How to Become a NASM Personal Trainer - The Best Health Degrees

Key Takeaways:

Being NASM-certified shows you’ve invested time in developing advanced skills, ensuring a high competency level in personal training.
The NASM personal trainer certification sets you apart by proving your knowledge and adherence to industry standards, keeping clients safe.
To earn a NASM certification, you must meet requirements like having a high school diploma, CPR/AED certification, and passing a rigorous exam.
NASM certification increases job opportunities, income potential, and allows trainers to work with diverse client populations, including through virtual sessions.

Being NASM certified shows you’ve invested time and effort into learning the skills needed to make a difference in someone’s life truly. Plus, it proves to everyone that you’ve reached a high level of competency in the fitness world!

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The NASM personal trainer certification is for people who want to become more keen on providing personal training.. Earning this certification proves your adherence to the industry’s stringent standards, keeping your clients safe and secure with your services. It also proves your knowledge of the field, which allows you to set yourself apart in a competitive market.

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What is NASM Personal Trainer Certification?

The best way to attract clients is to earn a reputable certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). NASM has established itself as a leading authority in fitness for over 35 years. You can find top-tier, evidence-based programs in various health and fitness aspects, including:

Personal Training
Nutrition Coaching
Wellness
Sports Performance

Specifically, the NASM personal trainer certification is NASM’s most sought-after certification. This certification trains you to create exercise and conditioning programs that really work, backed by solid science.

You’ll be equipped with skills that’ll help you guide clients on their journeys. You’ll be able to help people reach their personal health, fitness, and performance goals through effective workout plans and smart lifestyle changes.

Steps to Become a NASM Personal Trainer

Earning the NASM personal trainer certification requires a solid commitment and some dedicated effort. Here’s a quick guide on how to become a personal trainer accredited by the NASM and a few NASM exam preparation tips.

Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements

To enroll in NASM’s Certified Personal Trainer program, you’ll need to meet three requirements:

A high school diploma or GED
A valid Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification
A valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification

If you haven’t obtained your CPR/AED certification yet, NASM provides a convenient online course powered by ASTI that you can register for at any point during your training.

Step 2: Study for the Exam

As one of the most reliable personal training certification programs, you should expect a rigorous exam. One of the top NASM study materials is NASM’s Essentials of Personal Fitness Training textbook. This resource delves into essential anatomy, physiology, and program design chapters.

You can also explore NASM’s official website for additional materials, such as articles and video tutorials. Check out NASM’s free CPT Exam Study Guide, a resource that includes key highlights, terms, and concepts found in the exam.

You should also have deep knowledge of exercise science, program design, and fitness assessments. These topics are vital in building a solid foundation in personal training.

Step 3: Register for the NASM-CPT Exam

In addition to preparing the NASM-CPT certification requirements, you must also prepare money. The standard cost for the NASM certification is $999, excluding any promotional offers. NASM offers various certification packages.

To register, you need to:

Visit the NASM website and create a personal account.
Choose a certification package.
Proceed to checkout and pay the certification fee.
Select a date and location for your examination.
Review your registration details and confirm your spot.

The NASM exam consists of 120 questions. You can buy a retake voucher if you don’t pass on your first attempt. Depending on your exam package, this voucher might be included for free; otherwise, it costs $199.

Step 4: Take and Pass the Exam

As of 2024, the NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions across six domains. To pass the best personal trainer certification, you need a score of 70%. Each domain covers specific content:

Professional Development and Responsibility (15%) – foundational concepts for personal training.
Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching (15%) – effective client interaction and coaching strategies.
Basic Sciences, Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts (20%) – essential exercise science and nutrition information.
Assessment (20%) – client assessment techniques.
Exercise Technique and Training Instruction (12%) – key training techniques.
Program Design (8%) – program design and the NASM OPT model.

Key Features of the NASM Exam and Certification Process

To increase your chances of passing the NASM personal trainer certification, you must be proficient in the following topics:

Assessment: evaluating clients’ fitness levels, understanding their goals, and utilizing appropriate assessment techniques to gather essential data.
Program Design: the ability to create effective, personalized workout plans tailored to individual client needs, incorporating various training modalities.
Exercise Technique: proper form and execution of exercises, emphasizing safety and effectiveness to ensure clients perform movements correctly.
Nutrition: guidance on basic nutrition, dietary needs, and how nutrition impacts overall health and fitness.

The average student typically requires between 4 and 12 weeks to complete the NASM certification.

To get ready for the NASM personal trainer certification exam, begin with the official NASM CPT textbook and study portal. You can also supplement your studies with optional resources, like a free study guide from PTPioneer or premium materials available on Trainer Academy. Additionally, utilizing tools such as NASM cheat sheets, flashcards, and practice tests can enhance your preparation.

Benefits of Becoming a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer

The NASM personal trainer certification has gained a reputation as one of the more challenging credentials in the industry. Understandably, it does offer several significant benefits:

You’ll have increased job opportunities in gyms, wellness centers, and self-employment.
You can work with various client populations, including athletes and beginners.
It deepens your understanding of corrective exercise and safe fitness practices.
You increase your earning potential and career growth with NASM certification.

Continuing Education and Career Advancement

Once you pass the exam, your certification remains valid for two years. To maintain your certification, you need to earn 2.0 NASM continuing education credits, which is equivalent to 20 hours of training during that period.

You can also pursue Advanced NASM certifications, such as:

Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)

Many also expand to other related fields like nutrition and health coaching to be able to offer a more comprehensive service to clients.

Job Outlook and Demand for Personal Trainers

According to the U.S. BLS, fitness trainers and instructors are expected to grow 14 percent from 2023 to 2033. This means that you’ll have a low chance of unemployment.

Thanks to technological advancements, you’re no longer restricted to in-person coaching. You can now offer virtual training sessions through video calls, apps, and online platforms. This flexibility lets you reach a broader audience while allowing clients to work out from home.

Moreover, the NASM certification benefits your earning potential greatly. The median annual salary of a certified personal trainer is $79,053. On the other hand, if you don’t earn a certification, you can earn an average of $46,480 only.

The NASM personal trainer certification helps you pursue various personal trainer career paths, such as:

Golf fitness specialist
Group fitness instructor
Life coach
MMA conditioning specialist
Nutrition coach
Performance enhancement specialist
Senior fitness specialist
Weight loss coach
Women’s fitness specialist
Youth exercise specialist

Preparing for a Successful Career After NASM Certification

Have you ever heard of the term “Celebrity Personal Trainer”? Many think that it translates to having a celebrity as a client, but you don’t need celebrity clients to be a “Celebrity Personal Trainer.”

You can establish yourself as a local celebrity by training everyday people and making your services the trend in your community. Here are a few tips on how you can do this:

Build a client base and establish a personal brand. It’s important to be someone people enjoy being around, as knowledge alone isn’t enough if you’re boring. Let your personality shine while also showcasing an effective exercise program, a strong work ethic, and impressive results.
Amp up your marketing skills. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are essential because your clients and competitors are active on them. Share inspiring content, including photos and videos of client workouts, success stories, and motivational quotes.
Stay current. By keeping up with the latest trends and techniques, trainers can offer their clients the best and most effective advice and training methods.

Conclusion

Earning the NASM personal trainer certification should be one of your top priorities to ensure competitiveness in the growing health and fitness industry. You don’t even need a degree to register for the NASM personal trainer certification exam! You only need a high school diploma or GED. While CPR/AED certification is beneficial, NASM offers a convenient online course through ASTI that you can register for at any time during your training.

This career is a great way to make extra money in addition to your current job as well! You can set your own hours and offer sessions that fit your schedule, making it a flexible option.