As one of the fastest growing professions in the health and fitness industry, personal training is on the rise and certification has become very important.
With so many people entering the field, competition for jobs and clients is often settled by the certifications and the experience the personal trainer has. The educational requirements for a personal trainer can vary from a bachelor’s degree in the health and fitness industry to a simple, six-month certification process.
Not all certification programs are equal and it is important to look at them carefully. Here is some information on two of the programs that are accepted by many of the gyms and health clubs in the nation.
ACE (American Council on Exercise) Personal Trainer Certification Program
This program is designed specifically for fitness trainers who will be providing training in one-on-one or small-group situations. You can sign up and work on the program, but before taking the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam you must be at least 18-years old and you must have a current adult CPR and AED certificate. An AED is an Automated External defibrillator. The CPR and AED certificate must have a live skills check component to the certification or it will not be accepted.
ACE Goals in Training
Certification with ACE will provide the trainer with the ability to demonstrate their knowledge in risk factor screening, fitness assessments, and nutrition. They will also learn exercise science, exercise programming and progressions, instructional and spotting techniques. An ACE personal trainer will also understand how to incorporate lifestyle modification for their clients and professional scope of practice for themselves.
The ACE program is reviewed often and updated to provide ongoing training and fulfill renewal requirements for its certified trainers. The company is focused on helping their trainers learn how to motivate, empower and retain their clients.
ACE Professional Benefits
ACE advertises itself as the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certification organization. ACE certification is accepted at almost all the national gym and health club organizations. This training program is NCCA-accredited, and this credential allows for exclusive discounts on items like liability insurance.
ACE certified trainers can also take the AARP Trainer Program and take advantage of the 39 million AARP members who can utilize ACE-certified trainers as part of their group benefit package. AARP is an organization for older adults that are 50+ years old and whose AARP membership allows for personal training through an exclusive program.
NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Personal Trainer Certification
NASM provides not only the original personal trainer certification, but it also offers recertification and continuing education for trainers. NASM also requires that at the time the exam is taken the participant be over 18-years old. The exam must be taken within 120 days from the date of purchase. Extensions in time to take the exam can be purchased separately.
As with ACE, to take the NASM exam you must have CPR and AED certification from one of the following: the American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, St. John Ambulance, Emergency Medical Technician, or the American Heart Association.
NASM – Goals In Training
The NASM training classes are also NCCA-accredited. The stated NASM CPT Certification training goals include being able to design a goal-specific program for each, individual client. Trainers are also taught how to safely and effectively develop or modify client exercises to adapt to each person’s individual needs. A NASM Certified trainer will also learn how to complete an accurate assessment for every body type, whether that be a professional athlete or a first-time exerciser.
NASM – Recertification
NASM certification must be renewed every two years. This helps to ensure that the Personal Trainers continue with their education and are kept current on latest health and safety regulations, knowledge and skills.
Recertification is done by completing the application and submitting documentation that verifies the trainer’s continuing education courses. There must be a total of 2 NASM CEU certificates of completion that qualify as continuing education. At this time the trainer must also provide proof that the CPR and AED certification is current. There is a fee to be paid, and the fee increases if the recertification is late. If recertification is more than three months late, the original certification class must be taken again.
Summary
Personal Training Certification can be completed via an online process within just a few months. It is important that you get the CPR and AED certificates before you test, and all accredited programs require that these certificates have a “live-skills” certification, they cannot just be passed off online.
The accredited programs like the two above are accepted personal trainer certifications by gyms like 24-Hour Fitness, Bally, Gold’s Gym, Total Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, Town Sports International and many others.