How to Become a Personal Trainer in Texas

Becoming a Personal Trainer in Texas

Wondering how to become a personal trainer in Texas?

While you may already have a wealth of health and fitness knowledge, you’ll need to further your education in order to qualify for well-paying positions in gyms, health clubs, and wellness centers.

An official certification from a state-approved agency can also boost your chances of qualifying for personal trainer jobs in Texas.

Education & Training

What Do You Study?

During a typical fitness and wellness training course, students learn the various skills they need to qualify for personal trainer jobs in Texas. Classes at most personal trainer schools in TX include:

Human Anatomy
Kinesiology
Exercise Physiology
Workout Program Design
Musculoskeletal Systems and Mechanics
Exercise Evaluation and Testing
Health, Aging and Exercise

Additional Courses

Students can also learn the business aspects of the health and fitness industry, including customer service and communication, marketing and advertising, and negotiating prices for their services.

How Long is Personal Trainer School?

Most people complete their personal trainer classes in about six to eight weeks. An accelerated course might only take four weeks to finish. Aspiring personal trainers in TX can also enroll in two-year or four-year programs to earn degrees in:

Exercise Science
Sports Medicine
Physical Education
Kinesiology
Fitness and Health Management
Exercise Physiology
Nutrition
Biomechanics

Personal Trainer Program Costs

Tuition, books, and fees for Texas personal trainer schools vary across institutions. You might pay anywhere from $700 to $1,300 to complete a personal trainer certificate or diploma program at a Texas trade school. Meanwhile, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in exercise science or kinesiology may cost closer to $4,000 or as much as $8,000.

Other Options

If you’d prefer to avoid traditional schooling, you might consider earning your personal trainer education through a private company or online agency. Many fitness professional-certifying organizations offer classes for those wondering how to become personal trainers in Texas. Courses may cost anywhere from $300 to $600 if you choose to go through one of these companies.

Texas Personal Trainer Requirements

While Texas lacks an official licensing requirement for personal trainers, most employers only hire applicants who are Certified Personal Trainers (CPT). According to the Texas Education Agency, aspiring personal trainers in TX can obtain their certification through one of the following entities:

The American Council on Exercise (ACE)
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
The National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)

CPT Credentials

Each of these organizations has its own requirements that applicants must meet to get their CPT credentials. One of these agencies might even sponsor your chosen education program, allowing you to obtain your CPT credential upon graduation.

The Certification Process

Whichever organization you choose to get certified from, you’ll need to complete a brief course or learning module, then pass a certification exam to prove your competency. Once you complete this process, you’ll obtain your license and can apply for personal trainer jobs in Texas.

Additional Certifications

You might also consider obtaining a Basic Life Support (BLS) credential from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association if you want to become a personal trainer in TX. Having a BLS certification shows employers that you can give CPR, first aid, or other life-saving assistance to clients who become injured during workouts.

Athletic Trainer Requirements

Personal trainers hoping to work with college, professional, or Olympic athletes will need to obtain an official license and become certified athletic trainers. In addition to a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in athletics training, exercise science, or a related field, personal trainers who want to become athletics trainers must have one of the following:

1,800 apprenticeship hours working under the supervision of a Texas-licensed athletic trainer
Current certification from the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC)
State-issued physical therapy credential and completion of an athletics training course or apprenticeship

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Those who meet the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation requirements can submit an application, pay the necessary fees, and take the state’s jurisprudence, written, and practical exams to obtain their license.

Personal Trainer Salaries in TX

If you’re wondering how much personal trainers in TX make, the answer varies by location. For example, although the average personal trainer salary in Texas is roughly $40,010 per year, you might earn slightly higher or lower wages, depending on which part of the state you live in. Check out the list below to discover regional salary information for personal trainers in TX.

Houston $41,706
Amarillo $36,600
San Antonio $39,295
Dallas $42,322
Austin $42,807
Waco $34,760
Corpus Christi $37,534

Those who work in exclusive health clubs or have high-profile, private clients typically earn more than most personal trainers in TX, averaging anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 in some cases. You can also negotiate higher wages if you have additional credentials like a college degree, an official fitness trainer certification, or an athletics trainer license.

Job Description

What Do They Do?

Personal trainer jobs in Texas require a combination of health and fitness and customer service skills. While working with clients, a personal trainer must perform tasks like:

Creating workout routines based on each client’s body type and fitness goals
Demonstrating safe, proper use of gym equipment
Ensure clients maintain proper form during exercises
Motivate and support clients throughout their workout sessions
Offer tips on dieting and developing healthy habits
Leading group exercise classes

Career Outlook

According to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for personal trainer jobs in the U.S. is likely to increase by about 19 percent between 2021 and 2031. Aspiring personal trainers in TX can take advantage of this projected growth by completing educational programs and obtaining the proper certification to qualify for high-paying personal trainer jobs in Texas.

Personal Trainer in TX