If you enjoy fitness and helping others achieve their health, wellness and fitness goals, becoming a personal trainer may be a possible career choice. As someone who is enthusiastic about fitness, you may have already helped individuals with their training and health over the years. However, it’s important to get certified if you want to become a personal trainer. Boston is home to many people looking for fitness professionals who can help them achieve their fitness goals. You may be one of them.
If you have made the decision that personal training is your career path, the next step along that path is to obtain certification. The organization that certifies you must be accredited. These organizations have their certification protocols and procedures accredited by third parties such as the NASM. If you’re interested in working for a specific fitness employer, you may want to find out the types of certifications they recognize and require.
Finding Your First Personal Trainer Job
With your personal training certificate in hand, you have various options regarding the places you can find work. You could work in a health club or provide your services as an independent contractor for a particular company. You may also start your own business and train your own clients. When you first start out, you may want to work for a larger fitness organization to gain some experience first.
Specialization
After you have become a personal trainer and are moving forward on your career path, you may have a desire to specialize in a specific type of training and obtain a specialty certification. With specialized knowledge and training you will be able to help clients more effectively and may be able to earn more for your services as well.
Consider Starting Your Own Business
As mentioned briefly above, you may choose at some point to start your own business instead of continue working at a gym or fitness company. This is a big step, however, and you need to understand the potential benefits and risks of starting any particular type of business.
Keep Improving Your Skills and Education
After you become a personal trainer, you will need to keep your continuing education up-to-date in order to retain your certification. This education can also help you stay current the latest in fitness, health and weight management ideas and innovation in the industry.