If you’re a first-time personal trainer looking to be certified by the experts, look no further than the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT). This organization is dedicated entirely to the education and training of personal trainers, giving you the tools you need to learn about this industry and how to build a successful business within it.
Today we are taking a deeper look into the NFPT certification program and how it may benefit personal trainers like you.
What Is The National Federation Of Personal Trainers (NFPT)?
The NFPT was started in 1978 by former U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Ron Clark. After an injury sent him back home for medical recovery, Ron discovered a passion for fitness training. This passion inspired Ron to dedicate his life to helping others reach their personal health and fitness goals.
Ron made it a goal to focus on the basics and not overcomplicate the idea of personal training. These basic principles have stood the test of time and influence the “real-world” certification programs the NFPT has created. Even if you lack any experience or knowledge in the fitness world, the NFPT certification programs are designed to ignite the passion for fitness in you.
About NFPT Personal Trainer Certification
The primary focus of the NFPT is certifying personal trainers, so the curriculum is well thought out and geared exclusively to helping you develop a love for fitness while learning the skills you need to successfully train others.
As an overall NFPT personal trainer certification review, you can expect to find topics focusing on anatomy, physiology, training methods, creating fitness plans, goal setting, professionalism, and the communication skills you need to promote yourself as a personal trainer. Once you are certified, you can access a wide variety of resources intended to help you find jobs, improve client relationships, and grow your business as a trainer.
Requirements
To qualify for the NFPT personal trainer certification program, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Adhere to NFPT’s Code of Conduct
Cost
NFPT certification costs will vary depending on the type of program package you choose. The standard package comes with a manual, test quiz, chapter quizzes, and curriculum workbooks. The premium package includes the same materials as the standard package, plus an additional practice test, demo videos, client assessment tools, and access to education help.
Pricing for the NFPT personal trainer certification program is as follows:
- Standard Package: $239
- Premier Package: $349
The NFPT also offers an exam only option for $199, and this does not include any course or test prep material. Plus, there are pay-as-you-go financing options available for $169 and $224.
Continuing Education & Recertification
Each year you will need to complete two CECs, or Continuing Education Credits. You can earn these credits in a variety of ways, such as through NFPT Self-Tests, free courses, workshops, seminars, CPR/AED certification, getting liability insurance, and more.
The NFPT is very flexible in how you receive these credits, stating, “If you take the time to do an exercise science or fitness business learning activity, we’ll give you the credit!” There are also no submission fees, which is unique to NFPT.
There are a few specialized CECs you can complete through NFPT. These online courses are offered at a low cost and allow you to specialize your personal training focus. The following is a list of NFPT’s CEC courses:
- MS Fitness Training Specialist
- Cancer Recovery Specialist
- Breast Cancer Recovery Specialist
- Master Fitness Trainer
- Fitness Nutrition Specialist
- MS Fitness Training Specialist
- Functional Training Specialist
- Sleep Coach
- Resistance Training
- Endurance Training
- Anatomy Fundamentals
- Plyometric Training
- Stretching Principles
- Core Training
- Running Mechanics
- Lead Management for Sales Goals
Pros & Cons of NFPT
As part of our NFPT certification review, we have created a list of pros and cons. This can help you decide if the NFPT personal training certification is right for you.
Pros
- The certification programs include materials to help you start and run your own personal trainer business.
- The NFPT is accredited by NCCA and has been inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame.
- Some of the CEC courses are free of charge, with no fee to submit your credentials for recertification.
- There is a free online retest for the certification exam.
Cons
- You do need to complete CECs yearly in order to recertify.
- Most of the materials are geared toward first time and new personal trainers.
How NFPT Certification Benefits You
Insurance Canopy recognizes the National Federation of Personal Trainers as the best certification program for new trainers looking to explore the basics of different CPT specializations. Their attention to detail in new training education and post-certification courses make the NFPT a great option for first time trainers to gain a well-rounded, robust knowledge in the world of personal training.
We also admire the recognition the NFPT puts into CECs beyond just a course or workshop. Anything you are doing to further yourself as a trainer or grow your business may be counted toward your certification—including purchasing personal trainer liability insurance.
Insurance Canopy has one of the best insurance plans for trainers on the market. For as low as $12.50 a month, you can get a plan that includes policies for general liability, professional liability, product liability, personal and advertising injury, medical expenses, and damage to premises rented to you.
Get NFPT credit and coverage you can count on with Insurance Canopy today!
Frequently Asked Questions About NFPT Personal Trainer Certification
Yes, the NFPT is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). They are also part of the National Fitness Hall of Fame.
The NFPT certification cost ranges from $199–$449 depending on the package you choose. Pay-as-you-can financing options are also available for $169 and $224.
