What to say about NPTI, well, if you are looking become a fitness professional, this is THE place to go. Chris is highly knowledgeable, understanding and passionate about what he does. You get hands on experience and wonderful discussions to ensure you are understanding what you are reading (I challenge anyone with out a medical background to read my textbook and summarize one section for me), instead of giving you a book and taking a test. You gain a fully emcompassing set of skills and applications for said skills to take with you into your new carreer. I chose the 6 month option and it works great (there are 2 six month options and 2 twelve month options to accomidate any schedule) and by the end of my 4th month, I already had a job in the industry, at a very high end establishment in our already affluient (san francisco bay) area. Talk about job placement assistance and readiness!! An other gret thing to consider is this is a DIPLOMA that does not need to be retaken as other CERTIFICATIONS do. This hasn't been *as* important in the past (although certainly more convient), but that will all change, as congress is quickly moving through legislation to regulate the fitness industry, part of that will be requirements of a classroom setting, so if this is something you want to make your carreer, do yourself the favor and take this class now, instead of later when you'll already have established yourself, but are still in need of this type of education. Besides, you will be setting yourself apart in the world of personal trainers, just from the extra knowledge you gain. The hands on experience is invaluable. You get to train yourself, your classmates, real clients that are graciously seeded to the advanced students via ShowUp fitness. You also may get the opportunity to work with special populations (depending on the class schedue you take) which is not only a great set of skills to learn, but also a lifelong personal growth experience I'm sure you won't forget. What does this all mean to you? The researcher? It means you will not get a better education for this industry anywhere else. The way you are taught to APPLY your knowledge makes this more valuable for this field than even a 4 year degree. Don't sell yourself short anywhere else. If this is the industry you want to be apart of, invest the time, money and energy in yourself and you will see phenomanal returns! Call or stop by for more information, Chris is very helpful, as is David (an assistant to Chris and NPTI grad!), and I'd be happy to give you more info while I'm there! (through august '12, money-thursday mornings) read more

I can't say enough good things about NPTI! They have a great curriculum covering the many sections a top Personal Trainer needs to get started. I learned so much about how the body works and reacts to exercise, nutrition,sleep,stress,injury resolution and psychology. I learned to be more communicative with other professionals , which I was deficient in. Client expectations, how to sell your services by showing that your knowledge is valuable and,how to get paid a fair fee by client or established Gym. Our Teacher Chris Hitchko is at the top of his game! He makes class a fun, challenging experience full of facts and information. Our field trips near and far added a level of fun you don't get at a gym. Chris is patient if one doesn't understand he will do whatever is needed till they get it. His knowledge is what impressed me the most. Also his perchance for answering a question with a question is one of many examples how a personal trainer should handle a client's question. In class we trained mentally challenged people. I was surprised how much I got out of that. It helped me better understand that people with challenges of all kinds need personal trainers with a broad range of knowledge to help clients reach their goals. I have stayed in shape most of my life. Without Mr. Hitchko's teaching I would still fear heavy resistance training. His help in overcoming and preventing injury and how to gain muscle, lose fat and workout safely have taken me to levels of training I could not reach on my own or in the on-line Personal Training course I took a few years ago(that was fruitless). I knew exercising was good for you. Now I know why and how to communicate this information to anyone willing to sign up for a package of training sessions. If training is for you then NPTI in Dublin Ca. With Chris Hitchko is your best option at getting a career started in Personal Training. Kelly McIver Graduate of NPTI Dublin Ca. Owner of KB-Fit read more

As time goes on, I recognize just how valuable the education and hands on experience I got at NPTI is. Initially I searched for the best personal training certifying agency that I could find... NPTI was the easy choice because the curriculum is taught in a variety of different learning platforms and there is the priceless opportunity to transform your own health and fitness while attending class and directly engaging in the material. Chris Hitchko is the instructor at NPTI Dublin. He is approachable, funny, incredibly intelligent, motivating and a master trainer. He is always open to new ideas and has a tenacious drive to get better at what he does and pass it on to his students. He is a selfless teacher and it was an honor to be part of his classroom for the one year I attended NPTI (I was in the Saturday classes once weekly). Beyond the great education gained from NPTI, I find that the most valuable thing I walked away with is my confidence and my identity as a trainer. This developed over time and was validated and reinforced each Saturday when I had the opportunity to train with my classmates. When I began working with my own clients I had a persona as a trainer. No matter what you health state, fitness level or experience with training is, NPTI is a great program. Chris has a unique ability as a teacher to make each student feel like the class is for them. read more

Nothing but love for NPTI, for Chris Hitchko, and all of my fellow classmates and graduates there. I graduated in May 2012, and it was one the best experiences of my life. I learned an amazing amount of information in the 6 months I was there, and I savored every moment of it. I have started my own business already, training clients, holding bootcamps, and just generally helping other people. It has enabled me to pursue my passion, and I have to thank Chris and the rest of the folks at NPTI for such a wonderful opportunity. As far as the classes and curriculum go, it's a blend of theory, science, books, practical application, most up-to-date information, etc., and everything you need to know about health, fitness, nutrition, anatomy, business, and personal training. I took advantage of all of that, including training several clients during my time there, working with special needs kids, and helping my fellow classmates. The bottom line is that you'll get the training you need to differentiate you from the crowd of personal trainers out there, and you'll be connected to a network of graduates and people that know what they're talking about, and can help you thrive in whatever career path you choose. read more

I came to the school in Dublin Ca with an interest in the fitness industry but I had no idea what this program would entail. I can honestly say it has changed my life forever. First off the teacher, Chris Hitchko, went out of his way to make sure every student understood the material . He was very entertaining and smart which kept me eager to learn and show up. The other students became a family and support system that helped so much with the challenges you face as you change your life into a healthy one. I got into the best shape I've ever been in and I've now helped my friends and family do the same. I walked away from NPTI with tons of knowledge and confidence to train anyone with any goal as well as keep myself healthy and in shape for the rest of my life. I quit smoking, started eating healthy and I'm now entering my first bikini competition in a few months. I couldn't thank Chris and the students enough! This place was awesome! read more

About 7 months ago I was browsing online looking for personal training schools, and put my info I to some pages and was sent an email from NPTI. After talking to a women about my interest I went to check outthe school. Everthing that I was told was what I wanted to hear so I started the next day. I met the instructor, who by the way looks just like the actor from zombieland (woody something), and started learning everything in a way that a five year old could understand. He is probably the only person that should be teaching this course. I took the 6 month long option and with the knowledge I received I was hired and working a week after completing the course. After my first 2 weeks I had 15 clients, and only have continued to grow. I owe all of my success to NPTI and the help they have given. They will definitely go above and beyond. I high recommend this course to anybody serious about being a PT. read more

I have been in and around all different types of fitness for the majority of my life. I received my pilates certification a few years back and wanted to continue my education. I felt that I had an above average grasp on how the body works and how to get myself into shape. This class however knocked me down to size. I learned so much! The whole experience left me with a confidence that when someone comes to me and wants to lose weight, I can get them there. If they want to build muscle, I can get them there! If they are training for a marathon, I can get those last seconds shaved off their time. The teacher and curriculum made it an easy science to grasp how the body works, and what is required to get the results for all different ages and physical abilities. All in all, I made great friends read more

I just graduated from this school, and they are STELLAR about preparing you for a career in personal training. I feel that the things they have taught me are invaluable and I personally feel more confident about my abilities now. Chris, is a fantastic teacher. He has a lot of insight, very relateable, funny, understanding, and most of all PASSIONATE about what he does. He shares all the tidbits he has learned and passes them along to us. Class size is small and you get the attention you need and the hands-on experience required to be LEGIT! I chose to do 6 months, at 3 days a week, and I was STILL able to work my part time job and study. If I could do it so can you! I can't wait to start training people and revealing their potential. :) read more

If you are looking at becoming a personal trainer and want to attend a top notch program taught by one of the most knowledgeable guys in the industry, then look no further. NPTI is a great program with an awesome curriculum and hands on experience. Chris Hitchko is a great instructor and trust me when I say he knows his stuff. I thought I had a pretty good foundation of training before I attended NPTI, but I what I knew was nothing compared to what I know now. Its a well rounded course that not just focuses on training people, but also incorporates anatomy and nutrition among other aspects of health and wellness. If you want to become a personal trainer with a good foundation and knowledge base, then I highly recommend NPTI. read more

Having been a student here for only one semester so far, I can honestly say that NPTI has changed my life for the better. The lectures who are taught by Chris Hitchko, a knowledgeable personal trainer and professor, are never dull. Even though the subject matter may be a bit dense at times, Hitchko has a way of making the information not only fun but also memorable. Every day after lecture you get hands on training and experience as a personal trainer based on the course material. It's a great way to learn and stay in shape :) If youre deciding on whether to study on your own versus becoming an NPTI student, the choice is simple! Enroll at NPTI, you will be so thankful you did. read more

I went to NPTI because of the other great reviews it had already received on yelp. The truth is, those reviews are spot on, and there is not much left to say after reading them. The instructor Chris is one of the best fitness professionals I know and with the rigorous course work the students are lucky to have a teacher like him. The program moved out to Dublin which I thought would be a bummer, but there is a Bart station within 10 minutes walking distance of the school; ended up not being bad at all. A decent gym to train at and lengthy coffee breaks round off your experience.. Five stars. read more

If you want to become a personal trainer? Then NPTI is for you!!! Forget all those online certs or the ones where you just buy the books and take a test. NPTI is the only 'hands on' personal training school around. After learning the theory in the classroom you head into the gym to put your new knowledge into practice. The instructor Chris makes school an enjoyable experience EVERY day!! Juli the owner really works with you to get started and checks in you during your time at NPTI. read more

This is the best way of learning how to become a Personal Trainer. And it's not only because it's fun to have Chris as a good teacher, but also the entire system of theory and practice works perfect together. You can't get this experience by only studying at Home and try to pass the tests online. I'm glad that I've choosen NPTI for getting the most out of this education, even being a foreign student from Germany! It's still more easy to understand :) -Sandra read more

Very biased (I am the instructor) but I stand by what I say... Hands down, best way to become a certified personal trainer!!! I have my BS in Kinesiology and this 6 month course uses some of the same texts/material that I used in college. If you are unsure, come by and sit in a class and see for yourself. Bottom line, how can you consider yourself a fitness professional by reading a book and then taking an online exam/certification like ACE or NASM? read more

These last 6 months has really changed my life not only have I learned a ton of information,I did it and had fun as well. Chris Hitchko is an excellent teacher and very knowledgeable. Everything I've learned from the CPT and CES will definitely set me apart from other trainers. read more

I highly recommend NPTI to anyone interested in becoming a personal trainer. I'm more of a visual learner so being in a classroom setting and learning hands-on in an actual gym was beneficial for me. Chris Hitchko is a great teacher/instructor. read more

Great place to start a career in personal training. If you do better learning from someone rather than reading it in a book this is for you. It has a relax atmosphere that's perfect for learning. read more

Incredible courses are offered here with NPTI! I've taken all three and plan to take whatever they offer next!