What is a NASM certification?

Here are some of the different certifications NASM offers:

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

  This certification offered by NASM prepares personal training students for real-world situations. Students will gain an understanding of complex scientific principles involved in personal training using NASM's proprietary Optimum Performance (OPT) model. This covers areas involving flexibility, cardiorespiratory, core, balance, strength, and power.

  The cost of this course and certification is $699 and above.

• Corrective Exercise Specialization (CES)

  This certification is best for those working with clients who have muscular dysfunction. It teaches students how to correct common movement issues their clients experience. The corrective exercise continuum focuses on the areas of inhibition, lengthening, activation, and integration.

  The exam for this certification costs $699 and includes course materials.

• Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES)

  This certification is best for personal trainers or exercise and sports medicine professionals that work with serious athletes, in amateur or professional leagues or status. It helps personal trainers to make their clients stronger, faster, and tougher through approaches that are meant to maximize athletic performance and minimize injuries.

  The exam for this certification costs $599 to take.

• Fitness Nutrition Specialization (FNS)

  This certification is useful for personal trainers, medical exercise professionals, nutritionists, and dieticians. It helps them to explain the true nature of what their clients are consuming in terms of food and nutrition. It focuses on how to properly read nutrition labels, select appropriate meal portion sizes, and overall healthy eating.

  This certification course costs $499

In addition to these popular certifications, NASM also offers these certifications:

• Behavior Change Specialization (BCS)

• Group Personal Training Specialization (GPTS)

• Weight Loss Specialization (WLS)

• Women's Fitness Specialization (WLS)

• Women's Fitness Specialization (WFS)

• Youth Exercise Specialization (YES)

• Senior Fitness Specialization (SFS)

• Golf Fitness Specialization (GFS)

• MMA Conditioning Specialization (MMA)

NASM certifications can be a great addition for those working in particular sports fields, such as fitness coaches in mixed-martial-arts (MMA) or golf. They also can be valuable to personal trainers working at fitness facilities, gyms, health clubs, or as independent contractors.