Become A Personal Trainer
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Personal Trainer
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Handling and Moving Objects
Outdoors/walking/standing
Make Decisions
$44,000
Average Salary
What Does A Personal Trainer Do
How To Become A Personal Trainer
The education and training required for fitness trainers and instructors varies by type of specialty, and employers often hire those with certification. Personal fitness trainers, group fitness instructors, and specialized fitness instructors each need different preparation. Requirements also vary by facility.
EducationAlmost all trainers and instructors have at least a high school diploma before entering the occupation. An increasing number of employers are requiring fitness workers, particularly personal trainers, to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree related to a health or fitness field, such as exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education. Programs often include courses in nutrition, exercise techniques, biology, anatomy, and group fitness. Personal trainers also learn how to develop fitness programs for clients of all ages.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsEmployers prefer to hire fitness trainers and instructors who are certified. Many personal trainers must be certified before they begin working with clients or with members of a gym or other type of health club. Group fitness instructors can begin work without certification, but employers often encourage or require them to become certified. Most specialized fitness instructors receive certification for their preferred type of training, such as yoga or Pilates.
Many organizations offer certification. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), part of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, lists certifying organizations that are accredited.
All certification exams have a written part, and some also have a practical part. The exams measure the candidate’s knowledge of human physiology, understanding of proper exercise techniques, and ability to assess clients’ fitness levels and develop appropriate exercise programs. Many certifying organizations offer study materials to prepare for the exam, including books, webinars, other audio and visual materials, and exam preparation workshops and seminars.
Advanced certification requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in an exercise-related subject that includes more-specialized instruction, such as training athletes, working with people who are injured or ill, or advising clients on general health. For more information, see the profiles on athletic trainers and exercise physiologists.
Most trainers or instructors need certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators before applying for certification in physical fitness.
TrainingAfter becoming a certified personal trainer, new trainers typically work alongside an experienced trainer before they are allowed to train clients alone.
Training for specialized fitness instructors can vary greatly. For example, the duration of programs for yoga instructors can range from a few days to more than 2 years. The Yoga Alliance offers several credentials that require a minimum of between 200 and 500 hours, with a specified number of hours in techniques, teaching methods, anatomy, physiology, philosophy, and other areas.
Important QualitiesCustomer-service skills. Many fitness trainers and instructors must sell their services, motivating clients to hire them as personal trainers or to sign up for the classes they lead. Fitness trainers and instructors must therefore be polite, friendly, and encouraging, to maintain relationships with their clients.
Communication skills. Fitness trainers and instructors must be able to clearly explain or demonstrate exercises to clients.
Listening skills. Fitness trainers and instructors must be able to listen carefully to what clients tell them in order to determine the clients’ fitness levels and desired fitness goals.
Motivational skills. Getting fit and staying fit takes a lot of work for many clients. To keep clients coming back for more classes or to continue personal training, fitness trainers and instructors must keep their clients motivated.
Physical fitness. Fitness trainers and instructors need to be physically fit because their job requires a considerable amount of exercise. Group instructors often participate in classes, and personal trainers often need to demonstrate exercises to their clients.
Problem-solving skills. Fitness trainers and instructors must evaluate each client’s level of fitness and create an appropriate fitness plan to meet the client’s individual needs.
AdvancementFitness trainers and instructors who are interested in management positions should get a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, physical education, kinesiology, or a related subject. Experience often is required in order for a trainer or instructor to advance to a management position in a health club or fitness center. Many organizations prefer a master’s degree for certain positions.
Personal trainers may eventually advance to a head trainer position and become responsible for hiring and overseeing the personal training staff or for bringing in new personal training clients. Head trainers also are responsible for procuring athletic equipment, such as weights or fitness machines. Some fitness trainers and instructors go into business for themselves and open their own fitness centers.
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Personal Trainer jobs
Personal Trainer Career Paths
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Personal Fitness Trainer 3.1 years
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Certified Personal Trainer 2.7 years
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Manager/Personal Trainer 2.7 years
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Fitness Instructor 2.7 years
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Fitness Trainer 2.4 years
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Personal Trainer 2.0 years
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Fitness Coach 1.7 years
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Internship 16.6%
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Sales Associate 11.8%
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Assistant Manager 6.4%
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Volunteer 4.8%
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Fitness Instructor 4.7%
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Server 4.6%
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Manager 4.4%
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Sales Representative 4.3%
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Cashier 3.7%
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Instructor 3.6%
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Coach 3.4%
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Assistant Coach 2.6%
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General Manager 2.5%
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Fitness Director 2.5%
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Internship 9.0%
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Sales Associate 8.8%
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Fitness Instructor 5.9%
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Assistant Manager 5.9%
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Manager 5.0%
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General Manager 4.9%
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Coach 4.6%
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Owner 4.5%
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Sales Representative 4.4%
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Server 4.4%
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Instructor 4.4%
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Fitness Director 4.2%
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Fitness Manager 4.0%
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Substitute Teacher 3.2%
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Fitness Specialist 3.0%
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Personal Trainer
Top Careers After Personal Trainer
Personal Trainer Demographics
Gender
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Male
60.1% -
Female
38.5% -
Unknown
1.4%
Ethnicity
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White
79.7% -
Hispanic or Latino
11.6% -
Asian
6.5% -
Unknown
1.6% -
Black or African American
0.6%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
61.4% -
French
8.0% -
Portuguese
3.5% -
German
3.5% -
Thai
2.9% -
Russian
2.7% -
Italian
2.7% -
Arabic
2.2% -
Swedish
2.1% -
Japanese
1.9% -
Chinese
1.6% -
Mandarin
1.4% -
Korean
1.2% -
Polish
1.2% -
Greek
0.8% -
Bulgarian
0.7% -
Cantonese
0.7% -
Tagalog
0.6% -
Hebrew
0.5% -
Gujarati
0.4%
Personal Trainer
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Personal Trainer Education
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California University of Pennsylvania
12.0% -
University of Phoenix
7.7% -
Liberty University
6.6% -
The Academy
5.9% -
Texas State University
5.3% -
Iowa State University
5.1% -
East Carolina University
4.9% -
West Virginia University
4.8% -
University of North Texas
4.7% -
Western Illinois University
4.4% -
University of Central Florida
4.2% -
University of Northern Iowa
4.1% -
Montclair State University
4.1% -
Ball State University
3.9% -
Florida International University
3.8% -
Arizona State University
3.8% -
Towson University
3.8% -
Florida State University
3.8% -
University of Texas at San Antonio
3.6% -
Temple University
3.5% -
Kinesiology 42.8%
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Business 10.0%
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Health Education 5.0%
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Psychology 4.3%
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Exercise Physiology 3.9%
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Physical Therapy 3.2%
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Criminal Justice 3.1%
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Communication 3.0%
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Food And Nutrition 2.7%
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Education 2.2%
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Biology 2.2%
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Health And Wellness 2.1%
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Marketing 2.0%
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Nursing 1.9%
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Liberal Arts 1.9%
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Management 1.9%
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General Studies 1.7%
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Athletic Training 1.4%
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Bachelors
49.3% -
Other
20.4% -
Masters
15.4% -
Associate
8.3% -
Certificate
3.5% -
Doctorate
2.1% -
Diploma
0.7% -
License
0.3%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Personal Trainer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Personal Trainer Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Trainer | Lifetime Fitness, Inc. | New York, NY | Aug 15, 2016 | $84,000 |
| Personal Trainer | Crunch, LLC | Daly City, CA | Oct 01, 2012 | $75,132 |
| Personal Trainer/Boxingtrainer | Fitforlife, Inc. | Boston, MA | Nov 21, 2011 | $73,045 |
| Personal Trainer | Highland Fitness | Lafayette, LA | Jan 01, 2014 | $73,045 |
| Personal Trainer | Lakeview Fitness Investors, LLC | Chicago, IL | Aug 01, 2012 | $66,784 - $93,915 |
| Personal Trainer | Golds Gym Holding Corp | CA | Mar 19, 2013 | $62,088 |
| Lead Staff Personal Trainer | Premier Fitness LLC | Tyler, TX | Sep 10, 2012 | $55,292 |
| Personal Trainer | Diverge, Inc. | Columbus, GA | Sep 16, 2012 | $54,366 |
| Personal Trainer | David Barton Gym | New York, NY | Dec 13, 2010 | $54,262 |
| Personal Training Coach | Recon 2013 LLC | Germantown, TN | Jan 10, 2015 | $52,175 - $114,785 |
| Personal Trainer | Rockeyball, LLC | Indianapolis, IN | Sep 18, 2012 | $52,175 - $62,610 |
| Personal Training Coach | Recon 2013 LLC | Germantown, TN | Jan 12, 2015 | $52,175 - $114,785 |
| Personal Training Coach | Recon 2013 LLC | Germantown, TN | Feb 12, 2016 | $52,175 - $114,785 |
| Personal Trainer | Fortis Fitness and Strength Training, LLC | Carlsbad, CA | Jan 06, 2016 | $49,045 |
| Personal Trainer/Program Designer | Mark Fisher Fitness, Inc. | New York, NY | Jun 01, 2014 | $43,827 - $131,481 |
| Personal Trainer | Prairie Life Center of Nashville | Franklin, TN | Mar 01, 2015 | $42,000 - $48,000 |
| Personal Trainer | Prairie Life Center of Nashville | Franklin, TN | Mar 11, 2013 | $42,000 - $48,000 |
| Personal Trainer & Performance Enhancement Coordinator | Grand Forks Park District | Grand Forks, ND | Jun 18, 2015 | $41,600 |
| Personal Trainer | International Healthcare Alliance, LLC | Arlington Heights, IL | Oct 01, 2011 | $40,000 |
| Personal Trainer | Fitness Together of South Park, LLC | Charlotte, NC | Nov 01, 2011 | $40,000 |
| Personal Trainer | Gold's Gym | Wilmington, NC | Sep 01, 2014 | $39,653 - $43,827 |
| Personal Trainer | Gold's Gym of The Carolina's | Wilmington, NC | Oct 01, 2014 | $39,653 - $43,827 |
| Personal Trainer | Fitness Together of South Park, LLC | Charlotte, NC | Nov 01, 2009 | $36,523 |
| Personal Trainer | Fitness Together of South Park, LLC | Charlotte, NC | Oct 01, 2009 | $36,523 |
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Top Skills for A Personal Trainer
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Top Personal Trainer Skills
- Weight Loss
- Gym Equipment
- Strength Training
- Help clients achieve weight loss and a healthy diet to promote a healthy way of living.
- Demonstrate the proper way to use gym equipment long with making small talk in order to gain new clients.
- Monitor and instruct new clients regarding safe and effective use of cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training equipment.
- Provided members with fitness assessments and equipment orientations
- Designed and prescribed fitness programs for various client types including youth, geriatric, pregnancy and post rehabilitative populations.
Top Personal Trainer Employers
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Personal Trainer Videos
The Education of a Personal Trainer
Day in the Life: Personal Trainer
Personal Trainer, Career Video from drkit.org