How To Become A Certified Personal Trainer
If you spend hours at the local gym every week and if you find yourself constantly providing fitness advice to your friends and family, learning how to become a certified personal trainer may something to consider for your next career. Being a personal fitness trainer can be fulfilling if you enjoy staying fit and strive to lead a healthy lifestyle while helping others to do the same.
However, you can’t just decide that you want to be a personal trainer today and get a job tomorrow. There are steps involved before you can do that. Besides going through the certification process, you will need to consider the business aspect of being a certified personal trainer. Many trainers do not actually hold a normal job but rather set up their own home business.
1. Examine Your Current Skills. While it may seem obvious it is important that certified personal trainers lead healthy lifestyles. This not only includes exercising regularly but also a healthy diet and being free of unhealthy habits, such as smoking.
Since you will be teaching and motivating other people there are other personal skills that are necessary but hard to train for. These include being a good listener, being patient, and being able to motivate others.
Running a business also requires the ability to be organized, to have a passion for the business, and to be analytical.
2. Getting Certified. Essentially the only thing you need to do in order to become a certified personal trainer is to go through a certification course and pass an exam. However, learning how to get certified as a personal trainer is the most confusing step because there are several different organizations that offer certification. Probably the most important thing to consider is whether the certification is recognized nationwide. Even if you don’t plan on moving you really don’t know what the future holds so it is best to have a certificate that can be used anywhere.
Two of the biggest accreditation organizations are the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). It is important that you receive certification from an organization that has been accredited by either the DETC or the NCCA.
There is a long list of accredited personal training schools. These all provide training materials and workshops. The workshops are normally 2-3 days and are held at most major U.S. cities. Check with each school you are considered to make sure you can attend an upcoming workshop. Here are some of the top options for personal training schools:
- National Academy of Sports Medication (NASM)
- Cost: $599-799. NASM certification may seem expensive at first, but be aware that it includes material and exam costs.
- Accredited by the NCCA.
- Recertification every 2 years. $99 plus continuing education (CEU).
- American College of Sports Medication (ACSM)
- Cost: $129-375. While the cost for ACSM personal trainer certification may seem low, material and exam costs can add up to $400 more.
- Accredited by the NCCA.
- Recertification every 3 years. Around $800 including CEU.
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- Cost: $499 (often discounted to $399). Includes material and exam costs.
- Accredited by the DETC.
- Recertification every 2 years. Total cost, including CEU, typically around $600.
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- Cost: $580. Includes material and exam costs.
- Accredited by the NCCA.
- Recertification every 2 years. Costs, including CEU, can reach $400.
Prerequisites for personal trainer certification:
While each program may vary slightly, the most common prerequisites are:
- High school diploma. Personal trainer education requirements are not high but it can help to have some nutrition or fitness classes from a community college, vocational school or university.
- 18 years old
- CPR certificate
- AED (automated external defibrillators) certificate
How long does it take to complete a course and become a certified personal trainer?
Every program is different, but you should expect to spend 3-6 months going through a program before you are ready to take the certification exam. Some programs can be completed in as short as two months while some can allow up to 12 months if you want to take your time.
3. Consider Starting Your Own Business. Think beyond the local fitness club. Yes, while getting a job at the gym can be reliable and may offer a decent wage, you will be fairly limited in regards to how much you can grow your business.
The next most popular option is to set up as a home business and train clients in your home or in their own homes. This option is attractive to some people because you can set your own hours and your hourly rate. Not only that, but you are making a name for yourself instead of working for another company.
Running your own home business does include many more challenges. First, you will have to go through the steps to set up your business. These include:
- Coming up with a business name. You can just use your name, but it may suit you better in the future to come up with a catchy business name.
- Registering your business with the local government. Each city, county, and state is different. The best option is to go to your county courthouse and ask what requirements are needed.
- Obtaining personal training insurance. A simple internet search can come up with several insurance companies offering plans for trainers.
- Marketing. This is extremely important! You will not have a business if you do not have clients. This step takes persistence, creativity, and even a little capital.
4. Other Job Options For Personal Trainers. Working for a local gym or starting your own business are fairly obvious options. There are plenty of other jobs available for certified personal trainers.
- Spas. Many spas and resorts offer their clients services from personal trainers. These jobs can be a little more laid back compared to working for a gym. This is also a great option that may allow the opportunity to travel if you find a spa or resort that has nationwide locations.
- Cruise Ships. These days, cruise ships are essentially mini-cities. Besides having full gyms available on the ships, many cruise lines also offer certified personal trainers. There are sites that list cruise ship jobs but most make you pay to see the job offerings. You can find the job offerings for free by going to the cruise line websites, such as Royal Caribbean.
5. Consider Specializing. Getting your certified personal trainer certification is sort of like being a doctor. You can be a general doctor, or you can specialize. Within the realm of personal trainers, you can consider the following fitness certificates:
- Sports nutrition consultant certification
- Weight management consultant certification
- Yoga fitness instructor certification
- Nutrition and wellness consultant certification
- Natal exercise specialist certification
- Sports conditioning specialist certification
- MANY MORE!
Specialists can demand higher pay, but your market may be a bit smaller. The good thing is that you can continue with standard fitness training while trying to gain clients for your specialty.
Learning how to become a certified personal training can lead to a job that fits your passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. With some planning and a good personal training certification program you can find yourself ready for your first client in just a few months.
Related posts:
