| NCCA | | | | courses that they offer for the exam. And about |
| The ACSM certification is NCCA accredited and very | | | | $150+ for the books they recommend. I looked on |
| well respected in the industry. And because of that, it | | | | for them and found them much cheaper than the list |
| costs a bit to earn...but you could have guessed that | | | | price from ACSM. |
| anyway, right? | | | | ACSM is one of the more costly study-at-home |
| But let's look at that later, how about we start with | | | | certifications. It can run about $700-$900 when all is |
| the certifications offered by the ACSM Certified | | | | said and done. A lot? I guess. Are you doing this for |
| Organization. | | | | one year, or on a whim? Then it would be costly, |
| Certifications Available | | | | wouldn't it? If it's the start of your career, think of it |
| Health Fitness Certifications | | | | as a lot cheaper than spending $85,000 on an |
| Certified Personal Trainer | | | | Exercise Science degree. |
| Health / Fitness Instructor | | | | Continuing Education Credits |
| Exam | | | | ACSM also has continuing education credits to keep |
| True to the reputation as a leading certification | | | | you good and current with their programs. (and to |
| organization, the ACSM certification exam is a tough | | | | get more money out of you, of course!) |
| one. They will try and slip you up with the dreaded | | | | Luckily, ACSM's validity period is three years, instead |
| "pick the best answer" from a bunch of correct | | | | of two, like with ACE. (It use to be four years...) |
| answers. Also, the material is pretty thorough and will | | | | An ACSM Certified Personal Trainer needs 45 credits |
| requite a good 4-6 months of study for a novice in | | | | for recertification and must pay a $30 fee. |
| the exercise science world. | | | | That's pretty steep in terms of CEC time, about 7-8 |
| The exam is about 120-150 questions and you have | | | | days worth of work in three years. Other |
| 150 minutes to take it. Even if you know your stuff, | | | | certifications are less, however that doesn't |
| the ACSM certification exam is pretty tough. If you | | | | necessarily make ACSM bad or the others better. |
| try and wing it, you're in for a rough afternoon! | | | | ACSM let's you earn CEC's through participation in a |
| ACSM's Personal Trainer certification is attractive to | | | | whole bunch of ACSM workshops and classes. Here |
| fitness professionals because the exam, for all its | | | | are a few: |
| faults in not having a practical component, cannot be | | | | - ACSM National Meetings |
| passed by a sub-standard trainer. This is why ACSM | | | | - ACSM Regional Chapter Meetings |
| is so well respected...and also the reason the ACSM | | | | - ACSM Endorsed Programs |
| certification should be seriously considered for your | | | | - ACSM Self-Tests |
| personal training career. | | | | They also certify a number of organizations a year |
| Eligibility | | | | to provide 'interest areas' that then can be used as |
| This is the easy one, all you need are two things: | | | | CEC's. Please see ACSM's website for the most up to |
| - A high school diploma or equivalent (like a GED) and | | | | date CEC's that are valid. |
| be at least 18 years of age | | | | As I said, the ACSM Personal Trainer Certification has |
| - Currently have an adult CPR certification that has a | | | | a 3 year validity period. The rest of the qualifications |
| practical skills examination component (such as the | | | | are pretty simple, in fact: |
| American Heart Association or the American Red | | | | 1. The candidate accumulates the required number of |
| Cross). | | | | Continuing Education Credits (CEC's) and/or the |
| Cost | | | | equivalent. |
| If you're interested in attending one of their Personal | | | | 2. The candidate maintains a current CPR Certification. |
| Trainer Certificate Workshop Sessions, the cost is: | | | | 3. The candidate pays the required recertification fee. |
| Three-Day Workshop $375 | | | | Summary |
| One-Day Workshop $129 | | | | ACSM has many more 'cool' certifications than those |
| Exam Costs | | | | above to let you go beyond just being a ACSM |
| ACSM has a 'membership' that you can purchase that | | | | Personal Trainer. So if you're interested in advancing |
| costs in a range from $50 (for a student) to $210 | | | | your career with more education, ACSM has the |
| (for a 'professional). The membership gives you | | | | ability to advance with you! |
| discounts on the exam. So, for prices... | | | | ACSM is really one of the top certifications, it's hard |
| ACSM Certification Exam (ACSM Alliance or Regular | | | | to go wrong if you just say "I want ACSM's Personal |
| Member) $219 | | | | Training Certification" and then start your career. |
| ACSM Certification Exam (nonmember) $279 | | | | Just make sure you study hard and keep on those |
| Retest $150 | | | | CEC's through the years! |
| Don't forget to add about $40-$60 for review | | | | |