The four most well-known personal trainer certifications are shown below as well as some other specialist fitness certifications offered by the same companies. All are accredited with NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) and are well respected in the fitness industry.

NASM

The National Academy of Sports Medicine offers these certifications:

• Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) – valid for 2 years
• Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM-CES) – does not expire
• Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES) – does not expire
• Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA-GFI) – valid for 2 years

NCSA

The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers these certifications:

• Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) – valid for 3 years
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – valid for 3 years

ACSM

The American Council on Exercise offers these certifications:

• Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) – valid for 3 years
• Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP)
• Certified Group Exercise Instructor (ACSM-GEI)

ACE

The American Council on Exercise offers these certifications:

• Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT) – valid for 2 years
• Certified Health Coach (ACE-CHC)
• Certified Medical Exercise Specialist (ACE-CMES)
• Certified Group Fitness Instructor (ACE-GFI)

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Other certifications are provided by many other organizations as well, many also accredited by NCCA.

• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
• National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA)
• National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)
• National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)

Peer-reviewed journals

Open Access

• BMC Nutrition (BMC)
• BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (BMC)
• Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness (Elsevier)
• Nutrition Journal (BMC)

Paywall

• Health & Fitness Journal (ACSM)
• Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (ACSM)
• Strength and Conditioning Journal (NCSA)
• The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (NCSA)

Some specific New York State laws on the practice of health and wellness services are outlined below.

New York State Licensed Professions

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Certified Athletic Trainer

Only a person licensed by the State Education Department may use the title certified athletic trainer in New York

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Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist

Only a person certified by the State Education Department may use the titles certified dietitian-nutritionist, certified dietitian, or certified nutritionist in New York.

Certification is not required to perform nutritional counseling in New York, but only individuals certified by the New York State Education Department may use the certified dietitian/nutritionist titles.

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Physical Therapist

The initials used in connection with a licensed physical therapist’s name are “P.T.” Only the use of the abbreviation “P.T.” is protected in law, which means that only a licensed physical therapist can use these initials. Although an individual can include the academic degree in one’s signature, these designations are neither recognized nor protected by Education Law or the Rules of the Regents. You may find that there are other individuals using initials that may look like they are a physical therapist. CPT, for example, is used by certified personal trainers, but they are not licensed professionals and they are not physical therapists.

• Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification (PN1)
• NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC)
• ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist (ACE-FNS)
• ISSA Certified Nutritionist (note that despite the name, this certification alone does not allow the use of the term “Certified Nutritionist” in many states, including New York)

Websites

• Runner’s World

Blogs

• This Messy Happy
• Run Eat Repeat
• The Science Of Running

Podcasts

• Relay
• kofuzi

• DC Rainmaker