What Can I Do With a Personal Trainer Certification? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

What Can I Do With a Personal Trainer Certification?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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Get the Basics...
  • Becoming a personal trainer is one of the most rewarding careers in the health and fitness field.
  • Having the appropriate certification opens the door for many different career opportunities.
  • Being proactive is essential when looking to change jobs and work in the health and fitness industry.

Are you passionate about health and fitness but unsure of how to make a career out of it? Whether you’ve recently graduated with a health-related degree or earned your certification as a personal trainer, being proactive is essential. One of the most alluring things about having a career in fitness is the endless number of opportunities.

In this post, you’ll learn about five different fitness jobs you can have with a personal trainer certification. To manage any of these jobs better, request a demo to learn more about Exercise.com’s fitness business management software platform.

Personal Trainer

Being a certified personal trainer is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. Not only are you a source of inspiration to your clients, but you’re also able to help your clients reach their fitness goals. As a trainer, you create customized fitness plans that are tailored to your clients’ goals and current level of physical fitness.

When you choose a career as a personal trainer, you open the doors to even further opportunities, including one-on-one training sessions, group sessions, and even virtual training.

The daily routine of a personal trainer typically revolves around improving their client’s physical fitness levels through strength training and cardiovascular activity. Many personal trainers also focus on the nutritional aspects of healthy living. They are able to instruct clients on healthy meal planning, which includes portion control and carbohydrate and protein ratios.

Personal trainers are also the leading source of motivation when clients want to call it quits. In fact, pursuing a career in personal training is currently deemed as one of the top jobs in America. Certification can be done online or at an official testing center, but it’s a good idea to make sure that the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredits your program.

Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

Becoming a fitness and lifestyle consultant is appealing to individuals who want to do more than train clients in the gym. This position is ideal for those who want to set themselves apart from other personal trainers. Since the personal training market is so competitive, having the right credentials lets you offer more to your clients, ultimately making you and your services more appealing.

Living a healthy lifestyle is much more than simply running on a treadmill. It’s about making the right dietary choices and changing lifestyle habits. Many people struggling with weight loss usually have difficulty because they don’t make the changes needed to see their desired results.

As a certified fitness and lifestyle consultant, you analyze your clients’ behavior to determine which changes they are willing to accept and which they are struggling with. Besides helping clients identify their strengths and weaknesses, you can help them create goals that are both realistic and achievable.

Since this position is usually one-on-one, you have the possibility to dramatically expand your business. You’re able to help almost anyone who wants to change their lifestyle and improve their overall physical fitness. This job is ideal for personal trainers who want to maximize their certification.

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Group Fitness Instructor

If you choose to work as a group fitness instructor, you will be responsible for leading groups through different choreographed exercise classes. This job is perfect for someone who enjoys guiding people through the fundamentals of physical fitness. You may find yourself teaching Zumba, Pilates, Cardio Barre, or Spin classes.

Most fitness instructors are fit and energetic, as they need to lead their group through the class and participate both verbally and physically.

Yoga Instructor

Similar to being a group fitness instructor, a yoga instructor educates small-to-medium groups of people through physical activity. The biggest difference between the two positions is that yoga focuses more on breathing exercises, posture, balance activities, and meditation. Yoga is a more relaxed type of activity as compared to group fitness classes that tend to be more high energy.

Wellness Coach

Certified wellness coaches are health and fitness professionals who have completed rigorous training. They are qualified to help their clients meet their health and fitness goals and have better control over issues in their life, such as managing stress.

To be successful, coaches need to encourage their clients to identify wellness motivators and obstacles.

They also need to help clients come up with solutions to get around any potential roadblocks. Wellness coaches help clients achieve a feeling of balance in every aspect of their lives.

Remember This

Regardless of which path you choose, know that having a personal trainer certification is much more than telling clients they need to exercise regularly. It’s about helping your clients become the best they can be — inside and out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What certification do most personal trainers have?

Most personal trainers are certified through ACE or NASM.

Can a personal trainer have a certification and be a bad trainer?

Yes; just as a doctor can have a medical degree and still be a “bad” doctor, having a personal training certification does not mean that the trainer is an effective one.

How long does becoming a certified personal trainer take?

It depends on the certification. Some only require a few days or weeks of studying; others require months of study and other pre-requisites like a college degree.

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