How to Become a Personal Fitness Trainer

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Q: I’m interested in becoming a personal fitness trainer and have been told that I need to become “certified.” There seem to be so many choices of accreditations and training: How do I know which one to choose?

A: The fitness industry is a fickle field. There are busy personal trainers and fitness instructors whose only qualification is having a hot body, motivating personality or celebrity clients. In many big cities, pretty much any out-of-work actor, dancer or former athlete can set up shop as a trainer—and many do. While experience exercising counts for something and having charisma is important, trainers need to know how the body really works as well as how to interpret new research in the exercise sciences.

One improperly executed lunge can hurt a knee for life. A stretch too far can permanently weaken a joint, the wrong kind of core training can damage spinal discs, and an overzealous training session can lead to rhabdomyolysis—a potentially fatal condition where an extreme breakdown in muscle fibers can result in kidney damage.

Physical therapists are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field, plus pass an exam and maintain their license by taking continuing education classes. There are no mandatory qualifications for exercise trainers.

As a result, trainers, yoga instructors and other “body professionals” have a huge range of expertise: From the utterly unqualified with no formal education in the field to those with a certification but no real academic expertise to trainers with a bachelor’s, master’s or even a doctoral degree in one of the exercise sciences.

Over the past two decades there have been efforts by the fitness industry to establish minimal standards to regulate the quality of instruction. One of the first fitness instructor certifications was offered in 1986 (originally called the IDEA certification, and now known as the American Council on Exercise, or ACE, certification). Today there are hundreds of certifications available from a number of organizations, both for general teaching and for sub-specialties such as boxing, indoor cycling, prenatal, yoga and Pilates. Virtually none of them are regulated by one overseeing body, so standards vary widely. It’s a complex dilemma and still hotly debated within the fitness industry. Most health clubs require that staff obtain at least the basic certifications.

So, what should you do? At the very least, your starting point should be to obtain a basic instructor or trainer certification. This will require some home study on your part (many of the groups that offer these exams have training sessions and sell accompanying study guides). Exams usually take a half a day and are a combination of both written and practical testing.

There are many basic certifications available, but the most established are:

Once you are certified, you shouldn’t stop there. Certifications generally ensure that you know the basics, but they do not make you an expert. If you intend to make a career in fitness and want to provide the best for your clients (as well as reduce the legal liability for yourself), aim to get a bachelor’s degree or higher in exercise physiology, anatomy and physiology, physical education or related disciplines. Getting additional certifications for other modes of exercise is important, but still does not substitute for a formal, science-based university education. Also, if you intend to provide nutrition advice, you should also obtain academic training in nutrition (and this entails taking chemistry and biochemistry as well as physiology classes).

Clearly this will take time and it may seem overwhelming. But if you intend to become a professional, it’s crucial, in my opinion, to go the extra mile. But don’t be scared off! Most people in these fields begin with a love of movement and an appreciation for the way the body works. Your interest and genuine inspiration will carry you through.

While it may seem impractical to devote so much time to a new career, remember that you can do it slowly. Many universities offer night or part-time programs. Plus, once you have a basic certification and can start working in the field, all of your education then becomes tax deductible. As long as you are improving your skills in your current occupation, education is considered a business expense. One class a semester will require only that you commit about two hours a week—not much if you are truly dedicated to becoming a pro. Although many trainers see this job as a part-time gig that allows them to exercise and be paid for it, it should be taken more seriously. As baby boomers age, and more research links medicine, health and exercise, it will be more important—perhaps even federally mandated—for trainers to be highly qualified.

This is a fascinating field that will continue to enlighten and inspire you as the research and understanding of the way the body works evolves. Think of it as a lifetime of learning!

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Martica is a Manhattan-based exercise physiologist and nutritionist and an award-winning fitness instructor. She has written for a variety of publications including Self , Health , Prevention , The New York Times and others. Martica is the author of seven books, including her latest, Cross-Training for Dummies . (Read her full bio.)