Choosing a Career in Personal Training 

What is personal training all about?
Those hoping to become a personal trainer should first weigh the commitment they are willing to make before pursuing the degree. A personal training program can be a very rewarding professional experience, though a certain level of dedication is required for success. Personal training schools prepare their students for a career the Department of Labor anticipates will be growing significantly in coming years. The population appears to be more out of shape than it has been at any point in history.

What can I expect to learn in a personal training program?
Personal training schools might offer their students a number of accreditations and certifications that support ongoing work in their personal training career. Although many are educated at a traditional four-year institution, it is not uncommon for a professional personal trainer to concede that the best education they received was through work in the field. There are a number of degrees and programs applicable to personal training, not limited to exercise science, kinesiology and physical education, as well as Associate programs focused on anatomy, fitness, aerobics, resistance training, first aid, fitness assessments and nutrition.

What is the career outlook for personal training?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is favorable and is expected to grow at an average higher rate than other occupations, about 29 percent from 2008 to 2018.

What type of places can I work as a personal trainer?
Those that complete their education at personal training schools do not always find their niche in the traditional role of personal trainer. Aerobics instructors, coaches and physical education teachers all share an affinity for fitness and often have a background in personal training education. There are a growing number of positions for youth fitness instruction as society emphasizes physical fitness in children. Corporations with the resources to drive health initiatives may contract a corporate fitness consultant to oversee programs for health and well-being among employees.