NASM vs. ACE vs. ACSM: The Ultimate Showdown for Online Fitness Coach Certifications.
Spur.Fit
January 11, 2024
Are you considering becoming an online fitness coach? With the increasing demand for online fitness programs, it's no surprise that many personal trainers are looking to expand their services to the digital world.
But before you can start coaching clients online, you need to have the right certifications. In this article, we'll compare three of the top online fitness coach certifications: NASM, ACE, and ACSM. By the end, you'll better understand which certification is the best fit for you and your career goals.
Before we dive into the specifics of each certification, let's first discuss why it's important to get certified as an online fitness coach.
As an online coach, you won't have the opportunity to meet your clients in person. This means that they will have to trust you and your expertise solely based on your online presence and credentials. By having a certification from a reputable organization, you can establish credibility and build trust with potential clients.
Are you new to fitness coaching? Don’t worry, Spur.Fit helps you grow your coaching business 5x faster. Our intelligent assistant makes personalized diet and exercise plans for your clients in just seconds.
Start your online coaching with Spur.Fit
Becoming certified as an online fitness coach requires you to go through a rigorous training program. This means that you'll gain valuable knowledge and skills that will help you provide the best possible service to your clients. You'll learn about exercise science, nutrition, program design, and more, which will make you a well-rounded and knowledgeable coach.
Having a certification can also open up new opportunities for career advancement. Many gyms and fitness studios require their trainers to have a certification, and having one can also make you stand out when applying for jobs or seeking new clients.
Want to gain more clients? With the help of Spur.fit's smart AI assistant, you can plan out your prior schedule with your clients accordingly and grow your business 5x times.
Grow your business by 5x using Spur.fit’s AI
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is one of the most well-known and respected organizations for fitness certifications. They offer a variety of certifications, including the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and the Certified Online Personal Trainer (COPT).
To become a COPT, you must first hold a current CPT certification from NASM. If you don't have one, you'll need to complete the CPT program before moving on to the COPT program.
The COPT program is a self-paced, online course that covers topics such as exercise science, program design, and nutrition. It also includes a virtual coaching component, where you'll work with a mentor to develop your coaching skills.
Once you complete the program, you'll need to pass a final exam to become certified.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is another well-known organisation that offers a variety of fitness certifications, including the Personal Trainer Certification and the Health Coach Certification.
To become an ACE Certified Health Coach, you must first hold a current Personal Trainer Certification from ACE. If you don't have one, you'll need to complete the Personal Trainer Certification program before moving on to the Health Coach Certification program.
The Health Coach Certification program is a self-paced, online course that covers topics such as behaviour change, nutrition, and exercise programming. It also includes a virtual coaching component, where you'll work with a mentor to develop your coaching skills.
Once you complete the program, you'll need to pass a final exam to become certified.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is a leading organization in the field of sports medicine and exercise science. They offer a variety of certifications, including the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and the Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C).
To become an EP-C, you must first hold a current CPT certification from ACSM. If you don't have one, you'll need to complete the CPT program before moving on to the EP-C program.
The EP-C program is a self-paced, online course that covers topics such as exercise physiology, nutrition, and program design. It also includes a virtual coaching component, where you'll work with a mentor to develop your coaching skills.
Once you complete the program, you'll need to pass a final exam to become certified.
All three of these certifications are highly respected in the fitness industry and can help you establish credibility and trust with potential clients. However, the right certification for you will depend on your career goals and personal preferences.
If you're just starting your fitness career, NASM and ACE may not be the best options, as they require you to already hold a certification from their organization. In this case, ACSM may be a better fit, as their CPT program is open to anyone.
If you're looking for a well-rounded program that covers a wide range of topics, NASM and ACE may be the better options, as their programs cover nutrition, program design, and more. However, if you're specifically interested in exercise physiology and sports medicine, ACSM may be the best fit for you.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which certification is right for you is to research each program and consider your career goals and personal preferences.
Becoming a certified online fitness coach is an important step in establishing credibility and trust with potential clients. By comparing the top certifications, NASM, ACE, and ACSM, you can determine which one is the best fit for you and your career goals. With the right certification, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful online fitness coach.
To be a successful fitness business coach, you need to stay updated with trends and enhance your skills consistently. This will allow you to achieve your maximum potential. You can achieve growth and success in the fitness industry by following these steps and using tools like Spur.Fit.
.png)
