- 1). Enroll in a health or nutrition program to obtain a degree. Many colleges and community colleges offer health and nutrition courses in a wide variety of majors such as kinesiology, sports medicine, or physical therapy. Classes that are relevant to personal fitness training include anatomy, physiology and diet & nutrition. Having a degree serves as a foundation in building your fitness knowledge. You may complete an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree, depending on your needs. The higher your degree, the more opportunities it will open.
- 2). Sign up for communications classes at your school or community center to develop your interpersonal skills. Whatever setting you may choose, you need to know how to relate to people, listen to them and communicate effectively to help them adopt your fitness recommendations. You may consider looking for a class that is directly related to personal fitness training, such as a communications class in healthcare.
- 3). Obtain your professional certifications by applying to a certification program. Professional certifications can be obtained from fitness associations such as the National Association of Sports Medicine, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and the American Council of Exercise. In general, certification programs can cost $370 to $1,000. Classes to complete the program can be taken onl ine, and after completing the class series, you are required to take an exam to earn your certification.
- 4). Get insurance to protect you professionally. Once you obtain your certification, you may receive information about insurance plans as a professional fitness trainer. Insurance plans can protect you in the event of legal action by a trainee. You may sign up through the organization where you obtained your certification, or a third-party insurance provider.
- 5). Create a list of settings and companies where you want to work and apply for a personal trainer position. While many personal trainers work in gyms and fitness centers, job opportunities are not limited to these settings. You can also work in universities as a trainer for college teams or in collegiate fitness facilities, in corporate offices for their wellness programs, or in leisure environments such as resorts and cruise ships.
- 6). Enroll in continuing education to build a specialization and be on top of industry news by reading trade fitness journals. Being an effective personal trainer means being aware of your clients' needs, and advising them on new developments in the fitness field. Certification-awarding bodies such as the National Association of Sports Medicine, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and the American Council of Exercise offer advanced classes for trainers who want to develop a specialty.
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