Which Personal Training Certification Is Better, ISSA or NASM?
To assist you in choosing the best personal trainer certification program, a certified personal trainer compares the ISSA and NASM programs.
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Selecting the best certification program for your needs is the first step toward realizing your dream of becoming a personal trainer. The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) are two of the most well-known accrediting bodies in the health and fitness sector. Every NASM and ISSA course offers a different approach to its curriculum, which helps accommodate a range of learning preferences and professional objectives.
As a well-known leader in the field, NASM is renowned for its evidence-based teaching strategies that emphasize corrective exercise instruction, proper technique, and behavioral coaching. In the meantime, ISSA is notable for its extensive curriculum that combines program design, nutrition, and exercise science.
We’ll contrast and compare these two certifications in this post to provide prospective trainers the knowledge they need to make wise financial and career-related decisions. We’ll go into great detail about these two certifications, covering everything from the core course concepts to real-world applications, to help you decide which one will work best for you.
Important characteristics and specifications
Exam fee: Included
Cost of study materials: Included
Prerequisites: CPR/AED certification and a high school diploma; 70% exam passing score
Exam success rate: 74%
Six months to finish
Cycle of recertification: two years
Total program cost: $899
Having been established in 1987, NASM is a reputable training organization that offers fitness professionals degrees and certifications. The goal of NASM is to give people the skills, credentials, and information they need to change people’s lives.
One of the most well-liked certification courses offered by NASM is the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program. The fundamentals of exercise science, program design, and client assessment are all covered in the CPT curriculum. The Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC), Certified Sports Nutrition Coach (CSNC), and Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) programs are among the nutrition and wellness certifications that NASM also provides.
NASM also stresses how crucial it is for fitness professionals to pursue ongoing education. In order to facilitate continued education and professional growth, it provides a variety of specialized certifications and courses. Among them are specialists in behavior modification, weight loss, performance enhancement, and corrective exercise, to mention a few.
Regarding methodology, Mike Clark, DPT, is credited with creating the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model used by NASM. This methodical approach to program design comprises phases for power, strength, and stabilization. This methodology is intended to assist trainers in developing customized, efficient exercise and nutrition plans for their clientele.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has accredited NASM. The NCCA accreditation of a certification program is a crucial determinant of its caliber and conformity to industry standards and current best practices. This certification shows that NASM’s programs have passed a rigorous review process and satisfy the high standards established by the NCCA.
The goal of the NASM CPT program is to give those who want to become certified personal trainers a thorough education.
The CPT program provides an online, self-paced learning environment with a variety of graphics, video lectures, text based on evidence, and quizzes to help you remember what you’ve learned. Although the length of the program can vary depending on each student’s study habits, background knowledge, and preferred learning path, most students can finish the course in eight to twelve weeks. Your final exam must be scheduled no later than six months from the start of the course; otherwise, you will be charged to reschedule the exam.
Do you have any questions regarding the NASM CPT certification? See our review of the NASM CPT here.
Six sections make up the CPT course, in addition to a final exam:
Professional Growth and Accountability
Behavioral coaching and client relations Fundamental and Applied Sciences
Exercise Methodology and Training Course Structure
The NASM CPT program is rated as moderately to challenging in terms of difficulty, and approximately 75% of students pass the final exam. It calls for a strong foundation in anatomy, exercise science, and program design. In order to guarantee that students can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, the program also includes components for practical application.
Having completed the NASM CPT program, I thought it was a very worthwhile and in-depth course. The online learning platform also contained a number of useful resources, such as client assessment forms and sample optimal performance training (OPT) exercise programs that have shown to be highly advantageous. I would describe the difficulty as semi-challenging. But I had completed anatomy, physiology, and human biology courses in college, which really helped me finish the course.
