Updated October 18, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Superior
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Higher score in this comparison
Superior
What sets them apart
| Compare | National Academy of Sports MedicineReviewVisitVisit | SuperiorReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $47 | $40Lower |
| Price per year | $349 | $199Lower |
| Free tier | No | YesHas it |
| Money-back period | 7 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Number of courses | 400Higher | 27 |
| Price per month | $35 | Not confirmed |
| Platform type | Curated | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Access period (6 months), Graded assessments (Yes), Team plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Price from is lower at Superior: $40 vs $47.
- Price per year is lower at Superior: $199 vs $349.
- Free tier: only Superior.
- Money-back period is higher at Superior: 30 days vs 7 days.
- Number of courses is higher at National Academy of Sports Medicine: 400 vs 27.
- Support channels: only Superior offers Email.
- Certificate types: only National Academy of Sports Medicine offers Completion.
Our verdict on each
National Academy of Sports Medicine
National Academy of Sports Medicine suits adults who want a widely recognised fitness credential they can finish online in 4 to 6 weeks and pay for from $47. The certified personal trainer plan carries NCCA accreditation and a 2-year renewal cycle, though the 7-day window is short against the field.
Superior
Superior suits people preparing for the North Carolina real estate licence who want live classes and an assessment built into the course. It pairs a 30 day refund window with a money back score promise on exam prep, and its catalogue stays inside real estate.
Score breakdown
| Area | National Academy of Sports Medicine | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherEntry at $47, then $35 monthly or $349 yearly, with only 7 days to change your mind. | 9.0Entry at $40 and a year price of $199 sit in the cheaper part of the field. |
| Offer | 8.9fitness credential in 4 to 6 weeks, job support, assessments and a team plan in one programme. | 9.1HigherLive classes, assessments and a free tier sit inside 27 courses. |
| Trust | 9.0NCCA accreditation, a 2-year renewal cycle and National Academy of Sports Medicine, LLC as the named provider. | 9.3HigherA 30 day refund window, a money back score promise and state approved courses. |
How they place
| Ranking | National Academy of Sports Medicine | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| Online professional certificates | 10 of 95 | 11 of 95 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | National Academy of Sports Medicine | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
Choosing between them
Pick National Academy of Sports Medicine if cost and number of courses matter most.
Pick Superior if trust, price from, price per year, and free tier matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate types | Completion, ProfessionalCovers more | Professional |
| Legal entity | National Academy of Sports Medicine, LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2005 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Test prep
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| Prices by exam | Not confirmed | real-estate (NC broker pre-licensing, 75-hour online self-paced): $529; real-estate (NC Professional package): $639; real-estate (NC Ultimate Learning package): $949; real-estate (NC online exam prep course): $109; real-estate (NC exam crammer, livestream): $199; real-estate (NC exam prep workbook): $40 |
| Exams | Not confirmed | Real estate |
| Live classes | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Score guarantee | Not confirmed | Money back |
| Guarantee terms | Not confirmed | Original purchase price of the CompuCram NC exam prep purchase is refunded if you do not pass on your first try; a broker pre-licensing course may be retaken within twelve (12) months for a $200 reduced tuition fee plus applicable taxes; attendance in class does not guarantee passage of any examination. |
| State approvals | Not confirmed | NC, SC |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | Superior | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $47below the median | $40below the median | $50.00 |
| Price per month | $35at the median | Not confirmed | $35 |
| Price per year | $349above the median | $199at the median | $199 |
| Money-back period | 7 dayslowest quarter | 30 daysabove the median | 14 days |
| Number of courses | 400above the median | 27lowest quarter | 250 |
| Access period | 6 monthslowest quarter | 6 monthslowest quarter | 12 months |
Median across 172 listed providers.
Pros and cons
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Pros
- NCCA accreditation gives the certified personal trainer credential standing in the fitness field.
- Completion takes 4 to 6 weeks, so a part-time adult can finish without a classroom.
- Delivery is online, so no travel or fixed class times are needed.
Cons
- The 7-day money-back window sits below the 14-day median across the sites compared.
- There is no free tier, so nothing can be sampled before paying.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no live chat or community channel listed.
Superior
Pros
- Live classes and assessments are both part of the offering rather than an extra
- The catalogue holds 27 courses with 6 months of access each
- Courses are state approved in North Carolina and South Carolina, keeping licence education in step with the state
Cons
- The exam subject list is real estate, so candidates in other fields find nothing to take
- The money back score promise (money back) applies to the exam prep purchase, and a broker pre-licensing course is retaken at a reduced tuition fee instead
- Course access runs 6 months, so a slower study pace can outlast the window
Who each suits
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Who it suits
- Adults moving into personal training who want an NCCA-accredited credential.
- Coaches who want study material alongside a fitness certification.
- Gym owners who need a team plan for new trainers.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a free trial before paying, since there is no free tier.
- Buyers who want a long money-back window, given 7 days.
- IT and Azure exam candidates better served by CrackCerts.
Superior
Who it suits
- North Carolina candidates looking for state approved pre-licensing and continuing education in the same catalogue
- Learners who want live classes alongside self paced material
- Study groups and brokerages that want a team plan for continuing education
Who should look elsewhere
- Learners after subjects outside real estate, where Academy for Health and Fitness and ACLS Now sit in other fields and the Superior exam list is real estate
- Candidates who want a timed free trial, since the free offer is a free tier and the paid fallback is a 30 day refund window
- Multi-state shoppers, since the state approved list is NC and SC while The Wild Rose at CAD 19.97 is a single market purchase
Questions about each
National Academy of Sports Medicine
How much does the National Academy of Sports Medicine cost to start?+
The personal trainer programme starts at $47. A separate membership runs at $35 each month or $349 a year, so readers comparing entry price with the cost of staying subscribed should look at both figures before signing up.
Does the certification lead to a job in fitness?+
Job support comes with the personal trainer programme, which is aimed at people changing careers. The credential is NCCA accredited, so employers in the fitness sector recognise the designation.
Superior
What does Superior cost to get started?+
Entry sits at $40, which covers a small item in the range. A full pre-licensing course costs more, and the bundled packages cost more again, so the entry figure is not the price of a licence course. Cheaper starting points among the listed rivals include $9.95 and CAD 19.97.
What does the continuing education membership cost?+
The continuing education membership is $199, and that is the number to watch at renewal rather than the entry price. It pairs with the professional certificate type and the continuing education credits a working broker needs. Readers on a budget can weigh it against the free tier instead.
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