New Year, New Career: Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer
There is nothing like a new year to get us thinking about new possibilities for our lives and our health.
According to the University of Scranton, 60 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year. Around 55 percent of those resolutions involve a commitment to health and fitness, according to The Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Taken in total, that suggests around 100 million Americans entering the fitness market as the new year dawns.
If you enjoy helping people reach their health goals and making great money, starting a personal trainer career may be the move for you. And there is no better time to become a certified personal trainer field than the new year.
Do certified personal trainers need a college degree?
A degree is not a requirement to break into the personal trainer field. In fact, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), an organization that offers certifications in health, fitness and sports medicine, recommends that you start with a certificate and build your career from there.
The NASM Certified Personal Training (NASM-CPT) Exam is a nationally-recognized credential that can be a perfect first step for a personal trainer career. To be eligible to take the exam, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age
- Graduate from high school or earn your GED
- Earn a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
- Earn an automated external defibrillator (AED) certification
And an FYI, your local Red Cross is a great resource if you need either a CPR or AED certification
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, NASM recommends enrolling in a preparation program to get ready for their 120-question exam. The good news is, you can study for the exam completely online and be ready to launch your career in as little as six months.
Do certified personal trainers enjoy their jobs?
Experts say you will enjoy your career as a personal trainer if you fit the following:
You enjoy helping people.
If you enjoy serving and helping others, there is nothing as rewarding as working with them to recover and maintain their health. For your clients, health is everything.
Assisting them on this deep level, you will not only help them lose weight and improve their appearance. You will help them gain confidence and enhance their overall quality of life.
You like working independently.
Many personal trainers work independently, either directly with clients or through a relationship with a health club or gym. NASM reports that 38 percent of its NASM-CPT holders are self-employed. This gives you the opportunity to control your own schedule, be your own boss and even build a personal brand around your training business.
In this era of social media, your personal trainer practice can be an ideal launching pad for an Instagram, YouTube or similar social presence. Many personal trainers also become hometown celebrities via their local television, print or online media.
You love health and physical fitness.
Among the many reasons to pursue a career as a personal trainer, none ranks higher than a passion for health and fitness and a desire to share that passion with others.
Many certified personal trainers choose a specialty and become experts in their domains. Others build great businesses and even consult with high profile clients like executives and stars.
But the entire opportunity begins with a simple idea: You love health and fitness.
To learn more about our online NASM training courses, click the link below.
LEARN MORE: NASM Certified Personal Trainer
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