How to Become a
Certified Personal Trainer

How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer

As a career, personal training offers many rewards, from financial success and physical fitness, to deep personal satisfaction. When you become a certified personal trainer, you become qualified to give people something they crave—something that's also good for them. As the popularity of television shows like The Biggest Loser demonstrates, a huge number of Americans are eager for the support of a talented personal trainer to help them meet their health and fitness goals.

This article will put you on the road to become a certified personal trainer. Personal training is a fun and inspiring way to spend your workdays, but it's also a responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's very important to choose certification and training programs that will prepare you adequately for the job.

Certification and Training Basics

Figuring out how to become a certified personal trainer can be confusing. In most areas, there are no government regulations for the profession. Personal trainers have formed organizations to self-regulate and ensure the competency of those working in the profession, but there is still lack of standardization. Most employers require personal trainers to be certified, but there are many different personal training certification programs and schools.

Choosing a Certification Program

According to the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, ten personal training certification bodies have been accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies, a respected third party organization). Here are some of the most popular certification programs:

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• American Fitness Training of Athletics (AFTA)
• American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA)
• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

As you research your options, make sure you choose a personal trainer certification school that matches your interests, goals and experience.

Choosing a Training Program

Sometimes training and certification programs are one and the same. Part of completing the training program successfully is earning your personal trainer certification. More often, the training program prepares you for certification through a separate organization or organizations. Either way, you need to be sure that the training you receive will adequately prepare you to receive a respected certification that will allow you to get the kind of job you want.

There are many approaches to the study of personal training. You can pursue a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science or a home study program focused specifically on personal trainer certification exam preparation. Some programs combine distance learning with an intensive period of face-to-face training.

Your journey to become a certified personal trainer will take at least six months and require at least 500 hours of study and practice. It's important to get at least some hands-on experience. Learning in the fitness training environment will make you a much more effective trainer.

The Future of Personal Training

The personal training profession is constantly evolving. Several states are currently considering legislation to regulate personal trainers. It's never been more important to choose the right path to become a certified personal trainer. When you choose a strong certification program, you maximize protection for your career if the laws in your state change.

Learn more about how personal training certification legislation is changing in some states.

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Sources:
National Organization for Competency Assurance, 2009
IDEA Health & Fitness Association, 2009
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007
American College on Exercise, 2007