Death of Personal Training Certifications - The UAE Ban: Why Personal Training Certifications Need Hands-On Learning
Apr 4, 2025
A recent ban in the UAE on major personal training certifications has sparked a debate about the need for hands-on learning in the fitness industry. The hosts argue that many trainers are certified but not truly qualified, as most rely on textbook knowledge without practical experience. They highlight a troubling trend where trainers struggle with impostor syndrome after passing exams. The discussion emphasizes raising standards and encouraging aspiring trainers to focus on real-world skills for a more credible and successful career.
24:01
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Fake It Till You Make It
An Uber driver with an ISSA certification told a passenger he wasn't confident to train.
He planned to "fake it until he makes it," highlighting the problem of unqualified trainers.
insights INSIGHT
UAE Ban
The UAE banned certifications like ACE, ISSA, and NASM for lacking hands-on training.
This highlights the difference between certification and actual qualification.
insights INSIGHT
Certification Crisis
Many trainers rely on online resources and study guides to pass exams, not practical skills.
This leads to imposter syndrome and seeking more certifications instead of experience.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Do you want to become a successful personal trainer? Textbook certifications aren't the best route. Become a QUALFIEID certified personal trainer with SUF-CPT the fastest growing certification ONLINE w/hands-on learning with our partnership with Life Time Fitness.
The personal training industry just received a massive wake-up call. The United Arab Emirates has banned several major fitness certifications—including ACE, NASM, and ISSA—for lacking hands-on, practical learning components. This groundbreaking decision highlights what many industry veterans have known for years: there's a vast difference between being certified and being qualified.
What would you think of a surgeon who planned to "fake it till they make it" with your body? Yet this is precisely the mindset many newly certified trainers adopt after completing textbook-only certifications. The statistics tell a troubling story—70,000 new trainers enter the industry annually, with nearly 90% obtaining their credentials through text-based, multiple-choice exams. Perhaps this explains why 90% quit within their first year.
The certification crisis creates a predictable pattern: trainers study theoretical concepts, pass an exam, proudly display their credentials, then face crippling impostor syndrome when dealing with actual clients. Many respond by accumulating more certifications rather than seeking the supervised, practical experience they desperately need. This cycle of theoretical knowledge without application leaves trainers unprepared for real-world challenges like conducting proper assessments, designing effective programs, and communicating value to potential clients.
Quality training education should mirror other professional fields like medicine and law—combining theoretical knowledge with rigorous practical application under expert supervision. When trainers receive critical feedback on their programming, communication style, and client management skills through hands-
Want to ask us a question? Email email info@showupfitness.com with the subject line PODCAST QUESTION to get your question answered live on the show!
The Show Up Fitness Podcast