You've taken an important decision by deciding to become a personal trainer. It's fantastic to be able to utilize your passion for fitness and health to benefit others, and being a personal trainer will provide you with all of the necessary skills to do so. Now it's time to choose the personal trainer certification program you want to join. Choose based on the course's features, cost, prerequisites, and recertification criteria. Here in the blog are a few options of the certification you could get for becoming a successful personal trainer.  We'll look at the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and its curriculum in more depth in this blog.

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• What is ISSA?
• What is ISSA personal trainer certification?
• Qualifications for becoming an ISSA certified personal trainer
• Benefits of ISSA certification
• Associate and master degree of ISSA fitness
• ISSA courses for special certifications
• How do the ISSA courses work?
• Pricing of ISSA personal trainer certification
• How ISSA personal trainer certification is better than the others?
• Recertification
• The best part: you get a money-back job guarantee
• Personal trainer entrepreneurship

What is ISSA?

The ISSA was founded in 1988 and has certified over 200,000 trainers in over 90 countries over the last 30 years. It has grown to be a leader in fitness instruction, with 12 certificates and advanced programs available, though its personal trainer course is the most popular. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) has certified and authorized all of the ISSA fitness programs, making it the first and only fitness organization to do so.

What is ISSA personal trainer certification?

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has been a pioneer in health science and fitness instruction for decades. ISSA provides a variety of specialty certificates, but their most popular is the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), which "blends science-based research with real-world application," according to their website. The fact that this and other ISSA fitness certifications are independently authorized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies is extremely essential (NCCA). NCCA is the gold standard for fitness certificates, so if you're looking into other programs and don't find them, you should search elsewhere.

ISSA also provides a variety of ways to advance through its CPT program. A four-week intensive course is available for highly experienced trainers who want certification to acknowledge all of their inherent knowledge. The twelve-month program, which now costs $99.00 a month, offers a more traditional method. Throughout the year, ISSA training offers a variety of promotions in which extra classes are offered at a reduced cost or even for free with particular programs. For example, their 12-month ISSA Certified Personal Trainer curriculum now includes a nutritionist course, CPR/AED certification, and a fast-track Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT) program.

Qualifications for becoming an ISSA certified personal trainer

ISSA certification requires that a trainer be at least 18 years old. They must also demonstrate that they have completed high school. ISSA verifies their identity by requiring them to provide official identification. Trainers can study and take their tests in the comfort of their own homes. They can work at their own speed until they've learned the topic completely. To receive their ISSA certification, students must additionally provide proof of CPR certification.

Benefits of ISSA certification

Obtaining your ISSA CPT certification from an internationally known fitness instructor such as ISSA is a significant step toward demonstrating your expertise as a personal trainer. Even if you have a wealth of expertise, it might be difficult to transfer that knowledge to new clients.

The following are just a few of the many advantages of completing the ISSA certified trainer course:

• Demonstrate Aptitude: Having that qualification demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully complete a rigorous curriculum that covers nearly every aspect of effective training.‍
• Learn New Skills: Even if you have years of experience as a trainer, you will almost certainly learn something new from the curriculum of this certification.‍
• Higher Earnings Potential: If all of that wasn't enough, according to Indeed, personal trainers who have their certification earn more.

ISSA CPT certification is a terrific first step if you actually want to stand out in what may be a very competitive field. When combined with your commitment to offering excellent sessions and outcomes, the certification makes it easy for you to sell and value your services.

Associate and master degree of ISSA fitness

Certification as a master trainer and an associate's degree are two of ISSA's distinctive options. Trainers who wish to finish several ISSA courses for specialized certifications should enroll in the master trainer program. In addition, ISSA provides an elite certification program that is identical to the ISSA master trainer program but has fewer requirements.

The associate's degree program works in the same way as any other academic associate's degree program does. To be considered for the program, students must submit an online application. Applicants who have relevant credits from other universities may be eligible for transfer credit.

Directed teaching is provided by instructors who have earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in their respective fields. Students study psychology, marketing, and math in addition to exercise instruction.

ISSA courses for special certifications

Aside from the famous ISSA Personal Trainer Certification course, the ISSA provides a variety of additional courses and certifications that can help you advance in the fitness business by improving your knowledge and abilities. These courses include the following:

• Corrective Exercise Specialist- Learn how to treat common movement dysfunctions with this certificate.
• Fitness nutrition certification- With this certification, learn how to integrate diet and exercise for optimal outcomes.
• Group fitness specialist- Learn how to create and lead group fitness training programs as a specialist in group fitness.
• Exercise Therapy Certification- Learn about fitness and exercise for post-rehab clients with this certification.
• Senior Fitness Certification- Learn how to create and administer fitness programs for elders with appropriate skillsets.
• Youth Fitness Certification- Learn how to build safe exercise regimens for children and adolescents with a Youth Fitness Certification.
• Strength and Conditioning Certification - Learn how to create training regimens that will assist professional and beginner athletes succeed in their sport.

Advanced certification ISSA courses are also available for personal trainers who want to grow in their careers. The Elite and Master Trainer Certification Programs are among them. Personal training, fitness nutrition, and courses for a particular segment of people are all covered in these comprehensive programs. For the general public, kids, elderly, athletes, and people with chronic diseases, they offer instruction on evaluation, training, and motivation.

How do the ISSA courses work?

Upon registering for the ISSA trainer course and paying your dues, you will have immediate access to the program and all of the material. There are online textbooks that you may use to begin your study right now. According to the ISSA website, most students may complete the course in 8-10 weeks if they study 1-2 hours per day. As you go through an online workbook, audio and video lessons will keep you interested. There are student forums where you can discuss the content you're studying, as well as a complete CPT education boot camp to help you plan out how to wrap the course effectively.

You'll need to take practice tests along the way to make sure you're able to retain the information. This is an excellent approach to study for the final test. When you've finished the course, you'll take an open-book, untimed test that covers everything you've learned. Bonuses may include a free NCCPT approved test, an acceleration tool to help you locate new customers quickly, assistance sessions, practical skills evaluations, and even a live training experience, depending on the curriculum you pick. The icing on the cake is a free professional website to help you launch your new company.

Pricing of ISSA personal trainer certification

The ISSA Personal Trainer Certification course costs $599, and individuals who enroll online can take advantage of interest-free payment options. For full payment of $299, a guided study program is offered. You will be allowed to retake any component of the test for free if you fail it. If you fail again, it will cost $50 to retake any areas after the second try. The course content must be completed within four months, although a two-month extension can be requested at no additional cost. A second two-month extension will set you back $99. If you still don't finish the course by the deadline, you'll have to re-enroll.

How ISSA personal trainer certification is better than the others?

In the fitness business, ISSA certification is highly regarded. It is not a certification that can be obtained in a single afternoon. When you hire a trainer with an ISSA certification, you're hiring someone who has studied the field extensively. A student can finish the ISSA courses and tests entirely online, according to a trainer.

ISSA certification is a wonderful alternative for individuals who wish to continue their education after earning their basic certification because it provides higher training programs and even an associate's degree. A gym may acknowledge an ISSA certification as one of several genuine personal training courses when recruiting a certified personal trainer.

Recertification

Every two years, all ISSA-certified personal trainers must renew their certification. Payment of a $99 renewal fee, completion of 20 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and verification of a current CPR/AED certificate are all required. The renewal cost will be waived if all 20 CEUs are obtained through ISSA.

The best part: you get a money-back job guarantee

ISSA's "Find a Job or Your Money Back Guarantee" is one of the greatest deals we've seen. You just need to interview with at least three gyms in six months after passing the ISSA personal trainer test and the NCCPT authorized proctored exam. If you've completed the fundamental criteria for employment, such as background checks and drug testing, and you still don't have a job after six months, ISSA will fully reimburse your training price.

Personal trainer entrepreneurship

It's no secret that a large number of personal trainers operate on a freelance basis. Because you're taking out the middleman, operating as an entrepreneur is typically more lucrative than working in a direct relationship with a gym.

Once you've mastered handling your clients on your own, word of mouth will typically spread your recommendations. An independent personal trainer can also choose their own hours and work for themselves. Many young personal trainers who want to establish their own business may find this arrangement appealing.

With your ISSA personal trainer certification, you'll be ready to start your own personal training business. This entails locating a gym or training facility to work at as well as arranging for software to manage your members and clientele. The software must also offer you trending features of VODs and live streaming so that you could you’ve multiple revenue streams. With the right software to streamline your operations, you'll be ready to take on the industry once and for all. Kenko app is one such best in the industry software. If you are looking for one, book a demo now.