Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
ACSM vs Upgrad knowledgehut
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ACSM |  Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Certification type | Fitness | It |
| Price from | $310 to $410 | €305 |
| Course hours | 20 hoursHigher | 16 hours |
| Teaching practicum | No | YesHas it |
| Tutor support | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Job support | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Recertification period | 3 years | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 7 days |
Same on both: Exam fee included (Yes).
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Key differences
- Course hours is higher at ACSM: 20 hours vs 16 hours.
- Teaching practicum: only Upgrad knowledgehut.
- Support channels: only ACSM offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only Upgrad knowledgehut offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
ACSM
It suits people moving into personal training who want a short, exam-led fitness certificate and no placement on the plan. The ACSM personal trainer certification runs 20 hours of study, includes the exam fee, and asks for renewal every 3 years, which keeps the cost recurring.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Upgrad Knowledgehut suits people who want an IT certificate with tutor support, a practicum and the exam fee folded into one payment rather than added later. IT certification fees start at €305, and the 7 days refund window gives a short way out if the training is not the right fit.
Score breakdown
| Area | ACSM | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherEntry cost of $310 to $410 for the personal trainer certification, ranking at 50 of 87, with the exam fee included. | 8.8The entry price of €305 is listed once, the exam fee is included, and the 7 days refund window limits the downside. |
| Offer | 9.1Study of 20 hours with the exam fee included, no practicum to place, and renewal every 3 years. | 9.1Tutor support, a practicum, job support and delivery across online and in person formats, with free courses alongside paid programmes. |
Which one suits you
Pick ACSM if course hours matter most.
Pick Upgrad knowledgehut if teaching practicum matter most.
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ACSM | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ACSM | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness, IT and coaching certifications | 12 of 48 | 3 of 48 |
If neither fits
The TEFL Institute has course hours at 120 hours, against 20 hours for ACSM and 16 hours for Upgrad knowledgehut.
The TEFL Institute reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | ACSM | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Online, In person | Online, In person |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | upGrad Education Private Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Online courses
| Fact | ACSM | Upgrad knowledgehut |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Platform type | Not confirmed | Bootcamp |
| Subjects | Not confirmed | Coding, Data, It, Business |
| Certificate types | Not confirmed | Completion, Professional |
| Number of courses | Not confirmed | 250 |
| Graded assessments | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Team plan | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ACSM | Upgrad knowledgehut | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course hours | 20 hoursbelow the median | 16 hoursbelow the median | 60 hours |
| Recertification period | 3 yearshighest quarter | Not confirmed | 2 years |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 7 daysbelow the median | 14 days |
Median across 50 listed providers.
Pros and cons
ACSM
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the $310 to $410 for the ACSM personal trainer certification, so the test adds no extra cost on the day.
- Study runs 20 hours, well under the 78-hour typical across the site, so candidates can qualify without a long block of study.
- Delivery covers online and in person, letting candidates choose where they sit the course.
Cons
- Practicum is no, so there is no supervised placement to pair the 20 hours of study with.
- Price from ranks at 50 of 87, so the $310 to $410 for the ACSM personal trainer certification sits toward the dearer end of the field.
- Renewal lands every 3 years, so the outlay recurs for anyone who wants to keep the credential current.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the programme price, so the certificate does not add a second charge on the day of the test.
- Tutor support, a practicum and job support sit inside the same package, which covers more ground than a practice-test bundle such as CrackCerts at $9.99.
- Delivery spans online and in person formats, so the same IT programme works for a remote candidate and for an employer booking a room.
Cons
- The money-back period of 7 days is short, so a change of mind after the first week of a 16 hour course costs the fee.
- The listed certification type is it and the subjects are coding, data and it, so coaching, language and first aid certificates fall outside what this provider sells.
- Support runs on email, chat and phone channels, which leaves learners who prefer a written help centre or a community forum without one.
Who each suits
ACSM
Who it suits
- People moving into personal training who want a fitness credential they can finish quickly and sit the exam for in the same package.
- Learners who need the option to study online or attend in person without hunting for a placement.
- Anyone budgeting ahead for a certificate that comes back around for renewal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Marisa Peer, whose certificate is coaching and therefore aimed at coaching rather than gym floor work.
- CrackCerts and Testprep Training, whose certifications are it and it, a different market entirely.
- Anyone who needs a placement, since Practicum is no for the ACSM route.
Upgrad knowledgehut
Who it suits
- IT candidates who want the exam fee, a practicum and tutor support settled in one payment.
- Learners who need job support alongside the certificate, since job support is part of the training.
- Employers sending several staff through the same certification, since a team plan is offered and delivery includes in-person training.
Who should look elsewhere
- Testprep Training at $12.99 fits candidates who only need exam practice and no tutor support.
- CrackCerts at $9.99 is the cheaper pick for self-study learners who want practice tests alone.
- Marisa Peer, whose listed certification type is coaching, serves coaching candidates rather than the IT track.
Questions about each
ACSM
How much does the ACSM personal trainer certification cost?+
The ACSM personal trainer certification is listed at $310 to $410 for entry, and that figure already carries the exam. On price from, ACSM ranks at 50 of 87 in the comparison, so it sits toward the dearer end of the field rather than the cheap end.
Is the exam fee included in what I pay?+
Yes, the exam fee is included, so the $310 to $410 for the ACSM personal trainer certification covers study and the test together. Worth checking what the package covers at renewal, which comes round every 3 years.
Upgrad knowledgehut
What does an Upgrad Knowledgehut IT certification cost to start?+
The listed starting price is €305 for an IT certification programme, and the exam fee is included in that figure rather than charged later. Tutor support and a practicum come in the same package, which is where the money goes compared with a bare practice-test product.
Is tutor support included, or is it self-study?+
Tutor support is part of the training rather than an upsell, so a learner has someone to ask during the 16 hours of study. The programme also carries assessments and a practicum, which means the work is marked and practised rather than only watched. Job support is offered as well.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Upgrad knowledgehut vs The TEFL Institute
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- ACSM vs Marisa Peer
- ACSM vs Testprep Training
- ACSM vs Simplilearn
- Upgrad knowledgehut vs CrackCerts
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- Upgrad knowledgehut vs Techurie
- Upgrad knowledgehut vs International Open Academy