If you’ve got a passion for working out and a knack for motivating others, becoming a fitness trainer might just be a good career move for you. Fitness trainers help keep people motivated and show them the best way to work out!
In general, to become a fitness trainer, you’ll need to take a sports fitness course or enroll in other classes to help you get up to speed on topics like nutrition and correct form. However, the process is a bit more nuanced than just that.
This guide goes into how to become a personal fitness trainer, walking you through all the steps you need to follow in order to launch a new career.
Step 1: Get Certified
If you’re serious about becoming a personal fitness trainer, the first step is to get certified. There are a number of ways that you can go about this.
For one thing, you could try pursuing a sports medicine or a similar degree program at a four-year university. Although these aren’t personal fitness certifications, per se, they are certifications that can make you hireable as a personal trainer at local gyms.
Another option would be to get a personal trainer certification through a private program. These programs come in a range of different flavors, with some being offered exclusively online, others being offered in person only, and still others offering a blend of the two programs.
The cost of these programs can be anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars and can take you anywhere from a few weeks to a year. Many of these certifications are backed by private institutes, while others are backed by the National Board of Fitness Examiners or other well-known certifying agencies.
Pro tip: Unless you’re looking for a certification backed by a specific accrediting agency, you can often find great deals on these types of licenses on Groupon. These certifications can cost as little as $39, making getting certified super affordable.
Step 2: Study, Study, Study
Once you’ve enrolled in a personal trainer course, the work doesn’t stop there. You’ll need to pass an exam at the end of your course in order to earn your certification.
The exam typically consists of around 150 multiple-choice questions. Sometimes you can take your exam online, while other times, you’ll need to head to a testing center and take the exam there. You’ll also need to meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Have completed high school or possess a GED
- Have a CPR certification
- Have a current government-issued photo ID
Once you complete the exam, you’ll be issued a certificate that you can use to showcase your skills to future employers.
Step 3: Define Your Specialty
Although becoming a personal trainer technically involves passing your exam and not much more, you can actually really hone your skills by focusing on a specific area of development.
Having an additional specialty helps you stand out from the crowd and can make you more likely to land a job as opposed to other candidates.
There are a number of different specialties that you can pursue, but a couple of ideas include:
- Yoga
- Dietetics and nutrition
- Sports medicine
- Physical therapy
- Meditation
Adding these additional credentials to your repertoire can give you an edge over the competition and help make your workouts even more successful.
Step 4: Network
The next step is to start building a professional network. Although some personal trainers work in gyms and fitness centers, many others have private businesses that they maintain on their own.
Either way, you’ll need to build up a network of industry contacts and clientele. One way to do this is by attending events such as conferences or seminars that focus on fitness and personal training.
Another way to achieve this is by connecting with people in online groups or on LinkedIn. Making these connections can help you later build out your professional network or start fitness groups where you can use your new skills.
Step 5: Focus on Continuing Education
Just because you’ve now got a personal trainer certification doesn’t mean that you can throw in the towel. You’ve still got to stay motivated and keep up with your training routine in order to keep up with the competition.
There are tons of continuing education programs out there that you can check out, including series like weight loss management or pain management.
Many organizations that offer initial certification also offer these types of courses, which you can enroll in to maintain your skills and build on them.
Final Thoughts
In general, in order to become a personal fitness trainer, your first step will be to get certified. You can do this with a number of organizations, including internationally recognized programs.
From there, you’ll need to study so that you can pass the certification exam and begin applying for jobs and networking. Don’t forget, even once you’ve launched a successful career as a personal fitness trainer, you’ll still need to engage in continuing education. That way, you can stay up to date with your certification and maintain your edge.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the gym and launch a new career in personal fitness!
