In its 2008-09 edition of Occupational Outlook Handbook, the U.S. Bureau of Labors Statistics (BLS) projected that the fitness occupational field will experience higher than the average growth rate-27 percent higher-in the decade of 2006-2016. The reason for the projected growth of this occupation is not hard to understand-Americans’ renewed interest in health and physical fitness matters has spawned a tremendous (and growing) variety of spas, fitness centers, and health clubs. These fitness facilities, in turn, are hiring personal trainers to help their clients with their fitness goals.
But how do they choose the best personal trainers for their clients? For many fitness centers, that choice comes down to the job candidate who has the right personal training certifications.
Personal Trainer Certification
According to the BLS, most fitness facilities require that their personal trainers obtain certification prior to employment. Such certification insures that their trainers are skilled and have taken and passed examinations (written and practical) which validates their abilities to enable others to achieve fitness objectives without injury.
Although most certifying agencies do not require completion of a particular training program to award personal trainer certification, most do require that their applicants have a high school diploma (or GED), be CPR certified, and pass a comprehensive exam.
To study for the exam, one may obtain study materials from the various certifying organizations, but this is not a requirement. While some of the more reputable organizations provide comprehensive study guides, covering topics from anatomy to injury prevention, nutrition to stretching, other certification bodies allow an individual to choose materials to prepare for the exam.
Once obtained, personal trainer certifications are usually valid for 2 years and then can be renewed only upon completion of a certain number of training programs, seminars, and other physical fitness programs (collectively called continuing education credits).
Although becoming certified takes time, effort, and money (for study materials and examination fees), most fitness facilities require such personal trainer certifications of their employees, thus even experienced individuals are simply handicapping their employment opportunities by failing to obtain such certification.
Finding a Personal Trainer Certification Agency
There are many acceptable certifying agencies and many that are simply fraudulent enterprises designed to make a profit without offering anything of value. The most important step in finding a good personal trainer certification organization, therefore, is making sure that it is accredited by a reputable independent accrediting agency. Accreditation insures that the certification program meets industry standards. It is, in essence, a “gold seal” of approval within the industry and, as such, it carries of prestige with prospective employers. The very best way to make sure that a certifying agency is reputable, says the BLS, is to determine whether it holds accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or other similar agency.
In addition to accreditation, certified personal trainer Paige Waehner suggests that one should ask the following questions when deciding on a certification organization:
- Is it a well-recognized certifying organization?
- How much does it cost to take the exam (personal trainer certifications exams range from a slightly over two-hundred dollars to over five-hundred dollars)
- What are their continuing education requirements to maintain certification? (Obtaining continuing education credits is a future expense to be prepared for).
- In what city/area is the exam given and are there options for you to take the exam at a nearby facility?
- What personal trainer certifications does your prospective employer recognize or hold in high esteem?
- Do they provide study aids for the exam?
Five of the Best Certifying OrganizationsAlthough as noted there are many certifying organizations, the following are a representative sample of five that are accredited by the NCCA. Many offer several different types of personal trainer certifications.
- American College of Sports Medicine. To be eligible to take the ACSM’s certification exam, one must be a legal adult who holds a high school diploma (or its equivalent) and is also CPR certified. Though home study courses are available to prepare for this exam, the examnation itself is taken at a prescribed location.
- American Council on Exercise. To be eligible to take the ACE certification exam, one must be at least 18-years-old, be a high school graduate (or have obtained a GED) and be CPR certified. The ACE offers its exams either on location or via the web.
- National Federation of Professional Trainers. To be eligible to take the NFPT exam, one must be a high school graduate. The NFPT has over 100 exam locations throughout the world.
- International Fitness Professionals Association. The exam for IFPA certification must be taken at a select location.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine. To be eligible to take NASM’s certification exam, one must be a legal adult and be CPR certified. This examination is – as with most – given at a specified location.
In addition to these five, there are many others (such as the NSCA, NESTA, and the Cooper Institute) that are worth investigating.Which one you choose depends largely upon your personal tastes and (likely) the affordability of the exam. Of course, if you know the requirements of a particular facility with which you would prefer to work, that is an excellent first step in making your decision. Furthermore, there is no limit on the number of certifications that one might accumulate, and indeed, it may be wise to be certified by more than one organization, particularly if you wish to specialize in a particular area-whether working with children, the elderly or the infirm.
As the expected growth of the fitness industry is encouraging, so too will be the job prospects, but only if one has obtained personal trainer certifications though a reputable certifying agency. Fortunately, there are many such organizations from which to choose.
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