ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

HFI Course Category / Level

Post-Level 3

Qualification Introductory Information

The syllabus covers a wider scope than the Level 3 Personal Trainer. Within the cross over areas, the ACSM CPT also has a more in-depth scope.

The ACSM Certified Personal Trainer offers fitness professionals the skills and knowledge that will allow them to develop and implement an individualised approach to exercise leadership, working with healthy populations and/or those individuals with medical clearance to exercise.

Candidates will gain skills in:

• Leading and demonstrating safe and effective methods of exercise by applying the fundamental principles of exercise science.
• Writing appropriate exercise recommendations.
• Leading and demonstrating safe and effective methods of exercise.
• Motivating individuals to begin and to continue with their healthy behaviors. 

As a personal trainer you can make a real difference in people’s lives when it comes to their health and fitness. What many people are unable to do on their own, they can accomplish with the motivation and support of a personal trainer.

ACSM Certified personal trainers are qualified to develop and implement exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals or those who have medical clearance to exercise.

Becoming ACSM Certified says a lot about your professional attitude. It indicates that you have chosen to become certified by the organisation that’s leading the way in health fitness and clinical certifications.

Who is this qualification/course suitable for?

Level 3 Personal Trainer qualified personal trainers, Advanced Instructors or degree graduates with gym work experience.

 Minimum Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or equivalent (UK level 3 Personal Trainer Knowledge recommended prior)
• First Aid certified

Where Next?

ACSM HFS (if you have a degree already)

HFI Exercise Motivator

HFI Eating Behaviour Motivator

Exam format

The ACSM CPT can be taken as assessment-only. Candidates can choose to attend the ACSM Gold Standard Workshop to assist their preparation. The ACSM workshop also covers the ACSM HFS certification syllabus. 

Summary of ACSM CPT Assessment:

• Home study from ACSM study package
• 2.5 hrs multiple-choice computer centre based examination.

The approximate distribution of exam questions across each KSA competency area for each ACSM certification exam is as follows:

KSAs Competency Area Certified
Personal Trainer^SM 

Exercise Prescription (Training) and Programming 28%

Exercise Physiology and Related Exercise Science 24%

Health Appraisal and Fitness Exercise Testing 13%

Clinical and Medical Considerations 10%

Nutrition and Weight Management 9%

Safety, Injury Prevention and Emergency Procedures 8%

Human Behavior 4%

Program Administration, Quality Assurance, and Outcome Assessment 4%

The 3 ACSM CPT study books can be purchased from HFI.

Syllabus content

The ACSM CPT Syllabus is comprised of the following topic areas:

• General population/core: exercise physiology and related exercises science
• Pathophysiology and risk factors  (HFS only)
• Health appraisal, fitness and clinical exercise testing
• Electrocardiography and diagnostic techniques (HFS only)
• Patient management and medications (HFS only)
• Exercise prescription and programming
• Nutrition and weight management
• Human behavior and counseling
• Safety, injury prevention, and emergency procedures
• Program administration, quality assurance, and outcome assessment­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
• Clinical and medical considerations
• Cardiovascular: pathophysiology and risk factors (HFS only)
• Pulmonary: pathophysiology and risk factors (HFS only)
• Metabolic: pathophysiology and risk factors (HFS only)
• Orthopedic/musculoskeletal: pathophysiology and risk factors

Venues

ACSM CPT Certification assessment can be taken on-demand in most large towns and cities in the UK (and the world!)

Awarding body and recognition

ACSM

UK and Internationally recognised

CPD

12 CPD for ACSM Gold Standard workshop

Enquire about ACSM qualification for your company