Personal Training Career

G

gbpackerfan

0
For those on this forum that are personal trainers:
What steps did you take or are you taking to get certified/educated for your job?
What kind of degrees or certifications are necessary to get ahead in this career?
What would you recommend to someone interested in entering the field?

I'm a high school senior, and in looking at what I want to major in in college, I thought that perhaps this career would be interesting. I'm not really sure, though, about what amount or kind of education would be required to be competitive for employment in this field. I know that you have to be certified, but there seem to be a lot of options as far as that goes.
 
A PT career depends a lot on which direction you want to go. Let me first say no I am not a PT. But I do have a very good knowledge of fitness and work with people everyday providing routines and general advice on getting into shape. This is done both through work and as a consultant with a children's clinic. However, I have a degree in Criminal Justice and I am the Director of Customer Relations for a large company. A lot of peoples' studies in college are helpful in the workforce just to show you can be successful and are not directly related to their careers. A lot of PT's get the certs from various organizations throughout the country depending on who their employer is hooked up with. Many college's offer courses in exercise science and related fields. If this is a strong field for you and you have the interest definately pursue it regardless of what your future goals are. Having a college degree in anything is going to help get you in just about any company. And obviously you are going to perform better in college in a field of interest. Of the trainers I work with and workout with not one has a college degree in the field. They all have certs earned after college throught their employer.

With all that being said. Check out the forums at Men's Health and JP Fitness. Many PT's frequent there and can be of great help to you.
 
As a personal trainer, I pursued a degree in Exercise Science. You can major in other programs including: Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, or Sports Managment. Phys Ed will get you prepared to be a gym teacher...it is ok to have if you are pursueing a CPT.
I think getting the formal education is important so you can learn how the body works rather than reading Flex magazine, etc. Then you can pursue a certification. ACSM, NSCA, NASM, ACE, WITS..these are all reputable organizations.
 
standAPART said:
As a personal trainer, I pursued a degree in Exercise Science. You can major in other programs including: Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, or Sports Managment. Phys Ed will get you prepared to be a gym teacher...it is ok to have if you are pursueing a CPT.
I think getting the formal education is important so you can learn how the body works rather than reading Flex magazine, etc. Then you can pursue a certification. ACSM, NSCA, NASM, ACE, WITS..these are all reputable organizations.
Click to expand...


Great information. I tend to babble some. The short of what I wanted to get across was that even if you don't study it in college does not mean you can't do it. Do what motivates you to have the best results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top