Personal training is one of 30 occupations with the fastest job growth during the 2000 to 2010 period. For this hot job, the job description is varied and broad. Personal trainers work in a variety of settings, are self-employed or independent contractors and work part- or full-time. The success of your personal training career will only be as good as your education and the certification options you choose.
Job Description
Personal trainers work with people of all ages in developing exercise programs. They begin with risk factor screening and fitness assessment in order to design exercise prescriptions for their clients. They may provide basic nutrition information and suggestions for lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation or stress management. Trainers provide spotting and cuing for proper and safe exercise execution.
A trainer may deliver in-home exercise sessions to private training clients, provide training in a corporate fitness facility, or work for a large national studio. There are a myriad of employment options available to a trainer. A trainer will market and promote his business to potential clients and spend a percentage of working hours on administrative tasks.
Qualifications
Trainers are not required by any governing body to be certified. As of 2011, anyone could call herself a trainer. National accreditation of certification agencies is available to help people determine whether a trainer is certified and whether that certification is credible. When you seek a certification, check to see if it is endorsed by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Some certifications require a degree in an exercise science-related field and others do not. Proof of current CPR and first aid certifications is required prior to taking a certification exam.
Scope of Practice
Professional trainers operate within the scope of their practice. They don't diagnose or treat pain or disease, and as responsible professionals they may refer clients to health care providers. For example, if you are a personal trainer you may provide information on sound nutritional practices, but according to the laws in your state you may not be able to give clients specific meal plans or suggest supplements. Trainers work with people in environments where boundaries can become difficult to maintain. Professional trainers are aware of these boundaries and maintain proper professional relationships with their clients.
Compensation
Personal trainers report they are working more as employees than as independent contractors by a ratio of 49 percent to 38 percent, according to the annual industry survey conducted by IDEA, the Association of Health and Fitness Professionals. Eight percent of personal trainers report being salaried; their average salary was $39,182. The majority of trainers are paid an hourly rate, with 47 percent earning a percentage -- usually about 60 percent -- of the client's fees. Personal training fees vary from region to region.
Significance
America is growing older; people 65 and older represented 12.4 percent of the population in the year 2000 but are expected to increase to 19 percent of the population by 2030. From 2006 to 2008, the most frequently occurring conditions among older persons were: hypertension, diagnosed arthritis, all types of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and sinusitis. All but sinusitis can be helped by exercise; fitness trainers likely will become increasingly important in preventative care.
References
- US Department of Labor; Hot Jobs for the 21st Century; May, 2003
- American Council on Exercise: Personal Trainer Certification
- National Academy of Sports Medicine: Defining Personal Training
- National Academy of Sports Medicine: How to Select a Personal Trainer
- IDEA Health and Fitness Associations; How Much Are Sports Professionals Paid?; Jan Schroeder; March, 2011
- Adminstration on Aging; A Profile of Older Americans 2010; Feb. 25, 2011
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