Your Questions Answered - Personal Trainer Certificate

Q. What do personal trainers do?

A. Work with people to help them achieve their unique fitness goals. Personal trainers help people customize fitness plans, diet and nutrition plans and to create a healthy lifestyle. They work one-on-one or in a group setting. Here is a list of typical tasks a personal trainer may be involved in:

• Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
• Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
• Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
• Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
• Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
• Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels in order to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
• Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment such as trampolines and weights.
• Maintain fitness equipment.
• Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.
• Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.

Q. How do I know if I will like working as a personal trainer?

A. Sometimes, the only way to discover if you love something is to go ahead and try it. Here are some questions you can ask yourself. If you answer yes to these, working as a personal trainer may be a good choice for you.

• Do You Love to Exercise?
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships -- Can you develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time?
• Assisting and Caring for Others -- Will you be comfortable providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to other people?
• Coaching and Developing -- Will you be happy identifying the developmental needs of other people and then coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping them to improve their knowledge, skills and fitness level?
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Can you effectively provide information to supervisors, co-workers and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person?
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Can you monitor and review information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems?
• Getting Information -- Can you observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources?
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge -- Can you keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to your job?
• Handling and Moving Objects -- You will have to move and or assemble exercise equipment. Are you OK to use your to handle install, position and move materials and manipulate things?
• Face-to-Face Discussions -- Do you have the type of personality that is comfortable in situations where you will be required to have a lot of face-to-face discussions with individuals or groups of people?
• Structured versus Unstructured Work -- To what extent do you want a structured versus unstructured work environment? This occupation will provide opportunities for both, but will require a certain amount of flexibility from you as well as creativity. You will need to set your own tasks, priorities and goals, as well as help other people to do the same.
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled -- Do you mind spending a considerable amount of time inside?
• Physical Proximity -- Do you mind working in an environment that will require close physical proximity to other people?

Q. Where do personal trainers work?

A. Well, they work in a variety of places and environments. Many work in gyms and fitness centers, community centers, healthcare facilities and even in resorts and on cruise ships. There are a ton of possibilities. With experience and dedication, many personal trainers run their own businesses, and become very successful entrepreneurs.

Q. Do I need to be licensed to work as a personal trainer?

A. No. But it certainly makes sense for you to sit for the ACE Personal Trainer Exam (one of the most respected certifications in the business). Successfully passing the exam will give you outstanding credentials, prove that you know what you’re doing, and that you have the educational and practical credentials to be a true professional. Earning your certification also tells perspective employers that you’re serious and that you're qualified.

Q. How much money can I make?

A. According to Salary.com, you can earn about $33,200 working in a fitness facility. After 2-4 years of successful experience, you can expect to earn approximately $42,600 in the Metro Atlanta area. As with most industries, the more skilled and experienced you become, the more money you can make. It’s not uncommon for motivated individuals to make $75K a year as a personal trainer.

Q. What’s the job outlook?

A. Great! The fitness industry has grown by leaps and bounds, and continues to do so. As a personal trainer, you can work as a fitness instructor for a gym, you can open your own business, and you can work for an organization like the YMCA or even in different healthcare settings. Where you want to work and whether you want to work for yourself or someone else simply depends on how much effort you want to put into building your career. The more experience you have and the more dedicated you are, the more choices you’ll find, and you’ll be able to make more money. It’s not uncommon for motivated individuals to make $75K a year as a personal trainer.

Q. Are there additional fees for books or supplies?

A. Yes. Check individual course descriptions for more information. Books may be purchased at the KSU Center Bookstore, which is located in the same building as your classes. A one-day class for you to earn your CPR certification is included in the course proice. The CPR class will be held on a Saturday. You’ll get additional details and scheduling info during your first class meeting.