It can be pretty fulfilling to be a personal trainer, and below we look at the reasons why this is so. Not only do you give your clients a way to get into better shape and feel better, but also, you make a positive contribution to their lives. However, before you dive into this exciting career path, there’s one crucial decision you’ll need to make: offer professionals the possibility to debate over and make a decision on the acquisition of the personal trainer certification.
In this article, we will explore what personal trainer certification is, what it has to offer, and whether or not it is necessary for you. We will also address various certification options that exist in the current world and how one can choose the right one.
Why Personal Trainer Certification is Essential
Personal trainer certification may thus be described as a certification that a particular individual has attained certain levels of education and experience in fitness. Programs accredited by these certifying bodies acknowledge that a trainer possesses every aspect of the education and experience needed for proper planning and administration of a safe and effective exercise program.
Preeminent to the importance of a personal trainer certification is the fact that it acts as a testimony of your knowledge, and by extension, competency. Certification makes the client and potential employers see you as informed on the science of exercise, nutrition, and principles of correct training. This not only gives the persona of the professional’s authority but also gives confidence to the clients they are working with.
Reasons to get a Personal Trainer Certification
Thus, there are many advantages if one will gain the personal trainer certification; for the individual and for one’s career.
Here are just a few:
1. Improved Knowledge and Skills
A certification program will give you the knowledge you need about exercising and fitness. It will teach you about body organs, exercises, foods, and other functions. While it is beneficial to your clients, these lessons also result in increased health and levels of fitness for the trainer.
2. Enhanced Career Opportunities
The personal trainer’s certification is provided by professional fitness organizations, and it’s easy for personal trainers to get employed in popular gyms or fitness trainers. It is common for some employers to seek personal trainers who have certifications before they are hired. Certification can also increase your wage expectations and lock your status in a specific equity level on the job market.
3. More Clients and Customers Trust.
Certified personal trainers are likely to be hired by the clients. They look for certified trainer because they had passed through some level of test to demonstrate competency and is trained enough to handle their needs and aspirations.
4. The Continuous Professional Development
Certification is not a static process; one needs to update his/her certification by taking up some courses to renew the certification awarded. This will also reduce the chances of a fitness professional will be going to his or her clients with old and outdated information and techniques in the field of fitness.
Do You Need a Personal Training Certification
While it is not mandatory to get a personal trainer certification, the overwhelming numbers of personal trainers will take their certification for the reasons stated above. In fact, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) reported that 75 percent of all fitness and continuing education for fitness professionals have a personal trainer certification.
However, there are some exceptional cases, which we are going to discuss in the below section. If you intend to practice in a particular area, for instance, sports performance or yoga, you might take a specialization exam. You could also decide to pursue self-employment get a job in a non-traditional employment environment, like a private gym, or choose to operate your own business from your home.
However, it’s essential to know your options and your needs and select a trustworthy certification to become a trainer. Some of things to look at include curriculum, accreditation, and its acceptance by the fitness world out there.
Establishing the Credentials for a Personal Trainer
It is essential to understand that varieties of personal trainer certification exist that have different course content, subject matter and accreditation processes.
Here are a few of the most popular:
1. American Council on Exercise (ACE).
ACE is one of the number one personal trainer certification programs for personal trainers across the country. Their learning includes various aspects that are, in essence, the basic foundation of exercise science such as exercise science and nutrition and client evaluation.
2. National Strength and Conditioning Association or NSCA for short.
Certified Personal Trainer by NSCA is currently in demand in the market. Their program focuses on the biological aspects of strength and conditioning, and they provide all kinds of options for the specialty of the trainer.
3. International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).
Currently, the ISSA’s Personal Trainer Certification is widely used by trainers who want to get a job in the field of sports training. Its features include exercise prescription, program design, and current nutrition topics.
4. Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (APAR)
Compared to other certification organizations, ACSM has very rigorous standards, which is why the certification is considered to be one of the most reputable and credible; the focus is made on a scientific approach and comprehensive strategies for getting a client into shape. Some of the courses they offer include exercise prescription, program designing, and client evaluation.
How to Pick a Certification That is Right for You
Choosing the proper personal trainer certification can be overwhelming, but there are several factors you should consider before making a decision:
1. Curriculum and Content
What you should look for in a course is one that will not only teach you the theoretical aspects of exercise science and nutrition but also the basics on how to put into practice a program, as well as how to handle the clients.
2. Accreditation and Recognition
However, make sure the certification you get is from a certified body such as NCCA or ISO. Thus, accreditation serves proof that the certification meets the confirmatory benchmarks and is dependable and genuine.
3. Cost and Accessibility
Specialist training for becoming a personal trainer can be vastly different and the price can also differ significantly so the choice should be made with that in mind. Specific programs may provide for the provision of financial support, instalment payments, or, possibly, a scholarship. Further, see if there are programs that allow for online or in-seat learning depending on your need.
