Advice on becoming a personal trainer...

[Crj900]

Alright, Im VERY interested in becoming a personal trainer. I love this stuff... Im about to receive a Computer Science Associate Degree. This wont help me at all...SO, Does anyone know of any online, or small schools that will train you to become one? To go to a 2 or 4 year school again to become one is out of the question. Any advice, I really have no idea where to start.

[Control]

Alright, Im VERY interested in becoming a personal trainer. I love this stuff... Im about to receive a Computer Science Associate Degree. This wont help me at all...SO, Does anyone know of any online, or small schools that will train you to become one? To go to a 2 or 4 year school again to become one is out of the question. Any advice, I really have no idea where to start.

Different gyms require certificates, findout what the gym you want to work at requires and you can probably get it online. ACE is pretty popular....

[Shibby]

ACE is popular but it's outdated. The most popular and up to date programs right now are NASM or ACSM. If you are wanting this because you love fitness, but havn't trained you probably won't like training. Depending on where you work at, but most place your clients will be emotionally draining when it comes to the sport. That's why I got out. I got to the point where I couldn't stand training another person that just wanted to only do work when they were with me. That would be fine if I could spend 3 or more days a week with them. But most can't afford that.

[coffee-guy]

ACE is popular but it's outdated. The most popular and up to date programs right now are NASM or ACSM. If you are wanting this because you love fitness, but havn't trained you probably won't like training. Depending on where you work at, but most place your clients will be emotionally draining when it comes to the sport. That's why I got out. I got to the point where I couldn't stand training another person that just wanted to only do work when they were with me. That would be fine if I could spend 3 or more days a week with them. But most can't afford that.

All very valid and true points - if you can go to college find something that may end up being more worthwhile in the long run. If you ever change your mind a Bank (etc) isn't going to accept a personal training certificate in place of a diploma...

[ROCKILLER]

All very valid and true points - if you can go to college find something that may end up being more worthwhile in the long run. If you ever change your mind a Bank (etc) isn't going to accept a personal training certificate in place of a diploma...

I cant speak to the personal trainer part but I founs that college is just as much about finding what you want to do as it is learning. Youre already halfway to a BA. Why not take some kinesiology classes and try to get a job at a gym to work through the rest of college. If you decide you dont want to be a trainer in 3 months or in 10 years, you wont have to try to go back to school then. Think how much more expensive and difficult it will be in 10 years, especially if you have a family then.

[coffee-guy]

I cant speak to the personal trainer part but I founs that college is just as much about finding what you want to do as it is learning. Youre already halfway to a BA. Why not take some kinesiology classes and try to get a job at a gym to work through the rest of college. If you decide you dont want to be a trainer in 3 months or in 10 years, you wont have to try to go back to school then. Think how much more expensive and difficult it will be in 10 years, especially if you have a family then.

More good points - I waited 8 years to go back to school and now I wish every damn day that I had just gone when I was "supposed" to....

[freakinhuge]

Different gyms require certificates, findout what the gym you want to work at requires and you can probably get it online. ACE is pretty popular....

Thats very true. Check out some of the popular gyms in the area and go to the website to find which certifications that the gyms accept. You will come across the more popular ones over and over, write them down and start to research them. Find out the prices, the certification, the time committment, and which test you can take online, or in your area. I just found out last week that I passed the Ace exam. I would agree that the ace exam is a little outdated and doesn't focus on enough science. If I had to do it over again I would look at a different certification. But I chose the Ace exam because it was affordable and just about every gym would accept it. So it does the job.