Become a Personal Fitness Trainer
Personal Training Certification & Career Guide
Personal Training Certification & Career Guide
| | Combining a love for exercise with a passion for teaching and motivating others, personal training professionals make a career out of changing lives for the better. |
Of course, trainers do what we all expect—help clients get fit. More than that, though, personal trainers partner with clients to develop long-term fitness goals that improve lifelong wellness. In addition to teaching clients how to exercise, lose weight and adopt a healthy life style, they offer specialized programs for people recovering from injuries, physically handicapped individuals and the elderly.
If the inherent rewards of this profession interest you, also consider that personal fitness training stands among the fastest growing fields, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 27 percent growth in employment through 2014. Furthermore, the field offers opportunities to work in a variety of facilities—from fitness centers to corporations to private practices.
Exercise the Mind - Fitness Training Education
Academic programs for personal fitness trainers typically involve classes in physical fitness theory, business management concepts, anatomy, physiology, nutrition and proper exercise techniques. Additionally, you will receive training on how to develop appropriate exercise programs and monitor client fitness levels and progress.
In general, personal fitness training programs typically involve 500 hours of study and practice, take approximately six months to complete, and cost between $500 and $1000. Graduating from such a program and getting certified will help you find a promising personal fitness training job. You should also expect to attend continuing education courses during your career in order to maintain your certification.
If you intend to train athletes, work with people suffering from illnesses or injuries, or focus in another specialty area, you may seek an advanced certification, which typically requires a 2-year associate's or 4-year bachelor's degree in an exercise-related subject. Programs such as these will cost more, but they offer the credentials that lead to greater opportunities to advance to middle- and upper-level management roles.
Certified Personal Care - Fitness Training Certification
Because many personal training schools prepare students for a particular certification, carefully research your college choices to ensure that the education and certification preparation they offer meet your interests and goals. Also make sure that you pursue certification from an accredited organization recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Fiscal Fitness - Fitness Training Incomes
In terms of salary, personal fitness trainers charge anywhere from $25 to $200 per hour, depending on their work setting, their training and their clientele. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average annual earnings for this group range from $17,000 to $50,000 per year, with successful self-employed personal trainers earning a much higher income.
The personal fitness arena promises financial rewards, excellent job prospects and continuous learning opportunities to active people looking to make a career out of inspiring and improving the lives of others.
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