so through many different techniques and practices. One
10
huge aspect for improving exercise adherence is the social factor. When performing
exercise with a personal trainer or small groups, clients are more likely to attend
sessions because they are being accounted for by other individuals (Halvorson,
2015; Kravitz, 2011). Kravitz (2011) also lists many factors that can increase
motivation and adherence in individuals. For instance, if a client is highly satisfied
with their exercise facility they are more likely to adhere to an exercise program.
This is the same is true of their satisfaction with their personal trainer’s leadership
style; the higher level of mastery the trainer demonstrates, the greater exercise
adherence. Good personal trainers are also able to identify possible barriers and
work on solutions on how to overcome the barriers, such as time, body image, lack
of enjoyment, and lack of support, causing fewer missed exercise sessions. Personal
trainers also use other methods such as positive reinforcement and social support in
order to improve self-perception that helps initiate exercise (Kennedy-Armbruster,
n.d.). Kravitz (2011) states, “The influence of exercise professionals in empowering
clients to ‘succeed with exercise’ is vitally important for exercise compliance.” These
are all examples of circumstances where certified personal trainers are able to
provide effective strategies to overcome barriers, increase motivation levels and
decrease program dropout. , Certified personal trainers can effectively provide
positive outcomes related to exercise safety, motivation, and adherence. With the
predicted growth in the exercise field due to an increased life expectancy, increasing
obesity rates, and an increase in discretionary incomes, exercise professionals are
increasingly becoming more important (Archer, 2014). As such, the purpose of this
paper is to provide information on current accredited personal trainer certifications
11
for individuals seeking to choose the most appropriate certification for their needs
and career goals.
12
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Information gathered from this study was found using various online
resources. The agency websites for each organization provided a plethora of
information about each certification, and much of the information was found using
this method. Often, what information could not be found on one organization’s
website could be found on another when comparing and contrasting. Additional
information was gathered from research articles found from academic search
engine “SPORTDiscus with Full Text” using the keywords “personal training.” This
information was then sorted into categories in order to properly compare and
contrast each certification.
Main criteria for each certification included educational requirements for
taking the exam, the cost of the certification exam, time given to complete the exam
from sign-up date, accreditation, training available from the organization prior to
the exam, and average salary of trainers with each certification. When comparing
personal training examinations, these are some of the most important factors. To
avoid a bias in preference based on location, fitness employers were not contacted
to determine which certifications were preferred in the hiring process. The
information provided through research, as well as the certifying organizations’
websites provide ample information to compare and contrast each certification.
Information from each certification was organized into two tables (Table 1
and Table 2) by organization, certification name, and the criteria listed before;
educational requirements, cost, time given to complete the exam from registration,
13
available training, accreditation, and average salary of fitness professionals holding
each certification. All comparing criteria were used in attempting to determine the
superior and preferred personal training certification.
14
CHAPTER IV
RESULTS
The information included in this chapter represents the results of the
research conducted on the most common personal trainer and strength and
conditioning certifications available for individuals seeking these credentials. Table
1 depicts basic information on their respective educational requirements, costs and
accreditation status.
Table 1
Basic Information on Educational Requirements, Cost and Accreditation Status of
Agency Certifications.
Agency
Certification
Name
Educational
Requirements
Cost of
Certification
NCCA
Accreditation
National
Strength and
Conditioning
Association
Certified Personal
Trainer
18 years old
CPR/AED
Member
$300
Non-member
$435
Yes
American
College of
Sports
Medicine
Certified Personal
Trainer
18 years old
Diploma/GED
CPR/AED
Member
$219
Non-member
$299
Yes
Aerobics and
Fitness
Association of
America
Personal Fitness
Trainer
18 years old
CPR/AED
$499
No
American
Council on
Exercise
Certified Personal
Trainer
18 years old
Diploma/GED
CPR/AED
$399
Yes
International
Sports
Science
Association
Certified Personal
trainer
18 years old
Diploma/GED
CPR/AED
$499
No
15
National
Academy of
Sports
Medicine
Certified Personal
Trainer
18 years old
CPR/AED
$599
Yes
International
Sports
Science
Association
Specialist in
Sports
Conditioning
18 years old
Diploma/GED
CPR/AED
$499
No
National
Strength and
Conditioning
Association
Certified Strength
and Conditioning
Specialist
18 years old
Bachelor’s
degree
CPR/AED
Member
$340
Non-member
$475
Yes
Table 2 includes information on the specific certification exams as well as the
average full-time salary of those holding each certification.
Table 2
Examination Specifics and Average Salaries of Certified Professionals
Certification
Time to
Complete
Certification
Training
Available Prior to
Certification
Exam
Number of
Questions
Average Salary
of Trainer
with
Certification
NSCA CPT
120 days
Books, live clinics,
practice tests, etc.
155 Multiple
-Choice
$49,000
ACSM CPT
12 months
Books, live clinics,
practice tests, etc.
150 multiple-
Choice
$45,018
AFAA PFT
6 months
Video lectures,
study guide,
sample questions,
book
120 Multiple-
Choice
$45,000
ACE CPT
6 months
Online courses,
study guide, video
classes, text,
practice test, etc.
150 Multiple-
Choice
$52,537
16
ISSA CPT
4 months
Open-Book
Exam
Submit-As-
You-Go
Books, live clinics,
practice tests, etc.
50 Multiple-
Choice
50 True/False
60 Practical,
illustrated
multiple-
choice and
true/false
2 Case Studies
6 Essays
$31,000
NASM CPT
6 months
Books, live clinics,
practice tests, etc.
120 Multiple
Choice
$44,000
ISSA SSC
4 months
Open-Book
Exam
Submit-As-
You-Go
Books, live clinics,
practice tests, etc.
100 Multiple
Choice
100
True/False
6 Case Studies
4 Essays
Training Video
$39,000*
NSCA CSCS
120 days
Books, live clinics,
practice tests, etc.
95 Multiple
Choice
125 Practical
Applied
$49,000
*No information found. Average strength and conditioning coach salary used.
NSCA CPT and CSCS
Two National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certifications
were researched: Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning
Specialist. Both of these certifications are NCCA accredited certifications (“ICE,”
2016). The CPT certification qualifies an individual to “assess, motivate, educate,
and train clients regarding their personal health and fitness needs,” (“NSCA-CPT,”
2016). The CSCS certification is listed by “CSCS” (2016) as a certification for
17
“professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes with the primary
goal of improving athletic performance.” Both are specialty certifications serving
different purposes. The NSCA-CPT certification is used by health professionals who
assess, educate, motivate, and train clients based on their personal health and
fitness needs, while the NSCA-CSCS certification is used by professionals who train
athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Both offered by the
same organization, many study materials are available for purchase prior to taking
the examination, however there is a charge for study materials. The paid study
materials include live clinics, practice questions, practice exams, and various
textbooks (“NSCA CPT”, 2016; “CSCS,” 2016). The cost of taking each exam differs,
with the cost being significantly less for those that are members of the organization.
Also, the average salaries for each certification differ, with the CSCS certification
being the second highest paying certification researched, with an average salary of
$49,000 (“CSCS payscale,” 2016). The CSCS exam is given using a special test format,
with 95 written question focused on nutrition and exercise science, and 125
questions given in a practical exam fashion, with questions about exercise
technique, program design, organization and administration, and testing and
evaluation (“CSCS,” 2016). The Certified Personal Trainer exam is also unique, in
that it includes 155 questions covering client consultation/assessment, program
planning, techniques of exercise, safety, emergency procedures, and legal issues, as
well as questions on a video that is shown during the examination, covering exercise
technique (“NSCA-CPT,” 2016). The CSCS certification is also unique in that it is the
only certification discussed in this paper that requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an
18
accredited university. Both of these certifications are highly regarded, and serve
their own purposes in the personal training and fitness industry.
ACSM CPT
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is a very highly regarded
organization that focuses largely on “advancing and integrating scientific research
to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports
medicine,” (“ACSM certified personal trainer,” 2016). ACSM is also the largest sports
medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with over 50,000
members. NCCA certified, the Certified Personal Training certification from this
organization is thus an excellent choice for interested personal trainers (“ICE,”
2016). The certification exam ranges from $219-$279 depending on the examinee
ACSM membership status, which is significantly lower than all other certification
exams discussed in this paper. Also, at 12 months, the ACSM CPT exam offers a
longer time period to take the exam after registration than any other certification,
compared to 3-6 months for other exams (“ACSM certified personal trainer,” 2016).
ACSM also offers many textbooks, webinars, workshops and reviews for purchase in
order to prepare for the exam. The exam consists of 150 questions, with topics
including initial client consultation and assessment, exercise programming and
implementation, exercise leadership and client education, and legal professional
business and marketing duties (“Job task analysis,” 2010). Also, while the average
salary for an ACSM CPT is slightly below the median for the average American at
$46,481, it was reported that those that hold a bachelor’s degree or higher along
with an ACSM certification make more starting out than those with the certification
19
alone (“Social,” 2015; Harris, 2013). The ACSM is another great choice of personal
training certification.
AFAA CPT
The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) has been in
existence since 1983, and has issued more than 350,000 total certifications in that
time (“Personal,” 2016). Also, though the company has been around for a long time,
certifying many individuals, it is not an NCCA accredited certification, and thus may
not be as widely accepted as a choice for those desiring a personal trainer
certification. The $599 package offered by AFAA does include many different study
materials along with the 120 question, multiple choice certification exam, including
online video lectures, study guides, sample test questions, one year AFAA
membership, and a subscription to American Fitness magazine (“Personal,” 2016).
The AFAA Personal Fitness Trainer certification is an all-encompassing fitness
certification with many learning tools, however, may not always be a good fit for
trainers and industry organizations.
ACE CPT
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is the largest nonprofit health and
fitness certification organization in the world, with over 60,000 certified
professionals (“ACE personal trainer,” 2016). An NCCA accredited organization, ACE
has nearly 3,000 certified personal trainers in the industry (“ICE,” 2016; “ACE
personal trainer,” 2016). The ACE CPT certification also boasts the highest average
salary of all of the researched certifications at $52,537 (“ACE Salary Report,” 2013).
With multiple exam package options, the price of the exam ranges from $399-$699.
20
The exam itself prices at $399, but other packages include more material. The
standard package includes the exam, textbook, study guide, an online practice exam,
and an online video review. Other packages include a retest voucher, study
flashcards, additional textbooks, study guides, and additional online practice exams
(“ACE personal trainer,” 2016). The ACE CPT exam definitely offers the most
material for the cost of the exam, and this should definitely be taken into
consideration when deciding on a certification. Exam format is consistent with other
certification exams, including 150 multiple-choice questions consisting mostly of
application and analysis questions (“ACE personal trainer,” 2016). The ACE Certified
Personal Trainer certification is a highly regarded, accredited certification, and
comes from a very highly regarded organization.
ISSA CPT and SSC
The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is another organization,
along with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, which offers both a
personal training certification, along with a separate strength and conditioning
certification. These are two common career paths of Exercise Science Strength and
Conditioning majors. The ISSA organization and certifications are not accredited
through the NCCA, but through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission
(DEAC), for multiple different reasons including recognition through the U.S.
Department of Education, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and
U.S. Department of Defense, and because ISSA requires specific courses to be taken
as prerequisites, which cannot be done under the NCCA (“ICE,” 2016; “ISSA personal
trainer,” 2016; “ISSA strength and conditioning,” 2016). Both of the certifications
21
cost the same, listed at $499, and include many ancillary materials to help study for
the examination.
The Specialist in Sports Conditioning (ISSA SSC) certification includes a
textbook and study questions in the price, while the Certified Personal Trainer (ISSA
CPT) cost includes a textbook, study guide and workbook, marketing and business
guide, practice examination, reference guide DVD, study examinations, online lab,
and free website (“ISSA Personal Trainer,” 2016; “ISSA Strength and Conditioning,”
2016). The materials are very beneficial for exam preparation, and provide value
when included in the total cost of the certification. It should also be noted that exact
information regarding the salary of ISSA Specialists in Strength and Conditioning
could not be found, and the average salary for Strength and Conditioning coaches
was used in Table 2. The ISSA has been around since 1988 and has provided fitness
education to over 200,000 individuals, speaking for the strength of the organization.
NASM CPT
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is another NCCA
accredited organization that is highly regarded in the fitness industry (“ICE,” 2016).
The base price of the exam is $599, and excluding study materials; additional
packages can be purchased that include a variety of study materials. These materials
include textbooks, online flashcards, preparation courses, live workshops, practice
questions, and practice examinations (“NASM,” 2016). The examination is 120
multiple-choice questions consisting of exercise assessment, technique and training
instruction, program design, nutrition, behavioral coaching, and professional
development, practice, and responsibility (“NASM Certification Candidate
22
Handbook,” 2011). For over 20 years, the National Academy of Sports Medicine has
focused on making exercise a lifelong change, rather than a quick fix, and has
implemented many different strategies into their philosophy (“NASM,” 2016).
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The final aspect to consider when choosing a certification is the
recertification and continuing education requirements. To maintain certification
each certifying agency requires continuing education and renewal of the
certification. Table 3 depicts these continuing education (CEU) requirements.
Table 3
Continuing Education Requirements
Agency
Certification
Name
Years to
Recertification
CEU
Requirements
Recertification
Fee
National
Strength and
Conditioning
Association
Certified Personal
Trainer
3 years
10 + current
CPR and AED
$20 - $75
depending on
date received,
and
membership
status
American
College of
Sports
Medicine
Certified Personal
Trainer
3 years
45 + current
CPR and AED
$45
Aerobics and
Fitness
Association of
America
Personal Fitness
Trainer
2 years
15 + current
CPR and AED
$99
American
Council on
Exercise
Certified Personal
Trainer
2 years
2 + current
CPR and AED
$129
23
International
Sports
Science
Association
Certified Personal
trainer
2 years
20 + current
CPR and AED
$99
National
Academy of
Sports
Medicine
Certified Personal
Trainer
2 years
2 (20 hours)
+ current CPR
and AED
$99
International
Sports
Science
Association
Specialist in
Sports
Conditioning
2 years
20 + current
CPR and AED
$99
National
Strength and
Conditioning
Association
Certified Strength
and Conditioning
Specialist
3 years
10 + current
CPR and AED
$20 - $75
depending on
date received,
and
membership
status
24
CHAPTER V
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
There are several different certifications that are accredited and highly
regarded in the fitness industry, which may or may not be prerequisites for
employment. In total there are 15 organizations with 24 certifications accredited by
the NCCA, as well as many others that are accredited through other organizations
(“ICE,” 2016). I chose six of the most well-known, and sought out personal training
and strength and conditioning certifications from employers and fitness
professionals, excluding exercise physiologist and group exercise certifications in an
attempt to simplify the process of choosing a personal training or strength and
conditioning certification. This is not to say that the other organizations and
certifications are not respectable, however accepted certifications differ from
employer to employer, and separate research should be performed to find which
certifications are accepted for the prospected position. Each certification possesses
strength and weaknesses; therefore, there are many different options when
considering which certifications best suits an individual’s needs and career goals.
In this study, eight different personal training and strength and conditioning
certifications were compared in various categories including prerequisites, cost,
available training, time from registration that you have to take certification exam,
accreditation, and average salary. The organizations had many similarities
regarding the certifications, such as cost, prerequisites, and available training, but
also differed in ways such as accreditation, and average salary. One example of this
was the prerequisites to sit for the certification exam; only the NSCA Certified
25
Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification requires a Bachelor’s degree,
whereas NSCA personal trainer, NASM, and AFAA certifications do not require a
high school diploma or equivalent, only an age requirements of 18 years of age or
older (“CSCS,” 2016; “Personal fitness trainer,” 2016; “NSCA-CPT,” 2016; “NASM
how to,” 2016). Salaries for the certifications cover a large range for full-time
employees, from $31,000 to $52,537, with the ACE CPT certification having the
highest average salary at $52,537 (“ACE salary report,” 2013). All of these factors
should be considered when choosing which certification to acquire.
In conclusion, many different paths can lead to becoming a personal trainer.
Most jobs require a nationally accredited certification, which are listed previously,
however some jobs do not. Some jobs will require a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise
Science or a related field, while others may not require any type of certification. This
study was meant to provide a centralized location for information from top tier
personal training certifications to ease the search for personal trainer prospects.
Nearly all fitness employers differ in their certification requirements, therefore it is
best to research jobs in your field and area and see which certifications they prefer
before choosing a certification.
This study has helped me immensely on choosing which certification to
pursue in my professional career. Ultimately, I have decided to start my career off by
taking the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam. My reasons for choosing this are
based off of the cost of the exam, and more importantly, the curriculum that I have
been taught from for the past four years while at The University of Akron. I found
26
the American College of Sports Medicine to be accepted nearly anywhere in my job
searches, and my research backed the validity of the certification.
This project has also helped me to determine potential future certifications
as well. If I do decide to pursue a career in strength and conditioning, I will work
towards the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification. This
research has helped me to find more information than I could have ever thought of
when determining a potential certification, and I hope that it will help other
students/professionals find their path for success in the future.
27
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