Steps to become a Personal Trainer

[Hishiad]

I love love love knowledge/working out and dieting...sounds weird to say, but honestly if I could make a living to just work on preparing meals for a "healthy" diet I'd be totally happy.


I'm not in the best shape, obviously since I'm working to drop fat now, but I think I could be a good personal trainer (and will soon be in better shape myself). So I'm wondering what are some good steps to get into training.


It'd be a hobby/part-time job so I don't feel I need to go deep into it at this point (no BS degree programz plz!!!) But if I love it who knows.


I know about the certifications and such, but how can I get those? Is it just a test...training programs...pay to to learn? What all do I need to do to get going ya know?

[askthetrainer]

I love love love knowledge/working out and dieting...sounds weird to say, but honestly if I could make a living to just work on preparing meals for a "healthy" diet I'd be totally happy.


I'm not in the best shape, obviously since I'm working to drop fat now, but I think I could be a good personal trainer (and will soon be in better shape myself). So I'm wondering what are some good steps to get into training.


It'd be a hobby/part-time job so I don't feel I need to go deep into it at this point (no BS degree programz plz!!!) But if I love it who knows.


I know about the certifications and such, but how can I get those? Is it just a test...training programs...pay to to learn? What all do I need to do to get going ya know?

"I love love love knowledge/working out"

That is the #1 requirement of being successful at personal training!

If you love doing something you will be more successful at it.

As far as certifications go, there are many... I would recommend ACE http://www.acefitness.org for complete beginners and people who think their foray as a personal trainer may be short lived.

I would recommend the NASM for anyone w/out a health & fitness background who is thinking about a long term career as a personal trainer.

http://nasm.org

[Hishiad]

Thanks.


Knew about the NASM already.

[dkemano42]

Here is a great place to get started with a 1st certification.

https://www.issaonline.com/issa-info/index.cfm

DK

[Hishiad]

Spoke with a ISSA rep over the phone...


Pros:

Job Placement, Member for life to their forum, they claim to now be accredited (not sure what kind of accreditation it is though), I asked a forward question about other certs without missing a beat his response "Any knowledge you can add is going to be beneficial depending on where you want to go and how much you're willing to spend on it. NASM would be a valuable tool to have with you, but any certification will help and from there its more about the person"


That response said a lot to me...but I also read "don't go with health club trainers"


look I don't want to be just a trainer, I want to help people period. Being healthy is a great way to live a more enjoyable life, but I'm also not able to run down folks to "help" out.


I don't have any real want to own a gym (not at this point at least) owning a business is a lot of added stress. I don't mind training in home, but wouldn't it be a benefit to a "new" trainer to have a gym to go too that's full of potential clients that already have an interest in fitness?

[webgodess]

Good question...but what about Canadians? I'm far from personal trainer health status but like you... I too want to help others when I get there...and along the way. Also using my desire to become certified as motivation for myself.

I've googled it but can't find out where you go to get Canadian certification?

[zbrewha863]

Good question...but what about Canadians? I'm far from personal trainer health status but like you... I too want to help others when I get there...and along the way. Also using my desire to become certified as motivation for myself.

I've googled it but can't find out where you go to get Canadian certification?

I know ISSA does Canada too, I don't know about others

[webgodess]

Ok. I'll check them both out..thanks

[kserajuddin]

I don't mind training in home, but wouldn't it be a benefit to a "new" trainer to have a gym to go too that's full of potential clients that already have an interest in fitness?

I agree - putting yourself in a situation where there are lots of people exercising and working out can only work to your advantage - If you do it right, you can find a way to do it independently working out a deal with the gym owner -