Personal Training CSEP-CPT Certified – Calgary, AB
Build strength, move better, and invest in a healthier, stronger future.
Individualized coaching that combines training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to help you make meaningful progress without sacrificing the things that matter most.
No commitment. We’ll talk about your goals, your current routine, and whether coaching makes sense for you.
Benjamin Picard
Coach & Founder
The difference
Personal training isn’t a regulated profession in Alberta, so what sits behind the title varies widely — from a few weeks of online study to years of post-secondary education. Here is how a typical fast-track certificate compares with the CSEP-CPT Ben holds.
Education
Typical fast-track certificate
Weeks to months
Most entry-level certificates need only a high school diploma and can be finished online.
Ben · CSEP-CPT
2 years
Full-time Personal Fitness Trainer diploma at Mount Royal University.
Hands-on practice
Typical fast-track certificate
Mostly self-study
Supervised work with clients usually isn’t required to certify.
Ben · CSEP-CPT
290 hours
Of hands-on personal training practicum.
Exams
Typical fast-track certificate
Often 1 exam
Frequently multiple-choice, and sometimes taken online.
Ben · CSEP-CPT
2 exams
A national theory exam and a live practical exam, both required to certify.
Client safety
Typical fast-track certificate
Varies by trainer
Screening and assessment methods differ from one trainer to the next.
Ben · CSEP-CPT
Every client screened
Health screening and fitness assessments come first, and clients who need more are referred on.
Staying current
Typical fast-track certificate
Varies by provider
Renewal and continuing education rules differ.
Ben · CSEP-CPT
Renewed every year
Current CPR, plus ongoing professional development credits.
Health screening and assessments come first, and Ben knows when to refer you on to a physician or specialist.
Your plan is built on anatomy, physiology and exercise science — not a template copied from someone else.
Training in behaviour change helps you build a routine you can sustain long after the first few weeks.
This compares typical entry-level personal training certificates. Requirements vary by provider, and many good trainers hold other credentials. See the CSEP-CPT requirements at csep.ca (opens in a new tab).
Who this is for
There’s no right place to start. Whether you’re beginning, rebuilding, improving, or pursuing something more, your coaching starts with where you are today.
Anyone who wants to feel more confident in their body and capable in their everyday life.
Anyone looking for a clear, personalized approach to training, nutrition, and building healthier habits.
Anyone at any stage of their fitness journey — whether you’re just getting started, getting back into it, or ready to take things further.
Anyone who wants fitness to complement their life, not take it over.
Your goals, your schedule, and your starting point are unique. Your coaching should be too.
Real progress isn’t about following the perfect plan. It’s about finding an approach you can sustain, adapt, and continue building on for years to come.
About
I’m Benjamin Picard, the CSEP-CPT coach behind Picard Performance.
Professional coaching backed by the CSEP-CPT® credential — recognized as the gold standard in exercise science and personal training in Canada. My approach combines evidence-informed training, individualized assessments, personalized programming, nutrition guidance, and ongoing support to create a plan built around your goals, needs, and lifestyle.
“The goal isn’t just to change how you look — it’s to build a body and lifestyle that allows you to live the life you want.”
Coaching
Every plan starts from where you actually are — your schedule, your experience and what you want out of training.
Hands-on coaching built around your goals, needs, and starting point — guided by a CSEP-CPT.
Professional CSEP-CPT coaching wherever you are, with the structure and support to keep you progressing.
The best of both worlds — hands-on coaching when you need it, with the flexibility of online coaching between sessions.
A professionally designed plan from a CSEP-CPT to give you the structure, direction, and tools to train with confidence.
Not sure which one fits? That’s what the free consultation is for.
How it works
We’ll talk about your goals, lifestyle, training experience and what’s currently getting in your way.
Your training approach is built around your goals, starting point and realistic schedule.
Follow the plan, measure progress and adjust as you improve.
Free consultation · 45 minutes
Spend 45 minutes talking with Ben about where you’re at, where you’d like to get to, and what approach could make sense for you.
No commitment. We’ll talk about your goals, your current routine, and whether coaching makes sense for you.
Book a free consultation and we’ll work out the right starting point together.
No commitment. We’ll talk about your goals, your current routine, and whether coaching makes sense for you.
