Best personal trainer certifications for 2024

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We all have health and wellness goals, but the hardest part is often figuring out where to start. A certified personal trainer can help by guiding individuals of all levels—from beginners to competitive athletes—through their health and fitness journey.

For those who find it invigorating to help others live a better lifestyle, becoming a personal trainer is a great route. But with there being so many organizations providing ways to become certified, Fortune Education’s inaugural ranking of the best personal trainer certifications for 2024 hopes we can guide you in making a decision that’s best for your career and future clients’ health.

Best personal trainer certifications for 2024

Best overall: National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)

National Council on Strength and Fitness’ certified personal trainer program has partnerships with gyms like Equinox, Planet Fitness, and Gold’s Gym. Having been in operation for 25 years, the NCCA-accredited program has successfully educated more than 325,000 people. All certification exams can be taken online or at one of 8,000 testing centers. The program uses the NCSF Easy Learning System, which includes instructional videos, practice questions, and instructor support. It covers corrective exercises, ethics and professional practice, and working with special populations.

Why we picked it

NCSF provides personal trainers the skills they need to succeed in the industry—at an affordable price and with flexibility. The NCSF is trusted by many of the major gyms across the country, with a focus on helping others, making an impact, and working anywhere, anytime. Students learn via a textbook, recorded lectures, quizzes, and final examination.

The curriculum is focused on five main areas:

• Today’s society and the healthy lifestyle;
• Applied exercise science and biomechanics;
• health, fitness and performance assessment;
• Foundational and applied nutritional science;
• Foundations of advanced program design.

Other certifications offered by NCSF

• Nutritionist certification: Best for military discounts

Most affordable: National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)

The NFPT has been operating since 1988 and is family-owned and operated. It is also GI Bill-approved and Navy COOL-approved. The standard and premier packages include exam content outlines, exam attempts, digital workbooks, liability waivers, and screening forms. The premier package includes three practice tests, exercise animations, and on-call expert trainer support. Students can also add in-person workshops to their study program. 

Why we picked it

NFPT is one of the cheapest personal trainer certification programs on the market. The organization makes it accessible for students to pay—via credit card, Venmo, or PayPal, including a 0% APR pay later option. However, for those that do not pass the exam, students have to pay $199 again.

The personal trainer curriculum is centered around five main topics: human anatomy, human physiology, fitness, training program development implementation & modification, and professionalism & communication skills. Students learn these topics via digital workbook, chapter quizzes, and exam content outline. For an additional cost, students can get access to practice tests, client assessment videos, and meet virtually with NFPT expert trainers.

Best for brand recognition: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

NASM’s certified personal trainer program boasts of teaching individuals the necessary skills to become “highly respected fitness professionals.” The fully remote learning includes videos, biodigital 3D models, and practice exams. Its premium program also has a job guarantee scheme and unlimited access to NASM fitness experts.

Why we picked it

NASM is very well known, with over 250,000 followers on Instagram and over 685,000 likes on Facebook. Furthermore, NASM has the largest Google search volume of any personal trainer certification programs. As a result, one’s personal trainer credential will be well known in the industry and beyond.

Despite being self-paced and online, the curriculum is innovative and regularly updated. Students get to learn about NASM’s unique Optimum Performance Training Model as well as have access to its digital learning platform and exercise demonstration library. Users can also add a job guarantee, CPR certification, or specialization to their learning package.

Other certifications offered by NASM

• Nutritionist certification: Best for brand recognition

Best for career development: Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

AFAA’s certified personal trainer program is available with an interest-free payment plan, which includes a $25 down payment and four payments of $118.50. The company has been operating since 1983 and offers more than 20 specialization options after passing the exam, like group personal training and exercising with breast cancer. At the end of 2015, NASM acquired AFAA, but they operate as two separate certification entities. 

Why we picked it

One of the first sentences on AFAA’s personal trainer certification webpage is, “Turn your love for fitness and helping others into a rewarding career.” Their program is geared specifically for preparing students to apply best training practices into a successful career. The program covers exercise physiology, injury prevention, weight management, and behavior modification. It includes 14 online videos, a study guide, sample exam questions, and a digital subscription to American Fitness Magazine.

After passing the 120-multiple choice question exam and showing proof of CPR/AED certification, students receive the personal fitness trainer certification from AFAA.

Best for diverse learning opportunities: International Sports Science Association (ISSA)

ISSA’s certified personal trainer program helps learners evolve their careers by teaching the necessary skills to deliver tangible results for future clients. The program has several tools available to learners, including an online student forum, an online workbook, and free professional website templates. After the program, alumni have unlimited access to adviser support. For qualified individuals, there is also a job guarantee through ISSA’s self-described 10,000 gym partners.

Why we picked it

ISSA’s certified personal trainer program helps students evolve their career. The roughly six month endeavor will walk students through everything from kinesiology and biomechanics to nutrition and fitness for all. The program notably offers 10 different learning tools for students, including an online student forum, an education bootcamp, and a free professional website. The textbook, written specifically by and for ISSA, is over 700 pages and has some of the latest information about the world of exercise science.

Graduates of ISSA’s personal trainer program get lifelong support from its advisors, whether it be about fitness or growing a business.

Other certifications offered by ISSA

• Health coach certification: Most affordable
• Nutritionist certification: Best for Spanish speakers

Best for military discounts: ACTION Certification

The ACTION-CPT program, which has been accredited by the NCCA since 2014, is designed to equip students with the skills to train, educate, and motivate clients. The platinum plan includes 28 online classes, 21 real-world simulations, over 400 practice exam questions, online CPR training, and free advanced nutrition certification, providing students with a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.

Why we picked it

The U.S. Army’s and Coast Guard approve ACTION’s personal trainer program on their credentialing websites. The program’s most basic plan is very affordable, at just $99, and allows individuals to learn at their own pace—meaning those in the military, for example, can complete the training if they desire to transfer into personal trainer after leaving service.

For those wishing for more resources, its professional tier will provide online CPR training as well as significantly more online classes, real world simulations and practice exam questions. Moreover, it will provide access to job references, a training form library, and business plan ideas. ACTION’s platinum tier will also give students a free advanced nutrition certification and free recertification for life.

Best for non-English speakers: National Strength and Conditions Association (NSCA)

The National Strength and Conditioning Association’s certified personal training exam emphasizes learning about how individualized approaches can be best applied toward assessing, educating, and training future clients. It offers purchasable study guides, quizzes, and textbook resources to prepare for the exam, as well as hosts an exam prep Facebook study group and online clinic.

Why we picked it

While NSCA-CPT does not have a program that is as structured as others, it does offer many self-paced learning materials and group learning opportunities. The NSCA-CPT exam is notably available in five languages other than English, including Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Students can sign up to take it at authorized Pearson VUE test centers around the world. The curriculum is focused on four areas:

• Client consultation/fitness asessment
• Program planning
• Techniques of exercise
• Safety, emergency procedures, and legal issues

Best for on-the-go learning: American Council on Exercise (ACE)

ACE’s certified personal trainer program helps people learn the necessary skills to help others with their health and fitness goals and needs. The program is self-paced but also provides live question-and answer-sessions and facilitated study groups. Participants also get lifelong access to ACE’s career resources. With an updated website and app to access study materials anywhere, ACE offers the ability to learn the necessary personal trainer skills in a flexible manor. 

Why we picked it

ACE Fitness allows students to learn the foundations of personal trainer via its website and also via a convenient mobile app—meaning users can learn on the go. Students also get access to ACE’s question and answer bank and facilitated group study sessions.

The program emphasizes a client-centered approach to its learning and also recognizes that not all personal training programming should be the same. Clients all have differing health conditions, ages, or injuries, or may be in different life stages, like youth, women during pregnancy, or older adults.

Other certifications offered by ACE Fitness

• Health coach certification: Best for diverse learning opportunities
• Nutritionist certification: Best for on-the-go learning

Best for synchronous learning: International Fitness Professional Association (IFPA)

The IFPA personal trainer certification seeks to train learners the ins-and-outs of assisting clients throughout their individualized fitness, health and athletic journeys. Students learn topics across over a dozen subject areas like energy metabolism, exercise testing, and documentation via online videos and quiz assessments. The premium program also offers practice exams, business coaching, and a dedicated success coach.

Why we picked it

IFPA offers multiple personal trainer certification plans that allow students to learn at their own pace. However, their premium tier notably includes a two-day live seminar, 1 hour business coaching, and a dedicated success coach. For those with less experience in industry, having human connection, especially in such a human-centered industry like personal training, can be very valuable.

The organization also lists in details the subject areas of focus as well as course learning objectives, outcomes, and goals. Safety is one of the broad themes it emphasizes multiple times, including a stark message: “DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS! DO IT RIGHT!”

Longest-lasting certification: NESTA

The NESTA certified personal fitness trainer program walks learners through the best practices of evaluating clients, tailoring workouts, empowering success, and more. The 100% online certification is valid for four years. The “complete package” program also provides unlimited practice exams and ongoing access to training after graduating. 

Why we picked it

For those who want to stick around as a personal trainer, NESTA is for you. Their certification program lasts for four years before recertification is required.

NESTA’s complete package offering includes over 20 hours of education and training, an over 300 page study manual, and unlimited practice questions. Graduates also notably get ongoing access to training, meaning alumni can learn more about topics that are evolving. The organization says that alumni are able to secure interviews with gyms like LA Fitness, and 24-Hour Fitness.

Other certifications offered by NESTA

• Nutritionist certification: Best overall

Our methodology

While personal training is a healthy industry (no pun intended), there is no clear pathway toward success. Since personal trainers work directly with clients seeking to improve their own health and wellness, having the proper training is key. That’s why Fortune created a thorough methodology and sought to rank the best programs. We did this not only to help guide you toward a program that may be best for your career goals but to ensure we recommend programs that will give you the proper training and benefit others’ lives.

We reviewed 15 certification programs and have included 10 of our top choices.

While a variety of factors were used in considering each persona, these data points were used to overall judge the programs:

• Price (30%): We considered the total cost of getting certified.
• Financing options (10%): Whether a certification accepted financing—as opposed to requiring upfront payment—makes the program more accessible.
• Lending partnerships (10%): Programs that have special partnerships with financial institutions can make financing easier and can potentially offer favorable terms.
• Military discounts and funding (5%): We considered whether financial assistance is available for active-duty, reserve, and/or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• CPR/AED certification requirement (5%): With an increased risk of health emergencies happening during or after strenuous exercise, being CPR/AED certification can save lives.
• Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) (18%): The organization is well-known for developing standards of excellence in healthcare certification space, with an emphasis on the "health, welfare, and safety of the public."
• Job guarantee program (12%): After obtaining a certification, programs may ensure their students can find employment soon after graduating or they receive a full refund.
• Average annual search volume (10%): We looked at the average number of times during a month that people search for each certification organization on Google, then converted it into a yearly metric to measure public perception of an organization’s brand and reputation and how it affected what program they were interested in attending.

Our expert panel

We couldn’t analyze the personal trainer ecosystem alone, though. In conjunction with our research, Fortune sat down with two experts who have worked in the space for several years.

• Stan Kravchenko, celebrity trainer and founder of Onefit
• Andy Fata-Chan, founder of Moment Physical Therapy & Performance

By asking questions about the importance of personal trainer education, different types of programs, and the skills needed to succeed, we hoped to better understand how to effectively guide those pursuing a career in the field. It’s noteworthy that neither expert was directly involved in ranking any programs.

What it takes to be a certified personal trainer

The National Library of Medicine warns that the personal training industry—and the fitness industry as a whole—is largely unregulated, leading to client injuries and a negative perception of personal trainers. So, the answer to “what it takes” to break into the industry will vary widely depending on where you get certified, if at all. Our two experts warn that claiming to be an expert without credentials could be a disservice to your learning journey, your future clients, and your business. So, ultimately, certification is worthwhile.

As a trainer to Andy Cohen, the host of Bravo TV's Watch What Happens Live, and a frequent contributor to People, Men's Health, and Daily Mail, Kravchenko says owes his success to his credentials. 

"A certification shows hirers and gyms that you're ready to work," he tells Fortune. He earned the NASM-CPT in 2014 after he moved from Ukraine to America, saying that if you want to work at a well-known gym, "you must get a certification."

He says that while some gyms might hire you first and then pay for your certification—it is far easier to get in the door and be hired with an accredited education.

However, he explains that credentials don't always teach the soft skills you need to really understand your client. According to Kravchenko, to be a personal trainer, you must know a "little bit of psychology" and have a high emotional IQ.

That’s because personal trainers tend to see their clients as frequently as three to five times a week, for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. From his experience, in that time, you can learn a lot about a person—not just how much physical weight they can lift, but also how much emotional weight they carry on a daily basis. 

For many, a good workout is cathartic, and as such, “it is very easy to get things off your chest when doing physical activity,” he says. “You sort of see your clients more than your best friends and vice versa.”

He adds that to be the best, you have to learn from the best. For Kravchenko, the learning doesn't stop. "I like to hire different trainers for myself to pick up on and learn their skills. For example, I am not a strength coach specialist, so I'll purchase someone’s strength coach package to pick their brain and add to my own knowledge base. I think that's big if you want to be successful."

Both panelists agree that there are a handful of green flags to look for when choosing not just a certification program but aligning with an organization as a whole. These are their favorite benefits:

• Invites to local or virtual workshops
• Continuous support and membership benefits even after you have received the certification
• Access to webinars hosted by industry experts
• New software that can streamline your business processes
• Newsletters that provide the latest research and skill development opportunities

Some organizations may charge an annual fee for these extra benefits, but they can be well worth the investment in your professional growth. 

Becoming a certified personal trainer to help curb misinformation

According to the CDC, the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. increased by more than 11% from 1999 to 2020. A National Library of Medicine study also found that from 1990 to 1997, the United States Emergency Departments saw an estimated 970,800 injuries related to weight training—90% of them involving free weights.

Subsequently, because of the rise of social media and the explosion of the internet, the number of people trying to sell get-fit-quick schemes has also likely increased. However, Fata-Chan thinks a CPT's goal is to sift through all the noise online and help their clients get stronger than ever before, educating them on how to make smart choices. 

"There is a lot of pseudoscience and misinformation right now," he explains. "When someone creates [digital] content but does not show any evidence to substantiate their claims, it becomes very easy to spot misinformation online. However, in the certification world, many good programs and accreditation boards are connected to PhD researchers in some of the best labs and universities worldwide."

Fata-Chan says that personal training certifications lay the groundwork for exposure to a broad range of specific topics. Becoming a CPT is like becoming a fitness generalist, learning the basic movements, like squats, hinges, push-pull, carry, and lunges. 

Understanding the foundational sciences, such as chemistry, physics, exercise, physiology, and anatomy, is crucial to a successful career in personal training. He says it's tough to assist your clients effectively if you can't substantiate your statements with facts or if you lack knowledge of those foundational sciences—which you would typically learn by getting certified. 

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Frequently asked questions

What qualifications do I need to be a personal trainer?

While there are no across-the-board qualifications, in order to pursue a personal trainer certification you generally need to be at least 18 years old, have a high school degree or equivalent, and have a current CPR/AED certification. Having a passion for health and fitness—along with helping others map and achieve goals—are also benefits.

How long does it take to become a personal trainer?

Most personal trainer certifications take at least a month to complete, though many programs are self-paced and thus can be completed on a more expeditious or slower timeline. Some certifications may take up to six months to fully complete. It may also be a good idea to be in good physical health yourself, so depending on your current state, that can also add some time.

Which certification is best for gym trainers?

Ultimately, every certification is different, but most will provide you with the necessary skills to be able to work at a gym. Taking any of the certifications under Fortune’s ranking will likely enable this, but it is best to check with any potential employer first. National chains, like LA Fitness, for example, have lists of certifications that they recognize for job applicants.

How much do personal trainers make?

Glassdoor estimates the total pay for personal trainers to be $78,000. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary numbers are lower—a median $46,000 for fitness trainers and instructors—it does predict a job outlook that is growing at a rate of 14%. With the proper training, fitness professionals can translate their passion for helping others into a lifelong career that’s worth it.