Boost Your Personal Training Career With ISSA’s Kickboxing Certification

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Whether you’re new to the fitness industry and looking to build your clientele, or you’re an established fitness trainer interested in specializing in kickboxing, becoming a certified kickboxing instructor can help elevate your career. To become an instructor, you’ll want to check out leading fitness certifying agency, the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), which offers a certified kickboxing instructor course.

Not only will the online course certify you as an official ISSA kickboxing instructor—and potentially boost your credibility—but you’ll also learn how to safely instruct a kickboxing group on your own, as well as the latest kickboxing techniques. Our ISSA Kickboxing Certification review will dive into the specifics of this particular program, including its cost, test and overall program design. 

Interested in a more comprehensive training certification? Consider an ISSA Personal Training Certification.

ISSA Kickboxing Certification at a Glance

• Cost: $339.15 or $28.26 per month for 12 months (interest-free)
• Course Length: 4–8 weeks
• Exam Type: Online, open book
• Pass Rate: 90 percent
• Accreditation: None (but other ISSA exams are accredited)
• Best for: Group fitness training and specialization in kickboxing

Overview of the ISSA Kickboxing Certification

The ISSA kickboxing certification is a self-paced online fitness certification program that teaches the fundamentals of kickboxing. While most people can complete the course in four to eight weeks, you can study at your own pace and finish the program at a schedule that works best for you.

Fitness professionals enrolled in ISSA kickboxing certification will learn from master trainers like martial arts expert Zak Lee about proper form, how to design cardio kickboxing classes and how to create complex drills both with and without kickboxing equipment. You’ll also learn kickboxing terminology, how to safely instruct a group class on your own and kickboxing combinations.

What we like:

• Self-paced program that can be completed on your own schedule
• Untimed exam and open-book test policy, with two tries to pass
• Interactive and visual coursework that’s easy to understand

What to consider:

• All quizzes must be completed before taking final exam (no skipping ahead)
• No discount available for paying full course cost upfront

Coursework and Study Materials

Throughout the course, you’ll go chapter by chapter and take quizzes to gauge your progress. The program cost will also include all necessary study materials, including an online course textbook, online videos, textbook downloads, a free professional website and unlimited education support, including a dedicated success coach who can help you with the program.

When you complete your coursework, the ISSA kickboxing certification final exam is untimed and can be taken from anywhere (meaning you don’t need to go onsite to a dedicated location). It’s also open-book, so you can reference your notes and study materials. As a great fit for new or established group fitness instructors, an ISSA kickboxing certification can help you land work teaching kickboxing classes, expand your clientele or simply open new doors for opportunities.

Level of Difficulty of Course Material

ISSA kickboxing certification is widely considered to be moderately difficult, but not so difficult it’s hard to complete or study for. “I did the ISSA bodybuilding certification before the ISSA kickboxing certification and it was more difficult in terms of study material,” our ISSA certification tester explains. “The kickboxing was more interactive with more teaching and training styles.”

Overall, the course felt “pretty easy,” our tester says. You can expect to cover basic terminology, basic moves and hand combinations, among other topics. Still, you may want to have some understanding of kickboxing fundamentals before enrolling if you plan to finish the course in a more accelerated time frame.

“I could see someone easily knocking this out in four weeks,” our tester says. “The course itself isn't lengthy, but if you’re starting from square one with kickboxing, it may take some time to train and practice the technique.”

Luckily, an ISSA kickboxing certification doesn’t require much in terms of prerequisites (just a high school diploma), but you may want to consider completing CPR/AED certification, which some gyms require for fitness coaches and which you’ll need if you want to further your education with a personal training certification.

You can also opt for a double certification by completing an ISSA certified personal trainer certificate, which may be a smart move if your career plans include teaching one-on-one kickboxing courses (you can also consider these other personal training certificates, or a health coach or nutrition certification program if you’re equally passionate about health and wellness).

If you are passionate about health and wellness, check out our ISSA Health Coach Certification review.

Customer Support

ISSA offers a number of support options both within the kickboxing certification course and in general for issues like payments, account status and program access. For the kickboxing certificate, you’ll get unlimited educational support from a dedicated success coach, meaning if you’re struggling with a certain subject or find yourself stuck, ISSA can help you navigate it.

In general, ISSA has a number of contact options to reach customer service. You can email, call or live chat with customer service representatives who can help you with a variety of concerns. Or, if your needs are more straightforward, ISSA has an extensive FAQs page with everything there is to know about its programs, certificates and any continuing education requirements.

Exam type

In order to become an ISSA certified fitness instructor, you’ll need to pass the online kickboxing exam. Luckily, the exam is not only open-book (meaning you can reference any of your study guides) but it’s untimed, so you can complete the test at your own pace. Overall, ISSA requires a score of 70 percent or higher to pass, but the pass rate hovers much higher at 90 percent.

If you don’t pass your ISSA exam on the first round, don’t fret. The fitness certification exam includes two attempts to pass, but even then you’ll have options if you don’t pass the second time. Additional attempts can be purchased for $99 each, and you’ll have all the way through your course expiration date to submit your final exam. After that, you’ll lose access to your study materials, so be sure to keep an eye on timing if you complete the course over several months.

Our Experience With the ISSA Kickboxing Certification

Our ISSA Kickboxing Certification tester, Kayla Godfrey, had an overall enjoyable experience completing the coursework. “I really loved this course and felt like it was easy to digest,” Godfrey says. “The videos were informative about the nuances of the actual sport of kickboxing, but also gave detailed insights in how to create programming as an instructor.”

In general, Godfrey liked the way the programming education was broken down by class types. For example, fitness enthusiasts enrolled in the ISSA kickboxing certificate course learned how to create a wide range of classes that included everything from interval training, to small group fitness training, to one-on-one training (which can be useful for a CPT, or certified personal trainer).

Plus, coursework covered more than just kickboxing techniques, but conditioning as well. “The video instruction was top-notch,” Godfrey says. “I love how the instructor would explain the moves, but also explain the ‘why’ behind them.” One example, she continues, is how to protect your wrist while kickboxing, or what power moves combine well with other techniques.

“Kickboxing choreography can take some time to get used to, but I feel like this course did a great job of breaking down all the scenarios,” she says. Overall, classes felt “direct and to the point,” and the inclusion of visual guides within the study materials was extremely helpful.

Benefits of the ISSA Kickboxing Certification

Getting an ISSA kickboxing certification comes with numerous benefits. For starters, ISSA is one of the most widely recognized certifying agencies in the world—meaning any certificate you earn will hold weight and credibility with both clients and employers. The coursework is also suitable for fitness experts of all levels, meaning you can be six months or six years into your career and still find the coursework a moderate, if not easy, challenge.

You can use an ISSA kickboxing certificate in a number of ways. Kickboxing fundamentals can be applied to create training programs for one-on-one or personal training, group classes or interval training. You’ll also walk away from the coursework with a basic understanding of safety, which can go a long way if you plan on working at a gym or with group classes of any kind.

How Much Does the ISSA Kickboxing Certification Cost?

The ISSA kickboxing certification costs $339.15. You have a couple options when it comes to payments including $28.26 per month paid over the course of 12 months or a six-month payment plan that costs $56.52 per month (both interest-free). Unfortunately, your per-month cost won’t go down with shorter or upfront payment plans, so you’ll look at the same total price regardless of how you choose to pay. On the flip side, you won’t need to pay extra for any mandatory accessories or additional materials.

What Certification Students Say About the ISSA Kickboxing Certification

ISSA customers rate the certifying agency a 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. “Being able to study at my own pace and from my computer was convenient,” one customer writes. “The teachers did a great job of explaining everything in clear detail,” another customer echoes. “It was easy for me to understand and grasp the information.”

A handful of customers report issues accessing courses in progress following a recent site upgrade to a new platform, but luckily these issues were quickly resolved by customer service. “ISSA customer service is above and beyond,” a customer notes. “They work with you every step of the way to ensure your success.”

Who the ISSA Kickboxing Certification Is Best For

ISSA kickboxing certification is best for new or established fitness professionals looking to take their careers to the next level. This can include becoming certified to teach group kickboxing classes, growing clientele, or even landing a new or higher-paying job. Regardless, the program is a great fit for trainers interested in kickboxing, and won’t require you to purchase any home equipment or additional material. Instead, you’ll simply need a working internet connection.

How We Tested

We tested the ISSA kickboxing certificate program by taking the course ourselves. This included completing all coursework, taking note of what we liked and didn’t like, and what the overall learning experience was like. Here’s how our certification methodology works (we consider everything from pass rate and value, to required technology and materials).

ISSA vs. NASM

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), is another highly regarded fitness certifying agency. NASM is best known for its personal trainer certification, but also offers an MMA (mixed martial arts) conditioning specialization that includes kickboxing fundamentals.

While the price is much lower than the ISSA kickboxing certificate at just $249 total versus about $339, you won’t get that specific focus on kickboxing. Instead, your education will include all aspects of MMA. For a kickboxing-specific certificate, ISSA still remains your best bet.

Check out our ISSA vs. NASM review for more information about these two popular programs. 

ISSA Kickboxing Certification FAQs

Here’s everything else there is to know about ISSA kickboxing certification.

Is the ISSA Kickboxing Certification credible?

As one of the world’s leading fitness certifying agencies, all ISSA certificates are considered highly credible—including the kickboxing certification. ISSA also partners with leading gyms that offer careers to ISSA graduates.

How long does the ISSA Kickboxing Certification last?

ISSA certifications last two years, after which you’re required to re-certify. This generally includes getting 20 continuing education credits from ISSA-recognized certifying agencies.

How do you become a kickboxing instructor?

Most employers will require you to hold a personal trainer or group exercise certification to teach kickboxing, but many might also require an additional kickboxing certification to prove your expertise. The ISSA kickboxing certificate is one option to consider.

The Takeaway: Is the ISSA Kickboxing Certification Right for You?

Regardless of where you are in your fitness career, getting an ISSA kickboxing certification can be a great way to boost your credibility, build your customer base and land new opportunities. Whether you personally love kickboxing or have clients who request kickboxing training, this self-guided online course can teach you everything there is to know about kickboxing fundamentals, techniques, safety and beyond.