Business Growth•Personal Development Continuing Professional Development for Personal Trainers

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As a savvy personal trainer, you’re just getting started on your learning journey. Keeping your skills sharp through continuing professional development is what separates elite trainers from the pack!

The fitness world is always changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest training styles, nutrition info, and ways to motivate clients. This allows you to give your clients the best possible experience. đź’Ş

Continuing professional development (CPD) courses allow you to improve your knowledge, specialize in new areas, and ultimately make more money by providing better service. But with so many development course options out there, how do you choose ones that will really move the needle for your skills and career?

This guide explores essential courses for personal trainers looking to learn more and reach new heights. We’ll cover course topics and certifications that can help you become an exceptional coach while being able to charge higher rates. Let’s get started. 👇

Overview: 10 Best Personal Trainer Certifications

What is Continuing Professional Development for Personal Trainers? 

Continuing professional development (CPD) refers to the ongoing education that allows professionals to acquire new knowledge and skills. For personal trainers, CPD is hugely important for staying ahead of the curve.

The fitness industry is constantly evolving with new research, techniques, and best practices—this is part of what makes it so awesome! Through CPD courses, you can continually upgrade your expertise to provide better service and results for clients. You’ll also stay motivated by continually learning and challenging yourself. Boom. đź’Ą

Plus, continuous professional development benefits more people than just you and your clients!

✅ You’ll become a more valuable, high-performing trainer to prospective employers.

✅ You’ll position yourself as a credible expert to receive referrals from other fitness professionals.

So by investing in your CPD, you’re really investing in your ability to be an exceptional personal trainer. What’s not to like?

Which Certifications Should I Look for as a Personal Trainer?

It’s crucial to seek out credible, certification-based courses from recognizable, authoritative organizations. Don’t just take any random online course—go with ones backed by prestigious associations whose certifications actually hold weight in the industry.

The best organizations will require you to continually upgrade your skills and knowledge to maintain your certification. This ensures you’re providing a safe, high-quality experience for your clients at all times.

Here are some of the top organizations to look out for:

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Founded in 1954, ACSM is one of the most respected organizations for sports medicine and exercise science professionals. Their certifications cover personal training, clinical exercise physiology, and more!

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

NASM has been training elite personal trainers since 1987. They pioneered the scientific study of movement and are a leading certification for corrective exercise and performance enhancement. Pretty awesome, right? 

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Established in 1978, NSCA sets high standards for strength training and conditioning through their respected Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist course for coaches and fitness trainers.

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

ISSA was founded in 1988 to raise training standards through certifications in personal training, nutritional studies, and other specialized courses. 

American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Since 1985, ACE has been a leader in providing quality personal trainer certifications, continuing education, and research in the fitness industry.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best CPD Courses for Personal Trainers

There’s no shortage of CPD courses out there, so how do you choose the best one for you? Keep these factors in mind to help your decision-making process:

  • Price
  • Course length
  • Accreditation
  • Prerequisites
  • Study options
  • Requirements for continuing education units (CEU)
  • Etc. 

Here’s a short checklist of questions to ask as you’re evaluating CPD course options:

  • Does the price fit my budget and provide good value?
  • Can I realistically complete the course timeline around my current commitments?
  • Is the course properly accredited and recognized?
  • What are the continuing education requirements to maintain the certification?
  • Do I meet all the prerequisites for this course?
  • Does the delivery format work for how I like to learn?
  • Am I prepared for the final assessment(s) or certification exam?

Considering these factors will help ensure you select continuing education courses that truly set you up for success!

10 of the Best CPD Courses for Personal Trainers

As you can see, the benefits of continuous professional development are many. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our list of recommended certification courses for personal trainers! 

ACSM Certified Personal Trainer® (ACSM-CPT®)

Looking to take your training skills to the next level? As one of the most respected certifications in the industry, the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer course demonstrates your expertise in leading others to achieve their health and fitness goals! The accredited program covers key areas like exercise programming, injury prevention, and nutrition to prepare you for a successful career as a personal trainer.

Check Out: Best Online Personal Training Certifications

NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) 


Learn how to properly train athletes to improve their performance! It’s one of the most respected certifications in the strength and conditioning field. With a CSCS, you can test athletes’ abilities, create safe strength training programs, provide nutrition advice, and help prevent injuries. This accredited certification is recognized worldwide and shows you have the skills to coach athletes at high levels.

ISSA Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist

This course teaches you how to improve strength, speed, agility, and coordination for athletes of all levels! ISSA is a respected organization, and this credential is valued by sports teams and gyms alike. Plus, the online course allows you to study at your own pace and get unlimited support from ISSA experts. 

Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Certification

Open up an entire new revenue stream by becoming a nutrition coach! Developed by doctors, PhDs, and registered dietitians, this highly respected course will teach you proven methods to help clients transform their body composition and develop lasting nutrition habits. Study at your own pace with flexible online learning, and get unlimited support from PN’s coaches. 

ACE Behavior Change Specialist

This program teaches you strategies for motivating clients and helping them develop positive habits. Led by renowned experts, you’ll gain key communication skills for building strong coach-client relationships. Plus, as an ACE Specialist, you’ll stand out and feel confident guiding people toward their health and wellness goals. 

Check Out: Turn Small Changes into Big Results with Habit Coaching on ABC Trainerize

TBMM Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification

Learn to assess and correct muscle imbalances that cause your clients pain and limit their movement. With this globally-recognized credential, you’ll gain skills to identify root causes of dysfunction, select effective stretching and strengthening exercises, and design full corrective programs! The well-rounded online course allows self-paced learning with videos, activities, and unlimited instructor support. 

ISSA Bodybuilding Certification

Help get your clients competition-ready through program design that combines lifting, aerobic training, nutrition, and supplementation. This credential allows you to guide clients through complete body transformations—from bodybuilders and physique atheists, to the general population looking to build some serious muscle!

ISSA Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery Coach Certification

Help your clients rebuild their health foundation by optimizing sleep, managing stress, and promoting recovery. Furthermore, this unique program from ISSA enables you to offer personalized plans that other coaches simply can’t match. As a result, after certification, you’ll become an invaluable coach, fully equipped to support your clients’ overall wellness and peak performance.

ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-EP®)

Craving some serious growth? Consider becoming a Certified Exercise Physiologist through ACSM. This advanced program teaches you to conduct fitness assessments and develop customized exercise plans for healthy clients or special populations (e.g., those with medical conditions). With this specialized certification, you’ll stand out by providing a higher level of training based on detailed evaluations! Plus, the flexible online course allows you to prepare at your own pace.

NASM Business Blueprint

Get the essential skills to build a successful fitness career! Through instructional videos and downloadable resources, you’ll learn goal-setting, client communication, pricing strategies, and an effective sales system. This comprehensive online program, created by top business coaches, provides a complete blueprint for growing your client base and ensuring long-term sustainability in the fitness industry.

Check Out: 7 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Track as a Personal Trainer

FAQs about CPD Courses for Personal Trainers

Here are some of the top FAQ’s about CPD courses for personal trainers.

How do I know if a CPD course is legit?

Look for courses from respected organizations like NASM, ACSM, ISSA, or the other ones we’ve listed above. These orgs provide quality education and recognized credentials. Remember to check that the course is approved for continuing education credits.

Is a CPT certification worth it?

You bet! Becoming a certified personal trainer gives you the skills to design safe, effective fitness programs tailored to each client’s needs and goals. Plus you’ll be equipped to work in gyms, studios, clinics, corporate wellness programs, and more. 

The ACSM-CPT and the NASM-CPT courses are highly recommended. 

Should I get a general PT certification or a specialty certification?

General certifications like ACSM-CPT give you a solid foundation. Specialty certs like Corrective Exercise or Performance Enhancement allow you to dig deeper into specific areas and stand out.

Is online or in-person better for CPD courses?

Online courses are super convenient—you can study anytime, anywhere. In-person allows hands-on practice. A blend of both formats can maximize your learning experience.

How much time should I invest in continuing professional development each year?

Most organizations require around 20 hours of CPD annually to maintain your certification and avoid recertification. However, regularly expanding your knowledge through courses not only helps you fulfill these requirements but also keeps your training skills razor-sharp!

Can my employer pay for my CPD courses?

Absolutely! Many fitness clubs and employers offer reimbursement or education benefits to ensure their trainers stay current. Don’t be afraid to ask about this valuable perk.

Fuel Your Fitness Business with ABC Trainerize 🚀

Investing in your education through top-notch CPD courses is essential for delivering unbeatable training to your clients. Plus, with the industry-leading tools from ABC Trainerize, you’ll have the perfect platform to put your new skills into action and build a wildly successful personal training business.

With us, you can empower your clients to set goals, make better choices, and achieve their full potential with an all‑in‑one personal training software. Come see for yourself by signing up for a 30-day free trial today!

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