How can one become a personal trainer? When you exercise consistently it becomes a part of your lifestyle. Now you can turn that lifestyle into a job! Here is some invaluable information on getting certified, benefits and more.
The Question:
When you exercise consistently it becomes a part of your lifestyle. And sometimes that interest may lead into a possible career in the fitness community.
How can one become a personal trainer?
What are some good certifications to become a personal trainer?
What are the benefits and downfalls of being a personal trainer?
Besides personal training, what are some other career choices in fitness?
Show off your knowledge to the world!
There are many opportunities in the fitness industry right now, and personal trainers are on the front line. They are often the faces of the gyms they represent, interacting with clients and working out in the public eye. While it may seem intimidating to be a personal trainer to some people, becoming certified can be an educational and relatively easy process.
Personal Trainers
How Can One Become A Personal Trainer?
The simplest way to become a personal trainer is to purchase a certain organization's fitness manual, study independently, and take an exam. It is possible to get most certifications in this manner. In addition to the manual itself, there are often study guides, seminars, and practice tests available from the organization.
Some colleges also offer courses where you can study and take exams to become a personal trainer. For example, I personally know that Idaho State University offers a course for you to become ACE certified.
Upon hiring, some gyms will take you through their own certification courses, which are often weekend classes or seminars.
All of the above are generally out of pocket expenses.
Certifications
What Are Some Good Certifications To Become A Personal Trainer?
Although some fitness chains require a certain certification, there are several widely-accepted certifications that will get your foot in the door at most gyms. Many certification organizations require CPR certification before allowing you to register for their exams.
What Is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest. CPR is unlikely to restart the heart, but rather its purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart, thereby delaying tissue death and extending the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage. Defibrillation and advanced life support are usually needed to restart the heart.
-> ACE (American Council on Exercise)
ACE offers a relatively simple and straightforward personal training certification that covers the basics needed to train most clients in the general population.
ACE also covers some special populations and injuries as well. The ACE organization requires certified trainers to keep up on the latest information available to the fitness industry through CEC's or Continuing Education Credits, or the certification expires in two years.
You can take scheduled pencil exams at selected locations throughout the county, or register at a designated computer testing facility.
-> ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
Slightly more-widely accepted, and slightly more difficult to obtain is the ACSM certification. It is another certification for trainers working with healthy populations, or those with some medical conditions that are cleared to exercise.
All ACSM exams are offered in computer-based format at designated facilities. There are three different textbooks that are recommended for the ACSM personal trainer certification, as opposed to one manual for the ACE.
There are many other certifications, ranging in cost and difficulty. Some others are the NASM, ISSA, and NCSA just to name a few. Information for these and many more can be found by researching on the internet.
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