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• So You Want To Be A Personal Trainer? - Here Are The Facts.

So You Want To Be A Personal Trainer? - Here Are The Facts.

written: January 24, 2011

written by: Tina Benjamin

So you are interested in the personal fitness profession. The outlook on the physical fitness industry is promising. Here are some facts about the industry as well as some requirements on becoming a fitness professional.

Personal/Fitness workers are there to lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities and training . Some of these activities may be cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and stretching. A Personal trainer's office environment is different from a 9-5 office job. Fitness professionals work in health clubs, country clubs, hospitals, universities, yoga and Pilates studios, resorts, and clients' homes. Usually a fitness trainer will specialize in a few specific areas of training.

Personal trainers assess their clients level of physical fitness and create a program to help clients reach fitness goals. They may keep records of their clients' exercise sessions to monitor the clients' progress toward physical fitness. They also enjoy flexibility to design and implement their clients' workout routines. Personal trainers often work nights and weekends, sometimes even holiday to cater to clients busy schedules.

Trainers are expected to know how to do their jobs when they are hired. There is little or no on-the-job training for fitness workers except for occasional organizational training about the daily operations. Sometimes, they receive specialized training if they are expected to teach or lead a specific method of exercise or focus on a particular age or ability group.

A bachelor's degree is becoming a requirement at more and more places of employment in the fitness industry. Some of these bachelor's degrees can include degrees like exercise science or physical education. Most employers who require a bachelor's degree also require certification. Certification is critical for personal trainers and usually must be earned before working with clients or with members of a health club or gym.

Certification generally is good for 2 years and all trainers must become re-certified by utilizing continued education, visiting conferences, conducting presentations or writing articles. Some organizations offer more advanced certification that requires an associate's or bachelor's degree in an exercise-related area. Earning this advanced degree can give trainers opportunities like the ability to work with athletes, injured or ill people. They may even advise clients on general health.

Some of the traits and skills that are useful in the fitness profession are an outgoing personality, great communication skills, excellent motivation skills, and a sensitivity to the needs of others. It is helpful to be fit and in good health because of the physical nature of the job.

There are many types of advancement for fitness trainers. Usually a bachelors degree in an area such as exercise science, physical education, kinesiology or another fitness related area coupled with previous experience are usually required for a position in management. Some fitness employers require a master's degree for an advanced positions. As always, managerial skills are always necessary for a position as a supervisor or manager.

Jobs for fitness workers are expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations. Fitness workers should have good opportunities because of continued job growth in health clubs, fitness facilities, and other settings in which fitness workers are concentrated.

Employment of fitness workers is expected to increase 29 percent over the 2008-18 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. These workers are expected to gain jobs because an increasing number of people are spending time and money on fitness and more businesses are recognizing the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees.*

The amount of aging baby boomers who are becoming concerned with having a healthy lifestyle creates growth in the fitness industry. The decrease of physical education in schools and increase in childhood obesity will also add to the growth of this industry and the need to train children at a younger age. Fitness members at gyms and health clubs are on the rise.

Opportunities are expected to grow for fitness workers. This is an industry that has a promising outlook. If you are interested in taking the first step to an education for the fitness industry, check out Trade School Advisors Fitness degrees!

Tags: Fitness/Nutrition

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• So You Want To Be A Personal Trainer? - Here Are The Facts.