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Healthcare Education Levels

Fitness Trainer Certificate

Do you consider yourself to be a health conscious individual? Is being fit and healthy one of your primary goals in life? Do you hope to apply this passion to the work force and pursue a career that is related to fitness training? There are many occupational possibilities in this industry that you can choose to pursue within your educational program. In addition, the available options make it possible for you to complete an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a graduate level degree. Thanks to technological advances, it may even be possible for you to obtain your fitness certificate education in this field of study through an online learning format.


In a capacity of fitness training it will be your responsibility to guide and encourage an individual or a group through a variety of fitness activities. You will likely need to demonstrate the activity, adjust the level of difficulty to appropriately meet the needs of various individuals, explain and show techniques to clients that are intended to help them maximize on their efforts, and teach clients how to stretch correctly, how to strength train, and how to perform cardiovascular exercises. It may also be up to you to help clients learn to make healthier decisions and how to stick by their decisions. It will be important that you can listen to your clients, apply what they've explained to you, and communicate effectively with your clients. Keep in mind, in this profession it will be possible for you to work in several different venues; you may even decide to open your own fitness related business.

While it is possible to work in an area of fitness training with only a high school diploma, it is likely to benefit you more if you obtain an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in an area of fitness or exercise. It is important to note that without completing a post-secondary degree program you will not be eligible for upper level positions in this industry and you will not be able to sit for some of the certification examinations. In this industry it is also important that you obtain your CPR certification. Even if you decide not to complete a formal degree program, you will surely want to become certified in this area. To become certified initially you will want to earn a passing score on one of the certification examinations that are offered by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. However, if you have completed an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree, then you may want to pursue advanced certification in this industry.

To be eligible to sit for this examination you must have completed 200 hours of practical fitness experience. Lastly, it is common for individuals in the fitness industry to choose an area of specialty and to become certified in this particular area. For instance, you could choose to concentrate your fitness training in common areas such as: yoga, cycling, Pilates, or kettle bell. It is important to note that you may be required to work under a more experienced fitness trainer before you begin working on your own.