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Best performance coach certifications
The best certifications for a performance coach are Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Personal Trainer, and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES).
Performance coach certifications demonstrate your competency as a performance coach to employers. However, not all performance coach certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best performance coach certifications. Obtaining a performance coach certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
8 best certifications for performance coaches
| Rank | Performance coach certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) | NSCA-CC |
| 2 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 3 | Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) | NASM |
| 4 | Master Certified Coach (MCC) | ICF |
| 5 | Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) | IPMA-HR |
| 6 | Speed Agility & Quickness | NESTA |
| 7 | NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) | NSCA-CC |
| 8 | Athletic Trainer Certification (ATC) | BOC |
8 best performance coach certifications
1. 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)
2. 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)
3. Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)
You'll understand the science of human movement and discover cutting-edge, evidence-based sports performance exercise techniques that can help you build tougher, faster and stronger athletes.
- 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. Master Certified Coach (MCC)
ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today's uncertain and complex environment. Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to: Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve Encourage client self-discovery Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies Hold the client responsible and accountable This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.
- 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 3 year(s)
5. Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP)
IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.
- 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 3 year(s)
6. Speed Agility & Quickness
The Speed Agility and Quickness program is designed for fitness training professionals who wish to expand their careers and athletes who want to improve sports performance. Trainers and coaches who work with athletes in such sports as basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, track & field, fighting arts, and others will find this program particularly useful. This unique program will teach you how to create comprehensive SAQ training programs with little or no equipment, as well as using more advanced training tools.
- 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?
7. NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
Personal trainers are health/fitness professionals who, using an individualized approach, assess, motivate, educate and train clients regarding their health and fitness needs. They design safe and effective exercise programs, provide the guidance to help clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals and respond appropriately in emergency situations. Recognizing their own area of expertise, personal trainers refer clients to other health care professionals when appropriate.
- 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)
8. Athletic Trainer Certification (ATC)
BOC provides a certification program for the entry level Athletic Trainer and establishes requirements for maintaining status as a Certified Athletic Trainer.
- 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)
What is the best certification for a performance coach?
The best performance coach certification is Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) is awarded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association - Certification Commission. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this performance coach certification:
- To become a certified Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), 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 performance coaches?
The most in-demand performance coach certification is Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist based on all active job postings. Having this performance coach certification will give you access to more performance coach jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a performance coach 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 performance coaches make an average salary of $48,571.
The most common combination of performance coach certifications include: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Personal Trainer, and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES).
Online courses for performance coachs to earn certifications
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15. Career Coaching Certification in Career Development Coaching
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16. Sport Psychology for Athletes
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17. Train the Trainer 101: For Beginners Only!
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18. Advanced Certificate in Life Coaching (Skills and Practice)
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19. NLP Practitioner & NLP Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
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20. Train the Trainer Virtual: Virtual Training Master Class
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