How to Start a Career as a Personal Fitness Trainer
A personal trainer works one-on-one with a client to implement a specific fitness regimen that maintains a healthy weight, improved physical performance, and helps the client gets stronger. As a trainer, it is your job to develop a fitness and training program that helps the client achieve their goals. As you develop the plan, you have to factor in the client's health, objectives, and skill level. More importantly, you have to keep up with the latest trends in fitness and nutrition. You need certification from a reputable body such as NESTA to become a personal trainer. But it takes more than just certification to start a personal trainer career.
Figure Out If You Have the Qualities of a Good Personal Trainer
Becoming a personal trainer requires more than just a passion for fitness. Yes, it is a rewarding and flexible job. But it does require certain qualities and attributes: · Patience · A good listener · A nurturing personality · Effective motivator · Good listening skills · Organized – you will deal with multiple clients with different schedules
Get Certified As a Personal Trainer
To become a professional trainer, you need certification. Various certifying organizations have different procedures and protocols. Whichever organization you choose, make sure it is accredited by a reputable body such as the NCCA (National Commission of Certifying Agencies).
Find a Personal Trainer Job
After certification, the next step is finding a job. Fortunately, there are multiple places you can find a job as a personal trainer. They include: · Commercial gyms · Hospitals and wellness centers · Spas · Corporate fitness programs · Local community centers
Choose a Fitness Specialty
As you start your career, figure out the fitness career path that suits you. Specialization allows you to offer more value to your clients. Your options include: · Lifestyle and weight management – working with clients who want to lose weight and improve their health. · Medical fitness training – working with post-rehabilitation clients recovering from orthopedic surgery and heart problems. · Athletics and sports – helping athletes improve physical performance.
Set Up Your Own Business
After gaining some work experience, you can set up your own business. Alternatively, you can work as an independent contractor for different gyms. But setting up a business requires some training or education on business management. Some personal trainer certification program provides the necessary business education.
NESTA Master Personal Trainer (MPT) Certification
At this point, you have figured out personal training is a viable career for you. So why not go for the highest level of fitness certification. The NCCA accredits the NESTA Master Personal Trainer Certification. This program earns you specializations in both personal training and sports performance. The program earns you five certifications: · Personal Fitness Trainer Certification · Functional Training Specialist · Speed, Agility, and Quickness Specialist · Biomechanics Specialist · Core Conditioning Specialist These 5 certifications afford you many career opportunities. You can work with individuals, athletes, and even work in the medical field. The program is web-based, and you can complete it in 90 days. As a bonus, when you enroll for the MTP bundle, you get free access to the Business System, which provides actionable information on how to start and market your personal training business.