How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer
April 28, 2021

How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer

The year 2021 is a lucrative year for becoming a certified personal trainer. Statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that by 2026, close to 330,000 professionals will be working in the fitness industry. You can hope to earn anywhere from $23,000 and $73,000 per year. The first step to becoming a personal trainer is to complete an accredited personal training course, we will explore the various ways to do this in this article. 

These figures can depend on the location where you work, experience levels, and the organization that hires you. Private clients, fitness center chains, medical facilities, corporate offices having onsite gyms, and community centers are only a few of the places that may hire the services of a personal trainer. 

How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer

You’ll Get Certification from NCCA-Authorized Program.

Before getting a job, you’ll train and get certification in a course accredited by the apex fitness agency, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). You’ll acquire the necessary practical and scientific knowledge to help people achieve their fitness goals. The rising cases of chronic diseases and increasing awareness about the importance of exercising and maintaining a healthy weight and diet have led more people to explore the option of hiring certified personal trainers. You could get a full-time employment or work as a remote freelancer conducting sessions over audio-video meetings.

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certification

Getting a certification in the ACSM course requires candidates to have a High School Diploma or its equivalent, the Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification. You’ll complete 45 hours of training time and get recertification every three years. The typical cost of taking the exam is $349, with a $45 fee for renewing your certificate. You’ll buy the study materials and books that cover a wide range of subjects such as nutrition, human anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and behavior modification. The coursework also covers how to assess and help your clients get strength and flexibility for exercising.

Preparing for the Exams

You’ll get lots of assistance prepping for the exams, including joining study groups on social media sites. Connect with other candidates who will offer you tips for learning the material and in-depth information on passing the test. Apps for the ACSM® CPT exam prep also help since you’ll take mock quizzes designed according to the format of the actual ACSM exams. You’ll identify the areas where you need to work harder and evaluate your grasp of the course. Also, rely on the app for customized reports, answers, and explanations of the answers, so learning them is easy.

Accessing Resources for Getting Employment

Once you pass the exam and become a certified personal trainer, you’ll get access to resources like discounts on liability insurance and any equipment you need to buy. In addition to a certificate, you’ll also get an ID card for verifying credentials to recruiters, and athletes and clients seeking private training sessions. You’re now ready to provide services to fitness enthusiasts, weight watchers, and professional bodybuilders - just a few of the many job opportunities you can get. 

How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer

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