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Fitness Training Certification: Becoming a Fitness Trainer
Fitness Training Certification:
Becoming a Fitness Trainer
You've decided to become a fitness trainer, and now you're interested in learning more about what kind of certification you need to get started in this growing field. If this sounds familiar, continue reading to find out more about the steps necessary to obtain fitness training certification.
Find a Certifying Organization
Becoming certified can be critical to your success as a personal trainer. There really is no better way to demonstrate to potential clients and employers that your skills are industry-recognized. There are many different organizations that provide national certification, including:
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA)
One of the best ways to verify the reputation of a certifying organization is to check that it is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Discern Certification Prerequisites
Most certifying organizations require a high school diploma and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, and some also require an automated external defibrillators (AED) certificate. These are simply the prerequisites to be able to write the certification exam. Every examination contains a written component, and many also include a practical demonstration of your skills. In general, the examination will be testing your knowledge in human physiology, proper exercise techniques, client fitness assessment, and individualized exercise program development.
However, the content of the examination can vary depending on the type of certification you want. For example, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers four different certifications:
- Personal Trainer
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant
- Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist
While the Personal Trainer program can certify you to work with clients one-on-one in achieving their fitness goals, the Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist program can certify you to work with medical patients who are facing a variety of serious health issues. In addition to the different learning outcomes of the certifying programs, they also have very different prerequisites. For example, the Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist program calls for either ACE Personal Trainer Certification, or a bachelor's degree in an area related to fitness, such as exercise science.
Decide on Certification Type
Perhaps one of the best ways to figure out which type of certification you want to pursue is to think about where you want to end up working, and then try and match the certification to the type of fitness training you want to provide. Fitness trainers enjoy careers in a diverse range of environments, including health clubs, resorts, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and sports conditioning facilities.
Prepare for the Certification Exam
You can choose to prepare for the certification examination by purchasing study material (books, CD-ROMs, etc.) from the certifying organization, or you can find a program at an accredited school that can prepare you to take the exam. One big advantage of preparing with a school is that you also get the required first aid training, and often, learn valuable business and communication skills.
If you would like to learn more about how a program can get you ready to successfully pass a national certification examination, browse this list of fitness trainer schools today, and find the one that's right for you!
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