Online Personal Training Degrees
A personal trainer helps clients reach their fitness goals by guiding them on suitable exercises and exercise programs, as well as offering guidance on what types of foods to eat. A major role of a personal trainer is to act as a motivator; many people hire personal trainers because they want to have someone help them stay committed to their fitness goals. Personal trainers are expected to listen to a client's goals and help tailor their workout routines to their body type and interests. The best personal trainers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their clients and different trends in exercises.
The day-to-day life of a personal trainer typically involves working with several different clients on an individual basis, and perhaps leading exercise groups. The trainer is responsible for designing workout routines and teaching the client how to perform exercises safely and effectively. The credibility of an instructor often depends on their ability to recommend effective exercises that help clients see results. Personal trainers who have very specific fitness skills may be hired to teach classes such as kickboxing, yoga, pilates, water aerobics, aerobics, or dance. The best personal trainers are deeply involved in the fitness industry. They are nearly always in excellent physical shape themselves, because they are expected to inspire their clients. Personal trainers are usually expected to be up-to-date on current trends in the fitness industry, allowing them to provide the most current information to their clients. They are also well versed in sports medicine and physiology, as clients will use their personal trainers as references.
The perks of personal training often include free gym membership for the trainer and their families, as well as free access to fitness classes. Personal trainers often get free discounts for things like race registrations, nutritious foods, exercise equipment and materials, and workout clothing. Personal trainers do not typically earn high salaries, so they find different ways to supplement their income, typically through offering private training services or working with multiple organizations.
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| School | School Type | Annual Tuition | Recommend Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle Career Institute Online | For-Profit | $13,715 | 57% (7 reviews) |
| Penn Foster Career School - Healthcare | For-Profit | --- | 85% (7 reviews) |
| Ashworth College | For-Profit | --- | 71% (59 reviews) |
Career Specializations
- Yoga: Yoga is a popular form of exercise. Yoga instructors must have specific yoga licensure and specialized training.
- Pilates: Pilates is somewhat similar to yoga, but with more of a focus on toning. Pilates instructors are also required to have their own specific type of licensure.
- Coaching: There are entirely separate degree options for coaches, who work with sports teams or individuals who are working toward some competitive goal, such as running a marathon. Coaches work with teams of all ages and all levels.
Degree Levels
- Certificate in Personal Training: Less than 1 year to complete
- Associate Degree in Personal Training: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree in Personal Training: 4 years to complete
Education & Certification Requirements
Associate degree programs in personal training or fitness are growing in popularity and provide more than adequate preparation for students who wish to earn certification in personal training. Classes include exercise techniques, kinesiology, nutrition, and physiology. Sports medicine is a common course of study for personal trainers, as well. However, the best fitness facilities can sometimes require bachelor's degrees in a related field, such as physiology, exercise science, or physical education. These facilities tend to be the highest paying, also. Certification is not legally required, but since most clients seek professional personal trainers who are legally certified, it is unusual for an employer to hire a personal trainer who does not have some kind of certification.
There are many different certification agencies, including the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education and the American Council on Exercise, both of which are nationally recognized organizations. Most gyms can recommend certification facilities, as can the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Most licenses require CPR certification and an exam, but not necessarily a certification course. The exam typically includes questions on exercise techniques, fitness assessment techniques, and basic physiology. Most licenses are good for two years and require evidence of continuing education to renew.
Salary Information
Personal trainers are not typically particularly well paid. Most are paid on an hourly basis, and full-time schedules are pretty rare, especially for personal trainers who run particular programs or classes. Average annual earnings are around $29,210. Geographic location and place of employment can have a major effect on personal training salaries. Personal trainers may be able to supplement their earnings by contracting themselves out as consultants.
Job Outlook
Exceptional job growth is expected for personal trainers. There continues to be growing interest in the fitness industry, with more people looking to lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle. Twenty-nine percent growth in personal training jobs is expected in the next few years, so job opportunities should be excellent. Those who are certified and have some formal training will find that they have the best opportunities.
Related Careers
A fitness trainer is very similar to a personal trainer, but personal trainers work almost exclusively with individual people. Fitness trainers generally work with groups of people, perhaps leading exercise, yoga, or Pilates classes. Fitness trainers usually specialize in a very particular athletic niche, while personal trainers are usually hired to help someone lose weight, maintain a particular weight, or train for an event. Fitness trainers generally have the same certification requirements but make less than fitness trainers.
A health educator is responsible for teaching others how to live a healthy lifestyle. Health educators work for schools and fitness facilities, and occasionally for day cares or medical facilities. They give advice on how to live a healthier lifestyle, take care of young children, eat healthily, and exercise properly. Health educators are not allowed to give medicine, as a doctor or other medical professional is. A nutritionist is similar to a health educator, in that they offer their counsel to others, advising on how to eat properly and healthily. Nutritionists often work with those who suffer from eating disorders, pregnant women, and the elderly. More and more schools are hiring nutritionists.
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In general, you don't need a training or college degree to becoming a personal trainer. But you can benefit greatly from a training or certificate program that can provide experience. For example, a personal trainer that has studied exercise science for four years and understands anatomy and nutrition can be such an advantage in this field.
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