Becoming a personal trainer

[Blaze]

I've got a ways to go, cuz I'm only 16, but still looking into careers that interest me, and was having trouble finding one. Then lately it kinda hit me, once one of my biggest passions, if not THE biggest...Health and fitness, and lifting lol.
I was just wondering if anyone knew exactly what kinda classes you'd have to take to become a teacher or a personal trainer or something of the like, something in the genre of fitness, etc. I think it'd be awesome

Im always learning(about lifting, bodybuilder, so forth) through personal fitness, study, and DF : and I'd love to continue learning, ALOT.
Thanks for the help guys

[Cort]

Chain and Most Muscle can probably help you out there.

[copperman]

Look up NESTA (National Endurance Sports Trainers Association) on Yahoo and go to their website. I am a certified personal trainer through them. They offer excellent classes and certification at reasonable prices.

[MostMuscle]

While experience is invaluable if you want to break into the fitness industry on any level, you will have to get a certification or two (or three!). Unfortunately, there are so many out there it can be confusing to choose what is right for you. I will give you my opinion based on my own experience in the industry and the fact that I am in charge of the hiring at the facility that I currently work at. Some will agree some will not but here it is.

1. NSCA CPT- The NSCA is recognized worldwide and is also the certification agency for Strength & Conditioning Coaches who work at both college and professional sport levels. My first choice and what I would look for in a candidate.

2. ACSM CPT- This is new & still under development, but the ACSM is the gold standard when it comes to clinical exercise physiology and would be especially useful if your clientele are of special populations (diabetic, elderly, post-op patients, anyone with special needs).

3. ACE CPT- The most popular. They have improved test measures over the years (used to be too easy), will get you in the door.

[sillyme]

My two cents is that in the states it is tough to make a living as a personal trainer. The huge corporate gyms have a monopoly on the personal training market. IMHO In order to make a decent living you would have to have the money and gumption to start up your own studio with a few other personal trainers.

[Blaze]

Originally Posted by MostMuscle

While experience is invaluable if you want to break into the fitness industry on any level, you will have to get a certification or two (or three!). Unfortunately, there are so many out there it can be confusing to choose what is right for you. I will give you my opinion based on my own experience in the industry and the fact that I am in charge of the hiring at the facility that I currently work at. Some will agree some will not but here it is.

1. NSCA CPT- The NSCA is recognized worldwide and is also the certification agency for Strength & Conditioning Coaches who work at both college and professional sport levels. My first choice and what I would look for in a candidate.

2. ACSM CPT- This is new & still under development, but the ACSM is the gold standard when it comes to clinical exercise physiology and would be especially useful if your clientele are of special populations (diabetic, elderly, post-op patients, anyone with special needs).

3. ACE CPT- The most popular. They have improved test measures over the years (used to be too easy), will get you in the door.

Thanks MM. So would it be a reasonable plan to shoot for the ACE CPT to jumpstart and then work my way for the NSCA CPT....that first one sounds like what I'm kind of looking for. Strength and Conditioning.