Physical Fitness Trainer Certification

Personal Training is one of the fastest growing fields in the health industry. As of November 2009, a Certified Personal Trainer's salary ranges from $36,000 to $64,000 a year. With the ability to work flexible hours and with a varied clientele, it also has the added bonus of being a job with positive payoffs---helping people improve their health and feel better about themselves and their bodies.

  1. Features

    • Certified Personal Trainers are educated and certified by a nationally recognized organization in the field of helping people reach fitness goals in a safe and reasonable manner. Personal Trainers can help anyone from professional athletes to senior citizens reach their fitness goals safely and reasonably. Some Personal Trainers work in health clubs, while others are independent business people in charge of their own schedule, marketing and bookkeeping. A career in Personal Training offers flexible hours and a healthy income for positive, fitness-minded individuals.

    Certification

    • Certification not only provides business card credentials, it also provides the essential training and education needed to provide safe assessments and fitness plans. NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), ACE (American Council on Exercise) and AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) are the three most requested certification organizations. Each provides online learning, supporting materials such as MP3s and videos, live workshops and written textbooks. Each also provides continuing education credits, and some offer specialized certifications, such as Group Fitness Instructor certification, Kickboxing Instructor or Nutrition and Weight Management Coach.

    Time Frame

    • Be prepared to study for certification

      Average study time before certification is about 45 to 50 days, with each study period being about 30 to 60 minutes a day. Because most people have other jobs and obligations while they're pursuing fitness trainer certification, two to three months is a reasonable goal. Some organizations, like NASM, require that you take the exam within 120 days of purchasing your course materials, while others like AFAA, give you a full year to earn your certification. Some, like AFAA, also provide short workshops that can have you certified at the end of a long weekend.

    Cost

    • Prices range from $297 to $800 for the basic certification. Additional certifications can add up quickly, but if you want to set yourself apart from the crowd, it helps to specialize. And don't forget, once you've got your certification, you need to factor in the costs of marketing, any training equipment needed and liability insurance and business licenses, as well.

    Considerations

    • Getting certified as a Personal Trainer is crucial before you venture out into the business. Health clubs typically hire only trainers who are certified, and any savvy client will make sure she's paying a trainer who has been certified. Falsifying credentials can have disastrous consequences. Without knowledge of human anatomy and exercise physiology, a trainer can't help a client reach set goals. This can lead to injuries and lawsuits and the end of the Personal Trainer's career.

      Before pursuing certification, consider what marketing and business skills you have, because you'll need to be savvy in both arenas. And don't forget to look into liability insurance--you can't be without it once you hang up your shingle.