5 Best Exercise Science Certifications

Tweet

Any job or career in Exercise Science will undoubtedly require at least one fitness professional certification offered by the various health and exercise organizations. It can be a daunting task researching the many different certifications - not only to find one from a reputable organization - but one that best fits your professional pursuits as well.

To make things a little easier for you, here are 5 of the top Exercise Science certifications you can go after and the area in which each is best suited.

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

The “gold standard” of personal training certification programs is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. If you’re interested in being a personal trainer, look to acquire a CPT certification from an NCCA-accredited organization, such as National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the Cooper Institute (CI).

Here is a list of the best Certified Personal Trainer certifications currently available:

• ACSM CPT
• NSCA CPT
• NASM CPT
• NESTA CPT
• NETA CPT
• ACE CPT
• CI CPT

Certified Fitness Instructor

Have the energetic and motivational spirit to lead an aerobics class or group fitness activities? If you do, look to become certified as a fitness/health instructor. For the best, look into the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor or American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Specialist certifications.

Exercise Specialist (ES)

For those of you leaning more towards the clinical side of Exercise Science, ACSM’s Exercise Specialist certification is designed especially for you. An ACSM-certified ES is qualified to provide exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation and lifestyle coaching for those at risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic disease(s).

Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP)

If you’re fully dedicated towards pursuing a clinical career in Exercise Science as an exercise physiologist, then becoming an ASCM-certified Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist is highly recommended and in some cases required. This certification is for those already on the path to becoming clinical professional, since a Master’s Degree in exercise science, exercise physiology or kinesiology and clinical work experience is required. The RCEP is qualified to perform exercise testing, prescription, counseling, evaluation and education.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

If you want to train athletes on any level – high school, collegiate, amateur or even professional, then the National Strength and Condition Association’s CSCS certification has you covered. This is the only NCCA-accredited strengthening and conditioning certification program for training athletes.