How to Become a NASM Certified Fitness Coach/Trainer
Fitness coaching has become one of the most demanding and exciting careers over the last decade.
The first step towards building a promising career in this field is getting certified, and NASM certification is the right choice for you. The company has been one of the top choices worldwide for over 30 years. With NASM, you can start your fitness career in as few as four weeks.
What is NASM Certification?
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is one of the most recognized certification programs in the fitness industry. You can choose from the four programs to obtain your certificate from NASM.
If you want to get started with your fitness training certification, the first step is to check your eligibility. The following are the minimum requirements for NASM certification:
- High school or undergraduate degree
- Minimum 18 years of age
- CPR certification (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
- AED certification (Automated External Defibrillator).
The next step is to research your options and find your desired certification. There are various certifications available, but finding the ones accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) is the best.
The last step is to choose the program and get started. If you decide to go for NASM, they have multiple CPT packages available.
What Does a NASM Certification Actually Certify?
A NASM certification means that the trainer has completed the certification program by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. They have passed the exam and are well-trained in various topics like fitness, physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, and curriculum development, etc.
NASM-certified professionals have the knowledge and tools to transform their clients’ lives and make them healthier and happier.
Benefits of NASM Certification
Following are a few benefits of taking NASM certification:
- The NASM basic study package includes video tutorials and more than one practice test.
- Non-basic packages of NASM certification come with job guarantees.
- The NASM certification exam has fewer questions compared to many other exams.
- The program offers you to avoid future renewal fees by just paying a cost of $399 in advance.
- NASM offers a unique specialization in Life Coaching, Women’s Fitness, MMA Conditioning, and Golf enhancement.
If you meet the minimum eligibility criteria, you can start by choosing one of the study programs from the NASM website. Once you are prepared to give your certification exam, you can schedule a time at your convenience.
NASM Specializations
NASM offers various specializations along with personal training certification; the following are some of those:
- Nutrition & Fitness
- Wellness
- Stretching & Flexibility
- Sports performance enhancement
- Weight loss
- Behaviour change
- Corrective exercise
- Life Coaching
- Women’s Fitness
- MMA Conditioning
- Golf enhancement and more
NASM Program Cost
The NASM program has wrapped up its cost into four study packages. The program’s basic plan costs $699 without any discounts and coupons, which includes the exam’s costs, a digital copy of the textbook, access to video tutorials, and a practice quiz with answers.
Exam Structure
The NASM certification exam has 120 questions you must complete in 120 minutes. The minimum rate to score is 64.3% to pass the exam.
Recertification Process
To recertify in NASM, you must complete a 2.0 continuing education credit and renew the certification. You need to recertify every two years, which can be done and paid for online. NASM allows you to pay an upfront fee of $399, and you can avoid any future renewal fees.
Career Opportunities
If you have chosen to follow your passion for fitness, then with NASM, the following career opportunities are waiting for you:
- Fitness & Training Careers- Certified personal trainer, Virtual coach/Online trainer, Gym Owner.
- Nutrition Careers- Nutrition coach, Nutrition and Fitness coach.
- Specialty Careers- Wellness Coach, Athletic Coach, Corrective Excercise & Injury Prevention, Group Fitness Instructor.
According to various websites, such as payscale.com, the average income for NASM personal trainers is $41,598. NASM offers you a job guarantee within 90 days of your CPT certification if you choose its premium Self-Study, Guided Study, and All-inclusive programs.
Types of NASM Certifications
Following are some of the popular and important NASM certifications:
#1. Certified Personal Trainer
Personal trainer certification is one of the most comprehensive and revolutionary fitness programs. With NASM, you can get certified as a personal trainer in as few as four weeks. NASM has developed one of the most successful personal trainers in the world for over 30 years.
NASM personal trainer certification guarantees you a job for some selected programs. You can get a job at top gyms, get excess to fitness experts, and more.
#2. Certified Nutrition Coach
Nutrition coach certification from NASM helps you improve your client’s nutrition or dietary habits and bring positive results. A good healthy body needs good nutrition as much as it needs physical activity.
NASM has introduced this research-based program to help train professionals who wants to make a long-lasting impact on their client’s nutrition. It provides all the information, including vegan and vegetarian diets.
#3. Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
The sports nutrition coach certification is designed for fitness professionals who want to help athletes improve their performance and maximize their potential through nutrition. It will help you learn.
- How to develop personalized nutrition recommendations for athletes.
- Latest sports nutrition principles for healthy sports performance
The certification is ideal for Nutrition coaches, Weekend warriors, Sports coaches, Fitness enthusiasts, Strength & conditioning coaches, and Personal trainers.
#4. Performance Enhancement Specialization
This certification will help you specialize in enhancing athlete performance from weekend warriors to professionals. You will help your clients reach their peak performance. This certification is ideal for personal, physical, Athletic trainers, Coaches, etc. There are a total of 16 modules to prepare for the exam.
#5. Certified Wellness Coach
The certified wellness coach is best for you if you want to learn evidence-based strategies to help your clients achieve their wellness goals. You will be well prepared as a wellness coach to help reverse the global healthcare crisis.
NASM vs. ISSA vs. ACE
Attributes | NASM | ISSA | ACE |
| Overview | NASM stands for National Academy of Sports Medicine and is over 30 years old and world-renowned for its personal trainers. | ISSA stands for The International Sports Sciences Association and was founded by a team of fitness experts and exercise scientists in 1988. | ACE stands for American Council in Excercise and was founded in 1985 under the name IDEA foundation. |
| Pricing | NASM pricing starts at $699 and goes upto $1,099 for the premium guided-study option. | ISSA costs higher, and its pricing starts at $1,598 for the self-study option. | ACE pricing starts at $599 and goes upto $700. |
| Pass Rate | 64.3%. | 89.9%. | 65%. |
| No. of Questions | 120 | 160 | 150 |
| Recertification Process | Needs to recertify every two years with a fee of $99 and 20 hours of CEUs. | Needs to recertify every two years with a fee of $99 and 20 hours of CEUs. | The recertification course for ACE is 20 hours and $120 additional fee. |
| Specializations | Nutrition & Fitness Wellness Stretching & Flexibility Sports performance enhancement, Weight loss Behaviour Life Coaching Women’s Fitness MMA and more | Certified Personal Trainer, Nutritionist Bodybuilding, Specialist Glute Specialist, Kickboxing Instructor, Performance Enhancement Coach Powerlifting Instructor and more | Fitness Nutrition Functional Training, Weight Management Senior Fitness Behaviour, Change Orthopedic Excercise Youth Fitness Sports Performance, and more |
Final Words
NASM provides high-quality and money-back guarantees for non-basic packages. It is the most preferred and the best personal trainer certification program in the fitness industry. You can do your research before choosing your certification, but you can trust with NASM certification without a doubt and should go for it.
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