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Best certified personal trainer certifications
Certified personal trainer certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an certified personal trainer to employers. However, not all certified personal trainer certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a certified personal trainer are Certified Personal Trainer, Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT), and Personal Trainer Certification.
Below is a list of the best certified personal trainer certifications. Obtaining an certified personal trainer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
16 best certifications for certified personal trainers
| Rank | Certified personal trainer certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 2 | Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT) | AFPA |
| 3 | Personal Trainer Certification | NCSF |
| 4 | Fitness Nutrition Certification | ISSA |
| 5 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 6 | Personal Fitness Trainer | AFAA |
| 7 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 8 | Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) | NSCA-CC |
| 9 | Health Coach Certification | ACE |
| 10 | Water Fitness Trainer (WFT) | ISSA |
| 11 | Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (ACIM-PFIT) | NBFE |
| 12 | Certified Nutrition Coach (FNS) | NASM |
| 13 | Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) | NCHEC |
| 14 | Sports Nutritionist Certification | AFPA |
| 15 | Certified Personal Fitness Trainer - Health Fitness Instructor (CPFT-) | AAPTE |
| 16 | Group Exercise Instructor | AFAA |
16 best certified personal trainer certifications
1. Certified Personal Trainer
The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT)
AFPA's Advanced Personal Trainer Certification Program has been nationally and internationally recognized since 1994. AFPA provides the most comprehensive and authoritative resources for you as an Advanced Personal Trainer, whether you are working in a health/fitness club currently as a Personal Trainer or if you are working with athletes at the high school or collegiate level.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Personal Trainer Certification
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Fitness Nutrition Certification
ISSA's Fitness Nutrition Certification course blends nutritional science and practice in order to help you successfully guide them toward a better body... both inside and out.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
6. Personal Fitness Trainer
A three-day certification workshop including lectures, practical demonstrations and written and practical exams. This course will help prepare you for both AFAA's Personal Fitness Trainer Certification and the Personal Fitness Trainer National Boards.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
Certified Nutrition Specialist professionals are on the front lines battling the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, and the BCNS supports these efforts and certifies nutrition professionals who maintain the highest standard of nutrition competence.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
8. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Learn more about becoming a strength and conditioning coach with the NSCA certification! Visit NSCA.com for more information on strength and conditioning jobs, strength and conditioning internships, continuing education and CEUs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
9. Health Coach Certification
Your clients want to lose weight. They come to you for help. The Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant certification assures clients that you have the knowledge to develop sound, balanced weight management programs that bring together the three critical components of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. Water Fitness Trainer (WFT)
The key to reaping the rewards of this exciting personal training specialty is certification. In fact, water fitness certification is already required in several states, and many fitness clubs, public and private pools. Physical therapy clinics nationwide have already made aquatic certification a requirement for employment.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
11. Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (ACIM-PFIT)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
12. Certified Nutrition Coach (FNS)
Fight the obesity epidemic with the power of food! NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialists: -Teach clients how to interpret labels, select appropriate portion sizes, and eat healthy -Boost their reputation, career, and client base as the go-to expert on nutrition and diet -Educate clients about nutrition's critical role in weight loss and management -Illustrate how energy balance, caloric needs, activity, metabolism, and food choices impact fitness goals -Provide clients with valuable handout materials, product discounts, menu planners, and online resources -Invest in their client's lives and futures . . . as well as their own!
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
13. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the Seven Areas of Responsibilities: a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies defining the role of an entry-level health educator.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
14. Sports Nutritionist Certification
The AFPA Sports Nutritionist Certification course is perfect for nutrition consultants, personal trainers, strength trainers, group fitness instructors, athletes of all levels and all associated health practitioners & enthusiasts! The optimum way for you or your clients to get the most out of their workouts and feel their best is to develop an energizing, performance-enhancing nutrition plan, tailored to their body's specific needs. Do that, and their on track to achieve the higher level of fitness and better overall health that they crave and you receive the recognition of being a superb training. Learn how to enhance your client's workouts and maximize their results with proper nutrition, safe and effective sports supplements, and beneficial vitamins and minerals! All Course materials and certification examination included.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
15. Certified Personal Fitness Trainer - Health Fitness Instructor (CPFT-)
Certified Personal Trainers are fitness professionals proficient in the understanding of client assessment, exercise program design, physiology of human performance, biomechanics, nutrition, medical considerations and terminology, effective communication, and personal trainer ethics. In addition, they are also credentialed in CPR-AED.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
16. Group Exercise Instructor
AFAA's Primary Group Exercise Certification is designed to equip those seeking to become certified as group exercise instructors with the competencies needed to design safe and effective group exercise programming for the general healthy population.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a certified personal trainer?
The best certified personal trainer certification is Certified Personal Trainer. The Certified Personal Trainer is awarded by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this certified personal trainer certification:
- To become a certified Certified Personal Trainer, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for certified personal trainers?
The most in-demand certified personal trainer certification is Certified Personal Trainer based on all active job postings. Having this certified personal trainer certification will give you access to more certified personal trainer jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of certified personal trainer certifications include: Certified Personal Trainer, Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT), and Personal Trainer Certification.
Online courses for certified personal trainers to earn certifications
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