This article explores the top three free personal training certification courses designed to help aspiring trainers kickstart their careers.

Drawing from firsthand experience, I’ll provide an in-depth look at each program, covering rankings, organizational credibility, and an honest assessment of their pros and cons.

While these free courses are great for your education, keep in mind that NCCA-accredited CPT certifications require payment.

Most employers require NCCA-accredited CPT certifications. For the best value, consider IPTA CPT or ISSA CPT.

IPTA stands out by providing its full personal trainer textbook for free, making it the most affordable way to start learning the fundamentals, while other programs charge as high as $200.

Make sure to take the quiz and find out your best paid CPT option.

Now, let’s get on to the best free personal training courses!

American Council on Exercise Training Program Design

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers some of the most reputable online certifications available. Among their free options is the Exercise Training Program Design course, which delivers exactly what its name suggests—an introduction to structuring effective fitness programs.

In this course, you’ll explore the ACE Integrated Fitness Training (IFT) Model, a systematic approach to designing training programs for fitness professionals. This is one of the few free fitness instructor courses ACE provides, making it a valuable resource for those looking to expand their knowledge.

I personally find the ACE IFT Model to be one of the most effective and easy-to-understand frameworks among personal training certifications. This free course gives you a glimpse into why it stands out.

However, it’s important to remember that no training model is one-size-fits-all. As clients progress in their fitness journey, their needs evolve. A well-designed program must adapt to their increasing strength, endurance, and capabilities over time.

NASM Free CPT Preview

While NASM does not offer their CPT for free, you can get a free preview to the full CPT program, plus a complimentary career consultation from an NASM Program Advisor.

Tools and features* of this interactive course include:

• 23 in-depth chapters
• Learner dashboard to track progress
• Comprehensive course search
• Glossary menu
• Highlighting and bookmarking
• Optimized for mobile devices
• 45+ learning videos
• 200+ exercise demonstrations
• 45+ downloadable resources
• Knowledge checks and quizzes
• And more!

The full paid version of the NASM Personal Trainer Certification is one of our top picks out of all the personal trainer certifications, so this is a perfect opportunity to try it out for free and see if it fits what you’re looking for in a CPT.

NASM offers the best video library of any certification provider, and you can benefit from exploring their learning platform without paying the hefty certification fee.

While this course can certainly teach you some valuable insights, remember that it’s just a preview, so you won’t have access to all the benefits you get with a full NASM Personal Training Certification.

Monthly NASM Free Continuing Education Courses

Every month, NASM offers 4 free educational courses. Each month the topics rotate, meaning you can get a new free class year-round.

For example, in the month of March they are running 4 different nutritional courses.

• Week 1: Guide to Calorie Counting.
• Week 2: Improving Nutritional Habits.
• Week 3: Mindful Eating
• Week 4: Smart Grocery Shopping.

Every personal trainer must know the fundamentals of nutrition as well as exercise, and having tools to teach your clients about how to shop for groceries and count calories effectively will give you another opportunity to improve your clients’ overall health.

These courses could also be helpful for any personal trainer who has already passed their NCCA-accredited certification and wants to learn more about new fitness topics.

Benefits of Choosing a Free Personal Trainer Certification Course

Choosing a free personal trainer certification course is a great way to explore the fundamentals of fitness training without the financial commitment of paid programs.

These courses allow aspiring trainers to gain foundational knowledge, practical insights, and industry exposure at no cost, making them an excellent starting point.

They also serve as valuable continuing education resources, helping certified trainers expand their expertise in specific areas like program design, exercise science, or coaching techniques.

Additionally, free certifications can help individuals decide if a career in personal training is the right fit before investing in an NCCA-accredited CPT certification, which is required for employment.

While they may not qualify you for professional roles, they provide a risk-free way to start learning, build confidence, and develop essential skills in the fitness industry.

Conclusion

Exploring free personal trainer certification courses is a great way to build foundational knowledge, gain industry insight, and determine if a career in personal training is the right fit before committing to a paid certification.

While these courses offer valuable education and continuing learning opportunities, most employers require an NCCA-accredited CPT certification for employment.

For those still exploring their options, NASM’s free CPT preview and monthly continuing education courses offer a fantastic way to test out high-quality training resources.

ACE’s Program Design Course can also teach you some fantastic ways to organize a client’s exercise program.

Regardless of where you are in your fitness career, taking advantage of these free resources can enhance your knowledge and set you on the right path.

Best Free Personal Trainer Certifications