If you are passionate about fitness and want to help others achieve their health goals, you may want to become a personal trainer. This is a rewarding career that can also increase your income and reputation in the fitness industry.
But how do you get the education you need without spending too much money? Education is not cheap, and some personal training certifications can be very costly, requiring you to pay a lot of money for study materials, exam fees, and recertification costs.
Don’t worry, there are some personal training certifications that are affordable and high-quality. They can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design and deliver safe and effective exercise programs for various clients.
In this article, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of getting a cheap personal training certification, and how to choose the best one for your budget and goals. We will also review some of the top personal training certifications that are low-cost and reputable.
Table of Contents
The advantages of getting a cheap personal training certification
Getting a cheap personal training certification can have some advantages, such as:
- Saving money: One of the main advantages of getting a cheap personal training certification is that you can save money on your education. This can be helpful if you have a tight budget, or if you want to invest your money in other areas of your career, such as marketing, equipment, or continuing education.
- Starting fast: Another advantage of getting a cheap personal training certification is that you can start your career fast. Many inexpensive personal training certifications are self-paced and online, meaning you can study and take the exam whenever and wherever you want. Some certifications can be completed in as little as four weeks, allowing you to launch your career in a short time.
- Learning the basics: A cheap personal training certification can also help you learn the basic principles and concepts of personal training, such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, assessment, program design, and behavior change. These are essential skills for any personal trainer, regardless of the certification you choose.
The best way to choose a personal training certification for you
To choose the best personal training certification for you, you need to consider four criteria: accreditation, curriculum, recognition, and support. These criteria will help you evaluate and compare different personal training certifications, and find the one that best suits your goals and needs.
- Accreditation: Accreditation is a process that ensures that a certification meets certain standards of quality and credibility. It is done by an independent, third-party organization that reviews and audits the certification’s content, exam, and recertification requirements. The most widely accepted accreditation for personal training certifications is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which is the same organization that accredits certifications for other health professions, such as nursing and physical therapy. Other reputable accreditations include the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE). You should look for a personal training certification that is accredited by one of these organizations, or at least by a similar or equivalent one.
- Curriculum: Curriculum refers to the content and scope of the certification’s study materials and exam. It should cover the essential topics and skills that a personal trainer needs to know and apply, such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, assessment, program design, and behavior change. It should also be based on the latest scientific evidence and best practices in the field of personal training. You should look for a personal training certification that has a complete and current curriculum that matches your interests and goals.
- Recognition: Recognition refers to the reputation and acceptance of the certification in the fitness industry and among employers, clients, and peers. It indicates how well the certification prepares you for the job market and how much it enhances your credibility and professionalism. You should look for a personal training certification that is widely recognized and respected by the fitness community, and that has positive reviews and testimonials from certified trainers and employers.
- Support: Support refers to the resources and assistance that the certification provides to help you study, prepare, and pass the exam, and to maintain and advance your career. It may include things like online courses, textbooks, study guides, practice tests, webinars, podcasts, mentorship, job boards, networking opportunities, and continuing education opportunities. You should look for a personal training certification that offers adequate and accessible support that meets your learning style and needs.
The disadvantages of getting a cheap personal training certification
However, getting a cheap personal training certification can also have some disadvantages, such as:
- Quality issues: Some cheap personal training certifications may not have high quality in terms of their content, exam, and recertification requirements. They may be outdated, incomplete, inaccurate, or irrelevant to the current standards and trends in the fitness industry. They may also have low passing rates, high dropout rates, or low retention rates, indicating that they are not effective or engaging for learners.
- Credibility problems: Some cheap personal training certifications may not have high credibility in terms of their accreditation, recognition, and reputation. They may not be accredited by a reputable organization, or they may be accredited by a dubious or unknown one. They may also not be recognized or respected by the fitness industry or employers, or they may have negative reviews or feedback from certified trainers or clients. This can affect your chances of getting hired, getting referrals, or building trust and rapport with your clients.
- Support gaps: Some cheap personal training certifications may not have high support in terms of their resources and assistance. They may not offer enough or any study materials, practice tests, webinars, podcasts, mentorship, job boards, networking opportunities, or continuing education opportunities. They may also have poor customer service, technical issues, or hidden fees. This can make it harder for you to study, prepare, and pass the exam, and to maintain and advance your career.
How to choose a personal training certification that fits your budget
To choose a personal training certification that fits your budget, you need to consider the cost and the value of the certification. Cost refers to the amount of money you have to pay for the certification, including the study materials, exam fees, and recertification fees. Value refers to the benefits and outcomes you get from the certification, such as the quality, credibility, recognition, and support.
The best personal training certification that fits your budget is the one that offers the highest value for the lowest cost. This means that it meets or exceeds the criteria of accreditation, curriculum, recognition, and support, while also fitting your budget and needs.
To find the best personal training certification that fits your budget, you need to do some research and comparison. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Determine your budget and needs: Before you look for a personal training certification, you need to decide how much money you can afford to spend on your education, and what your goals and interests are as a personal trainer. This will help you narrow down your options and focus on the ones that match your budget and needs.
- Search for accredited certifications: Once you have decided your budget and needs, you need to look for personal training certifications that are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the NCCA, DEAC, or NBFE. You can use online databases, directories, or websites to find accredited certifications, or you can check the accreditation status of a certification on the accrediting organization’s website. You should avoid certifications that are not accredited or that have questionable accreditation.
- Compare the curriculum, recognition, and support: After you have found some accredited certifications, you need to compare their curriculum, recognition, and support. You can use online reviews, testimonials, ratings, or rankings to get an idea of how comprehensive, up-to-date, relevant, and respected the certifications are. You can also use the certification’s website, brochure, or customer service to get more information about their content, exam, and recertification requirements, and their resources and assistance. You should look for certifications that have a high-quality curriculum, a high recognition, and a high support.
- Compare the cost: Finally, after you have compared the curriculum, recognition, and support, you need to compare the cost of the certifications. You can use the certification’s website, brochure, or customer service to get the exact or approximate prices of the study materials, exam fees, and recertification fees. You should also check for any discounts, scholarships, payment plans, or hidden fees that may affect the final cost. You should look for certifications that have a low cost, or at least a reasonable cost for the value they offer.
By following these steps, you should be able to find the best personal training certification that fits your budget for you.
Personal training certifications and their cost: FAQ
Here are some common questions and answers about personal training certifications and their cost.
Which personal training certificate is the most expensive?
The most expensive personal training certificate is the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), which costs $475 for the study materials and the exam. However, this certificate is accredited by the NCCA, and it has a high recognition and support in the fitness industry.
Which personal training certificate is the cheapest?
The cheapest personal training certificate is the ACTION Personal Trainer Certification, which costs only $99 for the study materials and the exam. However, this certificate is not accredited by the NCCA, and it has a low recognition and support in the fitness industry. Therefore, it may not be the best option for your career.
How much does it usually cost to become a personal trainer?
The usual cost of becoming a personal trainer depends on several factors, such as the certificate you choose, the study materials you use, the exam fees you pay, and the recertification fees you incur. However, a rough estimate is that it can cost anywhere from $100 to $1000 to get a personal training certificate, and from $50 to $500 to maintain it every two years.
Is it worth it to get a cheap personal training certificate?
A cheap personal training certificate can be worth it if it meets your budget, goals, and needs, and if it offers a good value in terms of quality, credibility, recognition, and support. However, a cheap personal training certificate can also be a waste of money and time if it does not meet these criteria, and if it does not prepare you well for the job market or the client expectations. Therefore, you should do your research and comparison before you get a cheap personal training certificate, and make sure it is the best option for you.
Top Personal Training Certifications
Here are some of the top personal training certifications that are affordable and high-quality, based on the criteria of accreditation, curriculum, recognition, and support. They are listed in alphabetical order, not in order of preference or ranking.
ACTION Personal Trainer Certification
The ACTION Personal Trainer Certification is one of the cheapest personal training certifications available, costing only $99 for the study materials and the exam. It is also one of the fastest personal training certifications to complete, as it can be done in as little as four weeks. It is accredited by the NCCA, and it covers the basic topics and skills of personal training, such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, assessment, program design, and behavior change.
However, the ACTION Personal Trainer Certification also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Lack of recognition: The ACTION Personal Trainer Certification is not very well-known or respected in the fitness industry or among employers, clients, and peers. It may not be accepted by some gyms, studios, or insurance companies, or it may require you to have additional credentials or experience to work as a personal trainer.
- Lack of support: The ACTION Personal Trainer Certification does not offer much support to help you study, prepare, and pass the exam, or to maintain and advance your career. It only provides an online course, a textbook, and a practice test, and it does not have any webinars, podcasts, mentorship, job boards, networking opportunities, or continuing education opportunities. It also has poor customer service, technical issues, and hidden fees.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Fast
- Accredited
- Covers the basics
Cons:
- Not recognized
- Not supported
- Poor service
- Hidden fees
NASM CPT Study Guide 2024-2025
The NASM CPT Study Guide 2024-2025 is a comprehensive and up-to-date study guide for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam, which is one of the most popular and respected personal training certifications in the fitness industry. It is accredited by the NCCA, and it covers the advanced topics and skills of personal training, such as the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model, the Integrated Fitness Assessment (IFA), the Corrective Exercise Continuum (CEC), and the Nutrition Coaching Model (NCM).
The NASM CPT Study Guide 2024-2025 costs $199 for the digital version and $249 for the paperback version, which is much cheaper than the official NASM CPT study materials, which cost $699 for the self-study package and $999 for the guided-study package. It also includes a full-length practice test, a flashcard app, and a cheat sheet, which can help you review and reinforce your knowledge and skills.
However, the NASM CPT Study Guide 2024-2025 also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Not a certification: The NASM CPT Study Guide 2024-2025 is not a certification itself, but a study guide for the NASM CPT exam. You still have to pay $349 for the NASM CPT exam fee, and $99 for the NASM CPT recertification fee every two years. This can increase the total cost of getting and maintaining the NASM CPT certification.
- Not enough support: The NASM CPT Study Guide 2024-2025 does not offer enough support to help you study, prepare, and pass the exam, or to maintain and advance your career. It does not provide any online courses, webinars, podcasts, mentorship, job boards, networking opportunities, or continuing education opportunities. It also does not have any customer service, technical support, or refund policy.
Pros:
- Comprehensive
- Up-to-date
- Accredited
- Covers the advanced topics and skills
Cons:
- Not a certification
- Not enough support
- No service
- No refund
Preparing for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam
Preparing for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam is a complete and current study guide for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam, which is one of the most widely accepted and recognized personal training certifications in the fitness industry. It is accredited by the NCCA, and it covers the essential topics and skills of personal training, such as the ACE Integrated Fitness Training (IFT) model, the ACE ABC approach to behavior change, the ACE Mover Method, and the ACE Nutrition Coaching Model.
Preparing for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam costs $249 for the digital version and $299 for the paperback version, which is much cheaper than the official ACE CPT study materials, which cost $599 for the basic package and $799 for the plus package. It also includes two full-length practice tests, a flashcard app, and a cheat sheet, which can help you review and reinforce your knowledge and skills.
However, Preparing for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Not a certification: Preparing for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam is not a certification itself, but a study guide for the ACE CPT exam. You still have to pay $399 for the ACE CPT exam fee, and $129 for the ACE CPT recertification fee every two years. This can increase the total cost of getting and maintaining the ACE CPT certification.
- Not enough support: Preparing for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam does not offer enough support to help you study, prepare, and pass the exam, or to maintain and advance your career. It does not provide any online courses, webinars, podcasts, mentorship, job boards, networking opportunities, or continuing education opportunities. It also does not have any customer service, technical support, or refund policy.
Pros:
- Complete
- Current
- Accredited
- Covers the essential topics and skills
Cons:
- Not a certification
- Not enough support
- No service
- No refund
Preparing for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam
Preparing for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam is a thorough and updated study guide for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam, which is one of the most prestigious and respected personal training certifications in the fitness industry. It is accredited by the NCCA, and it covers the advanced topics and skills of personal training, such as the ACSM Exercise Prescription Model, the ACSM Risk Stratification Model, the ACSM Exercise Testing Protocols, and the ACSM Nutrition Guidelines.
Preparing for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam costs $299 for the digital version and $349 for the paperback version, which is much cheaper than the official ACSM CPT study materials, which cost $699 for the self-study package and $999 for the live workshop package. It also includes two full-length practice tests, a flashcard app, and a cheat sheet, which can help you review and reinforce your knowledge and skills.
However, Preparing for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Not a certification: Preparing for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam is not a certification itself, but a study guide for the ACSM CPT exam. You still have to pay $349 for the ACSM CPT exam fee, and $45 for the ACSM CPT recertification fee every three years. This can increase the total cost of getting and maintaining the ACSM CPT certification.
- Not enough support: Preparing for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam does not offer enough support to help you study, prepare, and pass the exam, or to maintain and advance your career. It does not provide any online courses, webinars, podcasts, mentorship, job boards, networking opportunities, or continuing education opportunities. It also does not have any customer service, technical support, or refund policy.
Pros:
- Thorough
- Updated
- Accredited
- Covers the advanced topics and skills
Cons:
- Not a certification
- Not enough support
- No service
- No refund
Conclusion
Getting a personal training certification is a great way to start a career as a personal trainer, but it can also be expensive. However, there are some personal training certifications that are affordable and high-quality, and that can help you achieve your goals and needs. In this article, we have discussed the benefits and drawbacks of getting a cheap personal training certification, and how to choose the best one for you. We have also reviewed some of the top personal training certifications that are inexpensive and reputable, and that offer a good value in terms of quality, credibility, recognition, and support. We hope this article has helped you find the best personal training certificate at an affordable price for you. Good luck with your personal training career!
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