Personal trainers make an average of $50,000 a year, usually work their own hours, and are paid to exercise and get fit. The fitness industry is booming and always looking for new faces. If you have been thinking that personal training or aerobics instruction is for you, you should start by obtaining the appropriate credentials.
Here is a review of the top certifications available in the industry.
How It Works: Exams only. ACSM is considered the top qualification (and the hardest to obtain) in the industry. Self-study materials are available for exam preparation.
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Certifications Offered: Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant, Clinical Exercise Specialist
Sample Course Price: $200 for Personal Trainer test.
How It Works: Test preparation workshop plus written exam. Candidates who believe that already possess the knowledge necessary to pass the test, can elect to take it without paying for the workshop. Warning: ACE tests are considered some of the toughest in the industry.
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
Certifications Offered: Personal Fitness Trainer, Advanced Personal Training, Primary Group Exercise, Kickboxing, Step, Emergency Response Certification, AFAA Fitness Practitioner (AFP)
Sample Course Price: $429 for the Personal Fitness Trainer certification workshop and exam.
How It Works: Three-day certification workshops including lectures, practical demonstration, and written and practical exams.
National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)
Certifications Offered: Group Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer, Pilates. Many short courses that count as continuing education credits, from Boot Camp to Nutrition for Fitness Professionals.
Sample Course Price: $359 for the 2-day NETA Personal Trainer Certification workshop, which includes 14 hours of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practical skills. Written and practical exam are given at the end of the workshop. CEC’s range in price from $19 to $69 per course.
How It Works: NETA offers 2-day workshops, home study courses, and CEC’s (continuing education credits). Home study courses require the student to complete an open-book exam. CEC’s can be completed by anybody, even those who do not currently hold a Personal Trainer certification. Because the courses are short and easy to follow, they are an ideal introduction to the fitness world.
National Endurance Sports Trainers Association (NESTA)
Certifications Offered: Personal Trainer, Advanced Personal Trainer, Holistic Fitness Practitioner, Holistic Stress Management Specialist, Life Strategies Coach, Spencer Method Practitioner, Sport Yoga Instructor, Fitness Nutritionist, Spencer Pilates, Certified Circuit Training Instructor, Endurance Sports Trainer Certification, Lifestyle & Weight Management Specialist, Fitness Management/Marketing Certification, and many others. NESTA also offer Live Business & Marketing Teleclasses to all its members (lifetime membership is free to anybody who earns a certification).
Sample Course Price: A combo certification for Sport Yoga & Spencer Pilatesis $350.
How It Works: Home study courses only, which include reading material, videos, CD ROMs, and audio CD’s. To receive certification, students must complete an open-book exam, a portfolio of photos, six essays on set topics, and a series of interviews to other fitness professionals.
What to Look For In a Personal Training Certification
Look for a reputable institution accredited by the US Department of Education or by a third party recognized by the Dept. Of Education.
Make sure courses and materials offered are up to date.
Beware of organizations who require additional purchases or memberships in order to “graduate.” The only exceptions are coursebooks, which are usually not included in the price of the workshop.
Authentic certifications will require you to either pass a test or present an investigative report of some kind. If the company is simply selling you a certificate, it is probably a scam. Be aware that fitness professionals and health clubs are aware of what’s out there and can recognize fake certifications.
Who Is Eligible for Certification?
Almost everybody. Most organizations only have a few basic requirements, including:
To be at least 18 years old
To have a current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification, which can be obtained at the Red Cross or the American Heart Association, among other places.
To buy the coursebooks required by the workshop.
The American College of Sports Medicine requires a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent to sit in for a test.