Becoming a certified personal trainer is a fantastic way to turn your passion into a profession, as it allows you to work in a field that’s both important and beneficial to others. The process involves training, testing, and possibly hands-on practice. In this article, we’ll explore how to become a certified personal trainer, the time it takes to achieve this certification, and what the entire process is.
Understanding the Certification Process
To become a personal trainer, one has to take three main processes: getting a degree, passing a certification test, and continuing education. It may take shorter or longer depending on the type of certification that one intends to pursue and own circumstances.
Education
The first measure that a person needs to take in order to become a personal trainer is to get the proper education. Generally, when you want to get certified, there are certain hours that one needs to spend in specific areas related to fitness training.
Basic Requirements
Hours of Study: Depending on the status of the certification program, one can spend from 200-500 hours on the preparation process. For instance, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) sets 500 hours followed by others such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE) with only 150 needed hours.
Core Areas: These include subject areas such as exercise science, nutrition, program design, client consultation, and certain exercises.
Flexible Learning Options
Distance Learning Options: Online classes are also provided in most certification programs to enable the students to learn at their own pace. This can be useful if you have other responsibilities such as a job, children or other obligations.
In-Person Option: Some classes offer in-person instruction enabling them to get firsthand experience and interact directly with the teacher.
Time Commitment
Full-Time Learning: In case you are able to devote full time towards learning the subject, it should take you a few weeks time to go through the syllabus and clear the education requirement.
Part-Time Study: Some might take a few months to complete all the lessons.
Certification Exam
At the end of your training, a certification exam has to be successfully passed. These questions are designed to measure your ability and preparedness to seek a career and work as a fitness instructor.
Exam Preparation
Study Aids: Students should use study guides and practice examinations that every certification program offers.
Exam Preparation: Some programs provide review sessions or webinars to assist the learners prepare for an exam.
Exam Details
Exam Details: They are normally in the form of multiple choices and in some cases, culminating in case study questions are set.
Duration: It should be noted that most certification exams can take a few hours at most.
Passing Score: Each organization decides the passing standard which is generally 70% for most of the courses.
Exam Scheduling
Accessibility: This is the beauty of it because one can arrange for the exam at his or her most appropriate time and place of convenience.
Repeat: In case one fails, there are provisions for retaking the exams after some time has elapsed.
Ongoing Education
Candidates who wish to become personal trainers should also be ready to get certified and alongside the certification, they will be required to attend further education. In this way you are not only familiar with the current trends and findings in the field of fitness.
Continuing Education Requirements
CEUs (Continuing Education Units): This is normally required by most certification authorities whereby one is expected to have accumulated a certain number of CEUs at least once a year or every two years.
Workshops and Seminars: As these can be useful and needed for CEU, workshops and seminars are usually held for that purpose.
Time for Continued Learning
Frequency: As some trainers report their workloads, they have opportunities to participate in webinar classes and online courses that can offer them CEUs in a few hours per month.
Factors Affecting the Timeline
The duration it takes to become a CPT depends on different factors:
Personal Commitment
Dedication: The amount of time that one brings to class and the number of efforts one puts in his/her studies determines the time that one takes to complete the requirements.
Ease of course work: If for instance, you have had an experience in training as a fitness trainer or any related field, then you will discover that the courses are easier and can be completed in a short span of time.
Work and Life Balance
Employment: Working can also be a challenge since it may take an individual more time to complete the certification if they are working while studying.
Family and Other Responsibilities: For a candidate, family other responsibilities can also be an issue to the expected speed in acquiring the certification.
Choosing a Certification Program
Reputation: When you choose a reputable certification program, you may get more significant coverage of the topic area, so studying may take more time.
Flexibility: Programs with flexible schedules or online classes will allow students progress as he/she wants.
