If you want to turn your love of fitness into a job, becoming a personal trainer might be the perfect career path. A personal trainer motivates, coaches and educates people on how to achieve physical fitness. Knowing the basics of being a personal trainer can help you decide if and how to get started on the track to a fitness career.
Personal Training Job Description
Personal trainers do fitness assessment tests and offer nutrition advice, exercise guidance, spotting and healthy lifestyle tips. Personal trainers work in the fitness industry in a range of settings. Many trainers are self-employed and work one on one with clients to help them achieve their individual fitness goals. Some trainers work with clients at gyms and health clubs. Trainers who work part time often work at different gyms or add client appointments to their roster to expand their hours. Personal trainers also might work as fitness and wellness consultants for companies, hospitals and clinics, as well as lead group exercise classes. Some trainers work as corporate fitness consultants, offering exercise guidance and classes to employees.
Personal Trainer Preparation
Personal trainer certification courses include topics such as nutrition, exercise science, physiology, spotting techniques, fitness programming, injuries, legal issues, exercise equipment, weight control and common health problems that can hinder exercise. Personal training programs are available online or in classroom formats, and most courses require the purchase of study materials. After completing a certification course, potential trainers must pass a certification test to assess their knowledge of the materials and readiness to begin training.
Personal Trainer Certification
There is no one standard group offering personal trainer certification. National groups such as the American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine offer certification programs. Accredited training programs for becoming a personal trainer are listed on the National Commission for Certifying Agencies' website (see Resources). The total cost of training materials, classes and a certification test usually ranges from $300 to $500, as of 2011. All personal trainers are required to have a current CPR and first-aid certification in case an emergency or accident occurs during training.
Career Outlook
According to ACE and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal trainer jobs are expected to increase faster than the national average in the coming years. There are advancement opportunities for general personal trainers who acquire advanced degrees, more certifications or earn management positions from work experience. Some specialized fields that trainers can earn extra certifications in include weight management, working with special populations such as seniors or people with heart conditions, group fitness and advanced fitness specialist.
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