As one of the emerging segments of the health and fitness industry, personal training simply requires personal training certification in order to become a fitness trainer.
Personal trainers are needed to help train everyone from senior citizens to professional athletes. This profession can assist anyone in learning how to lose weight, exercise and how to practice a healthier lifestyle. Personal trainers learn how to motivate, coach and educate their clients.
Personal training certification can help you find jobs in private health clubs or gyms, on cruise ships, at spas and resorts, or in coaching, rehabilitation clinics, and hospitals. There are some basic guidelines in the industry that have been provided below.
How to Become a Personal Trainer
The first step to becoming a personal trainer is to enroll in an accredited certification class. Before the final examination you must also provide proof that you have received your CPR and AED certification that includes a “live-skills” certificate. This means you have to test in person for the skills portion of the CPR and AED certificate, you cannot simply take these certifications online. You must also be 18-years old by the time you test.
The skills you will learn to take the certification test will include sports nutrition, physical fitness theory, stress management and injury prevention. There will also be training on helping clients make lifestyle changes, business management concepts, anatomy and physiology. You will receive training on how to develop appropriate exercise programs and how to monitor a client’s fitness levels and progress.
It is important that you choose one of the accepted and accredited programs. These include:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
- American Fitness Professional and Associates (AFPA)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
The number of hours required to certify and then gain the skills necessary for employment, vary. Depending on the program you choose, personal fitness training certification programs will require between 300 and 500 hours of study and practice. They take approximately six months to complete, and will cost between $500 and $1000 or more. Some schools have payment programs and financial assistance available.
If you have a specific gym, health club or other facility in mind for employment once you are certified, check the specific requirements for accepted certification before you enroll in a class. Most of the above have online courses available through their websites.
What A Personal Trainer Does
Depending on where you work, a personal trainer will meet individually with a specific client on a regular basis to guide them in areas such as weight training, aerobics, and nutrition. Each session is generally about an hour in length and might also include monitoring body fat, heart rate, and the clients overall goals and progress. Because most clients work during the day, the personal trainer may be required to work very early mornings, late afternoons and weekends.
Personal Trainers not only help people get fit, they also partner with clients to develop lifestyle plans and long-term fitness goals. Besides teaching someone how to exercise, they also might provide specialized rehabilitation programs for a client recovering from an accident or medical problem. They also work with the elderly and physically handicapped individuals.
Additional Skills
In many ways, personal trainers need the same skill sets as teachers. They must be patient, organized, and an effective motivator. There are additional personality traits that might be helpful, like being analytical, nurturing and a good listener. It is important to be self-motivated and to enjoy all types of people. It is also important to be a good role model by practicing the healthy lifestyle you will be teaching to clients.
How Much Money Is a Personal Trainer Paid?
It depends on where you work and how you are paid. Some facilities will pay you as a sales person. You will get little or no set money per hour, but be paid a “commission” on the number of clients you are training. Entrepreneurial Personal Trainers charge anywhere from $20 to over $200 an hour based on their background, experience and the demand for their services.
Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the average annual earnings for personal trainers range from $17,000 to $50,000 per year. A self-employed personal trainer can earn a much higher income if they are successful.
The Future of Personal Training
The Bureau of Labor Statistics and Money Magazine have projected a 27% growth in employment for personal trainers through 2014. This health and wellness field offers a large variety of employment options that include working in fitness facilities, for corporations, private practices, in medical rehabilitation and resorts.
Summary
This growing industry can provide numerous employment opportunities for a certified personal trainer. Personal Trainers are employed by private health clubs, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, spas, cruise ships and resorts. After building a client base and referrals, many personal trainers will start their own business.
The rewards in this job include not only the financial aspects, but also the ability to improve peoples’ lives and participate in a field with ever expanding opportunities.