Personal Training Certification Schools Comparison: ACE vs. NASM vs. ACSM vs. NSCA
Comparing the major personal training certification institutions
There are many organizations which provides for personal trainer certification. This article compares 4 of the most recognized NCCA-accredited programs for certification as a personal trainer. I compiled this table while I was researching personal trainer certification and I am posting it here in the hopes that it will help others as well.
Personal Certification Schools
Personal Training Certification School
| American Council on Exercise (ACE)
| National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
| American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
| National Sports Conditioning Association (NSCA)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Established
| 1985
| 1987
| 1954
| 1993
|
Industry recognition
| High
| High
| Very High
| Very High
|
Certifications
| Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Group Fitness Instructor Certification
| Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
| Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Group Exercise Instructor,
| NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
|
Prerequisites
| 18 years old, Adult CPR/AED Certificate
| 18 years old, Adult CPR/AED Certificate
| High School Diploma, Adult CPR/AED Certificate from American Red Cross or American Heart Association
| 18 years old, Adult CPR and AED Certificate, high school diploma or equivalent
|
Materials cost
| Included
| Included
| $155
| Included
|
Materials and Tools (in addition to text books)
| Online course materials, practice tests, Exam preparation blogs, study coach program, flashcards, online exam review course
| Bundles may include online exercise library, interactive learning, online practice exams, interactive program design modules, flashcards, live workshops, 90 day employment guarantee, 3-month Sharecare Pro membership
| Webinars or live workshops can be purchased
| |
Program Cost
| $299 - $599
| $599-$999 (without promotion)
| $129 or $375
| Different packages and prices for members and non-members, depending on pencil or computer-based tests. Members:$189.95 - $536.95; Non-Members: $349.95 - $815.95
|
Exam Cost
| $219 (pencil/paper), $249 (computer)
| Included
| $279
| Vouchers are included in many of the packages sold, but without the packages, they are: $235-270 (members)/ $355-390 (non-members) (Pencil/paper exam) $285(members) /$405(non-members) (Computer-based exam)
|
Retest Cost
| $135 (pencil/paper) $184 (computer)
| $199
| $150
| $185-220 (members) $305-340 (non-members) (Pencil/paper exam) $235 (members) $355 (non-members) (Computer-based exam)
|
Workshop length
| none
| 2 days
| 1 or 3 days
| 2 days
|
Exam Questions
| 150
| 120
| 125-150
| 140
|
Exam Time
| 3 hours
| 2 hours
| 2.5 hours
| 3 hours
|
Exam deadline
| 1 Year
| 180 days from course purchase date. Done by PSI
| Schedule is separate from course, done by Pearson VUE
| 1 year
|
Exam locations
| Major cities worldwide
| Major U.S. Cities
| Major cities worldwide
| Major cities worldwide (pencil/paper) United States only (computer-based)
|
Time to Complete (Approx.)
| 3-6 months
| 3-6 months
| 4-9 months
| 4-9 months
|
Recertification
| Every 2 years
| Every 2 years
| Every 3 years
| Every 3 years
|
Recertification Required CEU
| 2.0 CEU
| 2.0 CEU
| 45 CEC
| 2.0 CEU
|
Approximate Recertification Cost
| Approx. $400
| Approx. $500
| (2.0 CEU from ACE or NASM = 20 CEC for ACSM). Approx. $800
| Approx. $500
|
Additional Certification Programs or Credentials
| Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach, Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist
| Performance Enhancement Specialist,Senior Fitness Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Golf Fitness Specialist
| Health Fitness Specialist, Certified Clinical Exercise Specifist, Registered Clinincal Exercise Physiologist, Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer, Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer certifications requires at least Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology from a regionally accredited college or university plus additional course work or credits.
| Certified Special Population Specialist requires NSCA CPT or CSCS, Bachelor degree in exercise science or related field, and current CPR for Healthcare Provider (American Heart Association, Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross), or higher.
|
Reputation on forums and internet
| ACE is one of the most popular certifications and well-recognized by health clubs and gyms. It is considered to be good for beginners and is less expensive than the other big names. ACE has improved its courses in 2009 with its Integrated Fitness Training model and is considered more general and practical in its course work.
| NASM is a favorite for gyms and is affiliated with Reebok. NASM offers the Optimum Performance Training model. NASM certification seems to be a good investment because the starting pay for those holding NASM certification is highest.
| ACSM is known as "the gold standard" in personal training certification and has a lot respectability among professionals in the field. The test is hard to pass, and the course is known to be the more clinical of all the CPT courses.
| NSCA is highly respected because it has been around for a long time and is the first fitness-related credential to have earned accreditation from NCCA. CSCS certification is targeted toward the training of athletes
|
Additional Notes
| Has course bundles available on Women's Fitness, Youth Fitness, Old Adults, Mind-Body
| NASM is in presale for Youth Fitness and is currently developing a Women's Fitness courses.
|
Links to Certification Schools
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Council on Exercise
Learn how to become a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor or earn an advanced certification from the American Council on Exercise. - National Academy of Sports Medicine
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is the global leader in personal training certification. Become a personal trainer today. - National Strength Conditioning Association
