Should You Get a Personal Trainer Certification?

If you’ve held a Group Fitness Certification (GFI) Certification for any number of years, chances are you are asking yourself, what’s next?  A likely progression within the fitness industry is to add a Personal Training Certification.  You may wonder if it is the right job for you?  What exactly are the responsibilities and possibilities with a Personal Trainer Certification?

Personal Trainers share many professional objectives as a GFI.  Both fitness professionals must be good communicators, positive motivators, and actively listen to their clients or participants. The key difference between the two professions is in Personal Training you have to get out of the group mentality.  Group classes are created to be performed by a wide range of fitness levels and abilities, the general population.  In Personal Training the focus shifts to the individual.  The Trainer must dial in the programming to meet his client’s needs, considering the client’s health history, and any physical limitations the client may have. 

In Personal Training, the client is first assessed for current level of fitness and wellness.  Next, the Trainer prescribes a safe and specific fitness program especially designed to meet the client’s abilities and goals.  A Personal Trainer’s primary goal is to track the progress of the client by consistently focusing on the agreed upon goals.  A Trainer counsels and educates the client on important health and fitness topics; yet, the trainer must always be cautious of advising the client outside the Trainers formal, professional education.

Personal Trainers breathe belief into people by encouraging and nurturing a healthy relationship with the self and with living a healthy lifestyle.  The Trainer’s secondary goal is to empower the client to reach the agreed upon fitness and dietary goals.  Often the client does not want to complete the program, even though they agree they should.  By motivating and inspiring the client to invest the time into his health, the Personal Trainer accomplishes a greater task of nurturing the client’s self-worth. 

It is incredibly important to be a solid role model for clients and set a positive, strong example, by practicing what you preach.  It is equally important to be professional and respectful of the client’s time by being punctual, organized, and prepared. 

There are a number of job opportunities for a Personal Trainer and often, if you are looking to increase your hours, Personal Training is an excellent means to that end.  Personal Trainers can create their own business or seek employment at a number of locations: private clubs, community centers, corporations, cruises, or resorts.

If the work of individualizing fitness plans, following up with, and motivating a client is appealing to you, a Personal Trainer Certification is the logical next step in your career in the fitness industry. 

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In Good Health,

MV