Becoming a Personal Trainer: Job Description, Education & Career Prospects

If you are a fitness freak and have a strong passion for health, becoming a personal trainer may just be the right career option for you. There are multiple degree programs and certifications that can lead you to become a personal fitness trainer. Before you decide to make your career in this field, you need to know about how to start, what educational qualifications to obtain and the other essential skills that guarantee your success in the field of personal fitness training. Below, we discuss about the job responsibilities, educational requirements, employment opportunities, career outlook, earning benefits of a personal trainer.

Job Description
The main job responsibility of a personal trainer is to instruct and coach individuals in a wide range of exercises and fitness activities. Not only do these professionals provide fitness training, but they also motivate individuals to help them achieve their fitness goals. The fitness training involves a range of activities including aerobics, flexibility training and weights. The fitness plan that personal trainers provide may vary from one individual to another.

To begin with, personal trainers perform an assessment of their clients and understand their level of fitness and the goals that the latter wish to achieve. After a complete assessment of the individual, trainers come with a specific plan to recommend changes in the person's lifestyle, proper nutrition, exercise and other fitness activities. Personal trainers use a variety of techniques to measure the progress in an individual. The monitor heart beat rates, calculate the amount of body fat and maintain records of the workout routine.

The job market being quite competitive, fitness trainers can also decide to choose a specialty. There are different certifications that personal trainers can obtain to gain a competitive edge over others. Having a specialty helps trainers land jobs easily and charge a decent pay.

Educational Qualification & Training
There are several degree programs, diplomas and certifications that provide training for becoming a personal fitness trainer. However, employers give preference to candidates carrying a bachelor's degree in health and exercise or a relevant field. An associate degree in exercise science, health sciences, exercise physiology or a related field also helps you make a career in personal training. Typical coursework for personal trainers' degree programs includes training in exercise physiology, sports nutrition, sports injuries, fitness assessment, weight training etc.

In addition, there are many personal trainer certification programs you can choose from. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has given accreditation to a number of organizations offering certification programs. Obtaining a certification happens to be the quickest way to become a personal fitness trainer.

Other Skills Required
Apart from completing a degree program, candidates also need to have some other essential skills to become successful in their career. Some of these skills include strong enthusiasm, patience, perseverance, charisma, knowledge, outgoing personality, listening skills, teaching skills etc.

Career Prospects
Plenty of employment opportunities wait for those who choose to become personal trainers. Professionals can land jobs at places like gyms, rehabilitation centers, health clubs, corporate fitness centers, resorts and spas among others. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total number of fitness trainers employed in the year 2006 was 235,000. The employment growth rate for personal fitness trainers is expected to increase at 27%.

Annual Salary
The salaries of personal fitness trainers depend on the nature and size of the employer and the years of experience they carry. Salary range also varies depending on whether you are self employed or work with an employer. The median annual salary ranges between $34,817 and $42,400. With growing experience and skill sets, you can earn a higher salary.