Becoming a Personal Trainer
A personal trainer is a fitness professional who coaches, motivates and instructs clients in exercise, nutrition and healthful living. Trainers can work in a variety of different business places, from cruise ships and health clubs to chiropractors’ offices. They help clients develop goals and a fitness program that will meet their individual needs. A personal trainer is not the same as an ‘athletic trainer’. Athletic trainers are allied health workers who specialize in preventing and treating injuries that are caused by exercise.
If you are interested in fitness, have an outgoing personality and are able to motivate others, personal training might just be your perfect career. There are several different routes to becoming a personal trainer. In order to safely instruct clients, trainers should be educated in all facets of exercise physiology and safety. Many four year and vocational colleges offer degree or certificate programs in personal training. There is no nationwide standard regarding the minimum requirements for becoming a personal trainer. However, many states do have regulations for the profession. It is now quite difficult to find a personal training job without some type of professional certification.
There are several different certifying organizations in the industry, and various types of certification that is available. Before settling on a certification route, be sure to research the options and find one that best matches your expertise and needs. Most certifications are granted on the basis of successful completion of an exam and the satisfaction of minimal eligibility requirements.
It is advisable to seek certification from well-known and respected agencies. Be wary of any business that requires nothing more than a fee to offer you a ‘certificate’ of personal training.
The most common certifying agencies are:
* American Council on Exercise (ACE): ACE offers a Personal Trainer Certification. Although they do not require that you attend their workshops to sit for the exam, it is highly recommended. ACE is one of the most respected fitness organizations in the U.S.
* American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM): ACSM has four different certificate programs including Certified Personal Trainer. ACSM offers workshops but does not require attendance as a condition of eligibility for taking the trainer certification exam.
* Cooper Institute: The Cooper Institute offers the Cooper Institute Personal Trainer Certification. CI is a school that offers a complete training program in addition to administering exams for certification.
* National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): NASM administers a Certified Personal Trainer examination as well as video and CD-ROM instructional materials. NASM does not require that you purchase any of the training materials in order to take their exam.
Although requirements for personal training certification vary from agency to agency, in general applicants must be 18 years or over. Most agencies also require applicants to have CPR and/or first aid and defibrillator training. Each of the certifications has certain requirements, advantages and disadvantages and the only way to determine which one is right for you is to do some research. Whichever option you decide to pursue, preparing for and doing well on your exam should be a top priority.
Article Source: Daily Digest Magazine
About the Author
Robert McKenzie is a teacher and expert on tests and testing. Visit his website for more information about Personal Fitness Instructor Certification exams