A personal training career lets you work directly with people who are trying to make a positive change in their levels of fitness. You might have a passion for fitness leading you toward a personal training career, but additional qualifications and considerations are necessary to be successful in the field.
Nature of Work
A personal trainer works one-on-one with clients. Trainers meet with clients to get an overall sense of the client's current fitness level through assessment and observation. After the initial assessment, the trainer will know how to proceed with the client so that she can meet her goals. Personal trainers teach clients how to perform exercise moves and use exercise equipment. The trainer observes the client's form to ensure she executes the moves correctly to avoid injury and to increase her efficiency during exercise. Personal trainers motivate their clients and help them stay on track toward their fitness goals. Some people use trainers on a regular basis while others meet with a trainer once or twice to establish a plan before working out on their own.
Career Opportunities
Gyms and fitness clubs hire personal trainers to work with members. Full-time personal training positions can be difficult to find in small fitness facilities. Trainers may work in more than one club to get maximize their number of clients. Another option for personal trainers is to meet and work with clients in their homes. This may allow you to have more control over your schedule and workload, but you also have to find your own clients which can be challenging.
Certification
A personal training certification gives you the credentials necessary to secure a position with a fitness facility. The certification process helps you learn the core knowledge necessary to prevent injury and create suitable workout plans for your clients. Several organizations offer personal trainer certification, such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Each organization sets its requirements for earning the certification, which generally includes an exam to test your knowledge.
Insurance
Any personal trainer who works on his own needs liability insurance to protect himself legally. The National Federation of Professional Trainers recommends Personal Trainer Insurance and Personal Injury Liability Coverage to protect you if a client gets hurt or otherwise threatens legal proceedings. Organizations who certify personal trainers usually offer access to insurance sometimes with discounted rates.
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