Min Read

How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer

Written by

FitBudd

Get the complete checklist on how to become a certified personal trainer and attract more clients to your personal training business.

88% trainers worldwide gave FitBudd 5 stars

Transform your fitness business with the power of your own branded app on iOS and Android.

Try for FREE

Do you have a passion for physical activity and a way to work face-to-face with others? Then you can become a fitness trainer. Though most individuals often raise a question – are personal trainers worth hiring? but by getting a certification, you can embark on the journey to becoming a personal trainer, one that folks can rely upon for all their fitness goals.

A certified personal trainer knows the nuances of nutrition and a healthy diet, the importance of physical fitness, and more and thus can design an efficient workout routine for its clients.

To enroll for personal trainer certification, you must know about its prerequisites, examination, and how to land a job, and this blog post covers all these aspects.

So, without further ado, let’s begin:

1. Choose a certification program

The COVID-19 pandemic scared everyone and enforced a sense of leading a healthy lifestyle among folks. Thus, many institutions now offer personal trainer certification programs. However, you must enrol in a program accredited by National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) because most prospective employers look for NCCA-accredited certification too before hiring a personal trainer.

Any personal trainer certification program will get over within a year, and most of these personal trainer programs cost around $400 - $1000. So, identify your specialization, choose its relevant certification program, and apply.

Meet the certification prerequisites

18 years of age or older

Most certification programs have age criteria that potential applicants must fulfill. Some programs allow you to start early, but you must be 18 when you sit for their exam. So, read the age requirements carefully before enrolling in a program.

High school diploma or GED

All personal trainer programs require a high school diploma or GED (a high school equivalency diploma of around three months). You can take the test online or at a test center, which may cost under $150.

CPR/AED certification

CPR/AED certifications are a must for many personal trainer certification programs. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications prepare you for handling emergencies like cardiac arrest.

‍

88% trainers worldwide gave us 5 stars

Transform your fitness business with the power of your branded app on iOS and Android.

Try for FREE

No Login Required

3. Register for your exam

Once you choose a specialization and a certification program, you must start your registration process by paying the course fee.

Most personal trainer programs offer training and study materials along with certification. However, you can choose study programs for personal trainer certification online if you need more time.

‍

4. Pass Your Exam

You can take either an in-person or an online exam. The test paper may contain 120 to 150 multiple-choice questions, which you must complete within 120 minutes (2h time). To be eligible for certification, you must pass the examination, and the pass percentage for most certification programs is 65% or above.

After passing the examination, you can leverage a temporary printout copy of your certificate to apply for jobs.

‍

5. Land a Job as a Personal Trainer

The personal trainer certification is your gateway to the fitness industry. With the personal trainer industry poised to grow, one can expect a median salary of over $60,000 per year, depending on your location.

So prepare your resume, approach potential employers, network with them, and upsell your talents and certifications. Learn on the job and assist your incoming clients with complete honesty.

After gaining some years of experience, you can establish your fitness studio and rely on trainer apps like Fitbudd to manage your clients and trainers alike.

‍
Do you have anything to add about personal trainer certification? Have you ever taken the services of any personal trainer before? Please share your thoughts and stories with us on Instagram.

‍