Becoming a gym trainer is a great way to make money, work out, and help people.
To become a gym trainer, you need to have some experience in the field. You should already be lifting weights and doing cardio at least three times a week. You should also have access to some sort of equipment that can be used for training.
When you are ready to become a gym trainer, first start by getting a certification from [certification provider]. This will give you credibility when it comes time for people to hire you as their personal trainer. Once you have this certification, start applying for jobs at local gyms or health clubs. These jobs will require experience and references from previous employers who hired you as a personal trainer in the past.
Once you have secured employment at one of these places, start working out with clients on an hourly basis until they are satisfied with their results. Then move on to another client who needs help losing weight or toning up their muscles before moving on again until everyone in town knows about how great it feels when they work out with YOU!
How To Become Gym Trainer
Personal trainers are passionate about health and help their clients meet their fitness goals. They develop workout plans, assist in clients’ exercise routines and advise them about general health, nutrition and lifestyle issues. In this article, we discuss how to become a personal trainer and answer some common questions about this career path.
Read more: Learn About Being a Personal Trainer
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How to become a personal trainer
If you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, follow these five steps:
1. Consider a degree program
Although some personal trainers have a high school diploma and no post-secondary education, most have at least an associate or bachelor’s degree. To be more competitive in the fitness industry, you might pursue a degree in one of the following fields:
- Exercise science: This program involves coursework on diet and exercise, fitness, and conditioning and human anatomy. Personal trainers can learn how to identify and prevent injuries and help clients condition their bodies with an exercise science degree.
- Kinesiology: This program covers subjects like human movement, anatomy, and health and fitness. Personal trainers who have a kinesiology degree can develop a strong foundation in creating fitness plans and injury prevention techniques.
- Physical education: This program includes topics like exercise psychology, fitness instruction methods, motor skills development and anatomy. With a physical education degree, personal trainers can teach clients basic exercises and fitness regimens.
Related: How To Get a Personal Training Internship (With Tips)
2. Get a personal trainer certification
Next, you’ll want to earn the certifications you need to work with clients. Most personal trainers need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certifications so they can aid clients in case of an emergency. These certifications usually require taking a one-day class in person and passing a test.
Many employers also require personal trainers to have professional certification. Some common options include:
- ACE Personal Trainer Certification: This program requires you to complete digital coursework, pass an exam and recertify every two years.
- American College of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer: Earning this credential requires passing an exam and recertifying every three years.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer: To earn this credential, you’ll need to pass an exam and have valid CPR and AED certifications, plus renew your certification every two years.
- National Council on Strength & Fitness – Certified Personal Trainer: To get this certification, you’ll need to pass a preliminary exam then choose a specialty area to earn advanced certifications.
Read more: Benefits and Types of Personal Training Certifications
3. Develop key skills
To be an effective personal trainer, you’ll need the following skills:
- Fitness: To perform exercises for clients and demonstrate the effects of your exercise programs, you must be fit. You should be healthy and in good shape for your body type.
- Stamina: As a personal trainer, you can expect to spend most of the day on your feet, as you demonstrate exercises and help clients with workouts. You must have excellent stamina, and you should be able to stand and walk for several hours at a time.
- Communication skills: To discuss fitness goals and show clients how to perform exercises, you need great communication skills. You should be able to speak clearly, listen accurately and use body language and gestures effectively.
- Customer service skills: Because personal trainers are responsible for building client lists and encouraging clients to be long-term customers, you must have excellent customer service skills. You should be able to assess client needs and provide services that satisfy your customers’ objectives.
- Problem-solving skills: When training clients, you’ll need to listen to their fitness concerns and help propose solutions, including recommending appropriate exercise routines.
Read more: Skills of a Personal Trainer: Definition and Examples
4. Create your resume
After developing your skills, you can begin applying for personal trainer jobs. You should craft a resume that highlights your education, professional certification and any relevant work experience as well as an objective statement on what you hope to accomplish as a personal trainer.
Related: How To Create a Personal Trainer Resume
5. Build a client roster
Personal trainers usually work with individual clients. Whether you work independently or for a fitness company, you’re responsible for building a roster of current and potential clients. You may be able to develop your client list by asking for referrals from current clients, advertising your services or networking with potential clients.
Related: 12 Tips for How To Be a Successful Personal Trainer
Personal trainer FAQs
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about becoming a personal trainer:
What qualifications do you need to be a personal trainer?
To become a personal trainer, you’ll need at least a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, but you might want to consider getting a college degree in kinesiology, exercise science or another related field. To get certified as a personal trainer, most programs require you to be at least 18 years old, be CPR/AED-certified and have two years of fitness experience. You’ll also need to prepare for any certification exams and pay applicable fees.
Read more: Ways To Get Your Personal Trainer Certification
Do personal trainers make good money?
Personal trainers in the United States earn an average pay of $22.14 per hour, but this figure can vary depending on factors such as experience level, skills and geographic location. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link provided.
Read more: How Much Do Personal Trainers Make?
How long does it take to become a certified personal trainer?
Depending on any secondary education and certifications you pursue, becoming a personal trainer can take between one to four years. Getting certified usually takes just one year, while earning a bachelor’s degree is often done in four years.
When you start working as a personal trainer, you typically have to complete an on-the-job training program. These programs usually involve working closely with an experienced trainer to learn more about the workflows and procedures your company follows. Depending on your employer, your training may last for a week or a few months.
What’s the typical work environment for a personal trainer?
Personal trainers usually work in gyms and fitness centers, but they might also travel and work on cruise ships or in clients’ homes. They demonstrate cardiovascular equipment like treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines and indoor bicycles, and also use weight machines to help clients with strength training. In addition, personal trainers use manual equipment like free weights, kettlebells, resistance bands and exercise mats. They stand and walk for most of their workday, which requires stamina and strength.
Personal trainers’ hours depend on their employer and their clients. They may work daytime, evening or weekend hours, and they may have regular or irregular schedules. In most cases, personal trainers wear athletic clothing to work so they can easily perform exercises for clients, while others wear uniforms provided by their employer.