Institutions offering fitness training curriculum include community colleges, universities, trade schools or certifying organizations. If you decide to attend a traditional higher education institution, you may still be required to gain certification to find employment. Some of the certification organizations for fitness training include: the National Academy of Sports Medicine, National Personal Training Institute, American Fitness Professionals & Associates, National Federation of Professional Trainers, National Council on Strength & Fitness and the American Fitness Training of Athletics.
Upon completion of a fitness trainer curriculum you will either be awarded a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree. While most employers do not require a two- or four-year degree to work as a fitness trainer, the U.S. Department of Labor states more and more employers are seeking trainers with an associate or bachelor's degree. Fitness trainer schools offer not only personal -training certificates or degrees, but also specialized degrees/certificates such as Pilates, nutrition or group training.
Coursework within a fitness training school is directly related to the degree or certification the student wishes to gain. Ensure coursework at any fitness training school is accredited by the National Board of Fitness Examiners. Some of the courses necessary for a personal training certificate from the National Personal Training Institute include: nutrition, cardio respiratory fitness, human anatomy & physiology as well as flexibility & stretching. Coursework for the Weight Management Consultant Certification from the American Fitness Professionals & Associates include: lifestyle balancing, stress reduction, energy expenditure and genetic influences. Typically, a practicum of some sort is required to complete the required coursework for graduation in a fitness training program.
The overall cost for a fitness trainer school is dependent on the number of courses required for graduation. For example, the personal trainer certification course from the American Fitness Professionals & Associates ranges from about $400 to more than $1,100 while the Highline Community College Personal Fitness Trainer program costs $87 per credit hour to resident or $100 per credit hour for non-resident with a required 44 credit hours to graduate.