Well, it’s official. As of this past April, I’m officially a NASM-CPT. (Cue the confetti, pop the champagne, and high-fives all around.) That’s right folks — I completed the course work, education, and exam to become a NASM-certified personal trainer. (Woo hoo!)

If you’re interested in the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), or becoming a NASM CPT for yourself, here’s a little bit about my journey to becoming a NASM-certified personal trainer.

The NASM-certified personal trainer credential

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification provides the scientific foundation necessary to begin a career as a fitness professional. After all, staying physically fit is one of the best forms of preventative medicine.

Unfortunately, the fitness industry is a vast landscape full of misinformation and social media trends, but it’s also full of amazing new methodologies and techniques that drive human performance forward both inside and outside of the gym.

By earning a NASM-CPT credential, I knew I would have the education and knowledge to navigate the field of fitness and help others enjoy daily movement, exercise, and working out so they can lead happier, healthier lives.

Why I became a NASM-certified personal trainer

Okay, so why exactly did I become a NASM-CPT? I’ve always been passionate about health and wellness. Heck, I even made a career out of it writing for amazing brands like aSweatLife, Men’s Health, Prevention, Women’s Health, and so many more, but that’s a story for another day.

Back to NASM. I’ve always been an active person. Ever since grammar school, I was always playing sports or participating in after-school activities. As I got older, the gym became my happy place.

After school back in high school, I was in the weight room lifting. In college, I worked out at the gym daily and even got a job working at the front desk. In grad school, I convinced a big box gym to hire me for their public relations. (It was a small town, so I think that’s why it flew.)

Throughout my 20s and now well into my 30s, I start my day off between 4 am-5 am by heading to the gym for a workout. (I’m an early bird here, people, so this wake-up call comes naturally to me.)

Whether it’s hitting the weight rack at the gym, running along the lakefront for a sunrise run to greet the day, or sweating it out with friends at a fitness class at a local boutique studio, beginning my morning by giving back to myself is the best way to start my day. There’s no other feeling that can quite replace the one you get after a good workout.

Heart pumping, out of breath, sweating profusely — there’s nothing quite like it. (Side note: I realize all workouts aren’t like this. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a lighter, low-impact workout like walking or yoga.)

Plus, the endorphins you get after a workout are like no other. A good workout sets you up for feeling good and paves the way for a great start to the day (or whenever you decide to get your sweat session on). Not only do I love daily movement, exercise, and workouts, but I love the knowledge I gained from being coached and trained by NASM-certified personal trainers.

NASM CPTs

Learning benefits, proper form, and techniques, the NASM-certified personal trainers I encountered in small group classes were all so knowledgeable. Not only that, but they were so friendly and kind and were honestly the people that pushed my boundaries (in a good way) and challenged me on the daily to do something new even if it was absolutely scary and downright terrifying.

They were the people who I started my day off with every single morning and they helped me to block the world out and just focus on myself and my workout for one hour. Whether I was feeling off and in a funk, looking for a boost of motivation, or searching for the strength I didn’t know I had, these were the people who literally changed my day and my life for the better. Honestly, I wanted to be that same person for others. Enter NASM.

I wanted to be someone to demonstrate to others that exercise and working out didn’t have to be a form of punishment for calories eaten the day before from a fun night out with friends. Someone to show others they can do really hard things and come out better for it. Someone to motivate others and push them to break arbitrary beliefs, challenge old boundaries, and say see ya to false narratives and patterns they may hold for themselves.

Yes, reaching goals are great whether that be an aesthetic goal, a faster sprint time, a heavier weight, or a higher box jump. Those are all well and good, but I became a NASM-CPT to inspire and motivate others to help them live happier, healthier lives so they can be better versions of themselves.

As a NASM-CPT, I want everyone to leave one of my classes or sessions feeling capable, confident, and strong knowing they can develop fortitude through any adversity both inside and outside the gym.

What does it take to become a NASM-certified personal trainer?

In order to become a NASM-CPT, it definitely takes some level of passion for the fitness industry. Wanting to help others is a bonus too. But know that it’s a commitment — not just financially but time-wise as well.

The program does come at a financial cost, but consider it an investment in your career or side hustle, your education, and your own health. (You’ll learn so much you can apply to your own life in your own fitness journey.) Plus, NASM usually offers some sort of discount, so if you check out their website or contact the team, you can probably save some money.

From the time you enroll, you have 180 days (aka six months) to take the test. During that time, you must make sure you meet the CPR and AED requirements and, of course, pass the final exam with at least 70% to receive your official NASM-CPT credentials. However, you can pace yourself and finish everything sooner if you’d like.

I started the course at the start of February and really took advantage of the cold winter season. I hunkered down by hitting the books every night and almost every weekend, and I wrapped up the course, practice exams, and actual exam included, in roughly 12 weeks. A faster timeline can be done and is feasible given your level of commitment and schedule.

Consider NASM

If you’re looking into NASM or considering becoming a NASM-certified personal trainer, I highly recommend it. As long as you’ve given it a decent amount of thought, have a passion for fitness, and want to help others, I think you have all of the makings of a NASM-CPT.

If you want to chat and connect more about possibly becoming a NASM-CPT, please feel free to reach out on Insta.