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What They Do
Personal trainers offer clients private, customized exercise and fitness workouts, typically at a health club or the client's home. They evaluate the client's fitness level, design a program and routine that meet the client's fitness and/or rehabilitation objectives, motivate the client, ensure the exercises are being performed properly and monitor the client's progress. Some personal trainers also earn additional certification to teach classes such as yoga, Pilates, and senior and children's fitness, and to advise clients about nutrition and weight management.
Qualifications
Most employers require their trainers to obtain certification in the fitness field. There are a number of different organizations that offer personal trainer certification programs. To obtain the personal trainer certification program status of a particular organization, check with The National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Most certifying organizations require candidates to have a high school diploma, be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and pass a written exam. Some exams also have a practical component. Exams measure knowledge of human physiology, proper exercise techniques, assessment of client fitness levels, and development of appropriate exercise programs. Certification generally is good for 2 years, after which trainers must become recertified.
Personal Trainers seeking advancement to management positions or to go into business independently often earn a 4-year bachelor degree in exercise science. All personal trainers should have excellent people skills, be good at motivating others and be in top physical shape. Good sales skills are essential for independent personal trainers looking to expand their client base.
The Demand
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) expects rapid job growth in health clubs, fitness facilities and other settings where personal trainers work, plus high turnover in the field, and predicts that part-time jobs will be easier to find than full-time jobs.
The BLS's May, 2006 earnings data for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors who were employed by fitness centers show median annual earnings of $25,910. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $14,880 while the top 10 percent earned $56,750 or more. Earnings of successful self-employed personal trainers can be much higher. Since many fitness workers work part time or independently, they rarely receive employer-based benefits such as health insurance or retirement plans.
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