Key Changes to ACSM Cert Exams Effective July 1, 2025 | What to Expect and How to Prepare

The ACSM Committee on Certification and Registry Boards (CCRB) is committed to keeping its certification programs aligned with the latest professional standards and industry best practices. To achieve this, the CCRB conducts regular Job Task Analyses (JTAs) every five to seven years and continually updates exam policies, procedures and continuing competence requirements. The last major […]

Upholding Standards: Why Open-Book Exams Fall Short in Professional Certification

In the ongoing effort to position exercise professionals as part of the health care continuum, maintaining professionalism is paramount. As an industry, we must be hold steadfastly to the ideal of professionalism if exercise professionals (e.g., personal trainers, exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaches, clinical exercise physiologists) are to earn the respect of established health […]

Forbes Health Names ACSM’s Personal Trainer Program Nation’s Best

Forbes best personal trainer certification 2024 badge

For the second year in a row, Forbes Health ranked the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) as the top Personal Trainer Certification Program in the industry and made it the only program to receive five out of five stars. The award was announced by Forbes Health in the article Best Personal Trainer Certification Programs Of 2024, According To […]

10 Tips for Success on the ACSM-GEI Exam

A group exercise instructor is a fitness professional who safely teaches, leads and motivates individuals through intentionally designed exercise classes. Those who are ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructors (ACSM-GEIs), provide safe and effective instruction across many class types, from dance fitness, to indoor cycling, to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and everything in between.  ACSM-GEIs come in […]

ACSM to Implement Mandatory First Aid Training for Certified Professionals in 2027

The American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) certified professionals play a crucial role in ensuring the health and safety of their clients, extending beyond exercise routines. It is essential to provide immediate basic first aid care in certain situations to prevent the rapid deterioration of a client or patient’s condition and minimize the risk of […]

Why Getting Certified Should Be Your Next Step

Seven years ago I got my first job out of college as an exercise therapist at a local hospital, where I worked in the rehab department. I taught aquatic exercise classes and land-based classes for different types of people — older people, people with heart problems, those who had neurological conditions and so forth.   It […]

Preparing Students for Success on the ACSM Exercise Physiologist Certification Exam

As a professor, I get a great sense of joy from seeing my students succeed: from seeing them do well on an exam, to graduating, finding that first job, getting into graduate school or passing a certification exam. Every year I hear stories from our graduates regarding how having the ACSM Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) certification […]

Becoming an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist®: Who, Why and How

During their undergraduate academic careers, students majoring in exercise science-related fields contemplate various career paths and often seek guidance regarding the necessary steps to begin their career upon graduation. It is common to encounter soon-to-be graduates who want to work in the fitness industry but are confused about the wide breadth of certifications currently available.  […]