Personal Trainer Certifications

Personal trainer certifications aren’t the only credentials a serious fitness professional should have. There are many ways to develop a strong résumé. In this article I’ll let you know what’s important and what’s not.

Personal trainer certifications, particularly certified Personal Trainer (cPT), are a good base for starting a career as a personal trainer. Most gyms today ask for at least the cPT course when hiring. Generally, if they allow independent trainers… they won’t ask for anything (besides a monthly rent fee). I recommend working FOR a gym if you’re interested in training clients with many different types of goals (weight loss, weight gain, sport-specific, etc). In less then a month you could be certified by one of many organizations. I got my first certification by correspondence through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Aspiring/existing personal trainers have recently started going all out and completing university programs in exercise science, kinesiology, physiotherapy, etc. I don’t think it’s because they are so interested in the subjects they are studying, but more so because they think clients will see their services as being more valuable compared to someone with very basic personal trainer certifications. I do believe that knowledge is power… but only if you use that knowledge. Ask yourself if the field of study inspires you and if applying it later on will be worthwhile before dedicating 4 (or more) years of your life to it.

Another route you can take is enrolling in specialized courses like massage therapy for example. These are certifications that are usually much more expensive than the cPT course. This is because an instructor gives the course plus it takes more time to complete. Another reason is that profitability is high. Everyone wants a massage but not every trainer knows how to give one. Although this may complement your personal training services, make sure it’s something you see yourself doing.

I’d say that more than 90% of potential clients will NOT ask you what credentials are under your name. Most personal trainers, on the other hand, will want to know (in detail) your fitness education background… because they see you as their competitor and a threat. They think that a portfolio of numerous personal trainer certifications and university degrees in itself will determine their success. This is far from the truth.

To secure your spot as the go-to guy you have to develop your most important credentials. They are the results you bring your clients. Even if you currently have only one client, give him/her the best possible workout every time and help that person to consistently improve the most efficient way you know how. One client will convert to 2, and then 4, and then 16, and so on. It really is exponential. Some clients prefer to keep their main tool for getting in shape (that’s you) a secret. Still, people in the gym will see you training your client and see the positive changes he/she is experiencing… and attribute it to you. They’ll then want to set up a first appointment. Testimonials are proof that your services work. You won’t have to focus on sales so much if you concentrate on the task at hand… which is helping your clients reach their goals. For those of you who are interested in becoming certified... The ISSA allows you to the benefit of earning your personal trainer certifications online, from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace.