Fitness certifications can get expensive before you even know whether you will pass the exam. The American Sport and Fitness Association, better known as ASFA, flips that order: you take the exam first and pay only if you pass. After going through how the organization describes its programs, here is what the model looks like in practice and who it suits best.
Who is ASFA?
ASFA is an online certification provider that says it has operated since 2007 and has issued more than 100,000 certifications in the United States and internationally. It describes its role as providing credible assessment and practical certification options that support long-term work in the fitness industry, and it states that it is accredited by the International Council for Online Educational Standards (ICOES). It does not name its founders or headquarters on the pages we reviewed.
What certifications are available
The catalog spans personal training, group fitness, coaching, nutrition, performance, wellness and fitness management. Popular options include Personal Trainer, Master Personal Trainer, Group Fitness and Bootcamp, Health and Wellness Coach, Pilates, Senior Fitness, Cycling, Yoga, Barre, Water Aerobics and Sports Nutrition. There are entry-level paths, specialty add-ons for working professionals, and advanced or master-level credentials for experienced trainers. Listings on the site start from $349, with Personal Trainer starting at $399 and Master Personal Trainer at $499.
How the exam works
The exam is taken online, with no required classes or scheduled sessions, so you can sit it when you feel ready. Taking the exam is free, the passing score is 70% or higher, and you are charged only after you pass and choose to receive your certificate. If you do not pass, you are not charged and can review the material and try again. Recommended books and manuals are sold separately and are optional. Exams are developed and reviewed by fitness professionals and use defined subject areas with objective scoring.
Annual vs lifetime certification
After passing, you choose between two options. An annual certificate is active for one year, and renewing it means retaking the exam and buying again before it expires. A lifetime certificate removes the yearly retest and payment, but you are expected to stay active in the field, complete one related class, course or seminar each year, and follow ASFA's current terms. An annual certificate can be upgraded to lifetime within seven days of the original purchase, and expired certificates cannot be reissued.
Things to know before you buy
Because the digital certificate is delivered right after checkout, ASFA states that purchases are not refundable, so make sure you want the credential before you pay. The company also advises checking your employer's, facility's or insurer's requirements first, since what counts as an acceptable certification varies. Support is available by email from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The site also sells texts and manuals and gear, and it lists partners such as Human Kinetics, Crunch Fitness and Insure Fitness Group.
Grabbing a deal right now
You can currently save 10% off your ASFA order when you shop through this Alpha Picks link and use code ALPHAGLANCE at checkout. Offers can change, so confirm the discount applies to the certification you choose.
Bottom line
If you want to test your knowledge before spending money, ASFA's free exam and pay-only-if-you-pass model make it a low-risk way to start. It is best for self-motivated learners who already have a background in fitness, and less ideal if your employer requires a specific accrediting body, so verify that first. Use the link above to take advantage of the current 10% off.