NFPT Vs. NASM: Choosing the Right Fitness Certification

So you want to become a certified personal trainer. That’s awesome! Helping people achieve their fitness goals is an incredibly rewarding career.

But with so many certification options out there, how do you choose the right one? 

Two of the most popular certifications are NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers) and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between NFPT and NASM to help you determine which is a better fit for your goals and needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Category	NFPT	NASM
Cost	$399 self-study program	$899 self-study program
Exam Difficulty	Challenging but fair, 200 questions	Very rigorous, 120 questions + case studies
Exam Pass Rate	65-70%	56%
Study Materials	Online textbook, video library, practice tests	Textbooks, videos, flashcards, online modules
Education Model	Self-guided online	Self-guided or structured options
Hands-on Training	15 hours required	Recommended but not required
CEUs	24 CEUs every 2 years	20 CEUs every 2 years
Specializations	Women’s, youth, seniors, nutrition	Corrective exercise, performance, MMA, golf, youth, seniors, weight loss
Employer Acceptance	Excellent, national accreditation	Excellent, very reputable

NFPT Overview

NFPT was founded in 1988 and offers a variety of certifications including personal trainer, nutritionist, and fitness coach. NFPT aims to provide an affordable, accessible certification with a focus on evidence-based training principles.

Some key features of NFPT:

• Comprehensive exam: The certification exam covers topics like biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, health screening, and more. It has 200 multiple choice questions.
• Hands-on training: NFPT requires 15 hours of hands-on training with real clients to get certified. This helps you gain practical experience.
• Continuing education: Certified professionals must complete 24 CEUs (continuing education credits) every 2 years to renew their license. This ensures you stay up-to-date.
• Affordable pricing: The basic self-study program costs $399. This makes it one of the more budget-friendly options.
• Employer recognition: NFPT is nationally accredited and recognized by many employers. It’s accepted by gyms and studios nationwide.

NASM Overview

Founded in 1987, NASM also offers various fitness certifications. NASM aims to create scientifically-backed programs that enhance performance and prevent injury.

Highlights of NASM include:

• Comprehensive materials: NASM includes textbooks, videos, online quizzes and more to comprehensively teach their “Optimum Performance Training” (OPT) model.
• Exam rigor: The exam has 120 multiple choice questions and several case studies that you must “pass” to get certified. The pass rate is around 56%.
• Guided study: NASM provides a structured Personal Trainer Certification Training program to guide your prep and ensure you’re ready for the exam.
• Specializations: NASM offers many popular specialty certifications like Corrective Exercise, Performance Enhancement, and Senior Fitness.
• Employer recognition: NASM has wide employer recognition and acceptability at gyms, studios, sports teams, colleges, corporate wellness centers, and the military.
• Higher cost: The basic self-study program costs $899. Extra prep materials are also available for purchase.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s do a detailed comparison of these two prominent certifications.

A Detailed Comparison Between NFPT And NASM

• Exam Difficulty and Pass Rate

This is one of the most common questions – how hard is the exam and what are the pass rates?

The NFPT exam is challenging but achievable for those who study. The pass rate is estimated to be around 65-70%. There are 200 multiple choice questions covering all the key fitness topics. Time allowed is 4 hours.

The NASM exam has a reputation for being quite rigorous. The pass rate averages around 56%. There are 120 multiple choice questions plus case study questions. Time allowed is 2.5 hours.

So in general, NASM is considered the more difficult exam with lower pass rates. However, NFPT is no cake walk either. Thorough studying is vital to pass both.

• Cost and Overall Value

As mentioned earlier, NFPT costs $399 for the basic self-study while NASM costs $899. That’s over a $500 price difference.

However, NASM includes significantly more study materials and resources. You get textbooks, videos, online quizzes, flashcards, practice tests, and more.

So while NFPT is more budget-friendly, NASM provides a very comprehensive training program. For some, the extra cost is well worth it to feel fully prepared.

When it comes to ongoing costs, NFPT requires certified trainers to complete 24 CEUs every 2 years at a cost of $99. For NASM, it’s 20 CEUs every 2 years at around $149.

Overall, NFPT offers good value at a lower price point while NASM is a premium product with more included.

Also Read: Comparison Between Kumon And Huntington Learning Center.

• Education and Study Experience

Both NFPT and NASM offer self-guided study programs where you learn at your own pace. This makes them accessible for busy or nontraditional students.

The NFPT study materials include an online textbook, exercise video library, and practice tests. The course is designed to be completed in 4-6 weeks. Some students feel the materials adequately cover all the exam content. Others wish there were more robust resources.

With NASM, you get printed textbooks, online learning modules, instructional videos, flashcards, and more. There’s also the option for a structured 4-12-week training program. Most students feel fully prepared by the wealth of study materials. However, the amount of information can also be overwhelming for some.

So in summary, NASM provides a much more comprehensive education program while NFPT has a simpler, self-guided model.

• Hands-On Experience

Gaining hands-on experience with real clients is a vital part of becoming a great trainer.

NFPT requires 15 hours of practical training before certification. You work directly with clients at a gym or fitness facility. This lets you apply your new skills in a supervised setting.

NASM does not require hands-on training, but they provide detailed guidelines if you choose to complete it. Doing hands-on training can better prepare you for working with actual clients Vs. just textbook learning.

• Employer Acceptance and Credibility

Both NASM and NFPT have excellent employer recognition and acceptability. They are nationally accredited certifications recognized across the fitness industry.

Some employers may prefer NASM since it’s more rigorous with a harder exam. But both are very credible and qualifying certifications for training jobs.

That said, always check directly with any potential employer about which certifications they accept. Some gyms and studios have specific requirements.

• Specializations and Continuing Education

NFPT’s continuing education courses allow certified pros to specialize in areas like:

• Women’s fitness
• Youth training
• Senior fitness
• Nutrition coaching

Meanwhile, NASM offers far more specialty certifications including:

• Corrective exercise
• Behavior change
• Performance enhancement
• MMA conditioning
• Golf conditioning
• Youth exercise
• Senior fitness
• Weight loss

So for specializing beyond personal training, NASM provides many more options. They are also known for their corrective exercise program. NFPT still offers solid continuing education but not as robust as NASM’s specializations.

Also Read: Comparison Between NCSF And ACE Certification.

Pros And Cons Of NFPT And NASM

Here’s a quick pro Vs. con overview of these two certifications:

NFPT Pros:

• More affordable certification
• Includes hands-on training
• Smaller exam, open book format
• Accessible self-study model

NFPT Cons:

• Less comprehensive study materials
• Fewer specialty options
• Potentially less rigorous testing

NASM Pros:

• Very comprehensive study program
• Numerous specialty certifications
• Structured prep programs available
• Considered more rigorous and credible

NASM Cons:

• Significantly higher cost
• Larger exam, closed book
• Very extensive information to study
• No hands-on training requirement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Also Read: Comparison Between Skill Success And Udemy.

Conclusion 

Choosing the Right Certification for You:

When it comes to NFPT Vs. NASM, there’s no one “best” option. You need to consider your budget, learning preferences, and career goals.

For a more affordable and accessible certification, NFPT is a great choice. The self-study flexibility and hands-on training are big benefits.

If you want incredibly thorough test prep and more specialty options, NASM is a premium choice. The investment provides an in-depth education experience.

At the end of the day, choosing a certification that matches your needs and training philosophy will set you up for long-term success. Both NFPT and NASM are respected nationwide certifications that show you are serious about fitness.

Whichever path you choose, be prepared to put in consistent studying. Gaining the knowledge, skills and hands-on training to become a certified pro will be well worth it to start a rewarding and meaningful career in fitness.

• NFPT and NASM are two popular nationally-accredited personal training certifications.
• NFPT is more affordable but NASM provides more comprehensive materials and specializations.
• Both require studying and passing a challenging exam to get certified.
• NFPT includes hands-on training while NASM has a more thorough textbook education model.
• Check with employers on any specific certification requirements.
• Choose the certification that best matches your career goals, training philosophy, and budget.