How to Become a Personal Trainer in California

How to Become an Personal Trainer in California

If you have a passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness dreams, then becoming a personal trainer could be the right career for you.

These individuals instruct and motivate individuals or groups of people in different types of exercises.

Programs that personal trainers may lead can include strength training, aerobic exercises, or stretching routines.

Education & Training

Required Coursework

Some classes you will likely take are:

Exercise Psychology
Anatomy and Physiology
Kinesiology
Principles of Endurance Training
Health, Aging, & Exercise

Earning a Certification

Most personal training jobs in the state of California will require you to have at least one certification. While you don’t need a license or formal degree to be a personal trainer, getting at least one certification will be mandatory for getting a job in the field.

Attending a Personal Training Program

You can find a personal training program at a California community college, trade school, or certified personal training institute. Here you can get training from professional instructors both in the classroom and in supervised hands-on gym time.

Program Cost

Wondering how much a personal training program costs? The price can vary, with some four-year college costing upwards of 20k. Meanwhile, some personal training programs in California be priced at under 8k.

The Price of Certifications

Certifications, on the other hand, are considerably more affordable. Many entry-level certifications can cost under $500, while more specialized personal training certifications can cost you around 1k.

How Long Does It Take?

The length of time it takes to become a certified personal trainer can largely depend on which path a person takes. Those who attend a four-year college or university will spend several years learning and studying in a classroom.

While this provides a more extensive education into fitness and nutrition, it will ultimately take longer and be more expensive that a typical certification.

Obtaining a Certification

Many certifications can be completed in under one year. A benefit of certifications is that several can be completed online. However, while these are quicker and more cost-effective than attending a traditional college or trade school, they may not offer as extensive of an education.

California Personal Trainer Requirements

In order to become a personal trainer in California, you will likely need to receive some sort of post-secondary education. Many employers in the state require that a personal trainer have a certification and/or an educational background in an exercise-related field. Sometimes, an employer will require both.

Certifications Needed

In addition to having a high school diploma or GED, many jobs may require at least one, if not more, of the following certifications:

American College of Sports Medicine
Certified Personal Trainer
Health Fitness Specialist
Performance Enhancement Specialist
National Strength and Conditioning Association
CPR Certification

Personal Trainer Salaries in CA

Those interested in becoming a personal trainer in CA are probably wondering what a personal trainer salary in California is. Like with other professions, a personal trainer’s salary can vary due to a range of factors and circumstances. Experience, region in the state, and the whether a personal trainer is self-employed or works for a gym can all effect how much an individual can make.

Several potential salaries a personal trainer in CA may be able to earn are:

Fresno $65,454
Anaheim $72,999
Los Angeles $73,339
San Francisco $81,654
Sacramento $70,739

Job Description

Personal trainers help other achieve their fitness goals by directing them in different types of physical exercises. These individuals can coach a client using a combination of weight lifting, aerobic, and stretching routines depending on the client’s personal goals and fitness level.

What Do They Do?

Some tasks that a personal trainer may be responsible for on a given day are:

Demonstrate and/or explain different exercises
Observe the client to ensure proper workout technique
Offer substitute workouts or advice for beginner clients
Monitor client progress
Provide the client with information and research on health and fitness
Give emergency first aid if necessary
Lead individual or group workout
Promote a gym package if a paid employee of a gym
Design a personal workout program for a client
Evaluate a client’s fitness level and/or health condition

Other Skills Needed

If you want a thrive and be an effective personal trainer, you will likely need to have certain skills and traits that complement the role. Perhaps the most important skill a personal trainer can possess is the ability communicate effectively. Trainers will need to explain complicated physical and nutrition principles as well as how to correctly perform a variety of exercises to different clients.

Additional Skills

Some other skills that help to make a good personal trainer are:

Technical knowledge of nutrition, anatomy, and stretching
Knowledge of different types of fitness equipment
First-aid training
Customer service
Organization
Research

Career Outlook

Those looking to gain employment as a personal trainer should know that jobs are expected to increase over the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that personal trainer jobs should be on the rise by nineteen percent from 2021-2031. This will likely mean an additional 65,000 job openings per year across the country, as well as thousands job personal trainer jobs in California.

New personal trainer jobs will be available for a variety of reasons. As more people continue to want to get healthy and live a better lifestyle, more personal trainers will be needed to instruct eager individuals. Additionally, older workers will likely retire, leaving empty roles for new hires to fill. Some individuals will also leave the field altogether, which will mean an increase in job openings.

Personal Trainer in CA