How to Become a Fitness Professional

The world of health and fitness offers individuals desiring to switch to or start a new career a multitude of options. While dedication to health and wellness can aid in success, the most important attributes needed to become a fitness professional is certification and the ability to recruit clients.

Instructions

  1. Get Certified

    • 1

      Get certified from a quality organization. There are over 300 organizations that certify fitness professionals and the standards vary at each one. By receiving certification from reputable organizations, such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association or the American College of Sports Medicine, potential clients will be impressed leading you to success in the field.

    • 2

      Research the various organizations providing certification and make sure the one chosen demands both written and practical examinations in addition to continuing education requirements.

    • 3

      Consider obtaining a college degree in a health major, such as exercise science, nutrition or kinesiology. Being well versed in a health-related field will allow a future fitness professional to better meet their clients' needs.

    Recruit Clients

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      Look for employment at a local gym. By working at a gym, a fitness professional can network, practice and perfect the skills learned while in school and receive the support provided by an already-established organization before going solo.

    • 5

      Start your own personal training business after a few years within an established organization. Although working at a gym is a great way to get started, training clients as a gym employee means that the gym keeps a portion of each session's fee. Many individuals that consider themselves fitness professionals work alone or outside of a corporation in conjunction with other trainers and as a result they reap the financial benefits. By training alone, a fitness professional can charge their clients less, but still receive more pay than they would working with individuals at a gym.

    • 6

      Maintain memberships at several different gyms. Remember that working alone does not mean that a fitness professional cannot train individuals with memberships to gyms that have their own personal trainers. Being able to work with clients at the location of their choice can lead to more opportunities and greater success as a fitness professional.