Being a certified fitness trainer is a great career goal. It lets you help others fulfill their health and wellness dreams. But, the path to becoming certified fitness trainers is not always clear. Several steps are a must to make sure you have the proper experience to start training clients. This article will go through seven tips to become a certified fitness trainer.
What are Certified Fitness Trainers?
A certified fitness trainer is an expert who assists clients to reach their fitness and health plans. They have much wisdom about exercise, nutrition, and the human body.
On top of that, certified fitness trainers help:
- Plan workouts based on the client
- Teach clients about exercise and safeness
- Help clients make healthy lifestyle shifts
How to Become Certified Personal Trainer
Becoming certified shows your commitment as a trainer. To become certified fitness trainers, follow these tips below:
1. Pick a Certification Program
To become certified fitness trainers, one must own a certification program. The top institutions for fitness certifications include:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Through these programs, you need to pass an exam and complete continuing schooling to have certification. The curriculum wraps anatomy, exercise physiology, health screening, and fitness program design.
Remember, picking a respected certification program is vital. So, skim for one accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This will help you know if the institution has met high norms. In return, they will help you to devise and have certification programs. Besides that, an NCCA-accredited certification is known in the fitness drive.
2. Meet PT Certification Needs
Having a degree can give valid points and experience, but it is not always a need. In other words, to become a certified personal trainer, you’ll need to meet needs like:
Education
Most personal trainer certifying institutions need a high school diploma. Yet, some want an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field like exercise science or kinesiology.
CPR/AED Certification
You must hold a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification to train for personal training certificates. These lifesaving skills are vital for any fitness expert.
3. Take the Certification Exam
To become certified fitness trainers, you’ll have to pass an exam. In other words, you must register for an exam through your chosen field. The computer-based exams wrap anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, and training techniques.
Besides that, it would be useful to scan the industry’s materials to be ready. Note that the exam may have multiple-choice questions and case studies.
Also, keep in mind that passing scores differ between institutions. So, if you don’t pass on your first try, you can retake the exam. Aside from that, certifications must be renewed every 1-3 years. This is through continuing education.
4. Know Your Forte and Gain Experience
Knowing your forte and having experience with it are key tips to becoming certified fitness trainers. With that in mind, prefer an area of focus, such as:
- Strength Training: These certified fitness trainers plan workouts that use weights. They even use resistance drills to help physical power.
- Weight Loss: If your goal is to get rid of extra pounds, a trainer on weight loss is the key. They can show valid exercises and dietary picks.
- Corrective Exercise: These trainers plan workouts to help your form, lessen pain, and prevent injuries.
- Pain Management: These trainers are taught to work with clients with chronic pain or specific needs.
- Youth Fitness: Trainers in youth fitness know the special exercise needs of children and teenagers. They’ll make age-appropriate programs to rouse physical activity and healthy habits.
- Senior Fitness: For older adults, senior fitness trainers create safe and useful exercise regimens. These programs enable strength and balance.
Aside from that, get real-world experience as an intern with a skilled trainer. Through this process, you will learn helpful skills that complete your certificate.
You can also gain learning by doing things like:
- Volunteer to lead exercise classes at a local community center or gym
- Offer intro sessions to friends and family
- Start your own on-location or virtual training business
5. Hone Your Skills
As certified fitness trainers, nothing is more helpful than useful experience. With that in mind, begin your goal by working with your clients in a held setting. You can even ask for feedback or do mentorship from more skilled trainers.
Also, take other courses on teaching special folks. These people include athletes, seniors, or post-rehab clients. On top of that, try to learn creative training plans and tools. You may have high-intensity interval training, suspension training, or functional training. Also, do not forget to stay updated with mobile apps, wearable tech, and virtual/augmented reality. These can help refine your clients’ experiences.
6. Build Your Resume to Apply for Jobs
As you undergo a job hunt as a personal trainer, always take into account where and how you want to work. It would be most useful to ask yourself if you favor freelancing or being a gym worker. Your choices will always affect how you take aside job hunting.
Still, no matter what your choice will be, make sure your resume mirrors these credentials:
- Suitable education from high school or college
- Internships you finished to show hands-on knowledge
- Years of skilled experience
- National certification info and any certificates like CPR and AED
- Achievements and awards
- Basic training skills
- Specialties or expertise areas
- Precise client demographics you work with
Remember, a well-rounded resume will help you stand out in your job search, no matter what your chosen career path as a personal trainer.
7. Network and Build Your Online Presence
As certified fitness trainers, networking and building an online presence is key to finding new clients. To do that, try to create profiles on websites like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. By doing this skill, this will help expand the services you would like to offer.
Also, post updates and share photos and videos of exercises you do. Do not forget to link with your supporters. You can make ties by commenting on other fitness professionals’ posts. Plus, you can even try to join relevant Facebook groups and LinkedIn communities.
Aside from that, heed to local events like 5K races, gym openings, and health fairs. This will help you meet potential clients in person. You can even look for cases to write guest posts on fitness blogs. Or, you can do interviews on health and wellness podcasts. Helpful content and grown visibility will make you an ace in your field.
Career Tracks for Certified Fitness Trainers
After you pass your PT certification, you can try diverse career choices. To know more about these, here are some jobs to take into account:
Group Fitness Instructor
As a group fitness instructor, you teach exercise classes with diverse parties. You explain moves and guides to help members get a safe, useful workout. This role shows much flexibility and the chance to impact many people in a favorable way.
Besides that, as a group fitness instructor, your main duties include these skills:
- Create and lead group exercise classes like aerobics, boot camp, spin, kickboxing, etc.
- Assure proper setup and safety for all parties
- Create a fun, inclusive setting
- Stay up to date with certifications in CPR, first aid, and new workout plans
Gym Manager
Gym managers rule the daily roles of a fitness facility like a gym or health club. Their main role is to make sure members have an approving matter, and the facility runs as smoothly as possible.
In other words, the duties of a gym manager include jobs like:
- Hire, train, and handle teams like personal trainers, instructors, receptionists, and cleaning crew
- Make sure tools are kept in a proper way, and any issues are addressed
- Create member schedules, events, and programs to keep people amused
- Handle member concerns and make sure high satisfaction is met
- Handle the facility’s budget, finances, and business operations in a correct manner
One-on-One Trainer
One benefit of being an independent one-on-one trainer is that you can set your timetable. In other words, you are free to train clients in the early morning, evenings, and weekends. This lets you work around your tasks and handle your earning prospects.
To excel as a personal trainer, you must stay up-to-date with the latest exercise tactics, tools, and health research. You can seek other certifications in weight loss, athletic training, or yoga. This, in return, can help broaden your knack and open you up to more career choices. Other than that, try to stay active in these institutions. This is also helpful since it helps you to network and grow in a skilled way.
Have Your Personal Training Certificates Today!
As certified fitness trainers, the chances for your career are vast. Whether you like to work at a gym or start your own business, the options are always there.
The more action you plant in your job, the grander your rewards will be. In other words, you have the fuel to inspire. Use your personal training certificates and enroll today and get a 50% discount on your certification. Remember, the potential for growth is endless.
