How to become a Personal Trainer

To be a certified personal trainer, you’ll need a high school degree or equivalent.

Personal trainers need to enroll in further training, such as post-secondary education, a certification course, or training course.

To work in the industry, you’ll need to complete a certification course or exam.

To work in the industry, personal trainers need to be confident administering first aid. You’ll need to complete a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification program.

These programs teach the trainers to identify medical emergencies and act swiftly.

Every personal trainer requires this national certification before they can legally work in the profession. You can access this training via ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) and other certifying organizations.

Before you start your career, you need to decide what you want your specialty to be.
You can choose a training program that reflects your personal interests and professional goals.

For example, you may like to be an aerobics instructor, so you’d choose group exercise as your specialty. Or you may like to focus on individual personal training.
Once you choose your specialization, you can read course reviews and select the program that best suits your goals.

Once you select a fitness program, you can work towards your certification. 

There are a few options to choose from. For example, popular certification bodies include the American Council on Exercise, The National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the ACSM.
Training programs may vary and at the end of each, you’ll need to take a certification exam.

When you’re ready, you can choose the certification you want and apply for the examination. 

Most Personal Training Certification exams are online and include objective questions. You can expect between 120 and 150 questions. 

For example, the certification test from the National Academy of Sports Medicine for a Personal Trainer Certification includes program planning, and client consultation. 

There’s a general fitness assessment, and questions about exercise techniques, safety, and emergency procedures.

You may need to pay a fee to apply for the certification exam.

After passing the certification exam, you'll be able to work as a nationally certified personal trainer.

You’ll be eligible to apply for a job at a fitness center, health club, gym, or corporation.

Most fitness trainers start in a gym to gain experience under the supervision of an experienced trainer. This work experience helps them transition from being a student to a professional. 

During this period, you’ll learn how to network and build your client base. 
Alternatively, you can continue your education to increase your earning potential.

Personal trainer degree levels

Depending on your preferred career pathway, you can choose to study for a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate:

Personal trainer certificates are science-based programs. They prepare graduates for entry-level fitness trainer careers. 

They usually consist of two or three semesters of study. Certificates teach students the fundamentals of the body. Topics include exercise physiology and human anatomy.

Through this curriculum, students learn about fitness assessments. And they learn about  exercise program design, strength training, and nutrition.

During the program, students get hands-on experience working with clients with an off-campus internship.
Certification is essential for personal trainers who want to work in the industry. Let’s take a look at the coursework and objectives you can expect:

An associate degree is a two-year program. This type of degree gives students the chance to study a broader range of topics. Fields may include personal training, exercise science, sports medicine, athletic training, and kinesiology.

To complete an associate degree, students need to do between 60 and 66 credit hours of study. 

Associate degrees are a mix of general education and career-specific instruction. 
For example, students may focus on specific pathways such as sports nutrition, health and wellness, fitness marketing, fitness management, and fitness education.

A bachelor's degree is a four-year commitment. Students follow a more comprehensive study plan, with topics such as nutrition, exercise science, exercise therapy, and sports medicine. 

Students who enroll in this program get both formal education and practical experience. They may receive training and employment opportunities from a network of healthcare centers. 

The coursework may include an introduction to anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and psychology. 

Graduates may choose to continue their education and study in related health fields such as physiotherapy, sport psychology, occupational therapy, or exercise physiology.

A master’s degree is an additional two-year program. It’s for students who want to expand their knowledge and specialize in a certain field. 

A master’s degree in health and fitness will usually have science components and electives. It also teaches leadership and administrative skills for senior positions  

With a range of in-depth academic concentrations, students will learn advanced concepts.
Students may like to enroll in a master’s degree to pursue a career in fields such as orthopedic rehabilitation, physiology, or strength and conditioning.

At the end of a  doctoral degree, graduates will have a phD. Students need to focus on a specific area, research the topic, and prepare a thesis.

Doctorate degrees can take years to complete. Most students take four to six years to compile their research. 

Relevant concentrations include physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, health promotion, and exercise science. 

Graduates with a phD can apply for academic positions. 

Here’s a rundown of potential research plans and objectives.