The Henselmans PT Course Certification
The most comprehensive, evidence-based fitness education for serious lifters
- Build deeper training and nutrition knowledge for yourself, your clients, or your coaching career.
- Updated weekly with the latest exercise and nutrition science.
- Achieve optimal fat loss, muscle growth, strength development and program adherence for yourself and your clients.
Leave at any time and only pay for the months you received.
IAO Accredited
Menno Henselmans is known from:
Are you looking for robust, evidence-based information?
The Henselmans PT Course will teach you how to become an evidence-based fitness professional. All of the materials in the course are supported with hyperlinks to the scientific articles, just like in the articles on this site but better.
Thanks to our online format, we can keep the course updated weekly with the latest scientific findings, and even some yet unpublished data from our research team.
Every claim links to the science
The modules are deep, fully-referenced PDFs. The supplement and health modules alone carry more than 1,400 links straight to the studies behind the claims. Flip through real pages and watch the link count.
Updated weekly with the latest research
Open the sample pages
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"You get great frameworks to use with your clients where the guesswork is replaced by concrete guidelines backed by science (to which all the links are provided)."
Tiemen EspritPersonal Trainer & Lifestyle-Coach
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"I was on the lookout for a highly specialized program that would summarize and provide insights into the most recent scientific evidence for what works, what doesn't work, and what's still up in the air. [...] most fitness nutrition or PT programs were too basic or too general."
Rhoda LucasBSc, MSc Nutrition & Dietetics
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"The depth of the material goes beyond anything you will find in the current literature or typical PT courses offered. If you are at all interested in furthering your knowledge with an evidence based approach, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity!"
Børge A. FagerliCreator of Myo-reps, owner of borgefagerli.com
Get direct access to Menno during live monthly Q&As
Menno answers questions in the discussion group himself, and in the live Q&A sessions.
- Live monthly Q&A calls, hosted by Menno.
- Every lesson has a discussion. Menno answers the questions there himself.
- Private questions, medical ones included, go to Menno by email.
"[...] how much time Menno devotes to answering questions; he is kind and patient and answers all questions thoroughly, either in written response or in person at one of the monthly online Q&A meetings."
So in terms of counting volume for glutes, obviously direct exercises like hip thrusts and kickbacks are easy but do you feel there is enough glute stimulation to count things like RDL's, GHR's and reverse hypers as fractional sets for glutes? And if so, are they considered 50%? More? Less?
AuthorAbsolutely. There is a spreadsheet in the module with exact values on how to count exercises for glute volume.
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"As a former client of Menno, I expected a lot from the PT Course. And I got a lot more than I anticipated. [...] Just having access to Menno himself [...] is well worth the price."
Erwin OlmansPersonal trainer
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"[...] how much time Menno devotes to answering questions; he is kind and patient and answers all questions thoroughly, either in written response or in person at one of the monthly online Q&A meetings."
Bruce BirdTrustpilot review, January 2026 -
"He will educate you not only about training and nutrition but also psychology. Menno is always available to answer all your questions. He is passionate about this and he gives you 10x value more than what you pay for it."
Dr. Alessandro FerrariPhD in biochemistry, PT
Do you find other courses are lacking, dated or missing depth?
We cover more than most courses. This course will take you from the basics to expert level knowledge.
You will learn everything you need to help others lose fat, build muscle and live a healthier lifestyle. We'll also extensively go into food choices for optimal health, diet adherence and many more niche topics: contest prep, tanning, sleep optimization, stress management, getting rid of acne, pregnancy and much more.
Check out the table of contents"The Henselmans PT Course is one of the, if not the, most comprehensive and scientifically up-to-date bodies of knowledge in the fitness industry today [...] It is highly recommended for all trainers, coaches, and athletes who are truly serious in their craft."
Noel BlancoPersonal TrainerAdvance or kick-start your career as a Personal Trainer and Online Coach
You will learn how to apply the science for maximum real-life results in your clients. With our PT toolkits, ready-to-send client guides and case studies, you'll be ready to help any client achieve their goals.
- Learn the psychology of how to get your clients to stick to their programs.
- Pregnant or elderly clients, powerlifters, physique competitors, we cover it all.
- We also teach you how to do your own research and set up your (online) business with data-driven marketing techniques.
Our students include health professionals, PhD holders and coaches with 10+ years of experience. Many have done multiple courses and say it's the most valuable investment in their career as a personal trainer. Read their in-depth reviews
Our alumni get results.
We surveyed our alumni on their income, client retention, confidence, and coaching ability after completing the course. Here's what the data shows:
* Source: PTC Alumni Impact Survey (N=136), conducted January 2026. Complex-case and mentoring figures are based on the 94 respondents who answered those questions. Income and retention data filtered to career professionals (N=61).
Recognized globally and in the U.S.
There are certified Henselmans trainers in more than 50 countries.
Graduates include health professionals, PhD holders and coaches with 10+ years of experience.
Pass the online exam at the end of the 10-month course and you become an official Henselmans Certified Personal Trainer, recognized globally and issued by Henselmans LLC, which is accredited by the IAO. You'll receive a physical certificate and can legally work as a Personal Trainer or Online Coach in most countries.
Planning to work in the U.S.? You can add the NSCA-CPT exam as an optional add-on. It is ICE/NCCA accredited and widely accepted by U.S. gyms and insurance providers, and the course fully prepares you for it.
Ready to get certified?
Menno Henselmans
A former business consultant specialized in advanced statistical data analysis, the best decision of my life was trading my company car to follow my passion in fitness.
I now help serious strength trainees get the most out of their physique with scientific fitness education, international public speaking and scientific research.
Watch this short introduction to the course by Menno Henselmans
Every week we will post one or several modules of the course in the course group. In the comments below this post we will discuss that module during the week.
To roughly summarize the course, the first part of the course deals with nutrition, the second part with exercise science and then several miscellaneous topics are discussed.
The course is fully online, flexible and part-time, so you can follow it alongside your work or studies.
Download the course outline (PDF)Looking to advance and broaden your knowledge?
We cover more than most courses. In 10 months we cover everything from A to Z, in great detail.
To roughly summarize the course, the first part deals with nutrition, the second part with exercise science, and then several miscellaneous topics are discussed.
Plan on around 6 to 8 hours a week, usually evenings or weekends. There are catch-up weeks built into the schedule if you fall behind.
Hover or tap a week. Click to open its topics below.
Nutrition Science
Energy, protein, carbs, fat, hormones, supplements, and case studies.
Training Science
Muscle anatomy, program design, hypertrophy, and periodization.
Applied Skills
Injury management, pain science, and the psychology of adherence.
Business + Exam
Marketing, sales, online coaching setup, and exam preparation.
- How to improve your reading comprehension and retention
- How to find and read scientific papers
- Understanding statistics
- Improving your logical reasoning skills
- Biochemistry 101: how the body produces energy from proteins, carbohydrates and fats
- What is energy? Thermodynamics and energy balance
- Components of energy expenditure, refeeds, set-point theory, metabolic damage, adaptive thermogenesis, reverse dieting and the yo-yo effect
- Cutting, bulking and body recomposition
- How to optimize nutrient partitioning
- How to estimate body fat percentage
- Macro tracking: common pitfalls
- How to measure progression and body composition
- Protein quality
- Vegetarians and vegans
- Gender, PEDs, training volume
- Surplus vs. deficit
- Protein absorption limits
- The anabolic window, fasted training and workout nutrition
- Protein synching and meal frequency
- Types: simple vs. complex, GI, GL, II, fructose
- Requirements per type of exercise
- Carbohydrate timing
- Effects on muscle growth
- Dietary fiber
- Carbohydrate tolerance
- Types: lipids, triglycerides, fatty acids
- Health effects and functions of the different fatty acids
- Cholesterol metabolism, health effects and optimal dietary intake
- Brown fat
- Effects on hormone production
- Optimal intake for muscle growth
- Ketosis levels, starvation mode and net carbohydrate intakes
- Keto-adaptation and the keto flu
- Effects on health, metabolism, appetite, performance and protein balance
- Cyclical and targeted ketogenic dieting
- Measuring ketosis
- MCTs and exogenous ketones
- Who is it for? Indications and contraindications
- Intermittent fasting and alternate day fasting
- Protein sparing modified fasting (PSMF)
- Circadian rhythm effects: timing considerations for the macronutrients
- Carb backloading
- Interaction effects between carbs and fats
- Circadian rhythm control
- How to optimize sleep quality
- How to manage stress
- How to effortlessly increase your activity level
- Likely deficiencies
- Bloodwork
- Multivitamins: problems and benefits
- The functions of each micronutrient related to fat loss, muscle growth and performance
- How to fill in your micros
- What makes a diet healthy?
- Effects of food processing: heating, freezing, blending
- Organic, wild and grass-fed
- Low calorie sweeteners, sugar and dietary fiber
- Food choices for health and anabolism: meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, grains, wheat, gluten, soy, coffee, fruits, vegetables, chocolate, coconut, nuts and alcohol
- Detox diets
- FODMAPs and digestive health
- How to recover from illness
- Hunger management strategies
- Physiological vs. psychological regulation of hunger: eating speed, social effects, decision fatigue, sensory-specificity, portion size, biorhythm effects, exercise, sleep, body composition, palatability, meal frequency, sweeteners
- Physique sports divisions
- Carbloading
- Electrolyte manipulation
- Diuretics and water cutting
- 'Shitloading'
- Posing
- Acne
- Tanning
- Cellulite
- Hair loss
- Dandruff
- A complete guide to every supplement worth knowing
- Gender-specific regulation of sex hormones
- Interpreting bloodwork
- AAS: risk-reward and how to manage the side-effects
- Real-world nutrition case studies
- Live video Q&A
- Muscle anatomy and contraction
- Mechanisms of muscle growth
- Systemic and local growth regulation: structural balance theory
- Strength vs. size and functional training
- Training intensity and effects on fatigue, connective tissue and the nervous system
- The muscle-specific hypertrophy method
- Training volume: how to estimate recovery capacity, optimizing and individualizing volume
- Training frequency: interaction with volume and effects on recovery capacity
- How often should you train each muscle and exercise?
- What each muscle does and how to train it
- Ab training and spot reduction
- What makes an exercise effective for muscle growth?
- Free weights vs. machines
- Compound vs. isolation exercises
- Accommodating resistance, bands and chains
- Recommended exercises and technique guide
- Counting volume: how much does a certain exercise stimulate a certain muscle?
- Functional differentiation and exercise variety
- What is 'good technique'?
- The mind-muscle connection
- Strength vs. size
- Repetition tempo
- Rest intervals
- Active recovery
- Exercise ordering
- Circuit training, supersets, paired sets and more
- Sex differences
- Contraception
- Pregnancy
- Menstrual periodization
- Breast implants
- Sarcopenia
- Anabolic resistance
- Progressive overload and progression models
- What is fatigue?
- Cybernetic/autoregulatory, undulating and linear periodization
- Benchmarking and autoregulation
- Overtraining, overreaching and deloading
- Forced reps and drop sets
- RPEs and velocity monitoring
- Reverse pyramiding, cluster sets and myo-reps
- Weighted stretching
- Eccentric overloading
- Post-activation potentiation
- KAATSU / blood flow restriction training
- Breathing techniques
- Weightlifting belts
- Footwear: what to wear in the gym
- Knee wraps
- Lifting straps
- Strength vs. size program design
- Peaking and tapering
- Powerlifting technique
- Selecting a competition
- The fat burning zone
- Fasted cardio
- Estimating energy expenditure per activity
- NEAT compensation
- EPOC
- How to mitigate the interference effect
- HIIT vs. LISS
- Real-world training program case studies
- Live video Q&A
- Stretching, postural correction and warming up
- Injury management and pain science
- Ice vs. heat, NSAIDs and RICE
- Rehabilitative tools and equipment
- Foam rolling and massage
- Chiropractic and alternative medicine
- Common injuries of each body part and how to treat them
- Psychological effects of nutrition
- Willpower and the psychology of coaching
- Blood sugar and calorie cycling
- Goal setting, cheat meals and diet breaks
- Social eating events and how to deal with social pressure
- Food cravings
- Flexible dieting and meal planning
- Assessing client adherence and motivation
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Sales and client communication
- Exam preparation time with open Q&A
- Live video Q&A
- Online exam at the end of the 10-month course
That is the full 40 week curriculum.
We make sure you can apply the theory in multiple ways.
- Real case studies from Menno's clients, up to international competitors.
- Video lectures cover the key points of each module.
- Theory sections end in practical take-home messages.
- A PT Toolkit does the complicated math for you.
- Ready-to-send client guides on the most common topics.
- Step by step, you build a full training program.
With a high focus on the practical application, the course will also guide you through the most important part of a PT job: the practical approach.Cosmin Tanase · Trustpilot review, June 2020
The correct technique for any exercise you'll ever need.
A written guide plus at least one technique video per exercise, ready to send straight to your clients.
Looking to start or further a (online) fitness business of your own?
Learn to market and sell your services intelligently to get more clients for higher prices.
We show you how every step of the way, from client acquisition, advertising, email marketing, social media to long-term relationship management.
Learn how to coach online. Work from anywhere, at any time and gain more time and freedom.
- Client acquisition Find the right clients and reach them.
- Advertising Advertise so the right people choose you.
- Email marketing Turn enquiries into booked clients.
- Social media Get discovered and stay top of mind.
- Long-term relationship management Keep clients longer and earn referrals.
Three bonuses that keep paying off after you graduate.
PT Toolkit
Ready-made guides and spreadsheet calculators that save you hours on program design, like a genetic-potential and muscular-balance calculator and a social-eating guide you can send straight to clients.
Alumni network
Join hundreds of like-minded people, and get your business listed in our public directory of active Henselmans Certified PTs.
- Renaissance Periodization
- MASS research review
- BioLayne
- Examine+
- Bill Campbell Research Review
Alumni discounts
Large ongoing discounts on other evidence-based products.
Ready to put this to work?
Learn what works based on science and real client results.
Check out hundreds of uncensored reviews.
From our review page, Facebook, Trustpilot and peers in the field.
"The Best PT Course on the internet, hands down."
Dr. Mike IsraetelCo-founder, Renaissance Periodization"The Henselmans PT Course is easily the most informative and practical course I have ever been involved with. It has literally changed my entire approach to not only myself but also for my clients and the way I educate personal trainers."
Ivan GavranicManager, BSc Sport Science, BSc Nutrition, Personal Trainer at TheBodyConsultants.com"If you are looking to get huge value for your money, obtain an insane amount of practical knowledge in a short time and learn the exact tools on how to get clients progressing at their maximal potential, then this is the course you're looking for! Want to take your PT game straight to professional levels? Stop wasting time and take this damn course! You'll thank yourself later down the road for saving you years of frustration, time and money."
Lars DesmetPersonal trainer, competitive powerlifter, owner of Lars Desmet PT"Menno Henselmans has put together one of the best courses I have ever been through and I could fearlessly recommend his work to coaches anywhere. If you're looking for a place to learn legitimate and thorough information on both training and nutrition that is filtered in a way that you can directly apply to your clientele, check out the Henselmans PT certification. It's the real deal."
Dan GarnerBest-selling author, nutritional consultant, international lecturer"You don't simply get a few bullet points that say 'do this, don't do that' each week; when you finish a unit, you know exactly what to tailor in a given context, and you have the ammo to confidently explain to your client why you're doing what you're doing. If you have any hesitations about taking this course: don't. You will not be disappointed, and your clients (and your own physique!) will be forever grateful. 5 stars doesn't do it justice!"
Joe FlahertyCertified Henselmans PT, owner of tailor-madefitness.com"The Henselmans PT course is really in a class of its own. The course materials, open dialogue, and design are fantastic. I find myself going back to the course documents quite often to refresh my memory. From macros to food choices to supplements the Henselmans PT course has everything you need."
Matthew van ShellenbeckCPA"Having been in the fitness industry for 10 years, the Henselmans PT Course has been by far the best course I have completed, both for quality and quantity of information and value for money. I feel my knowledge has increased drastically, but more importantly, my ability to think critically and apply the information has improved markedly too. Menno is a fantastic educator and I am looking forward to doing this course again next time."
Paul StevensonPersonal trainerJoin them in the next cohort.
We put our money where the science is.
At least 10% of every PT Course enrollment, and 100% of what we earn from YouTube and Instagram, goes directly to exercise and nutrition research, either funding peer-reviewed studies or donating to scientific non-profits.
If you're a researcher who would like funding for a study and you can run well-designed exercise or nutrition science studies on trained individuals, please reach out. Let's do some science together.
One certification, three ways to pay.
Registration is not open yet. Join the early access list and you will be able to enroll before anyone else.
Enrollment is open for the cohort that starts 2 October 2026.
This cohort is sold out. Join the early access list for the February 2027 round.
The full Henselmans PT Certification, paid upfront.
Join the early access listSpread the full course over 10 interest-free monthly payments.
Join the early access listFull course plus a one-on-one mentorship video call each month.
Join the early access listThe Henselmans PT Certification plus the NSCA-CPT exam add-on, paid upfront.
Join the early access listBoth certifications, spread over 10 interest-free monthly payments.
Join the early access listFull course and the NSCA add-on, plus a monthly one-on-one mentorship video call.
Join the early access list- Bigger group discounts are negotiable via info@mennohenselmans.com.
- Choose the NSCA Exam add-on if you also want to take the NSCA-CPT exam.
- Full guarantee terms are in the guarantee block below.
Scholarships for top students from less-affluent countriesUp to 10 scholarships of 50% off per course. Read the eligibility criteria.
Our mission is to spread evidence-based fitness education around the whole world, but exchange rates and international differences in purchasing power can be prohibitive for some. We therefore bestow up to 10 scholarships per course with discounts of 50% to top students from countries with nominal GDP per capita rates below the global average.
Eligibility criteria:
- You email us (info@mennohenselmans.com) why you believe you merit this scholarship. Particular emphasis is placed on fluent English, good grades and a passion for evidence-based fitness.
- Your official residence, bank and IP address are all from one of the eligible countries. Required documents to attach: proof of residence and official ID document.
The next course starts 2 October 2026.
The next course starts 2 October 2026.
This cohort is sold out.
Join the early access list and get notified the moment registration opens. You will get the details first and you will be able to enroll before anyone else.
You can enroll now. Pick the payment option that suits you and secure your spot in the 2 October 2026 cohort.
The next round starts in February 2027. Join the early access list and you will get the details first, and you will be able to enroll before anyone else.
Leave at any time and only pay for the months you received.
No-results-money-back guarantee
98% of our students are satisfied, but if you don't agree with them, you can quit the course. You can choose to leave the training group and course and stop your payment. You then only have to pay for the months for which you received course materials, rounded up to at least 1 month's payment.
If after successfully graduating from the course you feel you haven't become a better coach or you haven't learned anything, we'll give you a full refund. Just tell our administration within a month and you'll get all your money back. You'll stay certified.
Everything else you might want to know.
Yes, you can work with our certification in most countries as a personal trainer or online coach, including the United States, Canada and the Netherlands. For information on specific countries, you can email us at info@mennohenselmans.com.
Our company is accredited by the IAO. For those looking to work in the U.S., we offer an exclusive opportunity to obtain an NSCA-CPT certification through our partnership with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. That gives you two respected certifications on your resume.
NSCA-Certified Personal Trainers educate clients on health, fitness and nutrition while customizing exercise programs. Some U.S. gyms and insurance providers require this credential.
You do not need it to work in most countries, but in the U.S. certain gyms and insurers prefer an ICE/NCCA-accredited certification such as the NSCA-CPT.
It is a separate in-person exam available at thousands of testing centers across the U.S. You must have a CPR/AED certification, be 18+, and have completed high school.
If you enroll with the NSCA-CPT add-on, you'll receive a registration code near the end of the course. Once registered you have 120 days to schedule and take the exam.
Yes, if you successfully complete the Henselmans PT Course you can get 2 NSCA CEUs in category C. Please reach out to us upon course completion to receive your Certificate of Completion that you can submit to NSCA.
Important: you have to already have been NSCA certified prior to enrollment to obtain the CEUs for completing this course.
The next course starts on 2 October 2026. Registrations are not open yet, so the best way to stay up-to-date is to join the early access list. We will send you more information once you can enroll, and you will be able to enroll before anyone else. If you have questions in the meantime, message us on WhatsApp or email info@mennohenselmans.com.
The next course starts on 2 October 2026 and enrollment is open now. Pick your payment option in the pricing section to secure your spot. You will get a confirmation email and invoice from our administration within 72 hours. If you are not sure which option fits you, message us on WhatsApp or email info@mennohenselmans.com.
The course that starts on 2 October 2026 is no longer taking registrations. The next round starts in February 2027. Join the early access list and we will send you the details first, so you can enroll before anyone else. If you have questions in the meantime, message us on WhatsApp or email info@mennohenselmans.com.
If you pay in full for the entire course you will pay $1999. You can also choose our monthly payment plan and pay in 10 monthly payments of $229 a month.
If you also want to acquire your NSCA-CPT certification, on top of the Henselmans certification, you can choose the exam add-on for $249.
The exam is conducted online at the end of the course and consists of an open-book exam, exercise technique checks and 2 case studies. So far, around 90% of students who have taken the exam have passed it.
We work with negative grading to offset points achieved by guessing. You also submit exercise technique videos; each video with improper form imposes a 25% point penalty.
Grading uses the Latin Honors system (0-54% fail, 55-79% pass, 80-84% cum laude, 85-94% magna cum laude, 95-100% summa cum laude) and is printed on your hard-copy certificate.
You can pay monthly over 10 months or upfront in full. We accept payments via credit card, debit card, PayPal, iDEAL, Bancontact, Apple Pay, Google Pay and bank transfer.
You'll receive an email and invoice from our administration within 72 hours. If you choose bank transfer, your registration is not official until the funds have cleared.
If you have any questions about payments, contact us at info@mennohenselmans.com or chat with us on WhatsApp.
The course is designed to be doable part-time, so you can follow it alongside your work or studies. However, it will require a serious time commitment, such as in the evenings or weekends.
At a minimum you should have one free evening per week and multiple days before the exam to review the materials. On average, students tell us they need around 6 to 8 hours a week for studying.
There are dedicated weeks in which you can catch up in case you fall behind. If you don't get around to studying everything before the exam, you can postpone the exam to the next course round.
Not interested in the certification? Then feel free to work through everything at your own pace.
No, we have students from all over the world. All materials can be downloaded and studied at your own convenience, including live sessions and the optional physical meet-up (a recording of the relevant parts is provided).
The only hard deadline is the exam at the end, for those who want to get certified.
No. The course covers every topic from A to Z. Of course, if you don't know what carbohydrates or repetitions are, you'll have to invest more time than others.
Many non-professionals have already followed the course purely for the sake of self-improvement and personal education. After the course, you can be your own coach, and you don't even have to take the exam if you don't care about becoming certified.
This course is taught in English. The course also runs in Dutch, French, German, Spanish and Arabic, each as its own round with its own start date and schedule. Email info@mennohenselmans.com and we will point you to the right one.
Yes, you will keep access to the material from your round. Because we update the course regularly, some links might stop working after a while, so we recommend you download all files to your computer or cloud.
If you'd like access to the updated materials from future rounds, you can enroll again at a major discount. You get 70% off if you sign up for the very next course, or 60% off for any course thereafter.
Many students take the course every few rounds to stay up-to-date with the latest science. The materials cannot be obtained all at once, since they are finalized just before they are published in the course.
With the mentoring option you get the full course plus a one-on-one video call mentoring session each month. This option is limited to 10 spots.
You can pay in 10 monthly payments of $499. The primary time zone is Amsterdam time, in the afternoons and evenings.
Have questions not answered on this page?
Reach out to the Henselmans team directly. You can chat with our team or email us at info@mennohenselmans.com.
Prefer to chat? Reach our team directly.
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