Earn your certification in CPR and complete first aid training. Contact your local chapter of the Red Cross to find out when and where they offer CPR and first aid classes in your city.
Enroll in a personal training school or program. Houston is home to several colleges designed especially for aspiring personal trainers.
The Academy of Healthcare Professions has two locations in Houston. The academy's program for personal trainers is not just a certification program--it offers a complete curriculum for trainers with classes in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, wellness and nutrition, fitness assessment and exercise psychology. Graduates can take the National Strength and Conditioning Association's certification exam.
Academy of Healthcare Professions
Houston Southwest
8313 Southwest Freeway
Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77074
1-800-487-6728
Academy of Healthcare Professions
Houston Northwest
240 Northwest Mall Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77092
1-800-487-6728
website for both: www.ahcp.edu
The National Personal Training Institute has a campus in Houston and offers a six-month program for personal trainers. The program includes 300 hours of classroom instruction as well as 200 hundred hours of hands-on, supervised practice in the gym. After completing your studies you'll receive a recognized diploma in addition to your personal trainer certification.
National Personal Training Institute
5645 Beechnut Street
Houston, TX 77096
800-960-6294
nptifitness.com
In addition, nationwide personal training certification programs such as the American Council on Exercise, The American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine have testing centers and workshops across the country, Texas included.
Apply for jobs in gyms, health clubs and wellness centers in the city of Houston. Guidespots listed the ten top gyms in Houston as voted by clients in 2008. The top three gyms Scult, Timberline Fitness and the Houstonian Club (see Resources).
Keep your credentials current by taking continuing education workshops and renewing your certification as required by your school, program and/or employers.