Career Personal Training

A certified personal trainer is an expert in many areas of fitness and health. Having a passion for exercise and respect for the human body are important components for those striving to become professionals in the fitness industry, but enthusiasm is only the first step. It takes a lot of hard work and a passing grade on the CPT examination to become a certified personal trainer, but you will also need to fulfill requirements throughout your career to keep those initials after your name.

Importance of Requirements: Keeping clients safe–before, during and after exercise–is the responsibility of the fitness trainer. To be certain that fitness programs are safely designed, the trainer have a thorough understanding of exercise techniques and how the body functions during exercise. A trainer must also have certifications in emergency response courses to prove that they know how to deal with the unexpected.

Age and Education Requirements: A trainer must have reached a level of maturity and be at least 18 years old to sit for the exam. Many certifying agencies also require that their trainers have a high school education or GED certification.

Requirements to be Met Before Certification: Potential fitness trainers must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automatic external defibrillation and first aid before receiving their trainer certifications. There are few exceptions to this rule. CPR classes may be taken through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association and through online courses, but many certifying schools now require hands-on automatic external defibrillation and first aid training. It is important to check the requirements of your chosen CPT-certifying agency.

Requirements to be Met after Certification: To ensure that their fitness trainers are up-to-date with the latest and safest exercise techniques, most certifying agencies require continuing education credits (CECs) before certifications can be renewed. Most require at least 20 hours of education within a two-year period, but it is best to check your certifying agency’s specific requirements.

Time Requirement to Renew Certification: Renewal of personal trainer certifications must be completed before the certification expiration date. This requirement not only ensures that trainers have enough time to complete continuing education, but it removes from the rosters those that are no longer interested in training. The certification expiration is established by each certifying agency, but a span of two to three years is typical.

Code of Ethics Requirement: Honoring the personal trainer code of ethics keeps a trainer safe from potential legal action and makes certain that clients are receiving the best possible fitness care. The code includes maintaining client confidentiality, never touching a client inappropriately, remaining honest in business dealings, staying educationally relevant and many other sound practices. It is too easy to assume that these codes cannot be verified by the certifying agency–a breach of conduct by a fitness professional can be reported by a client or fellow trainer, and if a trainer is found guilty, their trainer’s certification may be revoked.

Conclusion: Personal fitness training is a satisfying and fulfilling career. For professional trainers, the joy of having a job they love is matched only by the happiness of helping others attain their health and wellness goals. The requirements necessary to become and remain a trainer are high, but they attest to the the integrity of the fitness training industry and of the people who aspire to the field.

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For more information about personal trainer school, please visit our website.

According to its Website, 24 Hour Fitness is the largest fitness chain in the United States, with more than 400 facilities throughout the country. The company employs more than 19,000 people, many of whom work as personal trainers. In this article you’ll discover how you can become a personal trainer for 24 Hour Fitness.

Instructions

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For more information about personal fitness training and personal trainer education, please visit our website.

Becoming certified in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), is an important step to ensuring you know what to do in case of an emergency. Knowing CPR can save someone’s life. Follow these easy steps to learn where and how to obtain your certification.

Instructions

Step 1: Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross. This is a volunteer based organization that offers first aid training to citizens for a fee. Each chapter offers CPR training at varying days and times.

Step 2: Find a CPR Certification course offered by the American Heart Association. Go to the association’s website to learn more about courses offered near you.

Step 3: Obtain CPR Certification through an online course. It’s a quicker and more convenient way to obtain the same training for those who are unable to make it to hands-on classes, or for those who cannot afford the usual fee. You can also obtain First Aid training online.

Step 4: Get recertified. If you have been certified in CPR before and are looking to recertify, the same sources that offer certification offer recertification.

Step 5: Check with your area board of education. Local schools sometimes offer CPR certification courses for parents or local residents.

Tips & Warnings

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The knowledge of CPR can add value to every personal trainer certification program. If you need more information please visit our website.

Say you’re starting a diet-and-exercise regimen, and your therapist or personal trainer recommends that you include cardio exercises in that regimen. You should know right off that one of the best exercise machines you can get specifically for the purpose of a cardio workout is an elliptical trainer. But how to pick out the best elliptical trainer for you?

A good elliptical trainer should not only exercise your heart - it should also help in toning your limbs, and give you an overall full-body workout. There are a couple of things you need to look into if you wish to find the best elliptical trainer for you:

1. Flexibility
Contrary to popular opinion, comfort is actually an important thing to consider when exercising. You don’t just exercise in order to strain your body - you exercise in order to achieve a certain strength of body and limb without forcing your body past its limits. Large exercise machines such as treadmills and elliptical trainers should come with settings that allow you to control flexibility, such as tension and speed. Otherwise, they cut out an essential part of your regimen, which is pacing yourself.

You shouldn’t work with an inflexible machine, or else you’ll bulk up your muscles while training or worse… strain your limbs in an attempt to match up to the machine’s settings. You shouldn’t try to adjust to the machine - the machine should be able to adjust to you!

2. Extra Features
If you’re exercising for medical reasons, you may need a couple of features that simply aren’t available in cheaper models. What extra features does your doctor or trainer recommend? Do you need a heart rate monitor? Do you need to strictly time your workouts and monitor how well your body is adapting to your new regimen? Do you need to download workout lessons online?

Extra features such as computer compatibility and body synchronization are considered rather advanced and will definitely add to the cost of a basic trainer, but if you truly need them for your health, you will not scrimp!

3. Budget
If you can afford it, don’t go for the machines advertised on those horrid infomercials. It won’t be easy finding the best elliptical trainer for you on the things advertised on TV. Those usually herald the low prices and not the features that come with the machine. If you want good equipment, the sad reality is that you will have to pay the price for it - however, keep your eyes open for good deals, like sales and special offers, and you will be able to buy "budget" trainers at affordable prices!

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Looking forward to a great career in personal training? Visit our website for more information about personal trainer school.

No responsible gym or fitness center would hire a personal trainer who can’t demonstrate education and competence in the field of fitness training with a certification by a recognized professional organization. One such organization is the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).

Instructions

Step 1 - Learn CPR. All AFAA-certified personal trainers must also be certified to administer CPR.

Step 2 - Register for the certification workshop as early as possible so you can receive the study guide and review what will be required for certification.

Step 3 - Order the textbook Personal Fitness Training: Theory and Practice from the AFAA. This is the text used for the class as well as being an excellent resource for you later on.

Step 4 - Study. The workshop comprises three days of lectures and practical exercises followed by the certification exam. By learning as much as possible before the workshop begins, you can concentrate on the material presented at the workshops.

Step 5 - Take up weight training. Experience in weight training and the use of weight room equipment is strongly recommended.

Step 6 - Attend the workshop and take the certification exam.

Tips & Warnings

• You may find it a wise investment to take the online preparatory course before attending the workshop.
• AFAA-certified personal fitness trainers may elect to go on to take National Board of Fitness Examiners test. There are also many specialty courses available.
• Before deciding to get certified through the AFAA, check with gyms and fitness centers in your area to see if they hire personal trainers with this certification.

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For more information personal training and personal trainer education, please visit our website.

Licensing and certification of personal trainers is a complicated and controversial issue. Over the past two years, a handful of state legislatures have introduced bills to establish personal trainer licensing or certification standards. As of December 2009, however, none of these have passed.

In other words, there are no standardized state or federal laws at this time that regulate personal trainers. Thus, the only way to determine whether or not a trainer is right for you is to ask a lot of questions, get referrals if possible, and if still unsure, you might think about hiring a personal trainer employed by a well known gym. At a larger gym, if you don’t feel the trainer is working well for you, there is very likely another trainer available.

There are several local and national organizations that certify personal trainers. Each organization has its own set of requirements for certification. Some are as simple as taking a written exam from home, while others require extensive training as well as both a written and practical exam. Once you know which (if any) certifications a trainer has, you can find out what these credentials translate to in education and experience.

Not every qualified trainer is certified through one of these organizations. Some may have a two or four year fitness-related degree from an accredited university. In this case, they may not need additional certification.

Before you start looking for a trainer, you should give some thought to your own goals for personal training. Then, you can seek out trainers who have knowledge in those areas. For instance, a trainer may have a lot of experience in bodybuilding or sports training. If you are a bodybuilder or athlete, this is ideal. However, if you are obese and looking to safely exercise to improve your physical condition, a bodybuilder may not be the right trainer for you.

Many personal trainers offer nutritional advice as well as training in exercise. If you’re interested in a personal trainer who can work with you to create a complete diet and exercise program, it would be wise to inquire about their education as it pertains to nutrition.

It is important that you let a prospective trainer know about any illnesses or medical conditions you may have. Both you and the trainer will benefit from knowing about any physical problems or old injuries that may act up during the course of your training. It is best if your personal coach has some experience with the specific health issues you are concerned about.

There is an ongoing effort among many fitness professionals and organizations to unify standards for physical training certification. These fitness experts are lobbying on the state and national level to get the exams created by the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) and other certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) recognized as qualifying factors for legal certification. Perhaps in the future, these laws will become a reality. For now, however, it is up to you to do your own research about the trainer you choose.

After all, it is your body you are trying to improve - it pays to be as certain as possible that the person who will be assisting and motivating you is fully qualified for the job.

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For more information about personal trainer certification please visit our website.

Obesity epedemic had been skyrocketed for people to be overweight compare to 20 years ago. There are ways where people can get a personal trainer of their choice if they take the time to take these tips with them when looking. Here are ideas where you or someone you know can find their perfect personal trainer if looking.

1. First decide what you want your personal trainer to help you with when it comes to your physical fitness. Do you want to loise weight? Do you want to get slim? Do you want to get ready for a fitness contest? What is your goal and idea on why. This way, you would know ahead of time what kind of trainer you want to work with. Work with someone that have experience in those areas that you want to work on.
2. If you belong to a fitness club, check out the trainers they have there. Decide whether you want to work with a female or male trainer. Some people prefer the same gender to work with since that person knows more about the parts to be worked on where for female, some parts are better worked on compare to what men does.
3. Word of mouth also works best. What friends do you know that had a great experience with a certain trainer? If you have no friends that work with a trainer or know someone, try digging it up online. There are places that have trainers that list themselves in the local areas all across the US. If they list any credentials, check it out and see if they work on what you wanted to do.
4. Sometimes checking out places such as craigslist, backpage, etc where there are PT that list themselves looking for clients. Some of them might be under resume such as in the case of craigslist. You should get references of people whom that person did work with so then maybe you can see for yourself if you want to work with that person before going ahead to hire them.
5. If you see a flier where the personal trainer had their contact information, give them a call or email them. Ask them questions as well if you never ever work with them before. If they did not list their contact info, check and see if they have their own website. The website should have a contact us section.
6. Social networking sites have personal trainers where such as in the case of facebook, myspace, gather, etc. Would you want them to work with you in person or virtual? For beginners, i suggest face to face so then they won’t train themselves when working out. Having a face to face kind of interaction with one will be able to help you in the long run especially if you might want to work with them later on in the future as well.
7. Some personal trainers are authors as well as writer themselves. You should check them out and don’t dismiss them since they had proven they had previous experience but make sure it aligns with your goal.

I hope these tips are giving you some ideas on how you can do yours for getting one or know someone. Whatever fitness goals you have in mind, I wish you the best.

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For more information about personal trainers and personal trainer school please visit our website.

The personal fitness training industry is one of the fastest growing employment categories in the United States, due in great part to an encouraging upward swing in awareness of health and fitness issues. Demand for personal coaching may outpace supply for years to come, providing personal trainers with superb earning potential and room for career advancement. If you want to get a piece of this action, however, you have to be willing to put forth a great deal of thought, study and effort.

Considering Personal Training and Building Your Physique

Getting a Beginner’s Education

All personal trainers have to start somewhere. The good news is that this means you can become a personal trainer even if you have no fitness experience and aren’t in great shape; all you need to do is put in lots of hard work.

Start preparing for a career in this field by independently educating yourself on fitness and training. Read books on the subject, watch training videos and take affordable, relevant classes online or at community colleges near you. Keep a journal of everything you do and learn, and review it regularly to keep things fresh in your mind. If possible, find a personal trainer in your area who is willing to give you advice and guidance. If you can establish such a relationship, you might be able to shadow that trainer on the job or even earn an internship, which would provide you with invaluable experience.

Exploring Specialties, Career Paths and Certification Programs

Because the personal fitness training industry is booming, many trainers are differentiating themselves from their peers by pursuing training specialties. There are dozens of in-demand specialties out there, including physical therapy for people with disabilities and chronic diseases, sports training, massage therapy and weight loss counseling. Research the possibilities and see if any specialties jump out at you as being particularly interesting or close to your heart. If you can choose the right specialty for you, make plans to pursue specialized certification in that area later.

Becoming Fit

Personal trainers don’t need to be hulked with muscle or among the fastest runners in the world, but they do need to be in good shape. Preparation for a career in this field requires that you maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and generally maintain good health habits. If you smoke, quit. If you’re a little behind where you should be in terms of fitness, work hard to catch up. If you need help getting there, hire your own personal trainer. Seeing the job from a student’s perspective will teach you a great deal, too.

Embarking on an Educational Path

Degrees in Fitness

A degree from a college, university or institute is usually not required to become a personal trainer, but it certainly can help. If you have the time, desire and money, pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in physical education, exercise science, human movement physiology or a related degree. Shop around for schools and degree programs that are regarded highly within the fitness world. Take your time with both the decision to pursue a degree and your selection of schools, because this is a major commitment of time, effort and funds.

Common Certifications

Although only some of today’s personal trainers have degrees, nearly all of them have certifications. Most gyms and other businesses that offer personal training services require specific certifications of their trainers, and even savvy customers know to ask independent trainers for proof of certification.

Certification programs tend to be short in duration and are much more affordable than formal degree programs. Prerequisites vary from one certification program to the next, but many require applicants to pass a basic physical fitness test, pass a written entry exam and earn CPR certification, which also requires only a small investment of time, effort and money.

There are several major certification programs. The American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, National Strength and Conditioning Association and National Federation of Professional Trainers are just a few of the most prominent ones. Prospective students should research each one separately before deciding which program or programs they wish to enroll in.

There are a few other things to consider before choosing. If you want to work as a personal trainer for a specific company, you should contact that company to find out which certifications they require or prefer. If you want to pursue a specialty, it’s important to seek out and earn as many certifications as possible in that specialty field. It is also important to understand that most employers in this field require more than one certification.

Managing Employment Opportunities

Working at Fitness Centers

Once you’ve earned your certifications and have a healthy personal training resume, getting a job at a gym is a great next step. In this employment arrangement, you’ll usually only have to worry about training your clients and retaining them. The gyms will typically take care of payment processing, marketing and other considerations. Most trainers find these jobs by simply inquiring about employment at nearby gyms, filling out applications and completing job interviews.

Working Independently

Working as an independent trainer requires much more work, but succeeding at it allows for much greater earning potential. To go solo, you must become established and registered as a small business, buy liability insurance and set up or reserve gym space. Then you’ll have to market yourself by placing ads, distributing cards and leaflets, canvassing neighborhoods and promoting yourself at public events. Only then can you actually begin training clients and earning money, but you’ll have to run your business at the same time.

Pursuing a Specialty

If you’ve chosen a specialty and earned the related certifications, you may be able to find a permanent position that allows you to work in that specialty. For example, physical rehabilitation therapists can find work at hospitals and care centers, while sports-specific trainers may find work on the staffs of professional sports teams. Many career opportunities are unique to only certain narrowly-defined specialties.

Other Opportunities

There are numerous other niche opportunities for independent trainers and for those who wish to work for larger companies. For example, some cruise lines employ trainers who spend much of their time on cruise ships training guests. Others may teach their own fitness classes via the Web. The possibilities are really only limited by your drive and imagination.

Continuing Education

Earning CE Credits

Most personal training certifications must be maintained on an annual basis by earning continued education (CE) credits. This means that you will be required to attend a certain number of courses, conferences and other events each year to earn the required credits. Not all educational opportunities will qualify you for CE credit, but trainers typically have hundreds of unique options to choose from. If you work for a gym or other entity, your employer may cover some or all of the cost for your CE credit courses.

Adding Certifications

Earning new certifications on a regular basis can be tough to balance with a full workload, but it’s one of the best ways to boost your earning potential and move your career forward. Never stop researching certification opportunities, and consider carefully how each one might benefit your career before enrolling.

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To know more about personal trainer education please visit our website.

Your fitness training plan should be designed to provide clear and personalized direction toward achieving your goals. It is a blueprint that organizes all of your exercise activities into one cohesive program for success.

Things You’ll Need:

• Calendar
• Pencil
• Paper
• Health or fitness assessment results (recommended)

Instructions

1. Establish specific fitness training goals.
2. Gather results from any health or performance-related assessments that are related to your goals.
3. Set your target date for achieving your goals and work backwards to the present.
4. Break down your total time frame into training phases of at least 4 weeks.
5. Assign a purpose to each of the phases of training so that, collectively, they lead you to your goals.
6. Within each phase, or cycle, include variations (e.g., light, moderate, intense) by week and by day within a range that fits the purpose of the phase.
7. Choose the primary exercises and alternatives that you plan to incorporate in your program in light of the exercise equipment and facility you have available.
8. Plan detailed daily workouts for the first training phase.
9. Implement the first phase of the training plan.
10. Evaluate your progress by retesting health and fitness levels tested in Step 2.
11. Revise the next and subsequent phases in light of how you are progressing toward your fitness training goals.
12. Continue the process of training, evaluating, and revising until you achieve your goals.

Tips & Warnings

• State goals in terms of expected outcomes that are clear, realistic, challenging, and achievable.
• Examples of assessments include tests of body composition, resting heart rate, strength level on specific exercises, or cholesterol level.
• Your goals and current physical status offer meaningful information on which you can craft your individualized fitness training program.
• Fitness training phases are typically designed to increase your level of conditioning, strength, endurance, or maintaining your fitness level.

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To know more about personal trainer education please visit our web site.

Whether you want to become the next Demi or Arnold, or just get back in shape, working with a personal trainer will do the job. Trainers’ expertise and workout styles vary enormously: Here’s how to find the best person for you–and that six-pack just waiting to be discovered.

Instructions

Step 1: Determine which fitness activities are most likely to keep you feeling happy, enthused and committed: Kickboxing, spinning, free weights, Pilates, walking, step aerobics, dance, rock climbing, gospel aerobics, circuit training or cardio-focused training. Doing what you love will keep you doing it.

Step 2: Get a referral from a satisfied (and buffed) friend or call nearby fitness centers, gyms or studios and find out what programs are offered by their personal trainers.

Step 3: Find out if the trainer is certified by a nationally recognized body such as the American Council on Exercise (acefitness.org) or the American College of Sports Medicine (which requires a health-related academic degree). Check if dance or martial arts teachers have had proper training as well.

Step 4: Schedule a trial workout to see if a trainer is suited to your personality and shows a genuine interest in you and your goals.

Step 5: Choose a trainer or teacher with a good grasp on your workout level–and limitations. You want someone who motivates and challenges you without setting impossible goals or pushing you too fast or too hard. Creative workout planning will help avoid burnout.

Step 6: Some gyms employ trainers who only have a college degree in physiology or kinesiology. However, there are lots of graduates of weekend programs or, worse, home-based or Internet classes, out there claiming to be qualified. Standardized fitness certification guidelines for the industry are imminent; meanwhile, check credentials carefully.

Tips & Warnings

• Check on your trainer’s cancellation policy to avoid wasting money on classes you can’t make.
• Look into mobile gyms if you’ve got more money than time. Some personal trainers can drive a gym on wheels straight to your house, but it will cost you.

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For more information about personal trainer certification, please visit our website.