The ISSA certification focuses on optimizing adaptation to exercise, training athletes, and peak performance whereas the ACE certification focuses on developing healthy habits and the psychology of health behavior change. Both certifications are accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies), which most employees require for employment.

Let’s see which one is the best fit for you.

CPT	ACSM vs ACE Quick Breakdown	Features	Price
	ISSA	Solid technique and programming Excellent business skills Limited special populations	$828.00 for ISSA
	ACE CPT	High-regard amongst employers ACE is non-profit and community focused Solid starter certification	Check ACE website

About the Certifications

About ACE

The American Council on Exercise, or ACE, is one of the most popular and respected certifying organizations in the U.S., right up there with NASM. Founded in 1985, ACE has nearly four decades of experience in promoting public health and training fitness professionals who take a client-centered, sustainable approach to exercise.

ACE’s focus on empowering trainers to help clients adopt healthy, lasting lifestyle changes shines through in its personal trainer certification.

This certification is especially ideal if you plan to work with everyday clients aiming to improve their health, boost their quality of life, and achieve sustainable fitness goals.

Most clients in traditional gym settings are everyday people looking to feel healthier and more confident, which aligns perfectly with ACE’s mission.

What I appreciate about ACE is its emphasis on strategies to help clients prevent chronic lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. ACE-certified trainers are equipped to make a genuine impact by guiding clients toward healthier lifestyles through thoughtful exercise programming.

Additionally, ACE offers a range of specializations to pursue once you’re certified, each designed to complement your personal training skills.

The ACE Group Exercise Instructor certification is particularly well-regarded and provides a strong foundation if you’re interested in leading group fitness classes.

Overall, ACE is a fantastic starting point for those looking to make a positive difference in people’s lives through fitness.

About ISSA

The International Sports Sciences Association, or ISSA, is a major force in personal trainer certification, with a global reach that extends across numerous countries. ISSA initially carved out its niche by becoming North America’s first distance-based certification body, allowing it to build an international reputation before many local competitors in the U.S. even considered going online.

As the first to offer a fully online certification, ISSA attracted aspiring trainers from all over the world, as well as local trainers who valued the flexibility of studying remotely. This head start gave ISSA a strong foothold in the industry, making its personal trainer certification one of the most widely recognized today.

Beyond personal training, ISSA provides an array of specialized certifications, including group fitness, strength and conditioning, special populations, and nutrition certifications.

They even offer a Master Trainer program, which bundles several certifications together. This bundled option may require more upfront investment but offers savings compared to purchasing each certification individually.

Plus, it gives you an edge when starting your career, particularly if you lack extensive prior experience in the fitness industry.

Having multiple certifications is a smart choice for more than just employability—it also enhances your effectiveness as a trainer. For instance, a strength and conditioning certification can improve your skills in exercise programming, helping you work with advanced clients, while a nutrition certification allows you to better guide clients through dietary challenges, albeit within the limits of a trainer’s scope of practice.

If you have the resources, earning multiple certifications can significantly broaden your career options and help you explore different aspects of the fitness industry. With a diverse skill set, you’ll have greater flexibility to adjust your career path as you gain experience and discover where you truly excel as a trainer.

It’s worth the investment, and the ISSA CPT and Nutrition Coaching combo in particular can be a helpful certification bundle since it provides you with a mix of skills that are highly complementary to one another, are highly relevant to real world client needs, and are translatable to work in many different fitness roles.

Go to ISSA’s website if you’re interested in exploring their certification bundle offerings. It can make your life easier in the long-run.

Accreditation

Before diving into the specifics of the ISSA and ACE personal trainer certifications, it’s important to cover the topic of certification accreditation—what it means and why it matters.

Simply put, accreditation is an official endorsement by a quality assurance organization that evaluates and approves a certification. This third-party review ensures that a certification meets minimum standards in areas like administration, testing, and content quality. It’s a stamp of credibility, assuring you that an accrediting body is willing to stand behind that certification’s quality.

However, it’s also essential to remember that accreditation only confirms a certification meets the baseline standards. Accredited certifications can still vary widely in quality; some may exceed the minimum requirements by a significant margin, while others just meet them.

This is why certain personal trainer certifications are considered more prestigious than others. For a deeper comparison of how certifications stack up, our other articles offer helpful insights.

In health and fitness certifications, accreditation typically comes from one of two major organizations. The first and most widely recognized is the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies), which accredits most of the leading “gold standard” certifications in the U.S. The second is the DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission), which focuses on authenticating distance-based educational institutions.

Now, let’s look at ISSA and ACE to see which accrediting body has evaluated each, and what that might mean for your certification choice.

As you can see, ACE is accredited by the NCCA, much like NASM’s CPT certification, while ISSA is accredited by the DEAC and the NCCA, which makes sense given its focus on distance-based learning.

ISSA was a pioneer in delivering online programs, leading the way among fitness certifications with remote coursework and exam options—something other major certifications have since adopted, but ISSA did it first.

Now, ISSA offers a NCCA accredited exam through NCCPT, which is the exam I recommend taking.

Cost of Study Packages

Cost is a significant factor that often influences which personal trainer certification you choose. While ACE and ISSA have distinct approaches and cater to different types of aspiring trainers, both programs provide solid preparation for a general personal training career and are similar in quality.

Most certification agencies, including ACE and ISSA, offer multiple study package options. These packages vary in price based on the range of resources included. The most affordable packages usually cover the essentials—just enough to get you exam-ready.

If you’re able to invest in a more comprehensive package, you’ll have access to additional study tools that can boost your chances of passing the certification exam on your first try.

So let’s take a look at the costs:

From my experience, ACE is usually the more budget-friendly option if you’re just looking to get a single personal trainer certification. It’s a straightforward choice if you’re starting out and want to keep costs manageable. However, if you’re interested in earning multiple certifications, ISSA’s bundled options can save you money in the long run, making it a better deal per certification.

One thing I noticed is that the cost of ISSA’s standalone personal trainer certification has gone up significantly since they acquired NCCPT, an NCCA-accredited agency. This has added value by incorporating a traditionally accredited exam, but it’s also raised the price.

When I was exploring certifications, I found it useful to keep an eye on promotional offers and discounts, as both ACE and ISSA run sales that can make a big difference.

Quality of Study Materials

Having access to the right study materials can make a big difference in how well you absorb the information from any personal trainer certification program. From my experience, solid resources don’t just impact how quickly you can prepare for the exam—they also affect your confidence going in and your chances of passing on the first try.

The real test of good study resources, though, is how well the information sticks with you once you start working as a trainer.

The best study materials become valuable reference tools long after you’ve passed the exam. I’ve often found myself flipping back to my resources to solve specific client issues or refresh my understanding of a concept that could improve a client’s results. Having these materials on hand is like having a knowledge library that you can rely on as you grow in your career.

With that in mind, we’ll be rating each certification’s study package on a scale of 1 to 10, considering both the quality and variety of resources, as well as the different package options and price points. This will give you a clear sense of which organization provides the most support, both for your exam preparation and your future practice.

Based on my research, ACE stands out for its variety, offering three different packages, each packed with a strong selection of study resources that add real value. With this range, you can choose a package that fits your needs and budget, which I found especially helpful when I was first looking at certifications.

That said, ISSA also brings solid materials to the table, plus an attempt at an NCCA-accredited CPT exam through NCCPT, which ISSA acquired in 2020. You may recognize NCCPT as a respected certification body among U.S. trainers, and now as a part of ISSA, they provide a unique hybrid program with both NCCA and DEAC-accredited courses.

However, ISSA only offers a single package with fewer resources overall, making ACE the stronger option for study support. Based on this, I’d rate ACE an 8/10 and ISSA a 7/10 for study materials.

For those who want an edge, I recommend investing in premium third-party materials crafted by professionals who have completed these certifications themselves like the MVP study packages from Trainer Academy.

These resources are specifically designed to help you grasp the information faster, retain it long-term, and improve your chances of passing on the first attempt. With techniques that save study time and even an exam-passing guarantee, these packages add extra support that can make all the difference.

Check out the ACE MVP study package or the ISSA MVP study package; the choice is yours.

Exam Layout and Passing Grade

Understanding an exam’s layout is key, especially since many are divided into segments that carry different weight toward your final score. Knowing which sections are more heavily weighted can help you prioritize your study efforts where they’ll make the biggest impact.

Let’s start by breaking down the exam structure:

ACE and ISSA have similar question counts, with ISSA featuring 160 multiple-choice questions and ACE offering 150.

As I mentioned earlier, each exam has sections that are weighted differently, meaning certain topics will appear more frequently and carry more significance in your overall score. Knowing which areas the exam prioritizes can make a big difference in how you focus your study time, allowing you to prepare more strategically for success.

Let’s take a look at how the breakdown of the sections:

The sections are listed here from least to most emphasized on the exam. ACE’s exam is divided into four sections, while ISSA’s exam has six, but both follow a similar pattern in terms of what’s prioritized. The least weight is given to professional and administrative topics, while the core focus is on programming and instruction, which makes sense given that much of a personal trainer’s work involves planning and leading workouts.

This structure is a smart way to encourage mastery in key areas, helping ensure trainers are well-prepared for real-world responsibilities.

In terms of exam administration, ISSA stands out with its fully online, self-paced, open-book format. Since ISSA has a strong history as a distance-learning provider, this setup aligns perfectly. You can go through the exam at your own pace and consult your study materials as needed.

ACE, on the other hand, uses a more traditional approach.

You can take the exam on paper at a testing center with an on-site proctor or online via a live remote proctor, who monitors you through your webcam. The ACE exam is timed at three hours, although you can leave early if you finish.

That said, I found it useful to stay and review my answers, as it’s easy to misread a question in the moment and lose points unnecessarily. Double-checking your work can make a real difference, even if you feel confident in the material.

Check out the ACE personal trainer study guide and ACE practice test to have a first-hand experience working through test questions similar to what you may find on the ACE personal trainer exam and also get familiar with the exam layout and passing grade through constant studying and practice.

Exam Difficulty and Pass Rate

Getting familiar with the exam structure can give you an edge when it’s time to sit for the test. But knowing the level of difficulty is just as important—it helps you gauge how much focus and effort to put into your study sessions.

In terms of difficulty, ACE and ISSA take quite different approaches. To get a clearer picture of what you’re up against, let’s dive into the pass rate percentages for each certification and see how they compare.

The ACE exam isn’t overly challenging, but it does require thoughtful preparation and a good grasp of the material. In my experience, it presents a balanced level of difficulty that makes you put in the work, which ultimately helps you build a strong foundation as a trainer.

The ISSA exam, by contrast, has a notably high pass rate, with only about 10% of candidates failing. This is partly due to ISSA’s thorough study resources, which help candidates feel well-prepared. However, the exam itself doesn’t require the same depth of mastery as some other certifications in the field. ISSA sets a somewhat lower bar for passing, which makes the certification more accessible but may mean less rigor overall.

Given these differences, I’d recommend ACE if you’re looking for a stronger challenge that truly prepares you for the demands of a personal training career. While a tougher exam may seem daunting initially, the effort you put in will equip you with skills that pay off over the long term. In the end, this can be more valuable for your career than a certification that’s easier to achieve.

Retake Fee

If you don’t pass the exam on your first try, don’t worry—you’ll have the option to retake it soon after. However, keep in mind that a retake fee typically applies. Let’s take a closer look at what each certification requires for retakes:

If you don’t pass the ISSA Certified Personal Trainer exam on your first try, requesting a retake is straightforward and one of the nice perks is that your first retake is completely free. However, if you need additional attempts beyond that, you’ll start incurring fees.

For ACE, the retake process is a bit more conventional. You’ll need to submit an application and pay a $199 fee to sit for the exam again. Naturally, aiming to pass on the second attempt is ideal, as repeated retakes can quickly add up financially.

Certification Popularity and Recognition

Initially, I didn’t think much about the popularity of a certification, but I’ve come to see that it can make a difference, especially when applying for jobs. If a certification is well-known, there’s a good chance gym managers and hiring teams are already familiar with it, which can be helpful.

I’ve seen firsthand that it can even speed up the hiring process since employers recognize the training and standards that come with popular certifications.

Of course, popularity doesn’t always tell the whole story. For example, the NSCA CSCS is highly respected and well-known, yet relatively few trainers hold it because of its challenging material.

To understand how widely recognized each certification is, we’ll look at two metrics: Google search data and enrollment numbers. While these numbers don’t tell us exactly why one cert is more popular than another, they give a useful snapshot of its general visibility and awareness in the industry.

Let’s take a look at enrollment first.

When it comes to enrollment, more trainers enroll in ACE’s program, with around 30% more enrollment overall.

The next statistic we will look at is search data. This metric displays how many people actually search for each cert as they browse the web for options.

This data hints at some interesting differences in Google search trends between ACE and ISSA, though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why. Several factors could be at play, such as variations in the search habits of people interested in each organization, the search terms candidates use, or even non-candidate traffic that influences the numbers.

Additionally, unrelated searches like those looking up “ACE” for other companies or fictional characters can skew the results, especially since “ACE” is a more common term than “ISSA.”

This overlap likely helps explain why enrollment numbers may look different from search trends. With ACE being associated with multiple entities beyond fitness certification, it’s easy to see why its search data could reflect more than just trainer interest, while ISSA’s unique name keeps its search results more focused.

Expected Study Time

The time it takes to earn a CPT certification is something I really had to think through when choosing my program.

When people ask, “How long does it take to become a personal trainer?” my answer is usually, “It depends.” I’d say that your timeline will largely depend on how many hours you can realistically dedicate to studying each week. If you’re able to commit more time, you’ll be exam-ready faster. But when I was balancing work and other commitments, I found I had to stretch my study schedule out, which took a bit longer.

Your study habits, memory retention, and familiarity with fitness topics also make a difference. I found that having a solid background in some of the subjects helped me move through certain sections faster, while topics I was less familiar with required more focus. Ultimately, everyone’s path to certification looks a bit different, so it’s all about finding a pace that works best for you.

The time each candidate needs to prepare for a personal trainer certification exam varies widely, but I noticed that certification packages are designed with a beginner in mind. This approach ensures that a broad range of candidates have access to the resources and time they need to succeed, rather than gearing the program solely toward the fastest learners or most well-prepared.

Certification programs genuinely want you to pass and earn their credential if you’re qualified, which is why they go to such lengths to prepare you. Many certifications, like ACE and ISSA, even offer longer enrollment periods to give candidates flexibility in how they pace their studies.

The enrollment period is essentially the window of time from the moment you purchase the certification to your exam deadline, although most candidates finish studying well before that point. Let’s look at how much time each certification allows:

ACE offers the longest enrollment period at nine months, which provides more flexibility for time management. ISSA, by comparison, gives you six months, which is still a decent amount of time, but noticeably shorter.

One feature I found useful with ISSA is their ten-week guided study program, which helps keep you on track by providing a structured study plan. Following their plan allows you to be test-ready in less than half of the allotted enrollment period. This approach really helped me pace my studies without stressing over how much time I had left.

That said, this guided study plan isn’t something exclusive to ISSA; it’s definitely possible to create a similar study routine with ACE. And with ACE’s nine-month period, you get three extra months of flexibility, which can be a big advantage if you have other commitments.

Average Income

When choosing certifications for your personal training career, knowing the earning potential is crucial. It was a key factor for me, too, because understanding what I could realistically make helped guide my certification choices.

So, how does the income potential for a personal trainer with an ACE certification stack up against one with an ISSA credential?

Reliable income stats can be hard to find, but I’ve managed to gather some reasonably accurate annual income estimates for both certifications. Keep in mind, though, that your actual earnings can vary greatly based on factors like where you live, the type of gym or facility you work at, how many certifications you hold, and of course, your experience level.

ACE comes out on top when it comes to income potential, with ACE-certified trainers generally earning more than their ISSA-certified counterparts. From what I’ve seen, being ACE-certified could mean a slightly higher salary overall.

ISSA-certified trainers, on average, make about 13% less per year compared to ACE trainers. But it’s worth noting that this might also reflect differences in the types of clients and gyms each certification tends to attract.

For example, ACE trainers might gravitate toward higher-paying fitness environments or have more specialized training, which could influence these figures.

Primary Focus of Certification

One key factor that might influence your certification choice is each program’s specific focus. This focus hints at the career path each certification could support once you’re certified.

In my experience, ACE has a more comprehensive approach to long-term lifestyle changes. Their curriculum really emphasizes habit-building and sustainable health practices, which helps trainers guide clients toward lasting changes in their routines and mindsets.

This is likely one reason why ACE is so popular. ACE tackles foundational issues that many clients struggle with, and these are the very issues that, if unaddressed, often prevent people from reaching their goals.

On the other hand, ISSA places a heavier focus on the nuts and bolts of exercise programming and implementation. Given that a lot of our work as trainers revolves around creating and adjusting workout programs, ISSA’s approach is useful for building those skills. However, as I’ve noticed, program design isn’t the only challenge. You also need to keep clients engaged and consistent with their workouts.

One area where I think both certifications could improve is in preparing trainers for the online side of personal training. Online training has become a major market, and though ISSA includes some basic information on how to start training clients online, it’s far from comprehensive. Since online coaching is a big part of the industry’s future, it would be great to see both certifications expand in this area.

CEU Requirements

Every good thing eventually has its expiration date, including your hard-earned ACE or ISSA certification. Once you’ve certified, the clock starts ticking toward its renewal deadline.

This means you’ll need to renew your certification when the time comes, and that renewal process includes a few specific requirements. One is a recertification fee, but the main focus is on meeting the CEU (Continuing Education Unit) requirement.

CEUs are credits that you earn by continuing your education, showing that you’re actively developing as a trainer. In my case it’s been a great way to stay current with industry trends and build new skills. You can earn CEUs through additional certifications, courses, workshops, or other approved educational activities.

Let’s dive into the renewal requirements for both ACE and ISSA to see what’s needed to keep your certification up-to-date.

Both ACE and ISSA have the same CEU requirements; however, ISSA recertification wins out by being the cheaper one to recertify.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Certification Takeaway

ISSA and ACE are both reputable certifying organizations, each offering fully accredited personal trainer certifications that are widely recognized by employers. From my experience, either certification can provide a solid foundation for a personal training career, though each brings unique strengths to the table.

Whether you choose ACE or ISSA, both certifications open doors to the fitness industry and give you the credentials to start working as a trainer. However, I personally lean slightly toward ISSA as the stronger option overall. ACE is great, but I think it still needs some more exercise science and business skills content.

Of course, ISSA might not be the best fit for everyone. It’s important to weigh each certification’s features against your own goals, budget, and timeline. Hopefully, this guide has given you a clearer perspective and helped make that decision a little easier.

References

1. Foundations and Applications for a Certified Personal Trainer. books.issaonline.com. https://books.issaonline.com/product/Foundations-and-Applications-for-a-Certified-Personal-Trainer-
2. ‌Malek MH, Nalbone DP, Berger DE, Coburn JW. Importance of health science education for personal fitness trainers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2002;16(1):19-24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11834102/
3. ‌MELTON BF, ROMANCHIK-CERPOVICZ JE, RYAN GA, GALLAGHER CG. The Influence of Education on the Nutritional Knowledge of Certified Fitness Professionals. International Journal of Exercise Science. 2021;14(4):239-249. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8136576/
4. Cieslinski Q. Comparing Personal Training and Strength and Conditioning Certifications Across Multiple Organizations. Published online January 1, 2016.
5. Akerson M. Investigating Personal Fitness Trainers’ Qualifications. Published online January 1, 2014.
6. Waryasz GR, Daniels AH, Gil JA, Suric V, Eberson CP. Personal trainer demographics, current practice trends and common trainee injuries. Orthopedic Reviews. 2016;8(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.4081/or.2016.6600
7. Brust S. Nutrition Content of NCCA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Curriculums. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2014;114(9):A93. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2014.06.317
8. Craig AC, Eickhoff-Shemek JM. EDUCATING AND TRAINING THE PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINER. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. 2009;13(2):8-15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1249/fit.0b013e318198e4cc