A career in personal training can be the perfect job for fitness enthusiasts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the fitness field are expected to grow much faster than the national average through 2018. If you want to become a personal trainer, you will need to earn a personal trainer certification for entrance into the field. There are a variety of organizations that offer fitness trainer certifications.
Background
Personal trainers work with clients to help them achieve their fitness and weight loss goals. Trainers can work in settings such as gyms, health clubs, private companies, clinics and clients' homes. Personal trainers offer support and guidance to clients, as well as create personalized exercise programs. Trainers must hold current CPR and first aid certifications in order to be able to help clients in case of an emergency.
Certification Programs
There are a variety of national personal trainer certification programs that offer classroom and online courses to prepare trainers for exams. Groups such as the American Council on Exercise and the American College of Sports Medicine offer personal trainer certification programs. To determine if a personal trainer program is accredited, see the Institute for Credentialing Excellence website (Resources). Some programs include at-home study materials and some offer preparation classes and seminars. The personal trainer exam varies by organization, but most cover the same general topics.
Course Topics
Personal trainer exams and courses cover a variety of fitness-related topics, including nutrition, kinesiology, physiology, teaching techniques, exercise science, fitness assessment and risk factor screening. Training materials teach about human anatomy, common injuries and individual exercises, as well as exercise training plans. After studying, potential trainers take a test on their fitness knowledge with a final exam. Upon passing the exam and showing their CPR and first-aid certification, students become certified personal trainers.
Cost
Most personal training certification courses, materials and exams cost from $400 to $600 as of 2011. Students may be able to save money on books and training materials by purchasing them used on sites such as eBay or craigslist. Many certification programs offer extra study guides or optional review courses as well, which can make your total costs higher. ACE, for instance, offers a standard study program that includes practice tests, study guide and flashcards for $285. The exam fee tacks on $249 to the total cost. The ACE premier program includes a study guide, practice tests, exam voucher and a study book for $579.
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