While many believe that the only function of a Certified Personal Trainer The goal is to help customers lose weight and get six pack abs. A trainer’s real job is to correct movement disorders and help your client adopt healthy behaviors that improve overall health.

An experienced Personal Trainer has many superpowers, including but not limited to:

• Assisting a client in resolving chronic illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) and chronic pain caused by movement disorders.

• Work with athletes to prevent injuries and maximize their performance, no matter what sport they choose.

• Improving the outlook for clients with significant (and sometimes disabling) medical problems by helping them live longer, more functional lives.

• Targeted training in any environment – ​​be it a large gym, a home studio, a garage, a park or a hotel room.

Here we break down some FAQs for certified personal trainers and highlight some of the basic ideas behind becoming a fitness professional.

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What qualifications do you need as a personal trainer?

In most states, there are no formal licensing requirements to call yourself a personal trainer. However, if you are considering personal training as a serious career, you must have the appropriate education and training to secure a job, start a business, and build your own reputation and following.

The minimum requirements to enter this field are a high school diploma/GED, CPR/AED certification, at least 18 years of age, and passing a National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited Certified Personal Trainer exam (National Academy of Sports Medicine). , 2019).

How long does it take to become a certified personal trainer?

In theory, the time it takes for a person to study the test materials and pass a certified personal trainer exam could be as little as 3 to 6 months if someone is a self-motivated, quick learner. However, this number is very individual. Just because you have a valid personal trainer certification doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to work with clients right away.

It’s important to spend some time with clients under the guidance of a more experienced trainer or mentor to gain the practical skills you need to take what you’ve learned in the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) course and apply it to a real one apply to customers.

In addition, NASM offers this High school student program The program provides 80 hours of hands-on training and mentoring to give newly certified trainers the practice they need to feel confident working with clients.

Where can personal trainers work?

There is a wide variety of job types and locations for personal trainers. This list includes, but is not limited to, large gyms, small gyms, personal training studios, fitness boot camp franchises, corporate offices, schools, resorts/hotels, hospitals/clinics, client homes, or even outside your garage. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each of these job types depending on what you want to accomplish with your fitness career.

For example, it may be easier to initially find full-time work at a larger gym, but have better mentoring opportunities at a small gym. Likewise, you may want to determine whether you are more interested in working with high school athletes or specializing in older adults with complex medical conditions. The good news is that the choice and options are huge.

The career prospects for fitness professionals have never been better. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the fitness industry to experience a boom between 2021 and 2031, with current demand for certified personal trainers increasing by 19 percent. This will increase the need for additional certified fitness professionals by nearly 58,000 by 2031 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).

How can I become a personal trainer?

If you decide to pursue a career in fitness, you must seek the proper education and training. Although it may be tempting to skip this step because you are an experienced athlete or long-time gym-goer, experienced and successful personal trainers have in-depth knowledge of human movement science and exercise physiology. There is a science to developing training programs and teaching the correct exercise techniques. These are concepts that need to be studied and practiced.

It is important to note that many organizations claim to offer legitimate personal trainer certifications, but these are not accredited programs and are not recognized by most employers in the field.

Therefore, you should ensure that your certified personal trainer preparation program is NCCA accredited and provides the background knowledge necessary to provide your clients with top-notch service and help you build a reputation as a truly outstanding trainer.

The NASM CPT course provides students with the background knowledge needed to understand exercise science and appropriately assess clients’ needs and movement patterns. The NASM OPT model provides an evidence-based framework for designing and implementing training programs that benefit clients pursuing any goal, with any specific consideration, in any location (outdoors, home gyms, large gyms, small gyms, etc.) . Likewise, the NASM brand is considered trustworthy and recognized by most employers looking to hire personal trainers.

Summary

A career as a personal trainer can be very rewarding and fulfilling. It is also very attainable if you are willing to invest in proper training and development. Starting a career in full-time fitness can be challenging, but it can also lead you to a very successful career as a gym owner, fitness educator, or everyday hero for your clients.

References

National Academy of Sports Medicine. (2019). How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer | NASM. Nasm.org. https://www.nasm.org/how-to-become-a-personal-trainer

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019, April 12). Fitness Trainers and Instructors: Career Outlook Handbook: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm