Complete a fitness certification and open the door to a new career that puts you in a leadership role. A fitness certification holder is armed with tools to help the people in her community become healthier. Teach group classes or focus on one-to-one contact with your clients. Personal trainer and group fitness instructor certifications are the top job titles among fitness professionals according to the 2010 Salary Survey Results conducted by the American Council on Exercise.
Basic and Specialized
With the exception of some fitness specialties such as Zumba, yoga and Pilates, fitness careers start with a basic personal trainer or group fitness instructor certification. These courses along with passing the qualifying exam give you the qualification you need to start applying for fitness jobs. These basic fitness certifications are prerequisites for specialization classes such as exercise for seniors, and advanced certificates including the ACE Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist Certification.
Zumba, Yoga, Pilates
Join the fitness community as a Zumba, Yoga or Pilates instructor without becoming a personal trainer or group fitness instructor first, although a fitness or teaching background is encouraged. Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology is also recommended; occupations such as massage therapist or nurse would provide this sort of knowledge. Administrators in charge of admitting students into certification programs commonly review credentials on a case by case basis.
Continuing Education
Once you receive your fitness certification, you are required to complete continuing education credits to keep your certificate current. The specific program you completed to earn your certification specifies the amount of credits required. The American College of Sports Medicine requires between 30 and 90 credits every three years depending on your specialization. Individuals holding a national fitness certification from third-party organizations such as the Pilates Method Alliance, need to fulfill those continuing education requirements, too.
The Exam
You must pass an exam at the end of the program to obtain your fitness certification. Multiple choice exams are a common form of testing and available online as well as a paper and pencil version. Your program may require a performance based component. The price of the exam depends on your certification. The computer based exam format to earn your personal trainer certification with ACE costs $249. If you fail the exam the first time you can usually take it a second time at a reduced cost.
ACE
Founded in 1985, the American Council on Exercise notes that it is the largest non-profit fitness education and certification provider in the world. Close to 50,000 fitness professionals have earned their fitness certifications with ACE both through both distance-learning and in-person classes. It is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the accreditation body of the National Organization for Competency Assurance. ACE's 3,000 available continuing education opportunities include weight management consultant certification, sports conditioning instructor workshops, and group fitness instructor certification.
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