If you are very interested in staying physically fit and healthy and want to help others do the same, a career as a Certified Personal Trainer might be just for you. To do this job well you will need more than just a passing interest in working out. You will need to be very fit yourself and committed to a routine of regular workouts, able to motivate and inspire others to do the hard work required, patient, upbeat, and helpful.
Accrediting Organizations
There are numerous organizations that offer accredited certification as a Personal Trainer. Some of these include the following:
Which organization and which program you choose will depend on your career goals. Perhaps you want to work with a certain segment of the population, such professional athletes, or the elderly or overweight people trying to get fit. Perhaps you want to learn how to teach Yoga or Pilates. Your goals as a trainer will guide you in your decision about where to go to school and for how long. Many personal training schools now offer online courses, or have classes available in the evenings, mornings, or on the weekends so you can go to school while still working at your current full time job. The course work will not just be all physical fitness like the things we did in gym class in school. Today, Certified Personal Trainers learn a wide range of skills; such as how to attain mental as well as physical well-being, how to maintain a healthy weight, how to gain flexibility, stamina, and increase muscle strength, as well as classes in nutrition and diet. Some additional perks of being a Personal Trainer are the opportunities to work one on one with clients or to teach classes, or both, which ever suits you; to specialize in a certain area that you are interested in such as weight lifting or aerobics, and the opportunity to work a flexible and often part-time schedule. Trainers employed by gyms enjoy free use of their facilities, which can be a substantial benefit.