When you're preparing for a personal trainer certification, the practical question is usually how much practice material you want and how much you're willing to pay for it. These two course books show exactly how that trade-off plays out: a second edition with a larger bank of practice questions is listed at the top of the price spread, while a classic course with a solid question set sits at the bottom. With $42.49 between them, the decision comes down to condition, edition, and question volume versus a lower price.
Quick verdict
If you want the newest edition in unread, gift-giving shape and the widest question coverage, the second edition from Katie Donnelly is the way to go. If you'd rather keep the purchase minimal in cost, the classic course makes sense. Both are aimed at the same certification exam, so your study style and what you want to spend will settle the choice.
Price and attribute comparison
| Course | Listed price | Condition | Practice questions | Format | Price bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Donnelly 2nd Edition | USD 59.49 | Brand New | Over 750 | Trade Paperback | |
| 500-Question Classic | USD 17.00 | Good | Over 500 | Trade Paperback |
Where each product wins
- Katie Donnelly's 2nd Edition wins on question volume and the substance of the 2nd edition.
- The 500-Question Classic wins on listed price. It delivers the same exam-prep format for a much lower listed price.
Product notes
PERSONAL TRAINER CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP COURSE (2ND By Katie Donnelly BRAND NEW
The second edition of this personal trainer exam prep course, written by Katie Donnelly, comes as a brand-new, unread copy in gift-giving condition. It is the 2nd edition, identified by ISBN 9781448677993, and includes over 750 practice questions, making it the larger question bank in this face-off. The book stands about 0.5 inches tall, a compact size for a thorough review guide. A concrete reason to choose it is the fresh, unread condition combined with the higher practice-question count. The limitation is the $59.49 listed price, which is noticeably higher than the alternative, so this course suits you when the newest edition and extra questions justify the cost.
Personal Trainer Certification Exam Prep Course
This 152-page trade paperback, published by CreateSpace in 2008, was written by personal trainers to guide candidates through the personal trainer certification exam. It is listed in good condition and includes over 500 practice questions across topics relevant to the exam. With an item length of 10 inches and a height of 0.3 inches, it is a standard, portable study volume. The concrete reason to choose it is the $17.00 listed price, which keeps the purchase light while still providing a substantial question set. The limitation is that this is a good-condition copy, not a new one, and its question bank is smaller than the 2nd edition's, so you'll have fewer questions to rotate through.
Final choice by use case
Choose Katie Donnelly's 2nd Edition when you want the 2nd edition content, the larger practice question set for your personal trainer certification exam, and when the higher listed price is an acceptable trade.
Choose the 500-Question Classic when you want a study guide with a substantial question bank, and when the lower listed price is the main factor in your exam certification prep purchase.
