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July 31, 2023

You need more than just an upbeat personality and an obsession with wellness to make a living as a personal trainer. Any successful trainer will tell you a certification is crucial to establish your credibility and expertise—and where that certification is from plays a huge role. When comparing what many would consider the two best personal trainer certifications, ISSA vs NASM, there are a number of factors to consider.

Both organizations have a long-standing history and have certified thousands of fitness professionals worldwide—so it’s no surprise Luis Echeverry, certified personal trainer, CEO and founder of DrivenFit in Tampa, FL, and Kenny Santucci, certified personal trainer and founder of The Strength Club in New York City, agree that these are two of the most recognized and respected certifications in the field.

But which should you try? Let’s dive deeper into the similarities, differences, and how to choose between the two.

ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) is a NCCA-accredited and DEAC-accredited global organization that offers a wide range of fitness certifications, including personal training, fitness nutrition, strength and conditioning, and more from the comfort of your home. We dubbed it the best personal training certificate for new trainers earlier this year.

This program is beloved for its self-paced, online courses, which make earning a high quality personal training certificate accessible to all. It’s also more affordable than other certificates (including NASM), and the curriculum is built to accommodate a range of desired time-frames.

Many people say ISSA is not as in-depth as NASM (and therefore less challenging), but it still results in a NCCA-accredited certificate.

ISSA’s courses offer flexibility and a self-paced nature, which makes it suitable for those who need to balance their studies with other commitments. The personal training certification covers topics such as exercise science, program design, client assessment, nutrition, and business fundamentals.

Per Echeverry, “ISSA tends to be more of a general personal training certificate with a business skillset portion. It’s also more affordable with a higher pass rate because [it’s open book, so] having to sit for the exam a second time is unlikely. Most CPT’s finish the course within four months.”

You’ll need to get recertified every 2 years, and the brand’s website outlines easy ways to renew your ISSA personal training certification along with some helpful FAQ’s and incentives.

Pros:

• Offers a fast track accelerated course (4 weeks)
• More affordable choice
• Very high pass rate

Cons:

• No hands-on experience in program

NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) is a widely recognized and respected organization in the fitness industry that offers NCCA-accredited certifications, education, and training for personal trainers.

Per Santucci, “NASM is a nationally recognized certification. It is the gold standard for most people who want to get into training. It’s recognized by most big box gyms as an entry level education for fitness.”

The NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) is the company’s flagship program and focuses on preparing fitness professionals to work with clients of all fitness levels and help them achieve their health and fitness goals using a comprehensive and systematic approach.

There are four CPT programs to choose from, but the elite trainer program stands out for its one-on-one mentorships and on-site “Gymnternship,” where future trainers gain valuable hands-on experience.

Whichever program you choose, NASM’s mission is to provide evidence-based education and training programs that focus on the scientific principles of human movement, exercise, and performance. The organization is dedicated to promoting safe and effective fitness practices by utilizing the latest research and advancements in exercise science, which is why it earned the best inclusive/guided study certificate in our certification roundup.

Echeverry says that, unlike ISSA’s more generic curriculum, “NASM focuses on corrective exercises and their unique training model, covering a more expansive set of information which requires more study time.”

NASM typically requires five to six months of total investment time—and the exam has a lower pass rate because the material is more in-depth and the test is not open book. Self-study programs are available for those who prefer it, but the all-inclusive program and guided study program deliver the most value.

Once you do pass the exam, NASM guarantees their CPT’s with a job and a community of NCCA-accredited, renowned fitness experts. Additionally, NASM provides continuing education opportunities for certified professionals.

Pros:

• 1:1 mentorship
• Gymternship™ gives you on-site, hands-on experience
• Job guarantee within 90 days or you’ll get a refund

Cons:

• Previous knowledge of Health Sciences and a CPR certification recommended prior to enrollment
• Re-certification is expensive at $399

ISSA vs. NASM: Quick facts

ISSA CPT Program

Online or in person:

Online

Length:

Between 4-12 weeks depending on program

Number of programs offered:

3

Recertification cycle:

Every 2 years

Who should try it:

ISSA is an excellent option for fitness enthusiasts who want to fast-track their career and prefer to go at their own pace with course materials. It’s also more affordable than other certification programs, but still offers a high quality certificate.

Who should skip:

If you learn better through hands-on experience or one-on-one coaching, you may prefer another option. You’ll also want to check that your potential workplace accepts ISSA certifications.

NASM CPT Program

Online or in person:

Both

Number of programs offered:

4

Recertification cycle:

Every 2 years

Who should try it:

Those who benefit from hands-on, in-person learning will do well with NASM’s curriculum. If you’re looking for the gold standard of CPT certificates, this one is for you. It’s also the most widely accepted and will open doors for the highest amount of opportunity.

Who should skip it:

If you prefer online-only learning or want to opt for an open book test with a higher pass rate, you might consider another program. NASM is very in-depth and will require a deep knowledge of the space in order to pass the final exam.

Budget is always an important factor to consider when considering big investments like a personal training certificate.

The ISSA certification is generally more affordable compared to NASM. However, Santucci says NASM is more widely accepted than ISSA—so it may wind up being a better investment, depending on your goals.

ISSA’s personal training certificate program costs about $1,600. With a first-time customer discount you can sign up for $999 and a 12-month, interest-free payment plan that costs about $84 per month for 12 months.

NASM, on the other hand, has an all-inclusive CPT program which costs $1,899. Self-study options start at $899. While the more affordable programs don’t offer the hands-on “Gymternship” or the valuable one-on-one mentoring that the all inclusive program does, the fee still includes the exam (valued at $600 on its own).

Completion time varies widely depending on the personal trainer certification program you choose and your individual learning pace. If you prefer to go at your own pace and on your own schedule, ISSA or NASM’s self study program might fit your schedule the best.

If you’re looking for a fast track certificate, ISSA’s fast track completion program will have you ready to roll in just four weeks.

“You definitely need to continue to invest in your education and get actual experience training people even after NASM or ISSA [because they’re basic, entry level programs],” Santucci says. “I don’t think the length of a program determines how effective it is. But if you can do something faster and that’s more efficient, that would be my choice.”

Both ISSA and NASM certifications are widely recognized in the fitness industry, and each organization’s curriculum aims to prepare individuals to become competent and successful personal trainers.

Echevvery has hired trainers with each certification and says, “Both groups have been more than prepared with the appropriate skillset to handle our diverse clientele.” He adds that, at his fitness studio, they “tend to see many prospect trainers who are currently in university/colllege for sports medicine/kinesiology/etc leaning more towards NASM than ISSA.”

When choosing between the ISSA vs. NASM, consider factors such as the depth of content, teaching methods, exam requirements, and any specific areas of specialization or focus that align with your career goals.

Here’s a sneak peek at ISSA’s CPT Curriculum:

• Fundamentals of Personal Training
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Exercise Science
• Nutrition and Exercise
• Program Design
• Resistance Training and Cardiovascular Training
• Flexibility and Mobility
• Special Populations
• Injury Prevention and Recovery
• Business and Marketing

• Basic and Applied Sciences
• Assessments
• Flexibility Training
• Cardiorespiratory Training
• Core Training
• Balance Training
• Plyometric and Reactive Training
• Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) Training
• Resistance Training
• Integrated Program Design

Take it from our experts (two, wildly successful CPTs who have founded their own fitness studios): Both ISSA and NASM are reputable and respected certifications that can open doors to a successful career in the fitness industry. ISSA offers a flexible, self-paced learning approach, while NASM provides a more structured and evidence-based curriculum. Your choice between the two will depend on your learning preferences, career aspirations, and budget.

To compare even more options, check out our round up of the 7 best personal training certificates.