Personal trainers are fitness professionals who provide instruction and guidance on exercise, lifestyle modifications and related topics. There are no national or state standards for the certification of personal trainers. However, several organizations issue personal training certificates and set standards designed to ensure that trainers have sufficient knowledge and practical skills.
Certification Standards
While there are no state and national standards for personal trainers, 10 different groups that provide trainer certification follow standards established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, or NCCA, an organization created by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Groups with NCCA accreditation include the American Council on Exercise and the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education. A separate organization, called the National Board of Fitness Examiners, or NBFE, also sets standards for groups that issue personal trainer certifications. In the last several years, the NBFE has worked to establish a nationwide standard for personal trainer education.
Testing Requirements
Personal trainers seeking certification typically need to be at least 18 and pass tests that demonstrate their knowledge of fitness topics such as exercise instruction, exercise science, nutrition, fitness assessment and the ability to spot exercise-related risk factors in the people they train. Trainers who want certification also need to understand their position in relation to other health professionals and hold current credentials for administration of CPR and use of devices called automatic external defibrillators, which help diagnose and treat potentially life-threatening heartbeat irregularities. In addition, trainers may need to have a certain amount of practical experience in a fitness- or health-related occupation.
Significance
Trainers who receive certification through NCCA- or NBFE-affiliated organizations can provide their clients with a verifiable measure of their competency. On the other hand, trainers who don't have certification may or may not have the knowledge to work with you in a safe, beneficial manner. Please note that certification for personal trainers is not mandatory, and anyone can legally refer to himself as a trainer. Before working with a personal trainer, ask about his credentials and determine if he's been certified by an accredited organization.
Considerations
In addition to personal trainer, people who guide or teach exercise programs can go by names that include group exercise instructor, floor exercise instructor, medical exercise specialist or senior or youth fitness instructor. After receiving initial certification from an accredited organization, trainers typically need to renew their credentials every two years. Although the NCCA and NBFE set certification standards, they don't directly administer testing or issue credentials. If you want to become a personal trainer, ask a certified trainer about the required process or consult an organization that issues certifications.
References
- National Board of Fitness Examiners: Frequently Asked Questions
- Institute for Credentialing Excellence: NCCA Accreditation; 2009
- IDEA Health and Fitness Association: Licensing Debate; Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors; Ryan Halvorson; December 2008
- American Council on Exercise: Personal Trainer Certification
- Academy of Applied Personal Training Education: Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE) Earns National Accreditation; May 2009
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