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How to Become a
Personal Trainer |
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| With the high rates of obesity and growing senior
population in America, it is an ideal time to become a personal trainer
because many people are in need of fitness services. Becoming a
personal trainer offers you the opportunity to make a meaningful and
tangible impact on the lives of others by improving quality of life and
self-esteem. |
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| So how do you go about becoming a personal
trainer? Here are your options: |
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1. Obtain a Bachelor's or
Master's degree in Exercise Science or a related field.
Many employers are looking for personal trainers who have a degree in
Exercise Science. On the level of a bachelor's degree, acceptable
majors are usually exercise science or nutrition, although athletic
training and physical education are sometimes accepted. On the
level of a master's degree, acceptable majors include strength and
conditioning, general exercise science and exercise physiology.
The coursework of these programs usually prepares students to take at
least one of several certification exams listed below.
Undergraduate programs should include basic anatomy and physiology,
kinesiology or biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, exercise
testing and prescription, and fieldwork or internship. Coursework
in special populations and strength and conditioning is also
beneficial.
As a student, you may also have the
opportunity to gain experience by working as a trainer (unpaid or paid)
at your college's fitness center. |
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2. Obtain a Certification
Personal trainers must have a few different certifications to be
competitive. Beware of companies that do not require or encourage
a national certification, as well as CPR certification.
First and foremost, personal trainers must have a personal training
certification! The most respected personal training certifications
are those offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association
(NSCA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). For
some certifications, you MUST have a bachelor's degree. For other
certifications, a high school diploma may be the only requirement.
For a list of available certifications, please click
here.
Additionally, personal trainers
should be certified in adult CPR with AED, at minimum. CPR certification is offered by the
American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. In some
cases, your employer may require first aid certification as well.
First aid certification is also offered by the American Red
Cross. Depending on your workplace, you may choose to become
certified in CPR and lifesaving skills for infants and children, as
well.
Even if you do not have a bachelor's
degree, it is usually crucial that you obtain a national certification
and CPR certification in order to be
employed. |
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3. Apply for Jobs
Once you have become certified, it's time to apply for jobs! Personal training jobs are available at a number of different locations
- health clubs, spas, corporate offices, nursing homes, physical therapy
offices and more. Check your local newspaper for job postings, in
addition to monster.com. If you are a member of the NCSA or ACSM,
you may be able to take advantage of career services offered by each
organization. If you are a college graduate, consider
contacting your school's career center for assistance. |
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