What does it take to become a certified fitness trainer?
A question arises first when someone is heading to be a fitness trainer. This field is absolutely unique, and it’s all about passion. So if you are looking for the answer to how to become a certified fitness trainer, then we are pleased to have you here. You are in the right place. We like to inform you that Certified fitness training has developed significantly over the past 30 years. It is no longer only the rich and famous that have personal trainers. Health and fitness programs have increased in popularity, and personal training continues to be among the fastest-growing of all careers.Â
Being straightforward we have to let you know that, In the world of the fitness industry, there are no guarantees. There is no way to eliminate all of the risks associated with starting a fitness practice. Whether you work as an independent contractor, an employee for a gym, or you own your own fitness practice, the success of your fitness practice is always up to you, and no one else. The structure of this process requires that you prepare to be a trainer, just like an athlete ready for an event. Before athletes approach the starting line, they must first prepare themselves physically and mentally for the challenge to come, so of a fitness trainer. Let’s move on to the next part
The importance of being a fitness trainer
Okay, let’s have some formal approaches. By definition, a fitness trainer is a fitness expert/professional that provides personalised exercise programming and client instruction. Programming and client instruction has changed dramatically over time and will continue to change for years to come. We designed this article to keep you at the forefront of the latest developments in exercise science applications and steps within the fitness industry, allowing you to position yourself as a professional in this important field.
More than ever, personal trainers are in demand; and the need will only become greater as personal fitness trainers seek to bridge the gap between fitness and medicine. So be a part of this movement toward fitness and health, play your role.Â
Features of a successful trainer
What does professional personal fitness training require? We tried to point out some basic characteristics for you to understand clearly, take a look below;
- A certified fitness trainer understands that fitness and health have a strong internal component as well. This understanding must include foundational knowledge of human anatomy, exercise physiology, exercise programming and nutrition.
- The professional fitness trainer bases decisions first upon science.
- A professional fitness trainer is a coach and teacher, who provides not only motivation, but the right amount of program supervision to assist clients in reaching the goals they desire.
- A trainer must have excellent communication skills.
- A professional fitness trainer must have effective business and sales skills too. From a scientific standpoint, It is destined to be unsuccessful without a strong business sense and effective sales skills.
- A certified personal fitness trainer must possess the capability and willingness to learn continuously
What does a professional fitness trainer really do?
The goal is simple: to help clients reach their goals the most efficient, effective and safest way possible. This means designing plans which include exercising without useless effort. Such programs minimise injury and maximise the benefits of improved performance, whatever the goal may be. This cannot be accomplished without taking the time to understand the principles of exercise science and taking into account the individual limitations and needs of each client. There is no one perfect program for everyone. The job of the professional personal fitness trainer is to fit the program to the client. We will show you some practical steps, these are;
- Assessment
- Instruct
- Design
- Re-assess
What does a trainer assess?
If the job of a personal fitness trainer is to get a person from point A to point B, you must first find out where your client is now (A) and where they wish to go (B). To properly design programs for clients, the trainer must determine the client’s explicit and implicit wants and needs (goals). Begin with the client’s current health and fitness level. This would include performing a health history, exercise history, and any physical (i.e. blood pressure, body composition, etc.) and fitness assessments, which would help to establish a baseline for later personal comparison.
How does a fitness trainer begin to design the plan?
Once you have the all the necessary information you need through a thorough client assessment (all performed within one training session), the principles of proper program design and progression must be implemented to properly customise the client’s exercise program. The principles of program design are based on the fundamental sciences ( anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, etc)
What is the basis for proper instruction?
Based on the principles of proper biomechanics, the fitness trainer will teach proper exercise technique while making appropriate modifications. You must advise your clients by using both scientifically proven principles of training combined with effective coaching skills. This will motivate the client into taking action and ultimately move them closer to the results they desire.
What specifically must the personal trainer re-assess?
The personal trainer will continually assess the progress of a client on both a micro level and intermittently assess on a macro level. A micro assessment is the close monitoring of every exercise repetition. A macro assessment concerns the individual as a whole and the 1-2 month full reassessment is crucial in order to determine progress.
Earnings of a fitness instructor
As per our deep research and research by payscale.com, Earning of a certified Fitness Instructor depends on their experience, time, seasonality and location. An entry-level instructor with less than one year experience can make, on average £7.5 per hour. If you are an early career Fitness Instructor with 1-4 years of experience, you can earn £7.8 per hour. Your earnings rise higher with the knowledge you gain. As a late experienced fitness expert, you can make £15 per hour.
Job opportunities for fitness trainer
There are plenty of options for you, it’s up to you to pick your desired one. You can work as an hourly basis or make a business. Some opportunities are working at;
- Commercial Gym
- Local Community Centers
- Hospitals or Wellness Centers
- Resorts & Spa
- Corporate Fitness
How to become successful in this career?
Are you self-motivated? It is up to you to develop your client base, organize your time and follow through on all facets of your fitness practice. This includes:
- Getting new clients
- Creating a plan for the client's success
- Filing all necessary paper works
- Billing for your time
- Following up with your clients between sessions
- Marketing and advertising to attract new client
- Staying up to date
- working the gym floor
How to get started in this career
All you need your passion to enrol in this sector and academically almost all trainers required to have at least a high school diploma before entering the profession. These days a number of employers want trainers to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree related to the fitness field.
Those who are interested in management positions should get a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, physical education or a related area. In a health club and fitness centre experience is often required for betterment in a management position.Â
So what do you think now? This is all about your determination, to succeed in your way, we suggest you explore more with us. You know tomorrow is another day so today is the best choice for starting a new discipline. So why late! Get a comprehensive personal trainer certification online course. You won’t be disappointed.