Personal Trainer Career Information

Personal trainer still remains as the top job title among fitness professionals as of 2010, according to the American Council on Exercise. A personal trainer coaches and inspires people trying to help themselves become healthier. She leads by example and shows her students how to improve their health through exercise. This career puts you in a leadership role inside the gym and outside in your community.

The Job

Personal trainers typically work with individuals one-on-one and get paid by the hour or charge a per-session fee. Fitness sessions occur at the trainer's facility, the client's home or a third-party health club. A large part of the job deals with strength and endurance training, which requires a strong knowledge base of anatomy and kinesiology as well as fitness techniques. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends aspiring personal trainers have at least an undergraduate degree and a seek a well-recognized personal trainer certification.

Pre-Course Requirements

In order to take a personal trainer certification course you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma and hold a current CPR and AED certificate.

Personal Trainer Certification

To start your career as a personal trainer you must complete your course and pass an exam to earn your certificate. A number of organizations including ACE and the ACSM offer nationally recognized personal trainer certification courses. Some courses are bricks and mortar, while others are offered as distance learning via mail or Internet. Expect to learn about risk factor and fitness assessment, as well as nutrition and exercise science. Other subjects in a personal trainer certification course include anatomy, physiology and spotting techniques, along with exercise progressions and healthy lifestyle modifications.

Salary

The average salary for full-time personal trainers has increased by 19 percent since 2005, with 51 percent of personal trainers working for a fitness facility and 49 percent working independently, according to ACE. In 2010 the average salary for a full-time personal trainer was $25.71 an hour or $53,323 a year and part-time personal trainers made $25.14 an hour and $18,650 a year.

Continuing Education

In order to keep your personal training certification current, you must fulfill the continuing education credits requirement outlined by the organization through which you are certified. These classes ensure you remain current with the latest fitness trends and training methods. Continuing education classes also encourage personal trainers to specialize in specific areas, such as weight management and training senior citizens, which can lead to a higher salary. A personal trainer certified by ACSM must complete 45 credits every three years to renew his certification.