“Warning: Some people view the online exam and free retests as a sign that this is not a legitimate certification.”
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ISSA Personal Training Certification
ISSA is the International Sports Sciences Association and the ISSA Personal Training Certification is one of the more recognized certifications in the industry.
ISSA makes it easy for personal trainers by offering one certification:
The Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT)
The CFT is unique in that it can be taken online including the certification exam! For those studying in rural areas, this is an attractive feature. This is no lightweight certification, you can tell by holding the thick textbook! You will have to devote some serious study time to master this cert.
The ISSA personal training certification program offers a single price approach. For $595 you get all your materials, your exam cost, access to the online training resources and a free tech support hotline where you can get help from trainers. This unlimited phone support is one of the ways that makes this online course less isolating.
Yes, can you believe it! The ISSA personal training certification allows you to take the exam twice free of charge, after that it will cost you $50 administrative fee each time. The one nice thing about this program is you really know how much its going to cost. No additional textbooks to buy, no hidden fees.
And they give you two years to complete the program, not a stingy 90 days like some other programs. If you are studying from home part-time (any Moms out there?), the extra time plus the free online retest and phone support make this a much nicer experience.
Even with the free retests, it would be a good idea to take our Exam Review Course. It is over 15 hours of review including 750 practice questions for only $32.95.
Who can enroll?
Standard requirements here. 18 years old, high school diploma and Adult CPR/AED.
Recertification
While the ISSA personal training certification is definitely good, keeping your certification current is not cheap. You must recertify every two years by taking continuing education classes through the ISSA so plan on spending about $600 plus your valuable time to keep current.
100% Online Option
The ISSA personal training certification really is an online certification. Support, resources and even the exam are available online. However there is an option to attend a 2-day workshop for an additional $149. You can not take the workshop without being enrolled in the full $595 program.
What do you think about ISSA certification?
Here's your chance to have your say about the ISSA personal trainer certification. Ask a question, submit a comment, or even rant or rave about ISSA.
ISSA Personal Training Tips
Getting feedback about ISSA certification from people who have gone through the program is valuable. Click on each tip to read and rate the comments submitted by our readers.
ISSA Master Trainer I am looking to add to my cert list and was looking at the ISSA Master Trainer cert.
Has anyone taken these tests are they good?
I have experience …
ISSA Martial Arts Specialist I recently took the Specialist in martial Arts Conditioning and I just passed the exam and the course was well worth the money. I had to sit down and …
ISSA Recertification Costs I have had my ISSA CFT for almost 4 years and was impressed with their program. I have used SCW conventions to get my 20 CEU's to re certify. This year …
ISSA For Part-Time Personal Trainer? I currently already have a great career established in the IT industry, but I frequently find myself helping others out with health/fitness questions, …
ISSA not "Preferred" How do you feel about the ISSA certifications? Are they recognized by most companies? Where I am working here in San Antonio, TX (Spectrum), they don't …
ISSA Online Exam I understand that the ISSA online test is an open book test. Was everything on the test covered in the book? If you did the online test, did you use your …
ISSA not widely accepted? I am currently looking at which Certification is right for me. I like your website. It's GREAT info but there is a correction to be made regarding ISSA. …
My take on ISSA I just completed the ISSA personal training certification program and thought that it was a good experience. As a full-time college student in my final …
ISSA Personal Trainer Certification Greetings everyone! My name is Chris and I am not a personal trainer yet and nor do I consider myself a fitness expert but I do know how industries can …
Health club won't hire with an ISSA certification The ISSA certification is a good fit for me. But several health clubs in my area will not hire with this certification. Anyone else have this experience? …
Speaking for ISSA Not rated yet I took the course because I am not good at taking tests. Because they are timed, so I end up trying to go fast and don't do well. Even when I know the …
getting started Not rated yet I am a newly certified Personal trainer thru ISSA apparently I dont think was a good certification. How do I get hired in a GYM or get clients. To be honest …
ISSA- sharing info Not rated yet ISSA
Just wanted to share a very reputable course that is online.
ISSA is a very detailed on line course. The exams are hard even though its open book. …
ISSA Certification Reviews Not rated yet Great customer service. It took me seven months to complete the ISSA certification online and I really learned a lot. It really breaks it down so you understand …