You took a workshop. You logged into your org portal. You saved a PDF somewhere. Now you are not sure how many CE credits you have left. There are three main ways personal trainers track their continuing education. Here is how they compare in 2026.
Option 1: Spreadsheets
Google Sheets or Excel. Free. Flexible. But you have to update it yourself every time. There are no reminders, no category tracking, and no countdown to your deadline. If you hold certs from two orgs, you need two sheets.
Option 2: Org portals
NASM, ACE, NSCA, ACSM, and ISSA all have online portals. Some track credits from their own courses. Others need you to upload certificates by hand. The problem: each portal only covers that one org. If you hold an NASM CPT and an NSCA CSCS, you need two logins and two systems. None of them track your CPR/AED expiration separately.
Option 3: TrainerCE
TrainerCE is a free CE tracking app built for personal trainers. It covers NASM, ACE, NSCA, ACSM, and ISSA in one place. Log credits by category, see your countdown, and get push notification reminders before your cert expires. The free plan covers one certification with no limits on CE logging.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | TrainerCE | Org Portal | Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Pro $4.99/mo) | Free | Free |
| Multi-org support | All 5 orgs in one app | One org per portal | Manual setup |
| CE logging | Unlimited (free plan) | Varies by org | Manual entry |
| Category tracking | Auto per org | Partial | Manual |
| Expiry countdown | Visual timer | Basic date | None |
| CPR/AED tracking | Separate reminder | No | No |
| Push reminders | 6 on Pro, 2 on Free | Email only | None |
| Mobile app | iPhone + Android | Browser | Clunky on phone |
Why trainers pick TrainerCE
Free means free
Track one cert with unlimited CE logging. No cost. No trial. No credit card.
Built for trainers
The interface, org data, and categories are designed around what personal trainers need.
All certs in one place
Hold an NASM CPT and an NSCA CSCS? Track both in one app with separate countdowns.
Native mobile app
Download on iPhone or Android for push notifications and quick logging.
Do you still need your org portal?
Yes. Your org portal is the official source. TrainerCE is your personal tracker. It helps you know where you stand so that when you go to your org site to recertify, you are ready.