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Best fitness instructor certifications
The best certifications for a fitness instructor are Certified Personal Trainer, Instructor, and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Fitness instructor certifications demonstrate your competency as a fitness instructor to employers. However, not all fitness instructor certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best fitness instructor certifications. Obtaining a fitness instructor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for fitness instructors
| Rank | Fitness instructor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 2 | Instructor | NAUI |
| 3 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 4 | Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT) | AFPA |
| 5 | Master Fitness Specialist Certification (MFS) | CIAR |
| 6 | Certified Personal Fitness Trainer - Health Fitness Instructor (CPFT-) | AAPTE |
| 7 | Fitness Nutrition Certification | ISSA |
| 8 | Group Fitness Instructor Certification (GFI) | AFPA |
| 9 | Group Fitness Instructor | IFPA |
| 10 | Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) | NSCA-CC |
| 11 | Group Exercise Instructor | AFAA |
| 12 | Group Exercise Certification | NETA |
| 13 | Water Fitness Trainer (WFT) | ISSA |
| 14 | Certified Pilates Instructor | IFPA |
| 15 | Personal Fitness Trainer | AFAA |
| 16 | Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED | American Red ... |
| 17 | Yoga Specialty Certification | NETA |
| 18 | Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I | AFPA |
| 19 | Cycle Instructor Certification (CIC) | AFPA |
| 20 | Strength and Conditioning Certification | ISSA |
20 best fitness instructor 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. Instructor
A NAUI Instructor is a person dedicated to the motto of "Dive Safety Through Education"; a person whom others look to for leadership and knowledge. NAUI has always been and remains today the most prestigious agency focusing on diving instruction. You can share the adventure - and help create it! If you believe your work should be enjoyable and exciting, if you are eager to share your knowledge with others, if you believe that to train the best you must be among the best trained, join the finest. Join the adventure!
- 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? No
3. 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
4. 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)
5. Master Fitness Specialist Certification (MFS)
- 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 3 year(s)
6. 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)
7. 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)
8. Group Fitness Instructor Certification (GFI)
The AFPA Group Fitness Instructor Certification course is designed to teach those that are looking to instruct group fitness oriented classes - aerobics, bootcamp, sport conditioning, step, circuit, muscle conditioning, interval and other group exercise modalities.This course is designed to prepare participants to teach safe and effective group exercise programs through the development of leadership and technical skills.
- 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)
9. Group Fitness Instructor
- 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 2 year(s)
10. 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)
11. 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)
12. Group Exercise Certification
NETA's Group Exercise Instructor Certification is continuously updated to keep you on the cutting edge of the fitness industry, promote safe and effective teaching strategies, and help you develop the critical skills required to become an effective group exercise instructor.
- 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. 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)
14. Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Pilates Instructor is a physical and mental conditioning program that allows you to fully understand the movements. This course will cover the art and science of human movement as it relates to the Pilates Method. Joseph Pilates planted the seeds for what is now a mainstay in fitness centers everywhere.
- 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 2 year(s)
15. 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)
16. Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
Participants learn the importance of AEDs, and how to use an AED properly.The professional rescuer courses are designed for people with job-related duties in emergency preparedness and response. This includes nurses, law enforcement and EMS personnel, fire fighters, business and industry response teams, lifeguards, flight attendants, and others who must take action in emergency situations.
- 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 3 year(s)
17. Yoga Specialty Certification
NETA and Linda Christy Weiler have teamed up to offer you an intensive 2-day certification workshop. Participants will learn how to confidently lead and teach a multi-level traditional yoga class geared at meeting the needs of your club participants. This workshop includes: * How to teach 27 different poses * Basic Pranayama (breathing) * Contraindications and modifications * Class formats for gentle and active yoga * Alignment strategies * Meditation
- 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)
18. Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I
The AFPA Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification program emphasizes safe, effective, and inspiring teaching methods that prepare you to be a confident and competent Yoga Fitness Instructor. You will learn excellent teaching skills, how to plan a class, how to create confidence in your students and how and when to provide posture corrections. This program offers instruction on how to live the yogic lifestyle enhancing personal health and centeredness through yoga. The Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification program is designed to educate participants about various yoga techniques and how to incorporate them into an individual and group setting. This course will enable you to formulate your own personal teaching style.
- 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?
19. Cycle Instructor Certification (CIC)
The AFPA Cycle Instructor Certification course is designed for the instructor who wants to expand their teaching capabilities to indoor cycling. This program utilizes various cycling programs' strengths to create a well- rounded cycle instructor who can instruct on any indoor cycle.
- 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)
20. Strength and Conditioning Certification
ISSA's Strength and Conditioning Certification course has been designed to provide you with the knowledge, expertise, and specific training techniques to enable athletes to expand the capacity of their bodies to perform the most difficult athletic feats, while remaining strong and free from injuries.
- 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 fitness instructor?
The best fitness instructor 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 fitness instructor 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 fitness instructors?
The most in-demand fitness instructor certification is Instructor based on all active job postings. Having this fitness instructor certification will give you access to more fitness instructor jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a fitness instructor career and salary?
The Certified Personal Trainer certification will help you to secure a personal trainer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A personal trainer's average salary is $38,768 whereas fitness instructors make an average salary of $35,495.
The most common combination of fitness instructor certifications include: Certified Personal Trainer, Instructor, and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Online courses for fitness instructors to earn certifications
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Welcome to Predictive Modeling, Model Fitting, and Regression Analysis. In this course, we will explore different approaches in predictive modeling, and discuss how a model can be either supervised or unsupervised. We will review how a model can be fitted, trained and scored to apply to both historical and future data in an effort to address business objectives. Finally, this course includes a hands-on activity to develop a linear regression model...
2. Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness International Certification
Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness Internationally Certified instructor & steps to creating your own Fitness Business...
3. Personalized Bodyweight Workouts: Science-Based Home Fitness
Step-by-Step Instruction From Ex-Military Officer: Build Home Bodyweight Workouts: Strength, Muscle, Lose Fat, Fitness...
4. Yoga At Home - Flexibility, Fitness, Strength & Weight Loss
Yoga for Weight Loss : Yoga Workout at Home : Yoga for Fitness Strength & Flexibility : Yoga for Losing Weight & Health...
5. Internationally Accredited Diploma Certificate in Fitness
Learn how to Create Gym & Bodybuilding Workouts that help boost testosterone, muscle building and/or lose weight...
6. Fitness For Beginners
The Beginners Guide to Learning How to Exercise...
7. Pilates Teacher Training & CPD Certification
Become a Classical Mat Pilates instructor with this accredited training course...
8. The Complete Fitness & Health Masterclass - 21 Courses in 1
The Most Comprehensive Masterclass to Improve Your Mind, Body and Health - Start Growing Today!...
9. Fitness Trainer Certification: Gym Workouts & Bodybuilding
Become A Fitness Coach: Create Muscle Growth & Strength Workouts, Build A Fitness Training Business & Be A Health Expert...
10. HIIT & Body Weight Training: A 4-week Home Workout Program
Be your own Personal Trainer: Bodyweight Workouts that boosts testosterone, help with muscle building and/or weight loss...
11. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
12. Complete Fitness Trainer Certification: Beginner To Advanced
Become A Fitness Coach: Create Muscle Growth & Fat Loss Workouts, Build A Fitness Training Business & Be A Health Expert...
13. Beginner's Yoga Workout System For Inflexible People
Discover Yoga's Amazing Benefits. Created For All Ages With Modifications For Those Who Can't Touch Their Toes...
14. 15 Minutes x 15 Days Yoga Strength Challenge
Increase strength and stability in your upper body, core and lower body in 15-minute daily yoga sessions...
15. NLP for Emotional Intelligence, Mental Fitness and Wellbeing
Learn how Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can advance your Self-Improvement, Mental Wellness, and Personal Growth...
16. 15 Minutes x 15 Days Total Yoga Challenge
Improve your flexibility, build core strength, alleviate aches and pains and reduce your stress in 15 minutes a day!...
17. Sports Nutrition for Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts
Learn all about sports nutrition with 7 hours of online video content and start training SMARTER instead of HARDER...
18. Barre 31 Day Challenge & Teacher Training - CPD Certified
A hightly effective Barre workout challenge and CPD accredited Teacher Training course...
19. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment
Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...
20. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Weight Loss
Learn the science, habits, strategies to lose weight in a healthy manner and keep it off permanently...