The Global Fitness Educators (GlobalFit) personal training certification workshops is something you may have heard about if you belong to LA Fitness or other gyms. To help you decide if GlobalFit is legit and worth it, this review will focus on the basics, such as how much it costs, is it accredited, what's the difference between Global Fit and NFPT, as well as what you need to know if you are thinking of taking this workshop to become a certified personal trainer. Leave your comments and questions below, and I'll try to help if I can.
What Is Global Fit?
Global Fitness Educators (GlobalFit) provides the workshops and seminars offered by the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT). Another name for this company is NFPT Workshops Inc. The founder is Felix Doval who is certified by NFPT as well as the NSCA as a CSCS. GlobalFit has been in business since 2003. The NFPT has been in business since 1994.
Global Fitness Educators
Global Fit Address & Contact information
Global Fitness Educators is located at:
4161 NW 5th St STE 204 Plantation, FL 33317-2101
Call them at 754-204-3481
Website: GlobalFit.edu
Email them: enrollments AT globalfitedu . com
To contact NFPT call 756-471- 4514
Global Fit Live Workshops
You may have seen posters for GlobalFit workshops on the walls at your local gym, like at LA Fitness. The two-day hands-on health and fitness workshops usually occur on weekends and are held all over the US. Each day lasts 7 hours, making this a 14-hour workshop.
Workshops are designed to consist of 75% of exercise science and 25% practical/hands-on experience. During the practical portion of the fitness workshop, you may be asked to describe and demonstrate exercises that would be included in a client's first training session.
What Courses & Workshops Does GlobalFit Offer?
Here is a list of courses listed on their website, along with prices where available:
- 2-day NFPT Workshop Program: $728
- Fundamentals of Personal Trainer Diploma Program: $250
- Fundamentals of Personal Training NFPT Workshop for CECs: $329
- NeuroFunctional ROM Specialist
- Florida NFPT Semester Program: $1698
- Program Design For The Beginner Client: $199.99
- Lowering Cholesterol Through Progressive Resistance and Cardio Applications: $79.99
- Nutrition Meal Design for the Fat Loss Client: $299.99
- Personal Training: Making an Impact From Day One:$79.99
- Kettlebell Conditioning: $249.99
Additional courses can be found on the NFPT website.
Are Textbooks Included?
NFPT Textbook
The cost of the workshop includes all textbooks and study guides as well as the testing fee too. There is nothing additional to purchase. GlobalFit states “corporate-sponsored and discounted rates include PDF files of all class materials,” while “non-sponsored enrollments (enrolling at regular rate) receive the above-referenced PDF files plus hard copy printed materials.”
What does this mean?
I believe this means if you signed up through your gym (LA Fitness, etc.), then it's a corporate-sponsored event. In that case, you would receive PDF copies of the textbooks. If you prefer hard copies (real books), ask about this before signing up.
How To Pay For The Workshop
You can pay using all major credit cards as well as cash and money orders. Because this is an expensive fitness certification, you have the option to pay 50% of the price at enrollment ($364) and pay the other 50% within 48 hours of the workshop. The remaining 50% will be automatically charged to your credit card 48 hours before the workshop begins. If you want to take advantage of this pay half now and half later option, choose the finance option at checkout.
There are no interest charges, so that's good. Remember, your credit card will charge you interest if you do not pay it off at the end of the month.
Better Business Bureau Rating
Global Fitness Educators has a 3 out of 5-star rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The NFPT has an A+ rating with the BBB and is accreted with the Better Business Bureau. See their BBB files for updates and more information.
Does The GlobalFit Workshop Certify Me?
Understand that signing up and attending the two-day workshop does NOT mean you are automatically a certified personal trainer. The workshop is designed to familiarize you with information and technical exercise science concepts you will need to know in order to pass the exam. Instructors who lead the workshops do not teach to the test. In other words, the instructors will not (and should not) tell you exactly what will be on the exam.
After registering for the workshop, you will receive the textbook and study guide, which you should study before attending the workshop. After taking the workshop, you need to sign up to take the certification test. You will receive an email from NFPT within 72 hours, prompting you to register for the personal trainer certification exam. The exam may be online or you may have to travel to a testing center close to your home.
When Can I Sign Up For The Test?
You have 1 year from the day you enroll in a workshop to take the NFPT exam. If you fail to take the test within this timeframe, you will need to be re-enrolled. This may mean paying all the fees again.
Do You Need A College Degree?
No college degree, high school diploma, or GED is required.
Can You Retake The Exam?
If you do not pass the personal training certification exam, you can retake it for an additional $119. You are permitted to retake the NFPT personal trainer test 2 times within a 12-month timeframe at a cost of $119 each time.
GlobalFit Diploma vs. Certification Exam
For those looking for an inexpensive fitness certification, the Global Fitness Diploma may sound appealing. But, you need to understand the GlobalFit Diploma program is NOT the same thing as a personal trainer certification. Most gyms insist that their employees have accredited fitness certifications. They usually do not recognize diplomas or certificates even if it is from nationally accredited fitness organization.
A diploma you earn from a college is yours for life. However, to maintain the NFPT personal training diploma requires you to pay $50 every 18 months in addition to obtaining 1 eligible continuing education credit (CEC). You can earn CECs by taking other NFPT programs. While you can also take continuing education courses from other organizations you will have to submit information about that course along with a $10 submission fee.
NFPT Certification vs. GlobalFit Workshop
The Global Fitness Educators course is a 2-day live workshop. The NFPT has a virtual online personal trainer certification that costs $249. If you take the NFPT virtual course, everything is online. There is no live, hands-on practical component. This is why the Global Fitness course costs more than the NFPT virtual course.
How To Contact GlobalFit
You can email them at enrollments@globalfitedu.com. Emails will be answered within 3 hours during business hours. GlobalFit business hours are Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM EST. To contact them by phone, call 754-204-3481.
GlobalFit Refund Policy
Students should think carefully before enrolling in a workshop or course. All enrollments are final, non-transferable, and non-refundable.
How Old Do You Have To Be?
You need to be at least 18 to take the NFPT exam. This is similar to many fitness companies. You are allowed to register and attend a GlobalFit workshop if you are under 18 and then take the exam when you reach your 18th birthday.
Is GlobalFit Nationally Accredited?
Global Fitness Educators prepares you to take the NFPT personal trainer certification. The NFPT is accreted by the NCCA, National Commission for Certifying Agencies. While gyms may prefer these types of certs, nationally accredited certifications are not necessarily superior to those that are not nationally accredited.
Do I Need To Be CPR Certified?
Global Fitness Educators mandates you have a valid and current CPR and AED certification before you take the NFPT personal trainer test. If you are not CPR/AED certified, GlobalFit will automatically enroll you in the program offered by the American Safety and Health Institute for a cost of $50. The CPR/AED course will usually occur 2 hours before the start of the 2nd day of your 2-day workshop.
The American Safety and Health Institutes, based out of Eugene Oregon, offers both in-person and online CPR & AED classes. Protip. If you have never been certified in CPR or trained on how to use the automated external defibrillator (AED), consider taking a live, hands-on class.
What About Job Placement?
While passing the NFPT exam does not guarantee employment at a gym, there are two ways GlobalFit may help you get a job in fitness. The first way is by giving your information exclusively to LA Fitness for a job interview. It looks like LA Fitness is the only gym that gets this information. Remember LA Fitness (and other gyms) will not hire you until you pass the NFPT certification exam (or an exam from a comparable fitness organization). Taking the workshop by itself is not enough. You need a certification.
The second way they help is by giving you the opportunity to post your information on the NFPT website, where potential employers might see it and contact you.
Global Fit Certification Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Two-day live workshop | Expensive |
| Established company | Employment info is given only to LA Fitness |
| Price includes everything | Must schedule certification test after the workshop |
| Nationally accredited | No refunds |
| CPR & AED required | Retesting is kind of expensive |
Is The GlobalFit Certification Worth It?
GlobalFit is a legitimate organization that's been around a long time. While that's good, I'd encourage you to NOT go into debt to be a personal trainer. Save up for the two-day seminar before signing up. Consider purchasing the textbook before spending money on the workshop. This can help you decide if it's is right for you without investing a lot of money upfront.
I’m honestly desperate and looking to be certified and possibly Working ASAP. Will this Suffice?
I felt this to be a little expensive but as you said, everything is included, being study guides, test/certification cost and possibly job placement as well.
Article was great btw, but thought I’d ask once more lol
Thanks again.
Hi Imarion, remember taking the 2 day class does not automatically certify you. you will still have to pass their exam. Do you have the money to pay for this? In other words, would you go into credit card debt to pay for it? I don’t suggest going into debt to pay for any cert. Save up for it first. If you can pay for it, then thats fine.
I dont know where you are located but Id point out that if money is an option there are lesser expensive options such as certs through the Interactice Fitness Trainers of America (IFTA) and AAAI/ISMA. Both I believe have virtual classes and cost less.
No matter what certification you decide, remember you will need to study prior to the class. If you dont study, there is no way you will pass the exams of Global Fit or any others.
I hope this helps. Let me know what you decide.
is this the same company that does the health coaching?
Beck, I looked into this. It looks like there is another company called Global Fit that does health coaching for business. They are based in Pennsylvania. The GlobalFit in the review is based in Florida. They are different companies.
Fantastic breakdown! I saw a flyer for this a few weeks ago at LA fitness and wondered what it was. To be honest I was not familiar with either globalfit or NFPT. Thanks so much for what you do.
Thanks John, I’m glad I was able to help you make sense of it 🙂