What is a certified professional who creates and designs exercise programs for individuals called?

The correct choice is the certified personal trainer (CPT), as this professional specializes in creating and designing individualized exercise programs. A CPT is specifically trained to assess a client’s fitness level, set achievable goals, and develop tailored workouts that consider each individual’s unique abilities and fitness needs. This role involves not only constructing the programs but also providing guidance on proper exercise techniques, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to support overall health and fitness.

While fitness instructors and health coaches may also work with clients, their roles differ. Fitness instructors often lead group exercise classes and may not create personalized plans, whereas health coaches might focus more broadly on behavior change and lifestyle management rather than exclusively on exercise programming. An exercise physiologist, on the other hand, is more focused on the physiological responses of the body to exercise and may work primarily in clinical settings to develop rehabilitation programs rather than general fitness programs.