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A person who has a passion for health and helping others might pursue a career as a trainer. These professionals educate beginners and long-time gym-goers alike on the best ways to exercise to reach their fitness goals.
Personal trainer jobs are on the rise in the United States. As more people prioritize their physical health, gyms and similar facilities need more experts to guide those patrons. A person can become a qualified trainer by earning a certificate online or pursuing and advanced degree.
Benefits
Why Go to School for Personal Training?
The benefits of going to personal training school are many. Here are just a few:
Knowledge
Going to personal trainer school is the best way to get ready for your new career as a fitness professional. You’ll learn about exercise and nutrition, including the latest trends and techniques so that you can become a knowledgeable resource for your clients.
Hands-on Experience
The best way to learn the ropes is by doing work practically, which is why many schools require students to complete internships before graduating. This gives students real-world experience in the fitness industry, which will launch them into their careers with confidence.
Coaching
You’ll learn how to develop personal training programs for people at all levels of fitness, from beginners to elite athletes, as well as for people with specific goals like weight loss or muscle gain.
Training
You will learn how to work with clients using proper form and technique. The more time you spend in the classroom, the better equipped you’ll be to handle anything that comes up during your career.
Networking
It’s important to have a strong network of people who can help you succeed in your career. The people you meet at personal training school will become invaluable contacts later on as your business grows.
Marketing
When it comes time for you to start marketing yourself as a personal trainer, having a degree from an accredited program can help set you apart from other trainers who don’t have any formal education or certification under their belt.
You will learn how to train clients safely and effectively using tried and true methods that have been proven successful time and again.
Certification
You will be able to earn certification as a personal trainer after graduating from school, which means that you can start working right away as a trainer at any gym or health club near you that is looking for certified trainers on staff.
Time
How Long Does it Take?
The average personal trainer student graduates from a personal training program in 16 months. The shortest program is 12 months, and some are as long as 24 months.
The length of time you spend in personal training school depends on your goals for your career and the coursework required by your school.
If you have immediate aspirations toward becoming an elite athlete or aspiring to train professional athletes, this might require extra time for additional coursework. Sometimes up to 84 months.
Career Paths
Degree Options & Study Tracks
Certificate & Diploma programs
The most basic route to becoming a personal trainer is a certificate or diploma program, which can take as little as six months to complete. These programs are typically available through community colleges and focus on topics like anatomy and physiology, nutrition, kinesiology, and exercise prescription.
Associate Degree
Another option is to choose an associate’s degree in exercise science. This will get you more in-depth with the topic areas from your certificate or diploma program as well as include classes on biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and sports management. You’ll also be able to learn about the physiology of aging and therapeutic exercise. These programs typically take two years to complete after high school.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree in exercise science prepares you for more advanced positions in the fitness industry, like a wellness coordinator or personal trainer at a health club. This program usually takes four years of full-time study after high school but could be completed in less time if classes are taken part-time.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in exercise science prepares you for even higher positions within the fitness industry, like becoming a professor or an applied researcher. If you’re not sure what you want to do with your degree yet, this is probably not the best option for you.
Cost
How Much Should You Expect to Spend?
Many schools, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine, offer their programs for under $2,000 and can be completed in eight to twelve weeks. Many other schools are private and much more expensive, with the average cost being around $10,000.
Many states offer financial aid and scholarships for those who qualify. Several online organizations and associations also offer student discounts.
Online programs are typically less expensive than traditional campus-based programs but require more discipline and self-motivation on your part.
License & Certifications
Personal trainer certification is not required by all states. However, in 2006, the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association began suggesting for member clubs to hire personal trainers certified by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Currently, 7 certification organizations can get you this type of accreditation. They include:
Salary Range
How Much Can You Make Upon Graduating?
According to Comparably, the salary range is $10,129 to $229,447. However, this salary ranges depending on your area of work and area of expertise. As far as job security goes, this field is a winner. The health industry is growing rapidly and there will always be an interest in improving one’s body and mind.
Career Overview
What Do Personal Trainers Do?
Fitness trainers instruct others on how to exercise properly and assist them as they learn to live an overall healthy lifestyle. A trainer can help a client one-on-one by putting together a workout plan for them and demonstrating the right way to perform the movements. Their advice can help patrons get the results they want from working out while also preventing injuries.
A trainer can also teach group fitness classes. Depending on their experience and certifications, a person might lead a session of aerobics, yoga, high-intensity interval training, or a similar activity with a room full of people. Through these sessions, trainers provide fun, shared opportunities for others to move their bodies.
What Are Fitness Trainers' Job Duties?
A trainer’s core responsibility is to help others improve their physical fitness. This means they must develop an individualized program for each client. If they are teaching a class, trainers should adapt their instructing to suit the group. Some specific duties are:
- Explaining and demonstrating exercises
- Motivating clients and students in classes and personal training sessions
- Observing and correcting trainees to guarantee safety
- Monitoring a client’s progress and adjusting their program as needed
- Advising trainees on other health-related topics such as nutrition, weight management and lifestyle changes
- Administering first aid if necessary
Why Do Fitness Trainers Need To Be Creative?
Creativity may seem like a non-essential trait for fitness trainers. However, it requires careful consideration and inventiveness to create the perfect agenda for each trainee. People will naturally feel more motivated if they find exercising enjoyable. An innovative trainer will do their part to fit their plans to a client’s preferences, so that person can enhance their health and have fun simultaneously.
Where Do Fitness Trainers Work?
Gyms, recreation centers and similar facilities are the primary employers of fitness trainers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 58 percent of trainers work for institutions such as these. The more education a trainer has, the more likely they are to get a job that compensates them well.
The next largest percentage of trainers are self-employed. These individuals may travel between multiple fitness centers. They might also train clients at home. Civic organizations such as senior centers, schools, childcare facilities and more also hire visiting trainers to teach specialized classes on-site.
What Is A Fitness Trainer's Work Schedule Like?
The schedules of fitness trainers can vary based on their position and employer. Trainers often offer services in the evenings, after clients finish their own work days. They might also instruct on weekends. These hours can provide flexibility for those who train part-time while also working another full-time day job.
How Do Fitness Trainers Maintain Their Workspace?
A clean and safe workplace is essential for fitness trainers. Workers must be certain that all of the equipment they use functions properly. This can ensure trainees also use it correctly, which in turn helps them get their ideal results and prevents injuries.
Many employees at gyms and health clubs also have the duty of maintaining cleanliness. Keeping all equipment put away properly creates a pleasant and tidy environment. It also reduces the risk of others tripping and injuring themselves. Dusting and disinfecting used materials are also crucial daily activities in a place where patrons share equipment.
What Kinds of Equipment Do Fitness Trainers Use?
Fitness trainers know how to use many pieces of exercise equipment, from high-tech models to simple items that have multiple uses. They can help gym-goers use cardio and abduction machines, or spot them while using free weights like barbells and dumb bells. Trainers may also incorporate resistance bands, exercise balls and more into a workout.
What Types of Skills Should Fitness Trainers Have?
- A quality education on the body and how it functions is an important component of being an effective trainer.
- Expertise on nutritious eating and other habits and behaviors that affect fitness helps trainers promote lasting, sustainable health for their clients.
- First aid and CPR capabilities are vital in case an injury, accident or emergency occurs during a training session.
- Creativity is necessary for trainers who must design client programs.
- Organizational skills assists trainers as they keep track of each client and manage their individual needs.
- Above-average communication capabilities help trainers teach clients in a clear and productive way.
- Coaching and leadership skills are beneficial when trainers must encourage trainees to give their best effort during workouts.
What Are the Requirements To Get A Personal Training Job?
In order to launch their fitness trainer career, a person must have a high school diploma and be CPR certified. Then, they can earn a certificate to be a licensed trainer. Licensing programs teach the basics of exercise science and assembling a training routine. Some organizations that offer popular courses are:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
These fitness trainer schools administer their programs mostly online, in either instructor- or self-guided formats. That way, it’s easy to get a fitness trainer certificate on one’s own time. Each set of curriculum differs slightly, with concentrations on particular aspects and types of personal training.
Although there are multiple other certificate programs available for fitness trainers, those mentioned above are some of the most widely accepted by employers.
What Is the Outlook for
Trainer Jobs?
Pay and Benefits
In 2019, the median annual wage for trainers was around $40,000. That’s very near the median income for those working in all other occupations in the U.S. In addition to their pay, a full-time fitness trainer job at a gym may also come with benefits like:
- Paid time off
- Health, vision and dental insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
The Future of Fitness Training
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the fitness training job market will grow a total of 13 percent from 2018 to 2028. That’s more than double the rate of most other professions. This is good news for those considering fitness trainer careers.
Lately, people are becoming convinced of the benefits of exercise and the importance of physical health. Businesses, government agencies and insurance companies are all encouraging and incentivizing the public to be more active. Gyms are attracting more members because of this trend, and they need a greater number of trainers on their staff to aid patrons.
Do You Need A Fitness Trainer Degree?
Although earning a certificate can qualify a person for a fitness trainer job, it is not a college degree. Recently, more employers are seeking candidates who have pursued higher education. Gyms and recreation centers may prefer applicants who have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in exercise science, kinesiology or physical education.
To earn one of these degrees, students enroll in courses focusing on several fields of science. Subjects could include anatomy, physiology, biology and nutrition. Future trainers can also learn the best methods for teaching others about healthy living in classes on exercise techniques and group fitness instruction.
How Can A Fitness Trainer Grow Their Career?
Fitness trainers can take steps to obtain higher-level and better paying employment by furthering their education. Different programs emphasize varying elements and types of training. Some examples are group exercise, sports nutrition, corrective exercise, and strength and conditioning. After learning more specifics, trainers are able to help people who have more distinct goals and needs.
If a trainer is looking to increase their clientele, learning to market themselves can be helpful. Showing off achievements previous clients have made with their assistance, and promoting their effectiveness locally and online can attract others who are willing to pay for their services.
What Are Some Alternate Careers For Fitness Trainers?
If a fitness trainer thinks they may want to change careers, there are plenty of options that are similar, but offer an alternative work environment and daily routine. Although some necessitate further schooling, several of these positions require many of the same skills. A few examples are:
- Physical therapist assistant – These healthcare workers aid therapists while they treat patients who need help healing and regaining movement after suffering an injury.
- Recreation therapist – These professionals use games, sports and other activities as treatment for people with injuries, illnesses and disabilities.
- Salesperson – Prior experience in the fitness industry can make former trainers excellent at marketing gym equipment and other health products to companies and individuals.
- Fitness center manager – Someone with a knack for the business of health may succeed at managing a gym or recreation center.