A personal trainer helps clients achieve their health and fitness goals

What will I be doing all day?

A personal trainer helps clients achieve their health and fitness goals by designing individualized workout regimens; instructing, guiding, and motivating clients through the exercises to prevent injury and produce maximal results; and educating them about health and wellness.

Do I have the personality for it?

Good personal trainers are excellent communicators and motivators, empathetic, upbeat, positive, and good at connecting with people. They are good at problem-solving and can improvise programs on the spot based on client feedback. Of course, they must also be in excellent physical shape.

What kind of training do I need?

In order to work in a public setting like a gym, one must have a nationally recognized certification. There are several professional certification options out there, which range from six months to a year of study and entail passing an exam. Certification must be renewed every two years by taking continuing education courses. In addition, a personal trainer must have CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) certification.

While no college degree is necessary, a degree in an associated field such as exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education can be helpful.

What kind of career options do I have?

Personal trainers can work with both individuals and groups, in a variety of settings, such as their or their client’s home studio, gyms, resorts, or in a corporate setting as part of a company’s wellness program for employees.

Here are some of the common types of personal trainers:

• Fitness trainers help people achieve goals such as weight loss, muscle building or cardiovascular health.
• Rehabilitation trainers work with clients who require muscle rehabilitation due to injury or other medical conditions.
• Sports trainers help athletes improve their performance in a specific sport.
• Nutrition coaches guide clients in healthy eating and create meal plans along with exercise plans as a means to reach their fitness goals.

What can I expect to make?

The average US salary is $40,470, but as most personal trainers work as independent contractors, income varies greatly — sessions can cost between $50 and $250, and yearly income can be anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000 and beyond.