Personal training can be a rewarding career when helping individuals to lose weight and reach their fitness goals. Personal trainers work in many settings, and an experienced trainer can make a decent salary once he obtains a steady clientele. The first step to this career is to get trained. While many online certification programs are available, you should consider some key points before following this route.
Identification
"Personal trainer" is just one of various types of fitness certifications. Generally, a personal trainer works with clients one-on-one to help them reach their fitness goals. Personal trainers may work in a hospital or rehab setting, in a gym or in a community center, or they may open their own studios. Adequate training is required in order to provide clients with an effective, safe workout. The level and type of training needed depends on where the trainer will work. A personal trainer in a rehab center needs more intensive education than a trainer working at a local community center.
Considerations
When choosing a certification program, make sure it is one that will lead to employment. Most establishments that hire personal trainers prefer they be certified through a well-known national agency. These national agencies meet certain standards and help a potential employer to know that the trainer has specific skills. Most personal trainer certifications that are strictly online do not fall into this category. The first step is to talk to potential employers and find out if the online course will meet hiring requirements.
Solution
The national personal trainer certifications that most employers look for are from the American Council on Exercise, or ACE; the National Strength and Conditioning Association, or NSCA; the American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM; and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, or AFFA. These organizations offer some online or at-home study; however, to become certified, it is necessary to show up in person to take a proctored test or to demonstrate skills learned in the course. The actual training and in-person requirements vary by organization and level of certification. The first step is to decide on a few possible employment options and then investigate what type of personal trainer certification they require.
Features
A well-rounded course in personal training should have several components. According to ACE, students should have courses in anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, basic nutrition, exercise prescription, behavior modification, teaching or instruction skills development, and injury management and prevention. The ACSM suggests studying these topics online first and then taking a workshop to get to know the material better before sitting for the exam. In addition to the above material, most national agencies require that personal trainers maintain CPR certification.
Warnings
Currently, no state in the U.S. requires personal trainers to be licensed, nor is there any agency that oversees training protocols. The National Board of Fitness Examiners is working to correct this to ensure the public has some protection against unqualified instructors and training programs. Without licensing, personal trainer certification programs are not required to offer a standardized curriculum, which could leave students unable to find employment unless they open their own gyms. Online agencies often make promises of large incomes and steady work, yet are not held accountable for the legitimacy of their certifications. Talking to others in the field, and with potential employers, will help you avoid getting a certification that does not lead to a job.
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