How to Become a Personal Trainer

The path you choose to take to becoming a personal trainer can look different. However, specific steps, such as completing an education and a relevant certification, are standard. As a personal trainer, you can coach your clients through a workout routine, teach exercises to help them achieve their goals, and offer nutrition advice. Keep reading to learn how you can work towards helping people reach their fitness goals.

What is a personal trainer?

Personal trainers evaluate their clients’ fitness goals and compare them to their current strengths and weaknesses. They then use this information to construct a workout regimen to help them reach their desired fitness level on an appropriate timeline. 

Personal trainers often work one-on-one with clients to teach them the correct exercise form and weights. Trainers will also adjust the training volume to prevent injury.

What exactly does a personal trainer do?

Personal trainers assess their clients’ physical condition relative to their goals and construct a tailored plan to help them achieve them. In this job, you also evaluate a client's progress along the way and make appropriate changes. 

As a personal trainer, you will also demonstrate and explain exercises to clients in a way they can understand. You will offer advice on lifestyle and diet habits that may help their clients reach their goals.

What qualifications do you need to be a personal trainer?

To be hired as a personal trainer, you first must complete your 12th. The stream in which you choose to complete your 12th is up to you. After completing your 12th, you should consider earning a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree may only sometimes be a requirement, but employers generally prefer candidates with a degree. You are free to choose the area in which you earn your degree; however, a bachelor’s in physical education is a good option to help prepare for your career as a personal trainer. The final qualification is to earn a certification. 

What skills do I need to be a successful personal trainer?

Succeeding as a personal trainer requires a wide range of skills. Not only do you need knowledge of exercises and the fitness aptitude to demonstrate them to clients, but you also need to know how to offer a personalised regimen according to different people's individual needs and goals. Additionally, strong relationship skills and the ability to motivate are highly valuable, as these abilities can help inspire your clients to keep working hard.

How do I earn a personal training certification?

You will need to pass a certification course to become a certified personal trainer. There’s a wide range of certification exams, including the International Sports Science Association (ISSA), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and ACE Personal Trainer Certification. 

Typically these exams take about three to six months to prepare for, but some can take up to 12 months.

You’ll also want to hone the skills needed to be an effective trainer, including working on your fitness and stamina levels, communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.

The Integrated Fitness and Sports Institute also offers government-recognised certifications and diplomas in India. To qualify for the IFSI Certified Gym Fitness Trainer Course, which will qualify you to work in gyms across the country, you must complete your 10+2 and demonstrate a passion for health and fitness.

How long does it take to become a personal trainer?

Depending on the type of personal training and the setting you wish to train in, you can become certified in as little as two days.

However, it can also take as long as 12 months. Commercial gyms can take three to six months to be certified and hired.

Do personal trainers make good money?

According to Glassdoor’s October 2024 data, the median salary of a personal trainer is £2,56,176 [1]. Whilst many personal trainers work at gyms, you can also choose to work independently which can increase your earning potential and also places a significant responsibility on you to find and retain clients. Working at a gym may also provide opportunities for bonuses or commissions. 

Other factors that can contribute to your income as a personal trainer include the location where you work, with larger cities generally providing more earning potential, as well as how much experience you have accumulated and whether or not you have specialised skills. For example, you may choose to specialise in an area such as injury prevention or sports performance. 

How hard is it to become a personal trainer?

Becoming a personal trainer is not difficult, but you’ll put in a lot of work and dedication whilst studying for the exams and gaining the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience. Becoming a personal trainer is viable for anyone passionate about health and fitness and willing to put in the required time and work.

Build skills to help you become a personal trainer

To become a personal trainer, you first need to meet the education requirements prior to going on to earn your certification. With your certification, you then qualify to work as a personal trainer and can start positively impacting your clients' physical health.

On Coursera, you can find courses from top institutions worldwide to help you prepare for personal training certification. If you want a glimpse into exercise, nutrition, and its benefits, consider taking the Science of Exercise course from the University of Colorado Boulder. If the nutrition side of personal training interests you, the Stanford Introduction to Food and Health course can help you better understand nutrition labels and help clients make the right nutrition choices.