Overview
While most people are aware of the benefits of staying in shape, many are often pressed for time, and hiring a personal trainer has become popular. Some trainers work at fitness centers, and others work at their clients' homes. Personal trainers have the potential to earn a lucrative income. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of fitness workers is expected to experience a 27 percent growth by the year 2016. While this is good news for anyone seeking employment as a personal trainer, the industry is quite competitive.
An Interest in All Aspects of Fitness
Obviously, a personal trainer must "walk the walk." However, merely being interested in staying in shape will not qualify you as a trainer. Fitness research techniques are becoming more sophisticated, and new theories are presented every year. Successful trainers need to stay on top of this research. Keep in mind that your services will be more marketable if you diversify your fitness interests. Many personal trainers are "one-trick ponies," with highly specialized skills. To appeal to a wider population, learn about strength training, flexibility, sport conditioning and aerobic training.
Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology
You need to take a personal training certification exam, which requires a sufficient amount of knowledge in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and fitness program design. While some programs include this information in a pre-certification workshop, it is often presented in a two-day workshop. This can be a lot of information to digest within two days. As such, it behooves you to become familiar with the subject matter prior to taking the certification workshop.
CPR Certification
Many certification programs require proof of CPR certification before you can take the exam.
Working Knowledge of Special Populations
"Special populations" is a fitness industry catch-phrase that refers to a wide range of individuals with special needs. These include prenatal clients, seniors and people with heart disease, asthma, blood pressure issues or muscular skeletal injuries. Although you do not need to be an expert in these conditions, you should have a basic understanding of the implications of exercise for them.
Personality and Empathy
While professionalism and education are crucial to personal trainers, personality is equally important. A common saying in fitness settings is: "Your clients won't care about how much you know until they know how much you care."
Certification and Continuing Education
Most fitness centers, as well as most clients looking for a home trainer, want to see some form of certification. Most certification programs require renewal every two years. During that time frame, you need to take continuing education workshops. Programs cost anywhere between $200 and $600. While there are countless certifying organizations, some carry more weight than others. Check the resource below for a list of programs that are accepted by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Good Health and Reliability
While this should be obvious, it is surprising and disturbing to see how many trainers do not practice what they preach. Fitness centers as well as private clients take issue with personal trainers who are constantly suffering from colds and other illnesses.
While most people are aware of the benefits of staying in shape, many are often pressed for time, and hiring a personal trainer has become popular. Some trainers work at fitness centers, and others work at their clients' homes. Personal trainers have the potential to earn a lucrative income. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of fitness workers is expected to experience a 27 percent growth by the year 2016. While this is good news for anyone seeking employment as a personal trainer, the industry is quite competitive.
An Interest in All Aspects of Fitness
Obviously, a personal trainer must "walk the walk." However, merely being interested in staying in shape will not qualify you as a trainer. Fitness research techniques are becoming more sophisticated, and new theories are presented every year. Successful trainers need to stay on top of this research. Keep in mind that your services will be more marketable if you diversify your fitness interests. Many personal trainers are "one-trick ponies," with highly specialized skills. To appeal to a wider population, learn about strength training, flexibility, sport conditioning and aerobic training.
Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology
You need to take a personal training certification exam, which requires a sufficient amount of knowledge in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and fitness program design. While some programs include this information in a pre-certification workshop, it is often presented in a two-day workshop. This can be a lot of information to digest within two days. As such, it behooves you to become familiar with the subject matter prior to taking the certification workshop.
CPR Certification
Many certification programs require proof of CPR certification before you can take the exam.
Working Knowledge of Special Populations
"Special populations" is a fitness industry catch-phrase that refers to a wide range of individuals with special needs. These include prenatal clients, seniors and people with heart disease, asthma, blood pressure issues or muscular skeletal injuries. Although you do not need to be an expert in these conditions, you should have a basic understanding of the implications of exercise for them.
Personality and Empathy
While professionalism and education are crucial to personal trainers, personality is equally important. A common saying in fitness settings is: "Your clients won't care about how much you know until they know how much you care."
Certification and Continuing Education
Most fitness centers, as well as most clients looking for a home trainer, want to see some form of certification. Most certification programs require renewal every two years. During that time frame, you need to take continuing education workshops. Programs cost anywhere between $200 and $600. While there are countless certifying organizations, some carry more weight than others. Check the resource below for a list of programs that are accepted by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Good Health and Reliability
While this should be obvious, it is surprising and disturbing to see how many trainers do not practice what they preach. Fitness centers as well as private clients take issue with personal trainers who are constantly suffering from colds and other illnesses.
