Get Certified
Like the 31 flavours at Baskin Robbins, the fitness industry has a host of flavours when it comes to certifications. The purpose of this article is not to compare the different certifications but to make you aware of the most prominent certifying bodies. Each description will identify:
- the name of the certification;
- the requirements of the exam;
- the specific population the certified professional can work with; and
- a link to the certifying body's website to gain more information about the organization.
Take the time to research your options for which certifications you would like to obtain. Some things you may want to consider are:
- Reputation in the field of the certifying body and certification.
- The cost of the certification (don't forget to include study materials)
- Exam locations: Is it feasible for you to get to any of the exam sessions?
- Continued help and support once you have finished becoming certified.
- Renewal process.
Research the certifications as you would colleges and universities. It is important to be informed so you can make your decision and feel good about it. You may decide to obtain more than one certification so you can gain a different perspective and richer skill set.
Good luck with your choice or choices!
ACE - Certified Personal Trainer
ACE personal trainers are certified to work with apparently healthy individuals and individuals with controlled diseases. The candidate is required to have CPR and be 18 years of age before writing the exam. The examination consists of 175 questions and takes place over 3.5 hours.
ACSM - Health/Fitness Instructor
The health/fitness instructor is certified to work with apparently healthy individuals and individuals with controlled diseases. The participants are required to take a 3-hour written exam and a 4-station practical exam. In order to write the exam, the candidate must have a 2-year, 4-year, or master's degree in a health-related field or 900 hours related experience. All participants must be CPR certified.
BCRPA - Personal Trainers
Based upon BCRPA Standards and NFLAC (the National Fitness Leaders Advisory Council) Guidelines, the BCRPA Personal Trainer is able to:
- Design and instruct a comprehensive, individualized, safe, effective and appropriate program to meet the needs of apparently healthy individuals.
- Ensure a safe exercise environment and obtain appropriate insurance coverage.
- Provide initial health screening, monitor progress and make regular adjustments to programs as needed.
- Design short/long-term programs based upon BCRPA standards and NFLAC guidelines.
- Provide basic nutritional information based upon Canada's Guide to Healthy Eating (recognizing that requests for advanced nutritional information should be referred to a qualified nutrition professional).
- Refer to an appropriate health care provider when dealing with clients with any conditions they are not specifically accredited to address.
- Act as a consultant/educator based upon the BCRPA Standards/Code of Ethics and NFLAC guidelines.
The candidate must complete a 32-hour course, an exam, 20 practice programs, and First Aid/CPR before being certified.
In order to work with Special Populations, a BCRPA Personal Trainer must obtain specialized training and consult with appropriate health care professionals. Advanced Programming requires Further Competencies (see below).
- Special Population: any person with a disease or disorder (i.e. osteoporosis, arthritis, etc.); youth; or pre/post natal clients.
- Advanced Programming: any programming outside the realm of instruction that was taught in a BCRPA approved Personal Training course.
- Further Competencies: additional competencies obtained through an accredited and approved health organization (i.e. Arthritis Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, BCFACA, etc).
CANFITPRO - Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS)
With the completion of the course and exam, participants will learn the skills needed to train a client with no special health concerns. A Can-Fit-Pro certified PTS is qualified to evaluate, prescribe and monitor individual training programs in both a health club and home/workplace setting. This is a comprehensive 25-hour course that will increase your knowledge and confidence level to train clients in a one-on-one or small group (2-3 people) setting. Topics include:
- aspects of fitness, wellness and basic training principles
- fitness theory: skeletal, muscular, neurological, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
- components of a workout from warm-up, cardiovascular and resistance training to cool-down
- kinesiology/anatomy in action and bioenergetics
- special populations, back care and injuries
- nutritional counselling and weight management
- business skills for success as a personal trainer
Those who choose the option to progress and become a certified Personal Trainer Specialist will complete a theory and a practical exam. These two components assess the candidate's knowledge, counselling skills, and practical application of fitness theory to train clients. The theory exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions, plus a written client case study. The practical exam is an actual workout with a client that is evaluated by your PRO Trainer.
A certified Personal Trainer Specialist provides:
- an effective workout based on the needs of each individual client
- correct demonstration and education in exercise technique
- a safe, healthy and enjoyable client exercise environment
- client encouragement to pursue a happy and balanced lifestyle
- client communication that is genuine, honest and professional
- support and encouragement for all exercisers
IFPA - Personal Fitness Trainer
IFPA certifies individuals to work with average healthy adults, children, teenagers, and mature adults. The candidate must write a 1-hour written exam and another 1 hour written practical exam. The prerequisites are self-study and a preparatory workshop.
ISSA - Certified Fitness Trainer
ISSA's Fitness Trainer program certifies individuals to work with average healthy adults, children and teenagers. The candidate has two study options: a weekend seminar or home study. Following the weekend seminar they must write a 68-question exam (closed book). Following the home study option they must write a 65-question essay exam (open book). Participants must be CPR certified and 18 years of age by completion.
IWA - Certified Weight-Trainer
The IWA certified trainers are qualified to work with average healthy adults and post-rehab clients. The prerequisite for the examination are a bachelor's degree in a health-related field, physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer or a minimum of two years training in the field. The test protocol consists of a practical exam on exercises.
NASM - Certified Personal Trainer
Personal Training is one of the fastest growing professions in the world. This growth, however, has yielded a multitude of approaches that can often lead to confusion for a fitness professional. To eliminate the confusion, NASM has developed a comprehensive system that integrates these multiple approaches into one simple-to-use programming scheme: Optimal Performance Training. This program allows the fitness professional to systematically progress any client with specific phases of training for any goal. NASM offers this course by 3 different modes: Online; Home Study; Live.
The online certification exam comprises:
- Part A: A 100-question online multiple-choice exam that must be completed in 90 minutes.
- Part B: A program design case study using the NASM Optimum Performance Training method you will learn during the course.
NESTA - National Endurance Sports Trainers Association
The NESTA Certified Personal Trainer program is a comprehensive home-study certification that prepares the graduate for a job in a fitness facility or working from home. They emphasize "direct application" rather than just theories about fitness. Study materials include audio CDs and videos. NESTA has been established since 1992 and has graduates who now work around the world.
This is excellent foundation for your career. Their Certified Personal Trainer program covers the important aspects of business practices, as well as client programming, anatomy, physiology, equipment selection, fitness assessment, free weights, machine exercises, sports conditioning, teen exercise, safety and much more. Having this credential is expected as a base level of understanding to teach fitness and weight training.
NFPT - Certified Personal Fitness Trainer
NFPT trainers are qualified to work with average healthy adults and mature adults. Prerequisites are high school graduation. The exam consists of 300 questions. Once the candidate is certified, NFPT offers Continuing Education Credits (CEC's) through their magazine.
NSCA - Certified Personal Trainer
The CPT certification was developed for personal trainers who work with both active and sedentary clients in one-on-one situations in a variety of settings including schools, health and fitness clubs and client's homes. They are specifically certified to work with athletes, pregnant women, individuals with hypertension, low back pain, diabetes, heart disease, and the general public. This certification is the only one accredited by the National Commissions for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for personal trainers. The candidate writes a 120-question exam. The only prerequisite course is CPR.
The Resistance Training Specialist Program Level 1 (RTS 1)
The RTS-1 program certifies individuals to work with all populations. There are no prerequisites to the exam except to prepare for it. The open book exam consists of 134-multiple choice questions.
YMCA of USA - Personal Training Instructor
The YMCA certifies individuals to work with average healthy adults. The prerequisite is completion of the "Principles of YMCA Health and Fitness Certification" and CPR. The test protocol is a written and practical exam.