What Is The BEST Personal Training Certification? | NASM vs ISSA vs ACE vs ACSM vs NSCA vs NCSF
What Is The BEST Personal Training Certification? | NASM vs ISSA vs ACE vs ACSM vs NSCA vs NCSF
*We do receive a small commission on some of these course links! Thank you for the love and support guys!*
NASM Certified Personal Training Course: https://nationalacademyofsportsmedicine.sjv.io/c/2369241/1829035/21810
ACE Certified Personal Training Course: https://acefitness.referralrock.com/l/JEFFPAYNE64/
ISSA Certified Personal Training Course: https://issa.sjv.io/c/2369241/872380/12162
NSCA Certified Personal Training Course: https://www.nsca.com/
Brookbush Institute Certified Personal Training Course: https://brookbushinstitute.com/certifications/certified-personal-trainer
NCSF Certified Personal Training Course: https://nationalcouncilonstrength.sjv.io/c/2369241/909605/12472
If you’re preparing for a CPT exam: https://pocketprep.sjv.io/c/2369241/1637839/18999
What’s up guys! Jeff from Sorta Healthy here! In today’s video I’ll be breaking down the best personal training certifications.
Of course, which cpt certification is the best will vary person to person. Your location, study habits, ability to take standardized tests, etc. all have an effect on which program you should choose.
Since no certification course will the best for everyone, I’ve introduced categories such as:
Best personal training certification in the US, Canada, Mexico, and the rest of North America
Best personal training certification/course in India, some parts of South America, and Europe
Best cpt certification or course for bookworms
Best open book or non-proctored personal training certification
And last but not least, most underrated personal training certification course
The personal training certifications I’ve reviewed so far on this channel, and the ones discussed in this video are the:
NASM Personal Training Certification
ACE Personal Training Certification
ISSA Personal Training Certification
ACSM Personal Training Certification
NSCA Personal Training Certification
NCSF Personal Training Certification
Also, I haven’t formally reviewed it, but the Brookbush Institute’s CPT certification is featured in this video. Brent Brookbush has put some great content out there.
Hopefully, by watching this video you can figure out which personal training certification is best for you! Remember, none of these cpt certification courses make you a good trainer, but they will help you learn the basics and get started in the field!
Love you guys! Thanks for the support!
You can download the forms we use in our personal training business by going to this link:
https://www.sortahealthytrainered.com/freepersonaltrainingforms
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So they all suck?
Hola bro cual de todas las certificaciones me recomiendas
Hello, what’s the best certification for Japan ?
Thanks.
Where are you finding them for $500?? Issa and ace I’m seeing over $900 for basics cpt
At 15:34 you mention if anything cost more than $500 it’s a rip off but NASM right now is $80 a month for 12 months..
Hi Jeff! So how can i do these certifications in person where i can physically learn fundamental moves (and equipment) being taught ? I mean maybe an off-line/online model….where the textbook stuff (anatomy etc.) can be done on-line but how to correctly do a clean-press for instance is taught in person. Thanks so much! I just went through so many websites and comparisons….should’ve seen your videos to start with! I am from India …but I was thinking if the hands-on learning experience is worth (and no longer than a few weeks) then i dont mind travelling abroad …
If you can help me to know if i will take nasm to start my career and i am in 44 years old it is suitable? Will I be assigned to the gym?
Knowing that I am passionate about anatomy, kinesiology, postural deviations and their correction, and developing nutritional programs. I have learned a lot about herbs and their benefits as a nutritional supplement, and I have a constant desire to learn.
Looking into.nasm any discount codes u can share?
Thanks now i no what to take here in Canada
What would you recommend if I want to learn bodybuilding?
Which course has the best training model
how much is the NASM CPT cost?
https://healthandfitnessinnovation.blogspot.com/2025/05/%20Personal%20Trainer%20Certification%20Most%20Recognized.html?m=1
Hi Mr.Jeff i am from india and im confused between which course to choose, ISSA or Ace for starting a personal training venture including international clients.
Saying NASM is better than NSCA is insane. I understand that you are talking about the "course" and NASM actually offers a course. The thing is, NSCA CPT is meant to be a part of a college education. It does a FAR better job of evaluating your understanding of exercise science, and if you take a collage course in it there is usually a lab portion where to do learn hands on how to teach proper technique. I also think in terms of getting a job, NSCA is going to hold a hell of a lot more weight. As far as nutrition goes, I think it is better to get that training from a separate source. Like an actual nutrition certification. I believe NASM and ISSA have nutrition specific certifications.
Thanks!
So If I take the bundle with NASM, would it be worth it in the long run since I want to do this for the long run or should I do it one by one?
Is reps certification good or which one is good
You say don’t pay over $500 but NASM is $999 did the price go up?
Hi, please suggest couple of personal trainer courses for novice which would teach basics of exercises like squats, compound exercises and weight lifting? Thanks
Hello, I have some experience in fitness as my own but don’t have any academic background, I wanna go to this industry as personal Trainer and I live in Canada. would course is best for me to start?
Sooooo if NASM DOESNT do a very good job of coaching lifting technique nor calories and nutrition, then how could this possibly be considered the best one???
I’m Issa certified, but I did NASM years ago, and NCSF at a community college.
Didn’t pass NASM by like 4 questions but had a pretty negative experience when trying to reenroll.
Did ISSA to just have a certificate.
Then did NCSF because that was required by my college.
Overall, they all did a good job of teaching basic exercise science, cueing for fundamental lifts (squat, deadlift, overhead press, etc.)
You get what you put into certifications like these. If you can memorize easily and visualize easily, NASM is probably the best.
If you want to get through a certification quickly and have trouble memorizing but still want a solid foundation, I vote for ISSA.
NCSF is kinda in the middle. There wasn’t anything super unique between ISSA and NCSF CPT. The structure was similar, the goal of being a “gym trainer” was similar. Programming was similar even if they both stressed slightly different things.
I was already ISSA certified when I did NCSF so I focused on grades and application over memorization because I knew I wasn’t doing the NCCA exam.
At the end of the day, you get out of certification what you put into it.
Call up local gyms and ask which certification they prefer and how open they are to brand new trainers. That will do more to help you get a job.
I’m currently finishing pre-reqs and going to transfer to PSU for exercise science and will have to do NCSA or ACSM CPT (don’t recall which one the college uses) as part of that journey.
Thanks for the detailed video. Whats your take on the “Hanselman Certified Personal Trainer” course . I am based in India . Is it worth the cost – 2000 USD ?
Does anyone have experience with the CSCS certification?
Are there any pre-requisite for nasm cpt?
Hi !
I am currently living in China . But I can’t Chinese and my engsluhs level is not so high. But I have much knowledges from my sport career as professional athlete. What do you think which one is better for me?
ISSA is NCCA accreditated now. Is it still a good choice? Currently for this month it is highly discounted.
How about CSEP?
Heyy I highly appreciate your video. I am from Turkey and I graduated from university with a trainer degree specialized in tennis . I wonder if this university degree could be useful for me in America.
I guess all continents need certified trainers except one 😢
What is the diffetence between Certified Personal Training and Diploma in personal Training
Thanks for the information appreciate you
What are your thoughts on the NESTA pt certification?
Have you looked into the Poliquin Group certification?
This video put alot in prospective for me.. There is so much more to becoming a PT than passing a Certification Course..
Do you have any thoughts about Mike Boyle’s CFSC?
Thanks for all this information!!
I have a ISSA CERTIFICATION SHOULD I GET ANOTHER ONE 😢
There are only a handful certifications that are credentialed through USREP which is the highest status for personal training certificates as well as the NCCA. ACE, ACSM, NSCA. If you’re getting any other cert, you’re getting ripped off. Do your research!
Just passed my ACE exam and your right not alot of cueing exercises mostly information regarding TTM and cardio information
Which is the best as an Indian is it ace or issa for CPT CNT ??
Nasm is hard
*We do receive a small commission on some of these course links! Also, some may grant discounts. Thank you for the love and support guys!*
NASM Certified Personal Training Course: https://nationalacademyofsportsmedicine.sjv.io/c/2369241/1829035/21810
ACE Certified Personal Training Course: https://acefitness.referralrock.com/l/JEFFPAYNE64/
ISSA Certified Personal Training Course: https://issa.sjv.io/c/2369241/872380/12162
NSCA Certified Personal Training Course: https://www.nsca.com/
Brookbush Institute Certified Personal Training Course: https://brookbushinstitute.com/certifications/certified-personal-trainer
NCSF Certified Personal Training Course: https://nationalcouncilonstrength.sjv.io/c/2369241/909605/12472
Here’s the Pocketprep link. It’s worth it!: https://pocketprep.sjv.io/c/2369241/1637839/18999
I am ACE cpt certified. Currently working on PES NASM. I like ACE OPT model more though.
Nasm🏋🏼♂️🏋🏻♀️🏋🏻🏋🏼♂️
Can you recommend which cert would be best for me. I’m currently a massage thertherapist and I’m looking to implement strengthening exercises for rehabilitation purposes. I have the issa corrective exercise cert but I’d like to add things such as kettlebells to the arsenal.
im currently 19 years old and hold a local certification from Pakistan
i will be moving to Canada in September
this video was definitely helpful but what are your thoughts on CANFITPRO certifications as i plan to redo my certification which is also accredited with NCCA
The reason I came to youtube was to learn more about NASM, because I am planning on taking their CPT and certified nutrition Coach, the bundle is a little over $1000. Please can you explain a little more about what makes giving nutrition advise illegal? Can I give nutrition plan and set up online fitness and weightloss coaching with these courses mentioned above?
Sir i started ACE i hope its good over all?
What about now for the ISSA? Since you can choose testing that is NCCA accredited? I see the video was made a year ago so it might not have been then but what about now, would it be a good choice for the USA since they offer that testing now?
Thank you!