Becoming a PT in INDIA - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[gpsingh22]

hello everyone,
would like to share something about being a PT in india...
the trainers are in a slow and gradual process of getting aware about having a qualified certification, trainers are getting familiar about certifications of the likes of ACE/ACSM/NSCA....
mostly lots of people appear for ACE every year, few people appear for ACSM, i myself first appeared for progressive fitness PT certification, now i am thinking of appearing for ACSM...

sincerely, a good coaching institute is strictly needed here, only couple of institutes are there who give coaching/training for the exam preparation, but owing to no competition they charge a very hefty fee... the fee for one of the institute can go upto 900-1000USD...

i would like to hear howz the scene in US and europe? how much the trainers get paid, do the trainers study for the certifications themselves or are thr any good institutes for coaching.. ?

[Joe Cannon MS CSCS]

Hi Singh
I certify trainers for a fitness organization in America. I often get the question about "whats the best fitness cert". the certs you mention are all good. the thing to remember is that all certs teach the same basic information. Certifications also demonstrate that the person has passed the 'minimum" requirements to be a personal trainer. thats why I always advise trainers to stay educated after the certification. Im sure you will do this. I have also posted a blog on this at www.joe-cannon.blogspot.com

One of the big differences between certs is price. ACSM can cost a thousand US dollars. in America, ACE is about $500. NSCA is about $300-400 US dollars. In America people never ask trainers "who are you certified by" because the public does not know the difference between ACSM, ACE, NSCA etc. because of this I often tell people to find a cert that is reputable and does not cost too much - and one that makes it easy to get re-certified.

Trainers compensation can vary according to whether they are self employed (they make more and set their price) or work at a gym (often the gym takes a percentage, often at least 50% of the price). Sometimes but not always trainers also make an hourly wage in addition to what they make doing personal training. Also, Im not a fan of getting many different certs from different organizations because that means more money you have to pay the organization every year or so to get re certified. the real key to being profitable is staying educated and learning AFTER the certification. I do this by :
reading books
watching exercise videos
watching exercise and health related DVDs and TV shows
listening to health related pod casts when Im in my car or working out
writing books (Ive written a few)


Do check out my blog as Ive posted a lot of information there that might help you
Joe