Certified Personal Trainer
A certified personal trainer is a health and fitness professional who works one on one with individuals to help them achieve their personal fitness goals. Personal trainers provide motivation, instruct people in the proper way to exercise, oversee safety, and may recommend dietary or lifestyle changes that will further help clients reach their goals. He or she instructs clients in several types of activity including: cardiovascular exercise, aerobic exercise, weight training, strength training exercise, and stretching methods. Personal trainers help individuals set appropriate goals, assess a client’s current level of fitness, and design personal fitness routines. He or she is well versed in various forms of exercise techniques, and various types of exercise machines. Trainers keep accurate records that help to monitor a client’s progress, as well as document any health concerns or injuries. Some personal trainers may specialize in specific areas such as respiratory training, resistance training, or injury rehabilitation.
Certified personal trainers should hold a high school diploma, be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and have passed a certified personal trainer certification examination. Some employers may require personal trainers to hold a Bachelor’s degree. Other necessary requirements include: a sensitive, outgoing, friendly, and motivating personality; exceptional communication skills; previous work experience; customer service skills; and proper fitness skills.
The typical average salary of a certified personal trainer with two years of experience is about $62,985 per year. Many personal trainers further advance their earnings potential by going into business for themselves.