8 Top fitness certifications to become a leading fitness professional

We all want to maintain good health and fitness, but for some people, it’s a mantra of life.

Maybe it’s not just a hobby but a calling on how you structure your life. Lifting weights, running the extra mile, or chasing the perfect plank isn’t just a workout for you. 

It is a lifestyle. But what if you could turn that passion into something bigger, like guiding others to their fitness transformations?

It’s a career that comes with responsibility and experience.

Your job as a trainer is to analyze your mentees’ needs and expectations and inspire them to become healthy. It is your passion to help people live healthy lifestyles. 

So, have you decided to become a fitness instructor? But here’s the thing: if you want to lead their fitness journey, you need some fitness certifications. It’s your ticket to being called a gym instructor in the fitness world. 

Don’t know where to start or which certification is right for you? Don’t sweat it. We have picked a simple fitness certification list for your professional fitness career.

Choosing the right fitness instructor certification

The fitness industry has evolved rapidly. There are many institutions that offer fitness instructor certification. A proper certification from an accredited institution will make you a certified gym instructor and you can officially start your fitness career. 

Before choosing a fitness instructor certification, ensure your training school is NCCA accredited. An NCCA-accredited institute holds reputable training methods and gives you credible experience in fitness training.

It is important to choose a learning center that best suits to your choice. But it is your job to look in detail at what the course can do for your professional career. You can choose and determine the worth of the available certifications based on the following factors.

• What the course teaches you.
• How it suits your preferences and needs.
• The expense and time investment.
• The future prospects.

The best fitness trainer certification list

You know what you should look for in the fitness certifications online course. Now, choose the most suited fitness instructor certification from the list:

1- American college of sports medicine (ACSM)

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is a top institution that offers the best fitness trainer certification. If you seek authenticity, a strong and recognized name for the certification, then ACSM is the right choice for you.

ACSM is a big name in the fitness industry. For more than 70 years, the exercise programming institute has provided the best training in medicine sports.

The organization started in 1954, and its training certification is developed on research-based materials. ACSM is a respected name because its exercise programming and personal training certificates are based on a scientific foundation and evidence-based practices. 

You can also take the ACSM membership plan, which offers helpful content, journal access, networking, and leadership opportunities.

Courses options

Certified Group Exercise Instructor:

• Course Fee $399.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CPR/AED certification.

Certified Personal Trainer:

• Course Fee $399.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CPR/AED certification. 

Certified Exercise Physiologist:

• Course Fee $449.
• A bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science or a related field.
• CPR/AED certification.

Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist:

• Course Fee $449.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or equivalent field.
• A minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical experience for a bachelor’s degree holder (600 hours for those with a master’s degree).
• CPR for Healthcare Providers certification.

Validity period:

3 years.

2- American council on exercise (ACE)

Another great option on the personal trainer certificate institutions list is the American Council on Exercise (ACE). This fitness business academy offers program-based training and study materials for your training certification.

ACE is a competitive sports training institute that has been serving the industry for more than 30 years. They provide an NCCA-accredited personal trainer certificate that will strengthen your fitness career. Their courses are divided into 3 categories: Basic, Plus, and Advantage, with different prices, so you can choose the bundle that suits you.

It is a famous sports sciences center for training in America, and its certifications are widely accepted and recognized. 

Courses options:

ACE Certified Personal Trainer:

• Course Fee $979.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

ACE Health Coach 

Health Coach Study Program:

• Course Cost $1,299-$2,299.

Health Coach Advanced Study Program:

• Course Fee $2,990.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 
• Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver’s license, passport, military ID).

ACE Group Fitness Instructor: 

• Course Fee $449.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

ACE Medical Exercise Specialist: 

• Course Fee $599.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 
• Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver’s license, passport, military ID).
• Proof of a four-year (bachelor’s) degree in exercise science or a related field.
• Proof of 500 hours of work experience designing and implementing exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals and/or high-risk individuals.

Validity period: 

2 years.

3- International sports sciences association (ISSA)

The International Sports Sciences Association ISSA is one of the best fitness trainer certification institutes to gain practical training to become a fitness professional. They offer comprehensive sports training and complete study materials that will help you gain real-time knowledge and experience in fitness coaching.

ISSA is on the list as it is accredited with NCCA and provides complete gym training. It will help you take your desired fitness program and start your fitness and wellness training career.

Courses options:

ISSA Certified Personal Trainer Course:

• Course Cost $994.30.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

ISSA Certified Nutrition Course:

• Course Cost $529.30.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

ISSA Certified Health+ Wellness Bundles:

• Course Fee $99.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

Validity period: 

2 years.

4- National federation of professional trainers (NFPT)

The National Federation of Professional Trainers has a different education model in the fitness world. More than just personal training certification. They have a distinct specialty course category focusing on fitness and caring for recovered cancer patients. 

Meanwhile, if you are inspired by army and navy movies, quickly visit their website! The NFPT is GI Bill and Navy-approved, so it has a 15% discount for active and retired veterans in the USA.

NFPT was founded by Ron Clark in 1988 by a US Marine Staff sergeant. It is a famous name in the fitness industry. 

Course options:

• Specialty Courses.
• Fitness Courses.
• Continuing Education.

CPT course details:

• Course Fee: $299.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

Validity period: 

1 year.

5- National academy of sports medicine (NASM)

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is among the best fitness trainer certification options for your sports sciences career. Having been in the fitness industry for 30 years, NASM offers NCCA-accredited personal trainer certificates at reasonable prices.

Their modules are divided into categories so you can choose your desired courses.

Want to have more than just a personal trainer certificate? Then, choose NASM for your fitness instructor certification. They also have a bundle course option for extra learning in the fitness world.

Course options:

• Personal Training.
• Wellness.
• Nutrition.
• Specializations.
• Bundle & Save.

CPT Course Details:

• Course Fee: $849.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

Validity period: 

2 years.

6- National strength and conditioning association (NSCA)

As a fitness professional, you must look at all the detailed health and sports program training options. NSCA will help you in this regard. They offer personalized and straightforward courses based on your specifications. Their fitness instructor certification and training module has a high reputation due to NSCA’s services in the industry.

The Sports Academy is a charitable organization supporting research and publications in health and fitness. Moreover, you can also take their continuing education courses.

NSCA offers three courses in the fitness business. After you complete the exercise programming module, you can choose the certification options in your desired domain.

Course options:

• Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator.
• Certified performance and Sports Scientist.
• Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
• Certified Personal Trainer.
• Certified Special Population Specialist.

CPT course details:

• Course Fee: $435.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification.

Validity period: 

3 years.

7- National personal training institute (NPTI)

Since 2000, the National Personal Training Institute has been a firm name in the health and fitness certifications list. The academy provides professional training for fitness instructor certification. 

Want more than just a personal training certification? NPTI has an extra option for you.

They have specially developed an additional course option called “Continuous Education” with two courses that will give you more detailed training in sports sciences.

Course options:

• Certified Personal Trainer Program.
• Continuing Education Courses.

CPT course details:

• Course Fee: $795.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification. 

Validity period: 

No Expiration.

8- National council on strength & fitness (NCSF)

The National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF) has been providing their top notch services in the fitness business for many years. Being a NCCA accredited sports school, they have one mission: to inspire you to become the best version of a personal trainer.

They offer a detailed training program in three different courses. NCSF and its study materials will help you achieve your goal, and you can quickly start your personal training career.

Course options:

• Personal Trainer.
• Strength Coach.
• Sport Nutrition.
• Master Trainer.

CPT course details:

• Course Fee: $799.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A current CPR/AED certification.

Validity period: 

2 years.

The bottom line

To start your career as a personal trainer coach, you must be motivational and empathetic. Why? So you can understand your customers’ needs and goals. These two values are essential to lead a successful gym business.

Getting a personal training certification is a great way to start your professional career as a fitness coach. Fitness instructor certification schools help you develop the proper knowledge of body anatomy and a training attitude. It will certify your passion for fitness training, and you can start your own fitness business in the industry.