It’s one thing to decide to start your career as a personal trainer in Canada, but it’s another to actually have the mastery to propel your professional career. To build your own brand and find ways to expand your clientele successfully, you need more than just word-of-mouth and a love of hitting the gym. But do you know how to become a personal trainer in Montreal? Learn everything about how to find the ideal personal trainer certification Montreal to start off on the right foot!
Top Personal Training Certification Montreal
Montreal is one of the busiest cities in the Great White North due to its energetic cultural scene and a fast-growing job market that will greatly expand your career options. If you’re planning to become a trainer in the city, read on to know more about the top personal training schools, courses for personal trainers, certifications and requirements, and how to start your professional journey.
The YMCA: Young Men’s Christian Association
The YMCA is a non-profit organization that has been active in the city for over 170 years. It is primarily focused on strengthening health and fitness through diverse programs, professional fitness certifications, youth leadership, education, and formation.
The YMCA Personal Training Course teaches the fundamentals of anatomy, training techniques, client evaluation, personalized planning, strength and cardiovascular principles, and a good choice if you are interested in a community-focused approach. 1
The YMCA personal trainer course has a multi-step process and starts with:
- Basic Theory, which is over 30 hours long. This first step is an introduction to the YMCA Basic Theory Fitness course and equips the student with the aptitudes required.
- The second step is a 34 hour personal trainer certification Montreal course to learn how to assess clients and create effective programs for them.
- Enrolling students must complete a 5-hour internship. This is where students learn to design fitness plans.
- The fourth step is where participants get certified for Heartsaver CPR AED.
- The final step is a practical exam with a YMCA Fit Trainer.
Contact:
🌐 Website: ymcaquebec.org/fr/trouver-un-y/ymca-centre-ville
📬 Mail: sac.cv@ymcaquebec.org
🏢 Address: 1435 rue Drummond, Montreal, H3G 1W4
📞 Telephone: 514 687-9622
Are you living in Ottawa? Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology offers a personal trainer certification course in Ottawa to become a YMCA pro.
TAV College
TAV College is a private CEGEP-recognized college accredited to receive subsidies from the Quebec Ministry of Education, and offers a Fitness Program Leader for professionals in the field. Their AEC – Fitness Program Leader certification aims to help students develop training programs tailored to the individual’s specific needs and implement various fitness activities. 2
Graduates of this personal training certification Montreal are guaranteed to work within businesses or organizations to promote physical wellness and other related services. Plus, given that Montreal is a thriving city, these graduates won’t have any trouble finding clients and succeeding in their careers.
Contact:
🌐 Website: tav.ca/fitness-program-leader/
📬 Mail: info@tva.ca
🏢 Addresse: 6333 Bd Décarie, Montréal, QC H3W 3E1
📞 Telephone: 514 731-2296
Did you know that Seneca College also offers similar personal training certification courses in Toronto? Check out all the personal trainer school programs available.
CSEP-CPT: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
The CSEP is definitely one of the most respected names in movement science across the country. This organization is dedicated to research, guidelines and training health professionals in health promotion, setting the very well-known scientific standards in the field.
The CSEP-CPT program is one of its most recognized courses, where professional trainers in the making can build a solid foundation in exercise science and learn how to develop plans tailored to each type of client.
You must have completed two years of post-secondary education in a related field to be able to enroll and begin your certification process. Once you have registered, you need to prepare for a theory exam that assesses your knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and health sciences. After that, you can complete your practical assessment. 3
Although these certifications are not always required to work as a personal trainer in Quebec province, they reinforce your credibility, professionalism, and fitness expertise.
Contact:
🌐 Website: csep.ca/csep-certification/csep-professional-standards-program-cpt/
📬 Mail: info@csep.ca
🏢 Address: House of Sport, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa ON, K1H 7X7
📞 Telephone: 1-877-651-3755
Canfitpro: Personal Training Specialist (PTS)
On the other hand, if you are looking for another reliable personal training certification Montreal, Canfitpro is another program that has become well-known in the industry. Canfitpro has positioned itself as one of the best institutions certifying trainers who specialize in different branches of the exercise sciences.
The PTS certification focuses primarily on the essential aspects of training, program design, and safe and dedicated training. The organization offers flexible training schedules tailored to all types of schedules.
The course begins with basic online modules, covering everything from movement mechanics to the fundamentals of nutrition, with a focus on client safety and satisfaction. You can then begin the practical component, which can be taken virtually or in person. After completing your theoretical and practical modules, you must pass a written exam and a practical assessment to obtain PTS certification. 4
Contact:
🌐 Website: canfitpro.com/personal-training-specialist/
📬 Mail: info@canfitpro.com
🏢 Address: 110 – 225 Select Ave, Toronto, ON M1X 0B5
📞 Telephone: 416-493-3515
NASM: The National Academy of Sports Medicine
NASM is another recognized organization in the fitness industry that focuses on promoting long-term movement health by delving into topics such as biomechanics, postural alignment, and evidence-based training.
Its NASM-CPT courses for personal trainers allow you to delve deeper into human movement, adaptations, and training progressions tailored to the patient's characteristics. You also have to complete an exam to become certified. In addition, it is worth noting that the NASM offers specialized certifications, such as the Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES). 5
Contact:
🌐 Website: nasm.org/contact-us
📬 Mail: programinfo@nasm.org
🏢 Address: NASM does not have a physical campus in Montreal; however, you can follow the training fully online.
📞 Telephone: 800-460-6276
ACE: The American Council on Exercise
The ACE's programs are grounded in behavioral science, client psychology, and practical coaching. The ACE-CPT certification combines science with strategies for building relationships with clients. The ACE NCCA-accredited version is widely recognized in Canada and meets global standards. 6
Like NASM, ACE offers a self-paced study model, followed by a nationally accredited exam. Their certifications are recognized worldwide, including in gyms and community spaces.
Contact:
🌐 Website: acefitness.org/
🏢 Address: ACE does not have a physical campus in Montreal; however, you can follow the training online.
ISSA: International Sports Sciences Association
The ISSA is an association focused on promoting and providing access to physical education and is recognized worldwide for its online certifications.
For example, its Certified Personal Trainer program offers interactive learning modules that let you progress step by step and learn anatomy, program design, training strategies, nutrition and client assessment. The final evaluation can also be taken remotely. 7
In addition, ISSA offers courses for personal trainers, certifications in nutrition coaching, strength and conditioning, and corrective exercise.
Contact:
🌐 Website: issaonline.com/
📬 Mail: support@issaonline.com
📞 Telephone: International (805) 745-8111
Do you want to become a personal trainer in Calgary? Spot the schools and institutions that offer alternatives in the city.
| Institution / Organization | Type of Program | Key Requirements | Study Format | Recognition in Montréal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA Québec – Personal Trainer Course | Community fitness certification | Basic Theory (30h); 34h PT course; 5h internship; Heartsaver CPR/AED; practical exam | Hybrid (in-person + some online components) | Strong recognition in community centres, recreation facilities, and local gyms |
| TAV College – AEC Fitness Program Leader (JYC.0J) | AEC (Attestation of Collegial Studies) | High school diploma or equivalent | In-person academic program | Recognized in Québec’s education and public fitness network |
| CSEP-CPT (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) | National scientific personal trainer certification | Two years of post-secondary education in exercise science or related field; CPR/AED | Independent study + theory & practical exams | Highly respected in clinics, kinesiology roles, and health organizations |
| Canfitpro – Personal Training Specialist (PTS) | National fitness certification | Age 16+; CPR/AED; no degree required | Online modules + optional workshops + exams | Strong recognition in commercial gyms and private studios |
| NASM – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) | International fitness certification | Age 18+; CPR/AED | Fully online study + online exam | Recognized in gyms, boutique studios, and performance training environments |
| ACE – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) | International fitness certification | Age 18+; CPR/AED | Fully online study + NCCA-accredited exam | Globally recognized and accepted in Montréal fitness facilities |
| ISSA – Certified Personal Trainer | International online certification | Age 18+; no formal prerequisites | Fully online study + online exam | Internationally recognized; popular among independent and online trainers |
Extra Tips for Personal Training Montreal
There’s no denying that Montréal is a thriving place with excellent professional training programs for exercise professionals. You just need to find the certification that's right for you to sharpen your skills, expand your clientele, and build a successful career. However, today it's helpful to learn a few extra tips on how to start promoting your services and gain loyal customers, after obtaining the necessary certifications.
📱 Create Social Media Accounts
Keep in mind that most people always look for social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) or websites they can visit before signing up for any service or buying any product. Create a page or website where potential customers can get a glimpse of who you are and how you can help them towards their fitness goals.
⭐ Ask For Client Reviews
Make sure to ask your former and current clients to leave a review on your social media pages or a testimonial on your website. This is one reliable way to leverage word of mouth in your favor and promote your services without spending too much.
🤝 Take Care of Your Current Clients
It may seem counterintuitive, but one way to increase the number of clients you have is to ensure your current clients are satisfied with your services. If they’re happy, it’s easier for them to recommend you to others and get more referrals.
Looking to become a personal trainer in Vancouver? Discover the steps to starting a fitness career. Begin your training path today!
This is what you typically need to work as a personal coach in Montreal:
✔ Secondary education diploma
✔ University degree in physical education or related
✔ Valid CPR and first aid certificate
Become a Personal Trainer in Montreal
Since there are many great personal training schools offering reliable certification courses in the city, you can begin your path to success with confidence, gain progressively more experience, and learn from other professionals in the field. And where can you start gaining experience and spot your competition? In platforms like Superprof!
On Superprof, you can start promoting your services and learn from other professionals in your province about the skills and certifications they have. You can read their profile descriptions, learn more about their professional backgrounds, rates, and client reviews. These valuable pieces of information are gold to get started as a personal trainer in Canada.
Start your professional journey today with Superprof!
Check out certification courses to become a personal trainer in Edmonton.
References
- Les YMCA du Québec. (n.d.). Certification d’entraînement privé | YMCA. YMCA Du Québec. https://www.ymcaquebec.org/fr/formation/conditionnement-physique/entrainement-prive
- TAV College. (2025, September 12). Fitness Program Leader - TAV College - AEC - JYC.0J. https://www.tav.ca/fitness-program-leader/
- Foley, M. (2024b, September 21). Personal Trainer Certification (CSEP-CPT). Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). https://csep.ca/csep-certification/csep-professional-standards-program-cpt/
- canfitpro - Canadian Fitness Professionals. (2025b, November 1). Canfitpro Certification Course. Canfitpro. https://www.canfitpro.com/personal-training-specialist/
- Become a Certified Fitness and Wellness Professional | NASM. (n.d.-b). https://www.nasm.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoqkj2ONyfTQLLsNja7172x659x8HzqpfLMZY2FsCzxDoi32jZ9l
- Personal Trainer Certification | ACE. (n.d.). https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/b/?srsltid=AfmBOoqbDjiEoHRMKQ6RNeeCUii5dPLluxAEMxQuKUzxzTWbHQpmjEJH
- International Sports Sciences Association. (n.d.-b). Get your personal trainer certification | ISSA. https://www.issaonline.com/certification/personal-trainer-certification
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