[Christina]

How do I become a personal trainer?
Unfortunately anyone can call him/herself a personal trainer. However, if you want to be well respected within the field you must go to college and/or earn your certification.

Is a degree necessary to become a personal trainer?
No, a degree is not necessary, however, the more educated you are the more integrity you bring to the field. If you do not wish to get a degree in exercise science at the very least take some anatomy, exercise physiology, and nutrition classes at your local college or university. If you would rather complete these types of courses online, do so through a reputable university such as UCLA.

Can I earn a Master's degree in exercise science?
Yes. Individuals who have earned a Master's in this field have an M.S., M.A., or M.Ed degree.

What is the best personal trainer certification?
There are many different personal trainer certifications to choose from. Some require that you have a degree in a health related field, others do not. Some exams are rigorous and require months of studying while others can be completed online and are not proctored. (Most exams that are not proctored are a racket and complete waste of money.)

As a GENERAL rule of thumb, there are four certifications widely recognized at gyms and health clubs across the United States:
1. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
2. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
3. American Council on Exercise (ACE)
4. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

1. ACSM offers 2 certifications for personal trainers: the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and the Health/Fitness Instructor (HFI). Both exams are computer-based and administered at a proctored testing center in your area. The CPT does not require a college degree. The HFI requires an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in a health-related field from a regionally accredited College or University. Examples of accepted degrees are: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Health Care Administration, Physical Education, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Kinesiotherapy, Athletic Training, Physiology, Sports Management, Biology, Exercise Physiology, Human Performance, Health Science, Recreation Management/ Science, Nutrition, Community Health, Public Health, and Health Promotion.

> Visit the ACSM website for more details.

2. NSCA also offers 2 certifications: the CPT and the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The NSCA does not require that you have a college degree to sit for the CPT, but you must have a degree in any field in order to take the CSCS. The exams take place usually at colleges and universities around the country several times a year. The NSCA also offers computer-based exams.

> Visit the NSCA website for more details.

3. ACE offers a personal trainer certification as well. A degree is not necessary. The proctored exams are held several times a year throughout the country. Computer based exams are available as well.

> Visit the ACE website for more details.

4. NASM also offers a personal trainer certification. The exam is computer-based and is given at a proctored testing center.

> Visit the NASM website for more details.

Please note, all exams require that you be 18 years of age and hold a current CPR certification.

As a certified personal trainer where can I work?
You can work in gyms, health clubs, corporate wellness, and personal training studios to name a few. You can also do in-home training where you go to your clients home or they come to yours.

How much does a personal trainer earn?
How much a personal trainer earns depends upon many factors. If you're thinking about a career as a personal trainer there are a few questions you first need to ask yourself:

1. Is my personality suited for training?
Personal trainers need to be good communicators. Your job will be to educate and motivate clients toward lifestyle change. You must be upbeat, outgoing, forgiving, compassionate, and willing to accept people for who they are and where they are in life.

2. What are my credentials?
At the very least you should obtain your personal trainer certification through a reputable organization such as the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American Council on Exercise, or the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Assuming you do not have a degree in exercise science you may want to take some classes in anatomy, physiology, and nutrition through a local university or online through a reputable institution.

3. Do I want to train part-time or full-time?
The next thing you need to do is decide if you want to train part-time or full-time. Before you quit your current job and dive head first into training you may want to consider training on a part-time basis. Consider working at a gym in the evenings and weekends or training clients in their homes until you decide you want to or can afford to work full-time in the fitness industry. Also, don’t forget to weigh the various non-tangible pros and cons of personal training such as work schedule, attire, commute, and job satisfaction.

4. Where do I want to work?
Personal trainers have the option to work in many environments: gyms, health clubs, upscale hotels, cruise ships, and corporate fitness centers. Some trainers open their own studio and hire a staff of employees while others lease space from studio owners. Some personal trainers only do in-home training.

5. Does my community value health and fitness?\
If you live in a small town you may not be able to earn a living on personal training alone. You must decide if the people in your community value health and fitness. You must also determine if the local economy is strong enough to support your dream of a full time career as a personal trainer

In order to determine how much you will earn as a personal trainer you will need to consider the answers you gave to the above questions. Personal trainers who are excellent communicators and motivators, and those who have a deep understanding of exercise science along with reputable certifications are worth more to employers than those who do not. How much you earn is also dependent upon where you are employed. Trainers who are self employed have the potential to earn more than those who work for a gym. Remember though, if you are self employed it is up to you to get clients. If you are not good at sales or networking it might be wise to work in a gym where potential clients are more readily available. And finally, how much you earn is highly dependent upon where you live. In large cities where exercise is valued, trainers can average $75,000 a year or more. The best thing to do is use a website such as Monster or Hot Jobs to help you determine how much trainers earn in your area. Also consider visiting a website such as Craig’s List to see how much local trainers are advertising their services for.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “the median annual earnings of personal trainers and group exercise instructors in May 2004 were $25,470. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,380 and $40,030. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $14,530 while the top 10 percent earned $55,560 or more. Earnings of successful self-employed personal trainers can be much higher.” Trainers who own and operate gyms or studios in large cities and have employees working for them can far exceed these numbers.

What is the job outlook for personal trainers?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, careers in fitness are expected to increase much faster than average for all occupations through 2014. This is due to aging baby boomers (who are now the largest demographic in health clubs), parents’ concern over childhood obesity, the use of personal trainers to work with underage athletes, and the rising income of young adults.

Article written by Christina Todd, ACSM-CPT, NSCA-CPT
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