Become a Personal Trainer

Have Questions?

Talk to an NASM Program Advisor.

Our team of experts is ready to help you decide which program is best for you.

Call 844-902-6485

style

padded-vertical

background

dark-blue

See the Reviews

I've learned how to be more proactive and plan, really plan myself for success. That's what NASM does. It really plans your success.

Ricky J. | NASM CPT

I wanted the most broad certification that I could apply to the general population. Getting certfied through NASM, it was the perfect foundation for me to begin my journey.

Chris Powell | NASM CPT, IFBB Pro

NASM offers a diversity and assortment of certifications across the board, they have the professionals to help you get there and that's something that I love. Their online program is flawless. I love everything about them.

Jack T | NASM CPT

I have received so many benefits from being an NASM certified trainer. I am a happier person. I am now training thousands of women through the United States and in Europe. And I am so blessed.

Courtney F. | NASM CPT, WLS, CNC

The reason why NASM is a leader in fitness education and training. There's a clear path from assessment. You can build a program based on the person's individual needs and their goals.

Prentiss R. | Master Instructor

Laboris sunt tempor et ut amet ipsum ea cupidatat ex occaecat deserunt et magna sit.

style

full-width,padded-vertical

Questions? Get guidance from our Program Experts 1-800-460-6276

Ready to start? Choose Your program

style

full-width

background

white

Curriculum

Prerequisites

To be eligible for this personal training course, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, you need a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. You may enroll in the self-study course before having your CPR and AED certifications; however, you must have them before you take your final exam.

Section 1: Professional Development and Responsibility

Chapter 1: The Modern State of Health and Fitness

Learn to distinguish your role as a personal trainer, identify common chronic health conditions, differentiate evidence-based practice from fitness fads, and define your scope as a professional.

Chapter 2: The Personal Training Profession

Fitness professionals have the option to work for a variety of employers or to work for themselves. This chapter explores industry growth and the overall career outlook for personal trainers.

7 Infographics
6 Videos
2 Audio Lectures
12 Knowledge Checks

Section 2: Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching

Chapter 3: Psychology of Exercise

The role of psychology in fitness and wellness is extremely important. It can deal with several topics, including the way exercise participation affects someone’s mood in both the short and the long term, the effect of weight loss on self-esteem, the motivations to become physically active, and how social influences affect overall exercise behavior.

Chapter 4: Behavioral Coaching

This chapter covers clients’ expectations, assessing behavior change, structuring optimal sessions, communicating effectively, and implementing exercise adherence techniques using behavior change.

8 Infographics
5 Videos
2 Audio Lectures
10 Knowledge Checks

Section 3: Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts

Chapter 5: The Nervous, Skeletal, and Muscular Systems

Because all fitness professionals need an understanding of anatomy and the Human Movement System, this chapter covers the fundamentals of the Nervous, Skeletal, and Muscular Systems.

Chapter 6: The Cardiorespiratory, Endocrine, and Digestive Systems

You will learn how to identify the structure and function of the cardiorespiratory system, how to categorize the function of the endocrine system, as well as the digestive system.

Chapter 7: Human Movement Science

You will gain an understanding of the basics of biomechanics and motor behavior as they relate to working as a personal trainer.

Chapter 8: Exercise Metabolism and Bioenergetics

This section of the course breaks down the various energy systems within the body, providing essential insight into the ways we use food for fuel.

Chapter 9: Nutrition

Improving health and fitness means more than just exercise; it also requires a commitment to improve the way the body is fueled. Although specific diet prescription is outside a trainer's scope of practice, this chapter will provide the basics needed to support nutritional discussions with clients and make recommendations on how to support their goals through a healthy diet.

Chapter 10: Supplementation

It is important that the personal trainer understands what supplements are and how to educate clients on risks associated with various supplements. Within you will learn the necessary information to discuss supplementation with a client while remaining within your scope of practice.

115 Infographics
19 Videos
6 Audio Lectures
30 Knowledge Checks

Section 4: Assessment

Chapter 11: Health, Wellness, and Fitness Assessments

After this chapter, you will be able to explain the importance of assessments, collect and summarize subjective client information, identify steps for conducting body composition assessments, and choose the correct cardiorespiratory assessments on an individual basis.

Chapter 12: Posture, Movement, and Performance Assessments

Posture, movement, and performance assessments are an integral part of the intake process for all clients and will assist the fitness professional in developing customized fitness programs to enhance a client’s well-being.

15 Infographics
14 Videos
2 Audio Lectures
10 Knowledge Checks

Section 5: Exercise Technique and Training Instruction

Chapter 13: Integrated Training and the OPT™ Model

After complete interpretations of assessment results, a comprehensive training program can be developed through application of specific acute variables defined in the NASM OPT™ Model.

Chapter 14: Flexibility Training Concepts

Learn the scientific rationale for flexibility training, proper stretching exercises, stretches for beginners, and more within this chapter of the course.

Chapter 15: Cardiorespiratory Training Concepts

Cardiorespiratory fitness reflects the ability of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to supply oxygen-rich blood to skeletal muscles during sustained physical activity. You will learn more within the course.

Chapter 16: Core Training Concepts

A properly designed core training program can be a key component of an overall training plan used to achieve a broad range of goals. The objective of core training is the development of core stability, endurance, strength, and power. Learn more within.

Chapter 17: Balance Training Concepts

The ability to maintain postural control or balance is a fundamental component of performance, injury resistance, and rehabilitation that follows an injury. Learn how to incorporate balance training within your clients’ programming.

Chapter 18: Plyometric (Reactive) Training Concepts

You will learn how to explain plyometric training and its three phases, summarize the benefits of the modality, identify proper progressions, and teach proper cueing techniques.

Chapter 19: Speed, Agility, and Quickness Training Concepts

Speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) trainingis a useful and effective method of fitness training that stimulates muscular, neurological, connective tissue, and even cardiovascular fitness adaptations.

Chapter 20: Resistance Training Concepts

You will learn how to summarize resistance training principles to clients, categorize exercises for different types of goals and adaptations, and employ safe methods and resistance training variables.

26 Infographics
102 Videos
8 Audio Lectures
42 Knowledge Checks

Section 6: Program Design

Chapter 21: The Optimum Performance Training® Model

Creating and modifying exercise programs for clients can be a complicated process because there are many variables to consider, including the client’s goals, their tolerance for exercise, and their unique physical abilities and medical history. The Optimum Performance Training® Model makes it simple.

Chapter 22: Introduction to Exercise Modalities

Within this chapter you will learn how to categorize different exercise modalities, describe their uses depending on different clients, and determine the correct resistance and proprioceptive uses on an individual basis.

Chapter 23: Chronic Health Conditions and Special Populations

This chapter covers important information and recommendations for assessing and designing exercise programs for clients with selected chronic health conditions or functional limitations.

2 Infographics
8 Videos
3 Audio Lectures
19 Knowledge Checks

Final Exam

Successful completion of the final exam is required to become a Certified Personal Trainer. You have 2 exam options:

Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)

This non-proctored and open-book exam has 100 questions and requires a passing grade of 70%. This exam is administered online only. You will have 3 hours to complete the exam, and you must take the exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)

The NCCA is a nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards. The NCCA exam is a nationally accredited exam. This closed-book exam has 120 questions. You must pass with a scaled score of 70 or better. This proctored exam can be administered either in-person or online, and you will have 2 hours to complete the test. You must take this exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

The choice is yours, and selecting which exam to take will depend on your goals.