A Higher Personal Training Credential with Proven Results
Choosing the right educational path in personal training can make all the difference in your career. While standard certifications may offer a quicker route, a personal trainer diploma program provides a more thorough and valuable education that equips you for long-term success.
- Comprehensive Curriculum
- Diploma programs cover a wider range of topics, including exercise science, physiology, biomechanics, program design and nutrition.
- Learn how to train special populations and not a broad based approach that covers all clients—from athletes to obese individuals.
- Higher Credential Recognition
- A diploma is often viewed as a more prestigious qualification than a certification, enhancing employability and career mobility.
- Licensed by the Department of Education. Proof of Education > Passing a Test. 90% of trainers with just a personal trainer certification quit in 1 year.
- Career Opportunities and Advancement
- With a diploma, you may qualify for advanced roles, such as lead trainer, fitness manager, or gym owner and will give you access to higher quality gyms.
- We are required by statute to uphold high job placement and salary standards for trainers, unlike certifications, which have no such obligation.
- GI Bill® & Financial Assistance Eligibility
- Diploma programs may be eligible for financial assistance, including the GI Bill® and Vocational Rehab, which is typically not available for short certification courses.
- 0% Interest monthly payments available to all at the National Personal Training Institute.
- Avoid Costly CEUs and Renewal Fees
- All certifications require continuing education units (CEUs) and have recurring renewal fees, making them costly over time ~$800/year.
- The National Personal Training Institute Diploma is recognized nationally and internationally and requires no upkeep.
Two Types of Diploma Programs
As if navigating the personal training certification process wasn’t confusing enough, an increasing number of local colleges, community colleges, and online colleges are now offering diplomas or degrees in personal training. Avoid them at all costs. Let us break down exactly why these programs are taking advantage of you:
Credit Hour vs. Clock Hour Programs
Most colleges follow a credit hour system, bundling personal training with somewhat related courses that have little to no relevance to the fitness industry. You will find yourself in class alongside nurses and phlebotomists, learning peripheral subjects that do nothing to make you a better trainer. After spending time and money on unnecessary coursework, you will end up taking a prep course for an inexpensive personal training certification—something you could have done on your own for a fraction of the cost. This is nothing but a glorified prep course for a personal trainer certification. Getting a certification from a college or university should be an immediate red flag. And don’t expect career placement assistance when you graduate.
On the other hand, clock hour programs—like the National Personal Training Institute—are entirely dedicated to personal training and nutrition. Consider it as one full course. Every hour of education is committed to making you a qualified, knowledgeable trainer, without wasting time on irrelevant material. This is why our diploma is considered a qualifying credential by itself and the credit hour program has certification prep classes as the final course. To sum things up, you are not saying you got a “John University” certification. However, you will have a National Personal Training Institute Certification. Ask yourself: Why would a personal trainer need to study hair follicles or the layers of the eye?
