How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer
You can become a certified personal trainer in many different ways. There are also different specialties that you can choose. Attending an accredited school will help you gain your certification. You will also need to get your certification in CPR to complete your training.
- Decide what type of specialty you want to specialize in. You can do general training or go into sports training. You can also choose to help people that have physical disabilities. Think about what type of trainer you want to be.
- Find an accredited school to help you become a certified personal trainer. Most of the programs are up to nine months long, and most schools will help you find a job when you are finished. Make sure the school that you select offers classes in the type of trainer that you want to be. You can find schools online or by calling your local colleges. Navigate to acsm.org (The American College of Sports Medicine) to find accreditation classes. Take the exam and pass it. You will receive a card in the mail showing your certification.
- Become CPR certified. You can take CPR courses from the American Heart Association. Every certified personal trainer also needs to be certified in CPR.
- Find clients once you complete your training. You will need to have experience before you can find clients. Try working at a fitness club or a gym to gain some experience as a certified personal trainer. Once you gain experience, you can get your own clients and start your own business, if you desire.