NASM Certification Prep Courses

Fitness

Nationally accredited courses help you get exam-ready

If you're interested in a career in fitness and wellness, the first thing to do is become certified! The National Academy of Sports Medicine certifications, including certifications offered by the Athletics and Fitness Association of America subsidiary, are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and provide the competency assurance necessary to aid you in entering the profession.

Campus Recreation is proud to offer eight-week preparation courses to current SFA students. Led by NASM/AFAA-certified instructors, these courses consist of lecture, practical components and quizzes.

Important: These courses are intended to assist you in preparation for the applicable certification exam and do not guarantee a passing score on the exam. The exam fee and an exam retest voucher are included in your registration cost.

Prepare to Become a Certified Personal Trainer

2025 date TBA

NASM-CPT course details and required materials

Course format

Offered online only. Participants create an account on the NASM website and go at their own pace through the course. You must complete the course and the certification exam within 160 days.

Overview

This preparation course provides important knowledge related to the essentials of personal fitness training, the human movement system, the Optimum Performance Training Model and other domains of basic exercise science, including:

  • professional development and responsibility
  • client relations and behavioral coaching
  • basic and applied sciences
  • nutritional concepts
  • assessment
  • exercise technique and training instruction
  • and program design

Practical training will include how to conduct initial consultations, body composition, fitness assessments and programming workouts utilizing the OPT Model.

Materials and textbook

Participants will need access to a printer, binder, measuring tape, and timer.

Included in your registration cost: Course textbook, online content, practical training, NASM-CPT exam voucher and exam retest voucher.

Registration information

Prepare to Become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor

Feb. 10 - April 11, 2025

AFAA-CGFI course details and required materials

Class sessions

The class will meet 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

Participants will have the option of attending these meetings face-to-face or via Zoom. More information will be provided to registered participants.

Overview

This course is only offered during the spring term. Expand the sections below for additional details.

Guiding students on a journey from student to instructor, this preparation course provides important knowledge related to the human body and fitness and prepares students for the communication and instruction skills they'll need to be successful in the group fitness setting.

Materials and textbook

Included in your registration cost: Course textbook, online content, practical training, AFAA-CGFI exam voucher and exam retest voucher.

Registration information

Additional specialty certifications

Earn a certification independently in one of many specialty formats. Once you are certified, begin your fitness career at Campus Recreation!

Mind/Body focused

Cardio focused

Functional Training focused

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Jescelyn Madrigal at Jescelyn.Madrigal@sfasu.edu.