A personal trainer is a very trendy profession and many people who love fitness and enjoy assisting others to attain their health and wellness objectives choose this career. Whether you should have a degree to become a personal trainer is a question that appears frequently. Although a degree can definitely help in certain situations, it is not always necessary to be a personal trainer. In this article we will discuss the requirements to become a personal trainer, the advantages of a degree, and other key points to look at in your journey to becoming a fitness professional.
Do You Need a Degree?
Majority of Personal Trainer Jobs Do Not Need a Degree
The positive thing is that you do not require a college degree to join the personal trainer profession. Personal trainers are mainly employed in most fitness centers, gyms, and individual clients depending on the certification and experience and not necessarily a degree. Personal training is not an academic experience; it is rather a practical knowledge and experience.
In order to be a certified personal trainer, you have to undertake a certification course with an established and accredited body. Such programs normally center on anatomy, physiology, nutrition, exercise methods and safety measures. There are also some certifications that involve practical tests so that you can be sure that you are able to put to practice what you have learned.
Certification Vs Degree
Although a degree in exercise science, kinesiology or physical education may provide you with a better knowledge of the human body and fitness, a certification may be sufficient to begin to work as a personal trainer. Indeed, most of the fitness professionals have managed to establish themselves in this profession without a degree but rather concentrating on industry-approved certifications.
Which Certifications Are Needed?
Some of the more well-known personal training certification programs will assist you in getting a start in the industry. The certifications demonstrate prospective clients and employers that you are knowledgeable and skilled enough to assist individuals in reaching their fitness goals safely and efficiently.
The most popular certification bodies are:
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
NASM is a very reputable and familiar certification program in the fitness sector. They have a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) program that is extensive and includes such topics as exercise science, program design, and nutrition. They also provide specializations, e.g. corrective exercise and sports performance to enable you to focus on specific fitness areas.
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Another well respected certification provider is ACE. Their Personal Trainer Certification course is aimed at developing the effective fitness programs that can be offered to various customers, starting with the novices and ending with the experienced athletes. ACE has continuing education resources and continues to support certified trainers.
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
ISSA has a worldwide accepted personal trainer qualification that encompasses a comprehensive curriculum, anatomy, exercise methods, nutrition, and business building. The certification offered by ISSA is to those who want to work in gyms or as individual personal trainers.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
NSCA is an excellent choice in case a trainer is interested in working with athletes or specializing in strength and conditioning. They have one of the best certifications in the fitness field, especially to trainers in the field of sports performance through their Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) program.
The Advantages of a Degree
Although it is not necessary to have a degree to become a personal trainer, a degree would definitely boost your knowledge, qualifications and employment opportunities.
A degree can help in the following way:
Greater Understanding of Exercise Science
An exercise science or a similar degree provides you with a profound knowledge of human anatomy, biomechanics, physiology and kinesiology. This information can enable you to create better and evidence-based training programs to clients.
More Credibility
The degree can also assist you to build credibility particularly to clients who need more advanced knowledge. In case you are planning to work in the area of specialization, e.g., rehabilitation, sports performance, or nutrition, a degree may provide an additional dimension of expertise to your resume.
Increase in the Number of Jobs
Other employers, especially those in large gyms, hospitals, or sports organizations, might want applicants to have a degree in a related field. A degree can also led to more senior jobs like fitness director or wellness coordinator where you can manage a staff of personal trainers.
The Possibility of Increased Earnings
Although personal training certifications are enough to enter the industry, a degree can make you earn more. The trainers who have specialized degrees and knowledge in fields like nutrition or sports science are usually paid higher salaries.
The Way to Start without a Degree
In case you want to become a personal trainer and you do not have a degree; there is nothing to worry about.
Nevertheless, it is possible to have a successful career in this sphere, doing the following:
Select a Certification Program
Find a good certification program that aligns to your interests and objectives. Before you select a program, make sure that it is accredited by an authoritative body, e.g., National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This will make the certification be respected both by the employers and clients.
Finish the Necessary Education and Training
The majority of certification programs will involve studying a variety of topics including some anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition and program design. Other programs might also contain practical elements, like a practical evaluation or internship.
Get Experience
As soon as you get your certification begin to acquire some practical experience. To start with, you may occupy the position of a personal trainer in a gym or fitness center, provide personal training, or become a volunteer in your neighborhood. By developing a client base and improving your skills with time, you will become more successful in the long perspective.
Keep Learning
The fitness business is dynamic and new trends, methods and studies are coming up all the time. It is also important to keep learning so that you can be up to date and improve your skills. There are numerous certification organizations that provide continuing educational courses, workshops and seminars to keep you up to date.
Specializing and Expanding Your Knowledge
While a basic personal trainer certification is enough to start your career, you may choose to specialize in certain areas to increase your expertise and appeal to a wider range of clients.
Specializations can include:
Sports Performance
If you enjoy working with athletes or those who want to improve their performance in specific sports, consider a specialization in sports conditioning or performance training.
Rehabilitation or Injury Recovery
Personal trainers specializing in injury recovery or rehabilitation work with clients recovering from injuries or surgeries. This specialization requires additional education in anatomy and physical therapy.
Nutrition
A nutrition specialization can help you advise clients on their diet, supporting their fitness goals. Nutrition plays a key role in overall health and fitness, and many trainers choose to obtain a certification in this area to offer more comprehensive support.
