About Us

NSPA’s scientifically-based programs have been proven at the highest level of sport and continue to stay on the cutting edge of sports science, rehabilitation, and innovative performance applications.

We are internationally recognized and pride ourselves on producing industry leaders with incredible passion and desire to help others achieve their goals. NSPA guarantees its trainers will not only be prepared to take on the toughest clients’ physical challenges but will also have the business acumen to build a successful personal training business and/or enhance the growth of a successful health and fitness company.

NSPA’s founder, John Philbin, is presently the Director of Sports Performance & Rehabilitation at the D-BAT Gaithersburg which is the largest Baseball & Softball Training Facility in the country. (40,000 sq ft). Coach Philbin is an “Emeritus” status CSCS and has served on the NSCA Maryland State Board since 2010. A former Olympic Head Coach, Philbin has also previously served as the Director of the Physical Conditioning for the United States Olympic Training Center and has worked extensively in the NFL, MLB, WBA, and D-1 collegiate athletics.

Coach Philbin is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland and continues to teach and certify ambitious students.  He is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker who has presented in sixteen different countries.

NSPA’s certifications originated at the University of Maryland Kinesiology Department in 1982 and have since been taught at numerous colleges across the nation. NSPA has certified thousands of secondary physical education teachers and coaches. NSPA is considered the “teacher of the teachers” and continues to stay current on education and research.

NSPA’s Director of Education, Kyle Mohr, has recently expanded the secondary certification program into the vocational secondary schools throughout the state of Maryland. Additionally, NSPA now offers online certification courses with live virtual classes.

NSPA served as a conditioning consultant for Nautilus Inc. and was contracted to certify the United Kingdom’s National Rugby Team physical trainers with the help of legendary Rugby World Champion, Austin Healy.

NSPA continues to make an impact on the industry with policymakers and industry leaders and has successfully organized over sixteen national conferences with the support of our national sponsors.

The NSPA headquarters is located at D-BAT Gaithersburg Sports Performance & Rehabilitation Center. A state-of-the-art 15,000 sq ft facility with 70 yards of atro-turf , cutting-edge high-performance equipment and current sports science technology.

Since 2005 NSPA has expanded its international operation to the far-east “NSPA-ASIA” where it continues to grow with annual conferences and continuing education workshops sponsored by our international affiliates.

Why NSPA

NSPA is one of the few certifications in the country that requires an extensive hands-on practical exam and teaches a multitude of different theories, methods, and applications. NSPA continues to set the highest standard of excellence and is a nationally recognized continuing education provider for many of the top industry certification bodies.

As an industry leader, we set the gold standard of personal training and strength conditioning certifications. NSPA certified trainers are among the top financial producers in the industry and possess exceptional knowledge and skills that translate into upper management growth potential, as well as entrepreneurial success.

  • Our faculty consists of current, accredited and highly respected Health and Fitness Industry Professionals.

  • Our Certification Courses consist of 50 percent Hands-on, practical application. Our students are dressed and prepared to participate in active learning and demonstration.

  • Hands-on practical training for strength, flexibility, plyometrics, manual resistance training, cardiovascular and assessments occur in small group settings with our NSPA Certified Conditioning Specialist teaching staff.

  • Our course manuals are an instructional tool and reference handbook to be used daily, as a practicing fitness professional.

  • NSPA presents lectures and conducts certification testing at National Health and Fitness Conferences, such as IDEA, IHRSA, Club Industry and ECA, and MACMA.

  • NSPA challenges students to share their previous experiences and knowledge throughout the interactive course lectures.

The Value of NSPA Certification

  • Ability to learn how to build a successful personal training business.

  • Ability to use and learn practical application with certified instructors.

  • Recognized proficiency and credibility; increased marketability and income as a Fitness Professional and Personal Trainer.

  • Access to the medical community for client/patient referrals.

  • Resource referral for professional liability insurance.

  • On-going education for all NSPA graduated necessary to remain up-to-date with health and fitness industry standards, as well as professional re-certification.

  • The NSPA Recognizes CEC’s from the following organizations: ACE, ACSM, AFAA, AFPA, NASM, NSCA, and other nationally recognized organizations.