Personal Training

Personal Trainer Overview

Personal trainers are experts at teaching their clients how to effectively implement a variety of exercises into their workout routine. These may include cardiovascular training, resistance training, flexibility, and dynamic movement training. All of this is done to ensure that individual clients reach their maximum physical potential. Personal trainers can work in a variety of environments, including schools, offices, gyms and health clubs. Many personal trainers work with clients in their homes. Since there are many different types of physical activity that can take years to master, numerous personal trainers specialize in a particular area, such as strength training, weight loss, martial arts, or yoga.

In addition to being experts on physical fitness, good personal trainers are also powerful motivators. With so much information about exercise available at no cost, a major part of the value a personal trainer provides is his or her ability to help a client set achievable goals and provide the support to get the client there.

Personal trainers typically fall into two categories – those who work at a gym and those who are self-employed. Many chain and corporate gyms have in house personal training teams, and prohibit freelance trainers from working with clients in their facilities. Self-employed personal trainers tend to make more money than salaried trainers, but they must find all their own clients and a space where they can train.

Personal Trainer Education

Most personal trainers need to be certified. Almost every gym requires their trainers to be certified. Personal trainers are expected to know the job when they are hired. Employers will rarely ever hire a personal trainer they have to train. Many trainers seek out continuing education in their area of specialization to make sure they are aware of the newest advances in the field. There are many basic certifications available to those who want to start a career in personal training, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the NSCA Certification commission. Almost all certification programs require candidates to hold a high school diploma or GED, have a certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for emergencies, and pass a certification exam. The rigorousness of the exam differs with each group, with some requiring both a written and practical section and others consisting of written questions only. Earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or kinesiology may help a personal trainer earn more and advance more quickly in his career.

Personal Trainer Career & Salary Outlook

In 2006, there were about 235,000 people working as personal trainers or fitness workers. Nearly all personal trainers work in physical fitness centers and gyms, while 8% were self-employed. Most self-employed trainers and fitness instructors worked on a contract basis with gyms. The field is expected to grow by 27 percent between 2006 and 2016, making it one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. With an increased focus on health and fitness in America, more and more people are expected to seek the services of personal trainers.

Personal trainers are usually compensated on a per-hour basis. As of June 26, 2009, the average personal trainer with one to four years of experience makes $14.50 an hour. However, pay increases a great deal with increased experience. Trainers who have worked for five to nine years in the field earned an average of $19.81 an hour, and those with 20 years or more of experience earned $25.28 an hour on average. Those who specialize in group fitness or instruction in a field like yoga or martial arts may earn significantly more.

Personal Trainer Characteristics & Specializations

There are a huge number of specializations available to personal trainers. Most have their own certifying bodies to ensure the quality of instruction in their fields, with the notable exceptions of yoga and pilates. Some popular specializations for personal trainers include group fitness, strength training, weight loss training and motivation, training for a particular sport such as football or wrestling, and speed training.

Article Resources: