Education to Become a Fitness Trainer

Education to Become a Fitness Trainer
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Your education to become a fitness trainer covers fundamental exercise science concepts to supply you with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to guide a fitness client toward health and fitness goals. Fitness trainer education programs introduce you to basic human anatomy. Education to become a fitness trainer teaches you how the body adapts to different kinds of exercise and uses nutrients.

Types

College and university degrees and fitness trainer certification programs can provide your education to become a fitness trainer. Higher education institutions may award associates, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees that provide education to become a fitness trainer. A degree in exercise science, physical fitness or a health science degree with an emphasis in either of these disciplines can provide your education to become a fitness trainer. Fitness trainer certifying institutions offer study materials that provide education to become a fitness trainer. These institutions typically administer a written question-and-answer examination to award fitness trainer certificates and do not require a college degree.

Location

You may receive your education to become a fitness trainer in a classroom on a college or university if you pursue a degree from these institutions. Certifying institutions may also hold classes at similar educational sites or offices. You may receive instruction at a gym or other location with fitness facilities. Certifying institutions may offer self-study and distance learning options that allow you to study at home and at your own pace.

Education Subjects

Your education to become a fitness trainer prepares your for an examination that assesses your knowledge of physiology, exercise, client relations and program design. Physiology covers functions and activities of organs, body tissues and cells in the human body. Client assessment topics include body composition, strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory and flexibility testing. Program design prepares you for creating workout programs to meet client goals such as building strength or stamina and fat loss.

Requirements

You must have a high school diploma in order to receive education to become a fitness trainer. You may need cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator or CPR and AED training in order to receive education to become a fitness trainer with a particular certifying agency or educational institution. Individual fitness employers may have specific education requirements before you can become a fitness trainer with a particular institution.

Time

Associate degree programs typically last one to two years. A bachelor's degree may take four or five years of full-time study to complete. Master's programs require a bachelor's degree in addition to two or three years of study. Doctoral degrees may require five years of study in addition to the time you spend working toward a bachelor's degree. You may complete your education to become a fitness trainer in as little as two or three months if you pursue an education program with a certifying institution.

References

Article reviewed by Dan Mausner Last updated on: Dec 31, 2010

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