Getting certified in personal training sounds like a great idea. But you might be asking yourself, is it worth it?
Because becoming a certified personal trainer is no easy feat. There’s so much to do and learn.
Moreover, getting overwhelmed with all the Personal Trainer Course certifications and programs is easy, especially since there’s a lot you can choose from.
Some of these certifications require that candidates take courses and pass an exam to earn their certification.
Other certifications require that candidates have a certain amount of experience under their belts before taking the exam and making their certification through this route.
The requirements for each certification vary widely, so it’s essential to research before determining which one best suits your needs and interests.
In addition, you’re going to work your butt off mentally and physically. It will test your resolve, discipline, and dedication as a budding fitness professional.
So, if you still want to pursue becoming a certified personal trainer, this article is for you.
What Being a Certified Personal Trainer Entails
To start, it is essential that you first take the time to verify that this is the right path for you. The best way to start is to seek advice from pro fitness gurus. If you scour your online resources and social media, you can easily find influencers with the skills for this.
Next is that you can also enroll in a local gym nearby and start talking to a coach. But nowadays, there are also online platforms where you can get a holistic fitness experience.
For example, in The Fitness Group, provide fitness plans and schedule a consultation and mentoring with a chance to be a fitness teacher afterward.
If you will go into a fitness program, ask yourself about your goals and motivations. It would be best to talk about the following questions with a fitness teacher:
- What are my fitness goals?
- Why do I want to become a personal trainer?
- Do I want to help others reach their fitness goals, or do I want to help people in other ways, such as helping them with nutrition?
- Do I have any experience with personal training or exercise?
- Do I have a background in physical education or health?
- What kind of person am I?
- Do I enjoy working with different people, or would I prefer working with only one client at a time?
- Do I enjoy being outside or working in an office environment more?
- Is there anything about me that would prevent me from becoming a certified personal trainer, such as previous injuries? If so, what can you do, and how long will it take to resolve this issue?
After answering the questions listed above, always think about what will happen once you become certified as a personal trainer. Once you get your certification, you can work with clients in various settings.
You can work at gyms, fitness centers, health clubs, and other similar establishments. You could also work with private clients at their homes or offices.
In addition to helping them reach their specific goals, you will also be able to teach them about exercise and nutrition so they can maintain their new healthy lifestyle long after they’ve completed their training program with you.
How To Become a Certified Personal Trainer
With people increasingly becoming health conscious, there is a growing need for personal trainers. A certification will help you stand out from other aspiring trainers.
The first step in becoming a certified personal trainer is to choose an accredited school. Many schools offer this certification, but you must do your homework and select one that meets your needs.
Next, you will need to take classes in anatomy and physiology, exercise science, and nutrition. These courses will give you the knowledge base required for creating exercise programs for clients.
They will also prepare you for the written exam, which you must pass before being eligible to take the practical exam.
You can find information about these courses online or through your local community college or university. The cost of these courses varies depending on where you take them, but most are affordable and worth every penny.
To help you make a decision, here are some of the best personal trainer certification courses available:
Personal Training Diplomas
The Fitness Group offers these personal training diploma courses with a qualification endorsement from the following bodies:
- Ofqual
- CIMSPA & REPs
- UK Active
So, if you want to focus on making personal training your leading service or business, you can choose from three types of Level 3 diplomas. Let’s take a look at the distinction between each one below:
Level 3: Personal Training
This Personal Training Diploma certificate includes all our free Continuing Professional Development (CPDs) and supplementary courses. These free CPD and career assistance courses are in addition to the experienced tutor guidance you will receive throughout your journey.
You will receive over 20 CPD Courses as part of your package, all of which are CIMSPA-recognized and will earn you valuable CPD points. In addition, for each CPD course completed, you will receive an Awarded Certificate.
The training course has the following learning structure:
- Applied anatomy and physiology
- The principles of nutrition and its application to exercise.
- Understanding lifestyle, well-being, and common medical conditions
- Encouraging positive health and fitness behaviors in clients
- Program design and delivery for personal training
- Professionalism and business acumen
However, to enroll in this course, you need to have a Level 2 Gym Instructing Certificate.
Level 3: Gym Instructing and Personal Training
This certification prepares learners to perform special PT sessions while providing excellent client satisfaction.
The course offers participants the business skills required to build a successful career as a PT.
This industry-leading internationally recognized degree combines Level 2 Gym Instructing and Level 3 Personal Training for anyone seeking a career in Personal Training.
The training course has the following learning structure:
- Principles of Anatomy and Physiology of Fitness
- Professionalism and Customer Care for Fitness Instructors
- Health and Safety in the Fitness Environment
- Conducting Client Consultations
- Support Positive Behaviour Change
- Planning and Instructing Gym-Based Exercise
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise, Health, and Fitness
- Lifestyle, Health, and Common Medical Conditions
- Encouraging Positive Health and Fitness Behaviours in Clients
- Program Design and Delivery for Personal Training
- Professionalism and Business Acumen for Personal Trainers
Same with the Level 3: Personal Training Diploma, you need to have a Level 2 Gym Instructing Certificate to enroll in this course.
For the Level 3 Personal Trainer and Gym Instructing and Personal Training Diploma, you will have access to the following free CPDs and additional courses.
These free CPD Courses are in addition to the support you will receive throughout your study.
- 10+ Understanding Mental Health CPDs
- Suspension Training CPD
- Kettlebells CPD
- Bodyweight Trainer CPD
- Online Trainer CPD
- Obesity Myths CPD
- Additional Nutrition CPDs
- Free Business Skills CPD
- Free Careers Concierge & Job Interview Support
- Access to our Graduate Toolkit Area
Level 3: Specialist Personal Training
This Specialist Personal Training Diploma package, offers a well-rounded qualification that ensures learners are competent, confident, and prepared to give Personal Training sessions.
The training course has the following learning structure:
- Principles of Anatomy and Physiology of Fitness
- Professionalism and Customer Care for Fitness Instructors
- Health and Safety in the Fitness Environment
- Conducting Client Consultations
- Support Positive Behaviour Change
- Planning and Instructing Gym-Based Exercise
- Lifestyle, Health, Wellbeing, and Common Medical Conditions
- Encouraging Positive Health and Fitness Behaviours in Clients
- Program Design and Delivery for Personal Training
- Professionalism and Business Acumen for Personal Trainers
- Level 3 Pre and Post-Natal Qualifications
- Mental Health Awareness Qualifications
This course begins at the entry-level level, and you will have access to free CPDs and additional studies.
- Level 3 Pre and Post-Natal Qualification
- Level 2 Mental Health Awareness Qualification
- Level 3 Emergency 1st Aid at Work
- 10+ Understanding Mental Health CPDs
- Suspension Training CPD
- Kettlebells CPD
- Bodyweight Trainer CPD
- Online Trainer CPD
- Obesity Myths & Additional Nutrition CPDs
- Business Skills CPD
- Careers Concierge & Job Interview Support
- Access to our Graduate Toolkit Area
With these three courses, you can choose between online or full-time study.
So, you can finish your coursework online and your practical assessment at your local gym. But with full-time study, you will spend six weeks at one of The Fitness Group’s UK locations.
Fitness Mentors
This online certification program offers Personal Training and Online Personal Training Certifications designed for people who want to be full-time fitness professionals or part-time fitness instructors.
It covers everything from nutrition and exercise physiology to anatomy and physiology so that you can help your clients stay healthy and fit year-round.
The online course also teaches you how to give practical instruction during exercise programs so that clients reach their goals safely and efficiently.
Once you complete this program, you will be eligible for an online exam and access to a library of resources on becoming a successful fitness professional.
After passing the exam, you will acquire an official certificate from Fitness Mentors, which includes liability insurance coverage and free continuing education credits each year so that your knowledge stays up-to-date with current research findings in the field of exercise science.
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
This is one of the largest sports medicine organizations in the world, and its Training certification is one of the most esteemed in the industry.
Personal trainers with the NASM-CPT designation have demonstrated their proficiency in exercise science, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, biomechanics, and program design.
The NASM-CPT is a 2-year education program that requires you to complete at least 700 hours of supervised practical experience and pass a comprehensive exam administered by a certified proctor at one of more than 1,100 testing centers in 49 states and 33 countries worldwide.
In addition, this certification will help you develop your professional skills in health and fitness assessment, nutrition, exercise prescription, and much more.
But, to be eligible to take the exam and earn the official NASM-CPT credential, you must meet specific eligibility requirements:
- You must be 18 years old.
- It would be best if you held a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- You must have one year of strength training experience before taking the exam. This can include any formal weight training program or other strength-related activity such as martial arts or athletics.
Where to Find Information on Personal Training Certification Programs
Here are a few tips on where to look for information on personal training certification programs:
Research online
You will find a wide range of personal training certification programs online. They vary in length, cost, and quality. Some are shorter and less expensive, and some are longer and more expensive.
It would be best if you researched the programs that interest you and compared their accreditation status, the length and cost of the program, and the number of hours required for completion.
Once you have chosen a program, complete the application process, which generally includes submitting an essay about why you want to become a personal trainer and sending your transcripts from previous college courses or certifications.
Once your application is accepted, you will be assigned an academic advisor who will guide you through completing the coursework associated with your certification program.
Ask other personal trainers.
When looking for a certification program, asking other people who have already completed the course is always a good idea.
They’ll be able to inform you what they liked and didn’t like about it so that you can make an advised decision about what courses suit you.
Ask your gym or fitness, club manager.
Your gym manager can also be an excellent resource for finding out what programs are open in your area and how they compare with others in your industry.
What To Do After Getting Certified?
Becoming a certified personal trainer is the start of your career. Once you get certified, you have to decide on the next steps you will be taking.
The first thing to do is to comprehend the laws and regulations in the area where you want to practice. This will help ensure you follow all local personal trainers’ rules and regulations.
Next, you can work as an independent contractor or employee in a gym. You can also become a personal trainer at home, helping people remotely meet their home fitness goals.
You can also commence your own business and become self-employed. But there are many things to consider when building your gym, such as gathering equipment and marketing your business to get clients.
Final Thoughts
Many people who love working out and are into health and fitness also consider pursuing a career in personal training, but there are many ways to get to that point.
Your path will largely depend on your experience, knowledge, and what you want to do with your certification.
You can also seek accreditation for your chosen program or seek an apprenticeship.
Either way, working hard and earning your certification is one of the finest ways to start your career in personal training.
