Personal Trainer Certification

Are you physically fit? Are you interested in showing other people how to be physically fit? Then, personal trainer may be the field for you. Many organizations that hire personal trainers refuse to accept those who haven't been certified by recognized accrediting organizations, so if you want to get your career off to a good start, you'll want personal trainer certification.

Fortunately, there are a large number of organizations that are willing to offer you personal trainer certification if your skills meet their standards. Here's a quick rundown on several of them:

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM): The ACSM exam costs between $219 and $279. You must have a high school degree and CPR certification to get this form of personal trainer certification.
  
• American Council on Exercise (ACE): The ACE exam costs between $219 and $249. You must have CPR certification to get this form of personal trainer certification.
  
• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA): The AFAA exam costs $469 but includes a three-day workshop.
  
• American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA): The AFOA exam costs $370. You must have a high school diploma to get this form of personal trainer certification.
  
• International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA): The IFPA exam costs $349.
  
• International Sports & Sciences Association (ISSA): The ISSA exam costs $595.
  
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): The NASM exam costs $549.
  
• National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF): The NCSF exam costs $549. You must be CPR certified to get this form of personal trainer certification.
  
• National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT): The NFPT exam costs $450. You must have a high school degree to get this form of personal trainer certification.