Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor
Always look for a certification group accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) as this ensures quality!!
Education
**Certification dependent**
PERSONAL TRAINER/GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
International Sport Sciences Association (ISSA)
18 years of age
CPR/AED certified
American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
High School Diploma or equivalent (and 18 years of age)
CPR/AED certified
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST (ACSM-EP)
Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or Kinesiology
CPR/AED certified
Employment settings
Self-employed
Privately and corporately owned gyms/fitness centers
Recreation and/or senior centers
Other important information
The Certified Personal Trainer credential is the BASIC certification required by many employers.
However, there are MANY other certifications that can be obtained and most are considered ADVANCED certifications. As such, they may require a 2-yr or 4-yr degree and a certain number of hours experience.
The list is too numerous to include all options here but having more than one certification can make you more attractive to employers. Some of these additional (or add-on) certifications include:
Health coach
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Certified Medical Exercise Specialist
Nutritionist
Certified Master Trainer
ALL CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRE YOU TO TAKE AND PASS AN EXAM ADMINISTERED BY THE CERTIFYING ORGANIZATION!
Professional organizations
The links below takes you to the Personal Trainer certification page for each organization. However, you can learn more about the advanced certifications by exploring each site.
https://www.issaonline.com/certification/personal-trainer-certification/
https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/b/
https://www.nasm.org/how-to-become-a-personal-trainer
https://www.acsm.org/certification/get-certified/exercise-physiologist