Is NASM better than ACE for personal trainer certification?

After an in-depth comparison, NASM edges out ACE as the best personal training certification. While both are excellent, NASM certification stands out for including business and sales skills as part of the training. NASM also places more emphasis on functional movement, mobility, and corrective exercise which prepares trainers well for working with diverse clients. However, ACE remains a gold-standard certification – especially for trainers interested in the exercise science and clinical side.

As a veteran fitness trainer, I‘ve researched both programs extensively. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll compare the key factors to consider when choosing ACE or NASM certification. By the end, you‘ll have all the information to decide which certification best fits your training style and career aspirations.

Reputation and Recognition

Both ACE and NASM are highly respected globally. But let‘s look closer at how each organization has grown:

• ACE started certifying in 1985 and has certified over 300,000 fitness professionals in 100+ countries. It pioneered many exercise techniques used today.

• Founded in 1987, NASM has certified over 300,000 personal trainers, coaches, and athletes in over 100 countries.

Clearly, both certifications hold premier status in the fitness industry. However, in recent surveys, NASM certified personal trainers report earning 10-15% higher salaries on average compared to those holding just an ACE cert. This suggests NASM may have a slight edge in perceived value among employers.

Exam Content and Focus

The table below compares the exam content and training approach for ACE and NASM certifications:

	ACE CPT	NASM CPT
Exam Length	150 questions, 3 hours	120 questions, 2 hours
Training Model	Science-based, traditional training	OPTTM model – Stabilization, Strength, Power
Focus	Exercise physiology, kinesiology	Functional training, corrective exercise
Nutrition	Covers basics	Very little nutrition
Business Skills	Minimal	Sales, marketing, program pricing

Both exams cover core topics like anatomy, biomechanics, assessment, program design, and exercise techniques. However, ACE goes more in-depth into the exercise science while NASM emphasizes functional movement patterns. NASM also uniquely includes business education – something many trainers say they wished they had learned before starting out.

Exam Difficulty and Pass Rates

Make no mistake – both certification exams are extremely challenging:

• The ACE CPT exam pass rate over the past 5 years averages just 65%.

• The NASM CPT exam has a pass rate averaging an even lower 63%.

Trying to pass these exams with minimal studying is futile – you need real dedication. Some sports medicine programs have students take these exams as part of the curriculum and still only manage a 50-60% pass rate. That gives a sense of the level of difficulty!

Overall, ACE may be slightly more difficult for those without an exercise science background. The kinesiology and biomechanics content is highly detailed.

For both exams, be prepared to put in at least 4-6 months studying several hours per week. But more on tips for passing later…

Cost Comparison

Let‘s break down the costs step-by-step for each certification:

ACE CPT Cost

Study materials	$699
Exam fee	$499
Total	$1,198

NASM CPT Cost

Study materials	$799
Exam fee	$599
Total	$1,398

As you can see, NASM‘s certification costs roughly $200 more than ACE‘s. The positive is that both come with free exam retakes if you need them.

Many trainers feel NASM prepares you better than ACE, so the higher cost may be justified. But ACE remains a more affordable option, especially if you‘re paying out of pocket.

Accreditation

An essential consideration is that both ACE and NASM have NCCA accreditation for their certifications. This third-party credentialing by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies meets strict educational and exam development standards.

NCCA accreditation gives tremendous credibility and ensures trainers have received proper training. It‘s a must-have for any respected certification.

Perception Among Employers

In general, major employers recognize ACE and NASM as the top certifications. As one hiring manager I interviewed said:

"When I see ACE or NASM on a trainer‘s resume, I know they invested the time and money into quality education."

However, some employers may show preference for one or the other:

• Clinics and physical therapy offices tend to favor ACE‘s strong exercise science foundation.

• Studios focused on high intensity training often prefer NASM for the focus on dynamic movement and programming.

• Corporate wellness centers appreciate NASM including sales and business training.

That said, both certifications are qualifying credentials at most facilities. Obtaining an ACE or NASM cert vastly improves your chances getting hired and commanding a higher salary.

Choosing the Right Certification

So which certification should you pick? Here‘s an analysis based on different trainer profiles:

For personal trainers who:

• Have a strong science background – ACE plays well into this strength with its emphasis on physiology and kinesiology.

• Love high intensity training formats like CrossFit – NASM trains modalities like power, speed, and reactive training.

• Want to work with clinical populations – the ACE medical basis helps here.

• Dream of opening their own training studio one day – NASM‘s business education provides that foundation.

• Want maximum credibility with employers – getting certified by both ACE and NASM is an unbeatable combo!

No matter your specific situation, choosing NASM or ACE sets you up for success. Gaining expertise in functional training, corrective exercise, and human movement is invaluable for working with diverse clients.

Tips for Passing the Exams

Here are my best tips for passing the ACE and NASM certification exams, coming from experience as a test prep coach:

For the ACE Exam:

• Study the textbook meticulously – know terms like ATP, VO2 Max, myosin, sarcoplasm

• Master the details of proper form and mechanics for each exercise

• Thoroughly learn safety guidelines related to chest pain, dizziness, pregnancy, etc.

• Practice writing detailed sample fitness assessments addressing postural issues, ROM, etc.

For the NASM Exam:

• Memorize the OPT model inside and out – how to systematically improve Stabilization, Strength, Power

• Be able to determine exact exercises to improve imbalance weaknesses

• Learn the NASM protocols for dynamic stretching and PNF techniques

• Know how to price and sell training packages

For both exams, I recommend studying 10+ hours per week for at least 4 months. Take practice tests frequently to pinpoint knowledge gaps. Get hands on training experience through internships or volunteer work. This will help the concepts stick.

Career Opportunities and Salaries

Gaining an ACE or NASM certification can lead to rewarding careers such as:

• Personal trainer
• Strength and conditioning coach
• Health and wellness director
• Physical therapy aide
• Fitness entrepreneur
• Corporate wellness coach

And the job growth is strong – the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10% increase in fitness trainer roles over the next decade.

Here are average reported salaries from PayScale for personal trainers with various certifications:

Certification	Average Salary
AED/CPR only	$40,000
ACE	$48,000
NASM	$54,000
NASM + ACE	$62,000

As you can see, stacking premium certs like NASM and ACE can maximize your earnings. But even starting with just one, you can expect $10,000+ higher pay versus only having basic CPR/AED certs.

The Pros and Cons Summarized

• ACE Pros: Gold standard recognition, strong science basis, affordable

• ACE Cons: Very challenging exam, light on business skills

• NASM Pros: Comprehensive education, corrective exercise expertise, higher perceived value

• NASM Cons: Slightly pricier, heavy on NASM-specific techniques

Again – both ACE and NASM certifications are amazing accomplishments for any fitness professional. As a trainer for 20+ years myself, I assure you that succeeding with either exam requires serious dedication.

My advice is to critically assess your specific career goals and knowledge strengths. For most aspiring personal trainers, NASM offers the most comprehensive education and best career preparation. But an ACE certification demonstrates deep scientific expertise.

Ultimately, choose the certification that aligns with your passion for helping clients. With hard work and quality training, you’ll be ready to change lives in the fitness industry.