| NCCA | | | | Workshops |
| Let's start with the good news...NASM - The | | | | NASM has a Live Workshop (included in a few of |
| National Academy of Sports Medicine - Personal | | | | their packages, like the PLUS package) that is a |
| Training certification is NCCA accredited. So that's | | | | two-day program where you can get some really |
| a good start, right? | | | | solid hands on experience. Of course, you know |
| Certifications | | | | how much I value the hands on experience, so I |
| NASM offers a CPT designation, obviously short | | | | consider this a fantastic advantage of NASM. |
| for "Certified Personal Trainer". Surprisingly, unlike | | | | The Workshops (Live Workshop) are held in |
| most of the other certification organizations, it | | | | major cities throughout the year. The calendar of |
| only offers one certification! What a shocking idea! | | | | the upcoming years workshops is out well in |
| NASM claims (although I have not verified it with | | | | advance and you can check the website for the |
| each company) to be a 'preferred' provider of | | | | current schedule. |
| trainers for places like Gold's Gym and Bally's. | | | | Costs |
| Although I do not encourage you to make a | | | | As you've probably guessed, the 'cost' of the |
| career out of those establishments, while you're | | | | exam is hard to separate from the study |
| learning they could be a good place to get some | | | | workshop material, so I'm just going to list them |
| experience. | | | | all together. |
| Reputation / Popularity | | | | CPT PLUS (Recommended for new Trainers) - |
| NASM is one of the less recognized NCCA | | | | $679 |
| accredited organizations in the industry. Maybe it's | | | | CPT Regular (Textbook, Study Guide, DVD, and |
| just because they only offer one level of | | | | Exam) - $599 |
| certification, who knows. But it's rarely the | | | | CPT Exam (Just the Exam) - $549 |
| certification of first choice for many gyms or | | | | Live Workshop - $199 |
| fitness studios. | | | | CD-ROM Course - $149 |
| Again, that's not necessarily bad, especially if you | | | | So basically you're going to pay around $550 just |
| are just training for your own clients. But just | | | | to sit for the exam, whether you need any |
| keep in mind that many times a studio will want | | | | review or materials at all. |
| you get yet another certification (like NSCA) to | | | | Validity |
| keep all their trainers on an even keel. | | | | The NASM CPT certification is valid for two years. |
| Eligibility | | | | During those two years, you need to take about |
| The eligibility requirements are basically the same | | | | 20 hours of credits for your future recertification. |
| as everyone else's. You must be 18 years of age, | | | | CEC's |
| have a current CPR and AED certification, and be | | | | NASM offers a ton of CEC's for you to take to |
| able to fork over the exam fees. | | | | get your 20 hours of CEC's completed. |
| Exam | | | | Unfortunately, it appears that you really need to |
| The exam is done a little bit differently than the | | | | take their NASM CEC classes, as they don't seem |
| other certifications. ...OK, on second thought, make | | | | to provide a list of 'other' approved courses. Many |
| that a LOT different... | | | | certification organizations allow you to take |
| You have to buy one of their 'educational | | | | classes at colleges or other institutions, however I |
| packages' to get the exam. So, in a sense, the | | | | can't find any evidence that's available from |
| exam is included with the study materials (at least | | | | NASM. |
| the cost it). Then when you're ready, you set up | | | | The list of CEC classes is quite extensive and, |
| an exam date (minimum 3 days ahead) and then | | | | although I can't find a way to substitute other |
| take the pas/fail exam. | | | | classes, these should keep you learning for quite |
| This means that you can't really just take the | | | | some time! |
| NASM CPT without buying all of their materials. | | | | Renewal |
| Just purchasing the "exam" only package is $549! | | | | Renewal is every two years, 20 CEC hours, and |
| The weird thing is that if you buy the materials, | | | | has a fee of $99 with a $30 late fee if you file |
| the cost is only $50 more. The 'recommended' | | | | (or complete your CEC's) late. |
| PLUS version is $679 (which includes a Live | | | | Summary |
| Workshop) | | | | As you can see, NASM does many of its |
| Another odd thing is that you only have 120 days | | | | certification procedures very differently than |
| to take the exam after 'enrolling' as a NASM | | | | other organizations. The cost of the exam, since |
| member. I respect the effort to bring people on | | | | it's built into the course materials, is much higher |
| board quickly and make it like a classroom (where | | | | than other exams. Any hope of just "Certification |
| deadlines are quite common), but it is very out of | | | | Adding" by taking the exam is going to cost you |
| the mainstream for this industry. It's up to you if | | | | even if you don't need the materials. |
| you feel that is appropriate with your time | | | | NASM does offer a lot of continuing education and |
| constraints. | | | | support for its members. It's, again, not really the |
| You also need to order things through one of | | | | first choice of many gyms, but it's an NCCA |
| their "Education Consultants" to order the | | | | approved organization that provides real quality |
| recommended PLUS version of the study/exam | | | | education (especially the Live Workshop) and |
| materials...which to me is just another barrier to | | | | instant recognition in the industry. |
| me getting myself moving. | | | | |