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Posted by on October 25, 2017 — Updated on August 15, 2024
Yes, it is possible to be a personal trainer with a criminal record, but it depends on several factors.
There are no state or federal laws that prohibit a person from becoming a personal trainer just because they have a record. However, each licensing agency sets its own standards and qualifications. If you have a criminal history, there are things that you can do to make yourself a more attractive candidate.
If you aspire to get certified as a personal trainer, it’s important to examine the best available personal trainer certifications. For an easier route, consider the most accessible easy personal training certifications from leading institutions such as ISSA, NASM, and more.
Read on for a detailed walkthrough of the key considerations aspiring personal trainers with criminal records need to know. Learn about if gyms hire felons, how to get certified as a personal trainer with a criminal record, and other qualifications to become a personal trainer.
And, of course, Exercise.com is here for you. From booking personal training clients online and in-person with easy booking software.
To selling workout plans online…
To launching your own custom branded fitness app.
And much more.
See why using the best personal trainer software, the best online fitness coaching software, and the best apps for online fitness coaches can add rocket fuel to your personal training business income.
From running online fitness challenges, to creating one of the best fitness influencer apps (check out the best white label fitness app software), to selling workout of the day memberships, to learning how to create a fitness app, to much more, there are many ways to make money with fitness, and with the Exercise.com platform you have the best online fitness coaching software and the best software for fitness influencers all in one! (Not to mention the best gym software and the best personal training software).
When you want to learn how to become a personal trainer, you might wonder if your criminal history is going to stand in your way. Here are key considerations:
It’s not uncommon to make a few mistakes when you’re young. Sometimes, these mistakes can end up on your criminal record. When you want to become a personal trainer, you might wonder if your criminal history is going to stand in your way. Fortunately, it’s possible to become a personal trainer, even if you have a few mistakes from your past. In fact, some people use a career as a personal trainer to rebuild their life.
There are no state or federal rules for who can become a personal trainer. You don’t have to apply to a state licensing agency or take any other steps to get a state license like you have to when you’re a doctor or a lawyer. Instead, you can become a trainer as soon as someone’s willing to hire you to train them. No career is perfect—there are pros and cons to being a personal trainer—but this won’t stand in your way.
Because there are no government rules to say who can and who can’t become a personal trainer, it’s up to each licensing organization to set their own rules (read our guide here on the best personal training certifications). The rules vary from organization to organization. For example, the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) has requirements that aspiring trainers must meet in order to take their certifying exam.
Applicants should not have any irregularities with their certification test such as concerns with cheating. They should not have a mental problem that impairs their ability to exercise sound judgment.
In addition to these limitations, the NCSF prohibits applicants with a conviction, guilty plea, or no contest plea to any criminal offense if the offense might interfere with the applicant’s ability to work as a qualified personal trainer. They list sexual abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and distribution of a controlled substance as examples of disqualifying offenses.
They say that these convictions violate their code of ethics and make a person ineligible for initial certification or renewal of their personal training certification.
What’s more, is that organizations such as NCSF may also provide domestic abuse resources and other guidelines to help ensure both trainers and clients understand what is, and isn’t, acceptable behavior.
Other organizations don’t have prohibitions for applicants with a criminal history. For certification from the National Federation of Personal Trainers, anyone who’s 18 years of age and older with a high school diploma or its equivalent can take the certifying exam. They require certified trainers to report new felony convictions, but they handle discipline for felonies on a case-by-case basis.
If you’re able to get a personal training certification, the next step is to convince a gym that you’re a good choice to hire. Unless you choose to start your own gym or training facility, or start an online personal training business, or learn how to make money selling workout plans online—both great personal trainer career options, and one of many ways to make money from fitness that anyone willing to start a personal training business on their own should consider—you need a gym to work out of to conduct training sessions.
Just like each licensing organization chooses their own qualifications for who can test for certification, each gym sets its own policies for who to hire. That means you can research the hiring policy of each gym to see if it’s worth your while to put in an application.
Large companies with multiple locations may have the information posted online. For gyms that are small, there may not be an official policy. While some employers might look at a criminal conviction skeptically, others may be willing to overlook it if you have other qualities that make you an outstanding candidate.
When you apply for a position, you may have the opportunity to explain your conviction. An opportunity to explain is your chance to tell the potential employer what you’ve learned from the experience. If you completed your probation without any violations, it may help to include this information.
If you’ve completed anger management or substance abuse counseling, it can show the prospective employer that you’ve put the event behind you. You may also do other things to help you stand out from the crowd and help an employer overlook a mistake in your past. An advanced certification or college coursework in anatomy and physiology may help.
Dressing well for your interview and having available references can help. Anything that you can do to put your best foot forward as you would at any job interview can help you get a job as a personal trainer despite a criminal record.
Most states have procedures to allow some offenders to make their convictions nonpublic. They call this procedure expunging or sealing a criminal record. Every state has its own requirements and procedures for expunging a conviction. The first step to expunging a criminal record is to determine if you’re eligible. Some states might allow a person to expunge one or more misdemeanors.
A state might allow you to expunge a felony if you don’t expunge any misdemeanor offenses.
In most cases, there’s a waiting period of several years between your conviction and your application to expunge your record. Often, a judge’s decision to expunge or seal your record is discretionary. Just like evidence of training and rehabilitation can work to your favor when you apply for a job, these same things can help convince a judge that you’re worthy of an expungement.
In addition to expungement, if you’re facing new criminal charges, there are often pre-prosecution or sentencing diversion programs that allow you to avoid a criminal record. If you take advantage of one of these programs, you can honestly answer “no” when someone asks you if you have a criminal conviction.
Certifications that do not require background checks or are more lenient about past criminal records may be easier to obtain. For instance, organizations like the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) may consider the nature of the offense and how much time has passed since the conviction.
Organizations like the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) tend to be strict in their background check policies. They may scrutinize the severity of the offense, its relevance to the role, and how long ago it occurred, potentially disqualifying candidates with serious criminal records.
Yes, many gyms conduct background checks for their staff, including personal trainers, managers, and other employees. This practice helps ensure a safe environment for clients and staff, and it may be a legal or insurance requirement in some jurisdictions.
If a gym conducts a background check, it is advisable to be honest about your criminal record upfront. Being transparent can demonstrate integrity and allow for an open conversation about the context of the offense and how you’ve moved past it. Additionally, some gyms may be more lenient or consider the nature of the offense and time elapsed since the conviction.
Disclosing a criminal record to your personal training clients is a personal choice, but consider the potential impact on trust and the client relationship. If you anticipate it affecting your business or have concerns about your clients discovering it elsewhere, a straightforward, honest conversation might help maintain transparency and prevent misunderstandings.
Several factors can lead to failing a gym background check, including:
Some gyms may hire felons, depending on the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction, and the gym’s policies. However, serious crimes or offenses related to the fitness industry may significantly reduce the likelihood of employment.
Starting your own fitness business can be a viable option. This path allows you to leverage your skills directly with clients, avoiding traditional employment barriers. Building a reputable business may take time, but effective marketing, certifications, and client testimonials can help establish credibility.
To start an online fitness business:
Read More: How to Start an Online Fitness Business
Some online fitness business ideas include:
Read More: Online Fitness Business Ideas
Exercise.com provides comprehensive tools to manage and grow a personal training business effectively:
Read More:
Read More: Personal Trainer Career Options
Read More: Highest Paying Fitness Jobs
Yes, a felon can become a personal trainer, but there are challenges. Certification organizations and gyms may consider the nature of the offense and time since the conviction. Some felons may opt for self-employment or online training to avoid traditional barriers.
Crunch Fitness may hire felons, but hiring decisions depend on factors such as the severity of the offense, relevance to the role, and time elapsed. Individual gym locations may also have different policies, making it essential to inquire directly.
Planet Fitness may hire felons, depending on the nature of the offense, time since conviction, and individual gym policies. Hiring decisions may also depend on state laws and the specific circumstances surrounding each case.
Gold’s Gym’s hiring policies may allow for the employment of felons, but this depends on the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since conviction, and individual gym policies. It’s advisable to inquire directly at specific Gold’s Gym locations for clarification.
24-Hour Fitness may hire felons, considering factors such as the type of offense, relevance to the role, and time since conviction. Policies may vary by location, so contacting individual gyms directly is essential for specific information.
Some smaller, independent gyms may offer more opportunities for second chances, focusing more on individual skills and experiences than criminal history. Additionally, certain community centers or gyms with social outreach programs may be open to hiring individuals with a criminal record.
Gym members having sex with a personal trainer can lead to various issues:
Read More: Personal Trainer Client Romantic Relationships
Technically, there’s no universal legal requirement to be qualified as a personal trainer, but certifications are highly recommended. They provide credibility, enhance knowledge, and may be required by gyms or clients seeking professional training.
While certification is not legally required, it is highly recommended. Certifications from recognized organizations like NASM, ACE, or ISSA enhance credibility, provide essential knowledge, and may be required by some gyms or clients.
No, you don’t have to be ripped to be a personal trainer. What’s more important is having knowledge, skills, and certifications to provide effective training. Physical appearance may contribute to the image, but professional expertise and interpersonal skills play a crucial role.
Qualifications for personal trainers include:
To start being a personal trainer:
Read More: How to Become a Personal Trainer
The terms are often used interchangeably, but a certified fitness trainer typically focuses on group fitness classes or general fitness programs. A certified personal trainer works one-on-one with clients, creating personalized workout plans and offering tailored guidance based on individual goals.
Technically, yes, you can sell workout plans without being certified. However, certification provides credibility, ensuring clients of your expertise. Lack of certification may deter some clients and limit opportunities for business growth.
Read More: Can you sell workout plans without being certified?
While certification is not legally required, having one is highly recommended for online fitness coaches. It provides credibility, demonstrates expertise, and can increase client trust, which is crucial for growing an online coaching business.
The failure rate of personal trainers can vary widely depending on factors like business acumen, market conditions, and specialization. It’s estimated that around 80% of new trainers leave the industry within the first year, emphasizing the need for strong business strategies and client engagement skills.
Yes, you can technically run a fitness class with no formal qualifications. However, having certifications enhances credibility, improves your skills, and may be necessary to work with certain facilities or attract clients.
Read More: Can I run a fitness class with no qualifications?
The most respected personal trainer certificates include those from:
These organizations provide comprehensive education and are recognized within the industry for their rigorous standards.
Making money as a personal trainer can be challenging, particularly at the start. Success depends on factors such as client acquisition, retention, marketing, and specialization. Building a strong brand, offering unique services, and leveraging tools like Exercise.com to streamline business management can improve financial success.
All of the various personal training certifications have different requirements, costs, study materials, exam details, recertification requirements, and continuing education credits (CECs) or units (CEUs). It’s important to do your homework and review all of the details before deciding on which one is best for you. The certifications that have been NCCA-accredited are more reputable than others that are not accredited because they have met a certain level of standards for the certification.
Read More: Best Personal Training Certifications
It varies among individuals. If you recently finished a degree with courses covering most of the content in the exam, you might be able to take it more quickly than someone who does not have that background. With NESTA, once you register for the exam, you have 90 days to complete the exam. Other organizations will vary on their timelines.
There are a number of places where you could train your clients like a gym, a park, your home, their home, or your own studio. After you’ve secured a position as a personal trainer, you need to think about how you plan on managing your training business. Use Exercise.com to run your entire fitness business in one place.
Read More: Where can I train my personal training clients?
Personal trainers typically make the most money in:
The price of a workout program can vary greatly depending on factors such as:
Read More: How much should I charge for a workout program?
The best personal training software is Exercise.com due to its comprehensive features tailored for trainers:
References:
Tyler Spraul 
