Fitness Certifications
From personal training and group fitness instruction to specialized disciplines, Tulane Campus Recreation offers programs and certification events to help you obtain the right certifications for a successful and impactful fitness career.
Upcoming Certification Events
| Training | Dates | Times | Standard Price | Early Bird Pricing | Training Info | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Les Mills BodyPump | Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | $349 | $299 | More Info | Thursday, February 19th |
Three student scholarships are available to apply to one of these initial training options that fully covers the training cost. Apply for the student scholarship.
There is a 45% off standard price tickets for Tulane affiliates. Apply for the affiliate discount.
Take advantage of this in-person opportunity to be led by a Les Mills Trainer!
Instructors new to Les Mills will first need to create a Les Mills Connect account here. Register for either of the trainings via the Les Mills initial training website: Group fitness instructor training with Les Mills
Participants can only register for and work towards certification in one program. You do not have to be a Tulane affiliate and/or Reily Center member.
Reach out to llarue@tulane.edu with any questions or concerns.
Please contact Laia La Rue (llarue@tulane.edu), the event organizer for accessibility accommodations. Please note that advance notice is necessary to arrange some accessibility needs.
FitPro Mentorship Program
Tulane Campus Recreation's Fitness Professional Mentorship program offers a comprehensive learning pathway to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a trained, certified fitness instructor or personal trainer. Through a co-teaching model and mentorship opportunities, you will gain a deep understanding of best practices and emerging trends while earning an accredited fitness certification that signifies expertise and readiness for professional success.
Feel free to reach out at any point to express interest in obtaining a fitness certification for personal training or group fitness. You do not have to participate in the mentorship program in order to be considered for employment with our department.
We're continuing to accept applications from new and established certified personal trainers and group fitness instructors who want to join our team. Below is our primary recommendation for certification options for both personal training and group exercise. We also accept most NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies)- accredited fitness certifications, including NASM, NETA, AFAA, etc.
If you have any questions or would like to inquire about our employment opportunities for personal training and group exercise, please visit our Student Employment webpage or email us at fitness@tulane.edu.
ACE is our preferred training certification organization, offering discounted pricing for Tulane students and affiliates. Included here is a link to the ACE student pricing webpage: https://www.acefitness.org/student. The page offers discounts on study aids, manuals & certification exams. To access pricing for student discounts of 30% or more, you will need to register a FREE account under the ACE student portal. Instructions for creating an ACE student portal account are provided in the following PDF document: ACE Student Portal Information. Partial-reimbursement scholarships are available to qualified and selected applicants.
Info Session & Mentor Meet & Greet: Thursday, August 27th at 7pm (via Zoom)
https://tulane.zoom.us/j/95524200473
FitPro Mentee Application Open: Monday, August 10th
FitPro Mentee Application Due: Friday, September 4th
Proof of Receipt for Certification Program: Friday, September 18th
Mentors Assigned: Friday, September 25th
Certification Deadline Priority:
Monday, November 30th (to teach/train in the spring) *must complete hire paperwork and i-9 verification before you leave for Winter Break.
Certification Deadline General:
Friday, January 11th (to sub in the spring) *can start subbing when Hire Paperwork and i-9 verification is processed.
| Certification | Program Type | Registration & Info Link |
|---|---|---|
| ACE Personal Trainer (Preferred)* | Self Study/Online | Student Portal Info |
| ACE Group Fitness Instructor (Preferred)* | Self Study/Online | Student Portal Info |
| Les Mills RPM (Indoor Cycling) | In-Person | More Info |
| Les Mills BodyPump (Strength Training) | In-Person | More Info |
| Les Mills GRIT (HIIT Training) | In-Person | More Info |
Before signing up, email fitness@tulane.edu for 45% off your registration cost for Les Mills Certification workshops.
Special Note for Les Mills Certifications:
Les Mills Initial Trainings involve pre-work and post-work surrounding the initial trainings. In the post-work, instructors will submit a video of their class to LesMills Connect. Work with your mentor and Fitness Coordinator to select a time to film your submission. It will serve as your audition for the FitPro Mentorship Program.
FitPro Mentorship Program Video (Fall 2024)
I Want to Instruct/Train with Tulane Campus Recreation
If you are already accredited with an NCCA certification, please submit your application for consideration. Or you can contact Fitness and Wellness at fitness@tulane.edu or 504-314-2864 for more information and questions.
Certifications must be NCCA accredited. The NCCA is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies that regulate these certifications and educational material. We have provided a brief list of great personal trainer and group fitness instructor certifications below that are all NCCA-certified.
- ACE– The American Council on Exercise (Preferred)*
- NASM- National Academy of Sports Medicine
- NSCA– National Strength and Conditioning Association
- ACSM– American College of Sports Medicine
- NETA - National Exercise Trainers Association
- NESTA– National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association
- NCCPT- National Council for Certified Personal Trainers
- NCSF– National Council on Strength & Fitness
ACE is our preferred training certification organization that offers discount pricing for Tulane students and affiliates. Included here is a link to the ACE student pricing webpage: https://www.acefitness.org/student. The page offers discounts on study aids, manuals & certification exam. To access pricing for student discounts you will need to register a FREE account under the ACE student portal. Instructions on how to create an ACE student portal account are provided in the following PDF document:
