Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a personal trainer. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about degree programs, job duties and certification to find out if this is the career for you.
Essential Information
Personal trainers provide fitness assessments, instruction and supervision to individuals or small groups of clients. They may be employed by fitness centers or work on a freelance basis. Most personal trainers are certified, and an increasing number of them hold associate's or bachelor's degrees in fields like exercise science or physical education. Personal trainers tend to start their employment by being paired with a more experienced trainer for on-the-job training.
Training Requirements
There are several different paths one may take to become a personal trainer, though certification and postsecondary education programs are the most common. Certification is not always mandatory in order to work as a personal trainer; however, the vast majority of employers have policies requiring that personal trainers be certified, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Certification is also beneficial for freelance trainers, who rely on reputation and word of mouth to obtain new business.
Formal Education
The BLS noted that fitness centers and other organizations are beginning to require candidates to have a health or fitness-focused bachelor's degree, although a professional certification sometimes can be substituted. Common courses in these areas include nutrition, exercise physiology and kinesiology. Students may also complete fitness assessments and learn rehabilitation techniques to help clients recover from injuries.
Personal Trainer Certification
Trainers can obtain certification through several professional associations devoted to fitness and related areas, such as the American College of Sports medicine, the American Council on Exercise or the International Sport Sciences Association. Certificates of proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are generally required to enroll. Qualified candidates must then complete training requirements and a certification exam set by the respective accrediting organization. Once certified, the BLS notes that these professionals are typically required to complete continuing education requirements every two years in order to maintain their credentials.
Personal Trainer Career Overview
Personal trainers meet with clients on a one-on-one or small group basis to help them determine, execute and achieve physical fitness goals. They supervise clients in the use of cardiovascular and weight machines, act as spotters for clients using free weights and provide verbal motivation to help clients meet their goals. Some trainers also specialize in specific forms of fitness, such as yoga, and provide personalized instruction to clients who wish to learn or increase their knowledge in those forms of exercise.
Career Outlook
The BLS reported that fitness training and instruction jobs were predicted to increase by 13% from 2012-2022, which was an average growth rate. Workers with formal education in health and fitness should see the best job opportunities. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors earned a median salary of $33,020 as of May 2013, per the BLS.
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