How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer?

Becoming a personal trainer requires more than just a treadmill and a dream. Before you can hit the gym with your clients in the pursuit of wellness, you’ll first need to get the right training and certifications. But how much does it cost to become a personal trainer? And what other fees are involved in the process? 

This article will answer these questions and more, plus provide some tips on how to reduce your personal trainer certification costs. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about starting your fitness coaching career. 

Personal Trainer Certification Costs

If you’re wondering how much it costs to become a personal trainer, look no further. Here, we’ve curated a list of personal trainer certification costs for you to compare to help narrow down your research. 

NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)

NASM offers different certification bundles, each with their own pricing and perks. Note that you can select between four, 12, or 18 month installment terms, or pay the entire cost upfront. 

Self-study 

$999 

• Fully online courses
• Premium learning videos
• Exercise demo library
• Digital models
• Resources and handouts
• Test prep mobile app
• Practice exams and quizzes
• Two exam options 

Premium self-study

$1,399 

• Everything included in the self-study
• Support from NASM experts
• Exam retest
• Job guarantee program 

Certified Personal Trainer Essentials Bundle

$2,547

• Everything included in the premium self-study
• Learning about metabolism
• Nutrition coach certification 
• CPR/AED online certification
• Job guarantee program

ACE (American Council on Exercise)

ACE’s personal trainer course costs vary depending on your specific bundle. 

Basic

$979 (with installment options)

• Core study program
• ACE personal trainer eBooks
• One personal trainer practice test
• Two exam options

Plus

$1,159 (with installment options)

• Core study program
• ACE personal trainer eBooks and hardcopies
• Live Q&A webinars
• Exercise science (anatomy and physiology)
• Free shipping
• Two practice tests
• Two exam options

Advantage

$1,729 (with installment options)

• Everything included with the plus plan
• Two more practice tests (for a total of four)
• Two exam options

ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association)

An internationally recognized organization, ISSA’s personal trainer license costs are relatively affordable, with four options to choose from. 

Certified Personal Trainer Only

$89/month for 12 months

• Personal trainer certification 
• Training bootcamp
• NCCPT/NCCA-accredited CPT Exam
• CPR/AED certification
• Online materials
• Practice quizzes
• Job guarantee

Fitness Coach Bundle

$99.97/month for 12 months

• Everything included in CPT only bundle plus one specialization course
• Live learning options
• Study groups
• Exercise effect course
• Job guarantee

Elite Trainer Bundle

$125/month for 12 months 

• Everything included in Fitness Coach Bundle including one specialization course
• Strength and conditioning course
• Nutritionist course
• Job guarantee

Master Trainer Bundle

$175/month for 12 months 

• Everything included in the Fitness Coach Bundle plus four specialization courses
• Nutritionist online bootcamp and study group
• Job guarantee

NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)

The NSCA offers an exam-only option for certification, which means you’ll either have to find all the study materials on your own, or pay extra to access NSCA’s online course guides. 

NSCA member rate

$300 one-time payment (exam only)

• Study guide (+$18)
• Quizzes and practice tests (+$150)
• Exercise technique manual (+$72)
• Essentials of Personal Training (+$105)

As a member of NSCA, you can expect to pay around $645 for your certification and materials. 

Non-member rate

$435 one-time payment (exam only)

• Study guide (+$27)
• Quizzes and practice tests (+$200)
• Exercise technique manual (+$89)
• Essentials of Personal Training (+$119)

If you are not a member of the NSCA, you can expect to pay around $870 for your certification and materials. 

NCSF (National Council on Strength and Fitness)

The NCSF is another viable option for earning your certification. Their personal trainer license costs will vary based on your selected package. 

Home Study

$799 (with installment options)

• Digital textbook
• Instructional videos
• Lesson notes
• Instructor support
• Questions and answers
• Review quizzes
• One year membership
• Certification exam

Home Study+

$899 (with installment options)

• Everything included with Home Study
• Access to hard copy texts in addition to digital tools

Certified Personal Trainer + Sport Nutrition Specialist

$1,299 (with installment options)

• Everything included with Home Study+
• 8 NCSF Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to meet ethics requirement for recertification

Certified Personal Trainer + Certified Strength Coach

$1,399 (with installment options)

• Everything included with Home Study+
• 8 NCSF Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to meet ethics requirement for recertification

ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)

Another exam-only certification, ACSM offers affordable exams and practice tests with optional study materials. 

ACSM materials

• Exam ($310 for members, $410 for non-members)
• Hardcopy and digital texts Hardcover texts ($132.12)
• Interactive study prep ($91.99)
• Flash cards ($51.99)
• Certification exam review ($64.42)

*All certification prices are listed at their full retail cost at the time of writing and subject to change. Above information does not include current sales, promos, or discounts. Please visit the certification websites for the most updated details on pricing. 

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4 Other Fees of Becoming a Personal Trainer

Aside from exams and certification fees, there are a few other personal trainer certification costs you should know about. 

1. Study materials 

If you choose an exam-only certification program, you’ll have to shoulder the costs for any educational materials you’ll need, like textbooks, online courses, digital demos, and practice tests. 

2. Exam retake fees

Look, not everyone is a great test taker, and it could require more than one attempt to get a passing mark. Depending on your program, you may have to pay out of pocket for each retake exam – anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred – which can add up for those who need several tries. 

3. Liability insurance 

General and professional liability insurance can protect you and your business from lawsuits and other legal claims, such as injuries, property damage, or equipment malfunctions. 

4. Starting an LLC

When you set up your independent business, you may consider forming an LLC or corporation. While these structures can save you money in the long run, they can cost a few hundred dollars initially (depending on the state). However, in addition to insurance, an LLC adds another layer of protection for you and your business. 

4 Tips to Reduce Costs When Becoming a Personal Trainer

Okay, so now you know all the ways you can spend your money becoming a personal trainer, but rest assured, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Below, we outline a few cost-saving strategies you can try to reduce your personal trainer certification costs. 

1. Compare programs

Do your research when it comes to the different certification programs. Consider their curriculums and which ones will offer the most value to you and your future fitness business. If you already have access to educational resources (and learn better on your own), choosing an exam-only certification program can help you cut down on much of the cost. 

2. Consider seasonal discounts or payment plans 

Some certifications offer seasonal or holiday discounts (like pre-summer sales or new year bundles). Keep an eye out for promos or coupons when searching for the right program. While installment plans can help you manage your monthly payments, some programs may offer even more reduced rates for those who pay upfront. 

3. Look for inexpensive online study resources

Just because a certification program offers a convenient bundle doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best value. With a bit of digging, you may be able to find inexpensive PDFs, books, video lectures, or shared group materials through fitness forums or social media groups. 

4. Record your deductions

If you’ve set up an independent business structure like an S-corp or LLC, you can deduct certain expenses as tax write-offs. Some costs that may qualify for deductions are personal trainer course costs, certifications, fitness gear, licensing, marketing, insurance, and other educational subscriptions. 

Grow Your Fitness Career with GlossGenius

Are you ready to dive head first into your fitness training career? We can’t wait, either! As an independent fitness trainer, your business is completely in your hands. You get to set your own hours, create your own routines, and give your clients the ultimate, customized workout experience. Building a successful, rewarding career is never easy, but if becoming a professional personal trainer is the life you’ve always envisioned, we’re here to help you make that happen. 

GlossGenius is the ideal partner for personal trainers, with dozens of special features to help streamline your operations, maximize your efficiency, and scale your business. Online Booking will keep your schedule appointment-packed, with 24/7 booking options and waitlist features. You can also take advantage of our Marketing tools, designed to keep you in contact with your loyal clients while also attracting new ones to your business. Plus, GlossGenius Loans will provide between $1,000 and $250,000 in funding to help you finance your expenses, no personal credit check required. 

Try GlossGenius today and get a 14-day free trial!

FAQs

Is it worth getting a personal trainer certification?

While there’s no legal requirement, personal trainer certifications have many benefits. With certifications, you can increase your earning potential, build trust within the fitness community, give your business a competitive edge, and open up more career opportunities. If you’re looking for employment, many gyms and fitness centers will require you to have your certification before accepting your application. 

What qualifications do you need to be a personal trainer?

Technically, anyone can work as a personal trainer. However, to get certified, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a CPR/AED certification.

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