So you’re into personal fitness? That’s great. Like most, you’re probably wondering how you can turn your passion into a profit.
The best way to do that is by getting a certification in personal training. There are different accreditations—NASM, ACE, NSCA—to name a few.
However, most people prefer getting NASM-CPT because it’s widely recognized as one of the best certifications in the fitness industry. But what does NASM stand for? We’ll explain what it means and how this accreditation can help your career in the fitness industry.
The Meaning Behind NASM
NASM stands for National Academy of Sports Science. It’s a certification program with various areas that can help you jump-start your journey as a personal trainer.
NASM has you covered if you’re not sure what fitness career you’d like to work in. Here are a few areas of specialization:
- Personal training (with a separate focus on corrective exercise)
- Performance training
- Weight loss
- Nutrition
- Wellness
- Behavior changes
- Senior, women, and youth exercise
With the various specializations available, you’ll be able to choose a fitness area to your liking and build a solid foundation.
How Can You Prepare for the NASM Certification Exam?
Like most personal training certifications, preparing for the NASM-CPT can be equally challenging because of the complexity of the content. You’ll need to understand these concepts to be a great personal trainer.
Although it’s challenging, there are a few ways to ensure you have a better opportunity to pass the exam. Let’s look at them below.
Take the Certification Course
Enrolling in the NASM-CPT program will be the boost you need to get your fitness coaching credentials. All of the material is accessible online, so there are no long commutes that you need to take into consideration.
Furthermore, there are multiple sections that get broken down into specific topics. That way, you won’t have trouble finding certain information.
Also, once you’re enrolled, you can access the materials at any time since they’re online. So if you want a last-minute study session while you’re on the plane to your vacation destination, that’s no problem at all.
Download the Handbook
Another helpful tool for your NASM-CPT studies is the handbook. You can access it online for free.
It’s an overview of NASM-CPT, and you must read it before taking the exam. There are details regarding:
- The exam outline
- Eligibility requirements
- Expectations throughout and after the program
This information helps you know what to expect as you prepare to take the exam.
Use Practice Tests
They say, “Practice makes perfect,” right? Well, the same is true for NASM-CPT. The only way you’ll get better at the material is through consistent and effective review.
After reviewing the material, you can take a few quizzes to see where you stand. But to really test your knowledge, you should take the NASM practice test.
It provides insight into the types of questions you’ll see on the actual exam. And what’s even better is you don’t have to pay for it.
If you don’t do well on the practice test, it’s just another opportunity to get better. You can use the extra time to enhance your preparation, so you can crush it when it comes time for the real test.
Are There Exam Prerequisites?
Most certifications will have prerequisites that you need to fulfill before taking the exam. Some require you to have a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or a related discipline.
However, NASM-CPT isn’t that extensive. Here’s what you need:
- A passion for fitness (of course)
- High school diploma or GED
- Updated CPR and AED certification
Once you have these, you’ll be able to sit the exam. But don’t do so until you’ve studied all of the material.
What’s the NASM-CPT Exam Like?
The NASM-CPT exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions, and you’ll need to pass with at least a 70%. It’s about two hours long and will cover the majority of the topics you studied throughout your online enrollment in the program.
You can do the test online with a live proctor or in-person at a local facility that’s convenient for you. Unfortunately, if you don’t pass, you’ll have to pay for the retest and try again.
Is NASM-CPT Right for You?
Choosing between NASM-CPT and other certifications is challenging. But one of the benefits of NASM is the various specializations they offer that other certification programs don’t.
So you won’t get limited to one option. Instead, you can explore your interests a bit more to see which fitness coaching area you’d like to work in.
Then once you’ve decided, you can enroll in the program, take (and pass) the exam, and land your dream job as a NASM-certified trainer.
