Career Center - Top Personal Trainer Schools

How Do the Top Personal Training Schools Compare?

Studying to become a personal fitness trainer will get you into the best shape of your life! You'll graduate with a thorough education and a strong, healthy body. Best of all, you'll be prepared to earn your physical training certification and help other people achieve their fitness goals, too.

Personal training courses cover many topics from anatomy and physiology to sports nutrition and the latest fitness trends. You'll learn how to work in a fitness center or go into business for yourself. Many personal training schools also offer job placement assistance and post-graduation coaching.

There are hundreds of personal training schools to choose from, so we've highlighted a few of the very best for you to use as a starting point.

National Personal Training Institute

The National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) offers state-approved diplomas in personal fitness training

Course Offerings

NPTI trains students to receive a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer Diploma. Highlights of the curriculum include:

• Health screening and fitness, including cardio respiratory fitness
• Strength training program design
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Nutrition
• Working in a fitness center, including etiquette, sales and marketing
• CPR and first aid

Tuition and Length of Training

All-inclusive tuition for the 500-hour, 6-month personal training course at NPTI varies by location, but averages around $5,900. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants.

School locations

NPTI has 23 locations all over the country and continues to grow.

CNI College

CNI is the leading vocational school in California, a private medical college that offers personal fitness training, as well as massage therapy and other courses.

Course Offerings

Graduates of CNI's Personal Training School are qualified to be fitness instructors, exercise testing technicians, aerobic instructors, weight training coaches and personal fitness counselors. Courses focus on preparing students to take the NSCA-CPT certification exam and include:

• Exercise science/physiology
• Strength and conditioning
• Physical therapy
• Exercise training

Tuition and length of training

Personal fitness training students at CNI can choose to complete the 48-week program with either 9 months of day courses or 10 and a half months of evening courses. Tuition for either program is $13,245 and covers all supplies as well as fees for the NSCA certification exam. CNI is a private vocational college without dorms or residential options, but often apartments in the area offer discounts for CNI students.

School locations

CNI is located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, California.

FITA Fitness

The Fitness Instruction & Training Academy (FITA) offers 500-hour certification courses in Personal Training, Pilates and Yoga. Full and part-time classes are available.

Course Offerings

The Personal Training Course at FITA includes the following requirements:

• 100 hours of nutrition instruction
• 150 hours of anatomy and physiology
• 50 hours of industry theory and practice, including business skills, legal and liability issues
• 200 hours of practical experience, including proper use of equipment, spotting techniques, etiquette and safety

Tuition and length of training

FITA offers day or evening classes. Tuition for the 500-hour program is $6,100 and includes textbooks and use of the gym facility. Part-time and individual class tuition are also available.

School location

FITA is located in Newport Beach, California.

Pinnacle Career Institute

Pinnacle Career Institute (PCI) is a vocational college that provides online training programs. Among PCI's offerings is a Personal Fitness Institute that prepares students for NSCA personal trainer certification.

Course Offerings

PCI personal training students learn how to work in a fitness center or corporate gym, and they also gain the skills to start their own personal training business. The PCI curriculum includes:

• Exercise-related assessments and tests
• Designing safe and effective exercise programs
• Implementing safe weight loss/gain programs
• Use of equipment from free weights to elliptical machines
• Business-related skills

Tuition and length of training

PCI's certification includes 10 months of online coursework, as well as a 120-hour externship at a gym in your area. The highlight of the course is a weeklong intensive boot camp in Las Vegas with 2-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. Tuition is $14,900.

School locations

All personal training courses are available online and supplemented by the one-week boot camp in Las Vegas, at which students can earn their NSCA certification. PCI also has two campuses in Kansas City, Missouri, and a third location in Lawrence, Kansas.

American Academy of Personal Training

The American Academy of Personal Training (AAPT) is a fast-paced personal training school that can provide you with a comprehensive education in as little as three months.

Course Offerings

Classroom instruction at AAPT covers biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, program design theory and nutrition. The program also includes hands-on sessions in a fully equipped gym facility.

Tuition and length of training

You can complete AAPT's 260-hour Personal Fitness Training in just three months with your choice of day or evening classes. Six-month part-time weekend programs are also available. Tuition is $4,950 and varying payment plans are available.

School locations

All AAPT classes are held on-site in New York City.

Personal training is one of the fastest growing professional in demand today. As a certified graduate of personal training school, your 'office' will be in a healthy environment, you'll have the option to work for a big company or independently, and you'll spend your time inspiring people to look and feel great. The time is right to choose a personal training course that works for you. Your rewarding new career is just around the corner!

Related Articles:

• Personal Fitness Training 101
• The Versatile Life of Personal Trainers
• How the Biggest Loser Trainers Got Their Start

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