A reputable personal training certification course will require its candidates to have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, earned certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and pass the final exam. The exam includes a written component, and some may include a practical component. In the written portion you will be tested on human physiology, the assessment of a client's fitness level, and your understanding of how to exercise properly. The National Board of Fitness Instructors seeks a standardized exam for all personal trainers, and requires at least 500 hours of practical training or experience in health and fitness professions. There is no singular training program for the certification. Certification lasts two years. Afterward, you must be re-certified in order to continue personal training. Look for a personal trainer course that offers instant online quiz feedback so you can improve your overall score and ask questions.
Your objective in an easy personal trainer course is to build a knowledgeable foundation in the skills and physical requirements to be a personal trainer. When looking for a reputable personal training course, make sure that it is certified by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. If you intend on becoming a fitness instructor, it may not be necessary for you to have the required certification to begin work. However, many employers will require it once you have been employed over a certain amount of time. In your personal training course, the first phase will be to apply your knowledge of human anatomy, exercise science and muscular flexibility to helping others achieve their fitness goals. You will design purposeful fitness programs tailored to individual or group needs via resistance or cardiovascular training. You also learn to demonstrate commercial fitness machines and the fundamentals associated with running your personal training business.
Now that you can design your own safe fitness programs in flexibility, cardiovascular or weight loss/gain, apply to work in a corporate gym, fitness center or own personal training business. Most personal trainers spend their time indoors, either performing administrative tasks to organize their business, teaching classes, or training a client. The highest risk associated with personal training is injury during physical activity. A majority of personal trainers work part-time. They make up for this by serving clients in a variety of backgrounds, either at the gym or in the client's home. You will not be under heavy supervision, as it is up to you to design and implement your exercise routine.
Once you are certified, there are many opportunities for advancement. Earning a bachelor's or master's degree in kinesiology, the study of the mechanics of human motion, physical education or physical therapy coupled with experience, is usually required to advance to management positions in a fitness center. Business administration or management courses are helpful for advancement within the fitness industry. Promotion to head trainer entails the responsibility for overseeing the hiring process and day-to-day operations of the personal training staff. This can lead to the position of general manager where you possess the responsibility of not only overseeing hiring and daily operations, but setting and achieving sales goals and other financial aspects.