FAQ'S
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Is
NESTA accredited?
NESTA is accredited by the AADP (American Association
of Drugless Practitioners). The AADP is an independent
third party accrediting body which reviews curriculum,
scope of practice and corporate policies of the entities
it accredits. NESTA has international
recognition. NESTA is a professional
association, not a school. Our Personal Trainer
Program is recognized by the NBFE (National Board
of Fitness Examiners). We are currently in the process
of acquiring NCCA accreditation for our Personal Fitness
Trainer Program.
View
complete list of accreditations & approvals. See where our graduates are working
now!
We have over 40,000 members all over the U.S. and more than 20 countries. You
will be able to work in a variety of settings.
Read testimonials.
NESTA certifications are earned by
each and every member who completes our programs.
They can be displayed with great pride.
What is the
difference between NESTA and other fitness & wellness
trade associations?
We are a full service fitness association which is
dedicated to helping you educationally, professionally
and personally. NESTA guides you through the entire
education and business development aspects of your
career. Many other associations are strictly focused on a single certification.
Do
you offer professional liability
insurance?
Graduates of any "NESTA" programs qualify
for very low cost professional insurance.
Where
do your members work?
See where our graduates are working
now!
Do I need to work for a gym before operating
my own training business?
No. This is a common misconception. You can
begin your business immediately after completing this
program. Enjoy the tax benefits and freedom of owning
your very own personal training business.
What is
a specialization program?
Specialization programs provide in-depth training through
a specific series of study materials that focus on
a one select concentration.
When
I order a "home-study" program, do I go
somewhere to take a test?
Some programs require online proctored exams, others
are online and non-proctored, and some are home study
format. Review each program for details.
Why
are you called the "National Exercise & Sports
Trainers Association?"
When NESTA was founded by Dr.
Ellis in 1992, the only educational program offered
was the "Certified Endurance Sports Trainer."
That is why our parent company is the National Endurance
& Sports Trainers Association. Because we now
offer more than two hundred exercise training programs,
we go by National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association.
What
will it say on my certificate?
Please see each specialization
program for the title you will hold after successful
completion. You have the legal right to use the specialization's initials after your name. Example: Joe Trainer, CCS (for Core Conditioning Specialist. Your specialization will be presented by
NESTA.
Is
there a separate "testing fee" for the programs
at NESTA?
Yes, please check with the program details. Not all NESTA programs have testing fees.
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How
are the programs mailed?
The programs developed by NESTA are shipped by UPS, USPS and Global Express Mail. Packages sent to
P.O. Box and APO's will be shipped using the U.S.
Postal Service. Refer to our shipping
cart for estimated delivery times. Although we
always work to get the programs in the shipped within
48-72 business hours of your order, it may take a bit longer.
We are located in California.
I
live outside the United States. Can I still enroll
in the programs, and what is the shipping cost? A $50.00 fee applies for one program. Please contact us via email for International shipping fees of multiple programs.
What if I'm already certified by
another organization?
This will help your learning
process. No credit is given for any certification
or diploma earned outside of NESTA. Our unique
business programs coupled with the Spencer
Small Business Association will take your current
training to the highest levels.
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What
programs do typical students purchase?
If someone is new to the industry, they usually start
with the Certified Personal Fitness Trainer program.
When people like alternative work,
they may get the Mind-Body Fitness
Specialist and Sport
Yoga Instructor together.
Is there
a refund policy?
See our policies>>>
I'm
just starting out. What should I do?
Think about the type of work
you want to enjoy most. Who will your clients be?
Which of our fitness
& wellness certifications will give you the
best advantage over your competitors? Fitness professionals
who work for themselves tend to make, by our estimates,
about $50-$75/hour. Teaching
group fitness in a gym setting usually
pays around $25-$35/hour. Personal
trainers working for a fitness center make from
$20-$40/hour. When you are ready to make the most
of your certifications, please contact us about developing
your business.
Tell me
more about the textbooks for the NESTA programs!
Some of the questions in select
NESTA program are derived from the textbooks featured
on the specific program's web page. We've provided
links to Amazon.com and HumanKinetics.com for your
convenience.
Please note: Many programs come complete, and don't require any additional books. Review each program for details.
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Minimum
Suggested Qualifications For Acceptance...
- Applicant must be at least sixteen years old
and have good reading skills.
- Applicant should have some basic resistance
training, aerobic, martial arts, or yoga
experience.
- Applicant should be familiar with resistance equipment
and exercise machines.
- Applicant does not need a CPR
card to begin a program. A CPR card may be required
to work at some locations. We strongly recommend
earning your CPR & First-Aid certification.
This policy is likely to change for the Personal
Trainer Program.
- NESTA does not discriminate on the basis of age,
race, gender, sexual orientation, national ancestry,
or physical handicaps.
How
do I order?
Call us! Our sales consultants are available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST. You may also print and complete the mail-in/fax-in application, or use our secure online application. We will send your requested educational or business program. Complete the requirements for the program. A few programs require separate textbook purchases. See each course for details.
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Specialization Credential
Programs offered by NESTA require you to purchase
your textbooks separately. It's a simple process that
is explained on each program's web page. See each
program for specific textbook details.
Tell me more about
the essays that are required for select programs!
Each is approximately 400 words
in length unless otherwise specified. Your name, phone
number, and date of completion must be on each essay.
They are graded on a pass or fail basis. 80% of the
grade is based on the effort & content, while
20% of the grade is based on grammar. See each program
for details. We've included essays in some of the
programs because this simple research greatly adds
to your learning process. We DO NOT require foot notes.
How challenging are the exams
if I'm already certified by other organizations, or hold a degree in health
or fitness? This
will certainly make it easier for you. You may
even wish to use some of your
previous study materials. No previous credit
is given for course completion from any outside organization.
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How
long does it take to complete each program?
If you dedicate an hour or two a day, the average time is four weeks, but the length of each will vary. Please see each program for approximate study durations. With the exception of Personal Fitness Trainer and Certified Personal Trainer, you can take as long as you like. It takes our staff up to two weeks to grade papers. Please do not contact us after you return your test papers. Calling us will not expedite the process. We assure you it will be completed as soon as possible. Results are given by mail only.
Do
I need CECs? (Continuing Education Credits)
Many programs do not require
CECs. However, programs such as the Personal Fitness
Trainer do require continuing education units/credits.
Please review each program for details.
Is
online ordering safe?
It's completely safe.
See our guarantee.
If you feel uncomfortable, you
may phone your order or use the mail-in/fax-in form.
Click on the "Mail/Fax-in" button on the
left of any page. You
can order online 24 hours a day.
What
is the pass rate?
It varies widely between each
program.
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What
are the advantages of a distance learning format?
First, we must define "distance learning,"
which can also be called correspondence, home study,
at-a-distance learning, off-campus, or distance education.
In the case of NESTA, it simply implies that you complete
all of your course work in the comfort of your own
home. The advantages are many. They include: no lodging
costs, no drive time, to parking fees, no inconvenient
class schedules, no traffic jams, no boring lectures,
and no waiting for slower students.
You will enjoy a self-paced learning format, toll
free technical support, freedom to take a break when
you need, the option in some programs to study with
a friend for a lower cost, and the satisfaction of
learning material that will directly lead to person
growth, helping others, and financial freedom.
Why are
NESTA rates lower than some other certifying agencies?
We keep our overhead to a minimum by having a high number of student referrals and in-house production.
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Is
it required that I take the Personal
Trainer Program prior to taking any of the other
programs? It is not required, but
suggested as a foundation of learning. If you plan
on taking the Certified Advanced Personal Trainer
course, read the Personal Trainer Certification course
information in detail.
Is
NESTA involved with any charities?
We support the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In
recent years, NESTA donated over $25,000 in
products to help raised money for athletes with physical
challenges such as spinal cord injuries, prosthetic
limbs, and blindness.
Mission Statement
NESTA, National Exercise & Sports Trainers
Association, is a professional association dedicated
to fostering entrepreneurship and business development
for fitness and wellness professionals. Our commitment
is to provide top quality training and unique business
options, coupled with progressive thinking. Our ongoing
dedication provides our client/member, who aspires
to reach his/her full potential, with the building
blocks for enhanced business and personal success.
Job Opportunities & Business Development
Employment Opportunities for
Personal Trainers:
According to the US Department of Labor job prospects
are excellent for Personal Trainers! Employment is
expected to grow much faster then the average for
all occupations. Many work in fitness clubs, gyms,
health clubs, health care facilities or own their
own fitness companies.
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The NESTA PFT certification is proudly accredited by the NCCA.