I recently completed the NASM Certified Personal Trainer course, and it was quite an educational journey. I had been thinking about taking the course for a while as I already had my RRCA running coaching certification and wanted to learn more about personal training, and particularly how to support clients in developing strength.  I’m not sure where the certification will take me in the future, but I’m excited to find a fitness and running community here in DC, and hopefully I can use my new knowledge and skills to help others.

It wasn’t hard to choose which CPT course to take. NASM, has over 35 years of experience in educating individuals about fitness and has certified more than 1.3 million people. This longstanding reputation, coupled with accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), makes it a great choice for aspiring personal trainers. It is often considered the gold standard in personal trainer certifications, which I figured would be a strong selling point for potential employers. Before enrolling in the course, I checked with a friend who is a personal trainer at a gym in Chicago, and she recommended NASM to me above other choices, such as ACE, so I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.

The CPT course is designed as a series of online modules, intended to be completed in approximately 10 weeks, although the actual duration can vary depending on your background and the time you’re able to allocate for learning. For those without much prior knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, and human movement, it may take a few months to thoroughly grasp the material, but you have 180 days from the time of purchase until you must take the exam, allowing for flexibility. I took the full 6 months to complete the course due to having a full-time job and marathon training, which made my time constraints tight. I also found a lot of the content new and challenging, so it took me a while to fully grasp it.

As I worked my way through the course, I found many pros and a few cons which might be helpful if you’re also considering taking the course:

Pros:

Study Options: NASM offers various study packages, with varying levels of support and cost. I chose the “self study” option, which gave me the flexibility to study when I was able. However, I found the online platform a challenge to navigate and so decided to purchase the textbook for ease of access and note-taking.

Abundant Study Materials: NASM provides a wealth of study resources, including a textbook, a mobile app, videos, and podcasts, catering to different learning preferences. I thought the book was especially helpful as it was super detailed.

Well-Structured and Thorough Course: The course is methodical and well-structured. The detailed textbook, while challenging, is informative and engaging to read, making it a valuable resource. There are numerous examples and templates that will be beneficial in your future career and I can see myself dipping into the book often.

Internship Opportunities: NASM’s Gymternship program is a unique selling point, offering 80 hours of hands-on training post-certification. This practical experience comes with a higher price tag but would be a valuable addition to your training. Unfortunately as I have a full time job, I wasn’t able to take advantage of that option, but I wish I could’ve.

Exam Options: NASM offers both remote and in-person exam options. I took the remote exam and found the online proctoring system to be easy to schedule, convenient and well-organized. It was a little frustrating due to all the checks that have to take place to ensure that your space is secure (and you aren’t cheating), but I’d definitely choose it again over an in-person option.

Advanced Learning Opportunities: NASM also offers advanced courses (Continuing Education Units – CEUs) for further skill development and to keep your certification current. There are lots that I’m interested in, particularly the ones on women’s health and nutrition.

NCCA Certification: NASM’s NCCA accreditation adds to its credibility, reassuring potential employers and clients of the quality of your certification.

Discounts Available: NASM frequently offers discounts on their courses, so it’s worth waiting for a promotion to save on the cost. I was able to get a 40% discount when I purchased the course.

Cons:

Cost: NASM’s courses can be expensive. I wish I could’ve afforded one of the more expensive options as I would’ve really appreciated the in-person and community support, but it wasn’t possible for at that time. 

Textbook Not Included: The two most basic packages do not include the textbook, which I felt was a significant omission. You can purchase it separately, saving money by buying it second-hand online.  I found my copy on Amazon for $60 and it was in perfect condition – I think it’s about $200 new!

Online Course Redundancy: Once I’d bought the textbook, I realised that the online course content largely mirrors the book. If I’d known this in advance I would’ve opted for just the textbook and purchased some study questions separately, saving a lot of money.

Learning Style Targeted: NASM’s course may not suit every type of learner. It’s more geared towards individuals who excel in book-based learning and fact retention. If you prefer interactive, hands-on learning, you might find it challenging and would probably be well advised to select a learning option that offers community and hands-on practice.

Non-Traditional Learning Theory: The online course’s learning approach might differ from traditional methods. The practice questions do not immediately provide correct answers when you make a mistake but rather point out errors. In my professional life I lead a team which develops learning materials, so these issues stuck out to me each time I studied.

In summary, I’m really glad that I completed my NASM-CPT course. It was more challenging than I’d expected, but I learned so much and it’s given me a lot more confidence than I had before when it comes to planning fitness programmes for people, including myself.  I wish I could’ve afforded one of the options which would’ve offered me more of a community to learn with, but despite that, I enjoyed the flexibility of the course, and the quality of the materials, which were incredibly detailed and well written.

I’m not 100% sure yet what I’m going to do with my certification. One of the first things has been to set up this blog, and I am now considering opportunities such as establishing a running coaching business or assisting in a gym. I feel that NASM has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed and I’m excited to learn more and share with the community.

Have you taken the NASM CPT course? I’m curious how you found it – let me know!