| In its 2008-09 edition of Occupational Outlook | | | | Paige Waehner suggests that one should ask the |
| Handbook, the U.S. Bureau of Labors Statistics (BLS) | | | | following questions when deciding on a certification |
| projected that the fitness occupational field will | | | | organization: |
| experience higher than the average growth rate-27 | | | | - Is it a well-recognized certifying organization? |
| percent higher-in the decade of 2006-2016. The | | | | - How much does it cost to take the exam (personal |
| reason for the projected growth of this occupation is | | | | trainer certifications exams range from a slightly over |
| not hard to understand-Americans' renewed interest | | | | two-hundred dollars to over five-hundred dollars) |
| in health and physical fitness matters has spawned a | | | | - What are their continuing education requirements to |
| tremendous (and growing) variety of spas, fitness | | | | maintain certification? (Obtaining continuing education |
| centers, and health clubs. These fitness facilities, in | | | | credits is a future expense to be prepared for). |
| turn, are hiring personal trainers to help their clients | | | | - In what city/area is the exam given and are there |
| with their fitness goals. | | | | options for you to take the exam at a nearby |
| But how do they choose the best personal trainers | | | | facility? |
| for their clients? For many fitness centers, that | | | | - What personal trainer certifications does your |
| choice comes down to the job candidate who has | | | | prospective employer recognize or hold in high |
| the right personal training certifications. | | | | esteem? |
| Personal Trainer Certification | | | | - Do they provide study aids for the exam? |
| According to the BLS, most fitness facilities require | | | | Five of the Best Certifying Organizations |
| that their personal trainers obtain certification prior to | | | | Although as noted there are many certifying |
| employment. Such certification insures that their | | | | organizations, the following are a representative |
| trainers are skilled and have taken and passed | | | | sample of five that are accredited by the NCCA. |
| examinations (written and practical) which validates | | | | Many offer several different types of personal |
| their abilities to enable others to achieve fitness | | | | trainer certifications. |
| objectives without injury. | | | | |
| Although most certifying agencies do not require | | | | 1. American College of Sports Medicine. To be eligible |
| completion of a particular training program to award | | | | to take the ACSM's certification exam, one must be |
| personal trainer certification, most do require that | | | | a legal adult who holds a high school diploma (or its |
| their applicants have a high school diploma (or GED), | | | | equivalent) and is also CPR certified. Though home |
| be CPR certified, and pass a comprehensive exam. | | | | study courses are available to prepare for this exam, |
| To study for the exam, one may obtain study | | | | the examnation itself is taken at a prescribed location. |
| materials from the various certifying organizations, | | | | 2. American Council on Exercise. To be eligible to take |
| but this is not a requirement. While some of the | | | | the ACE certification exam, one must be at least |
| more reputable organizations provide comprehensive | | | | 18-years-old, be a high school graduate (or have |
| study guides, covering topics from anatomy to injury | | | | obtained a GED) and be CPR certified. The ACE |
| prevention, nutrition to stretching, other certification | | | | offers its exams either on location or via the web. |
| bodies allow an individual to choose materials to | | | | 3. National Federation of Professional Trainers. To be |
| prepare for the exam. | | | | eligible to take the NFPT exam, one must be a high |
| Once obtained, personal trainer certifications are | | | | school graduate. The NFPT has over 100 exam |
| usually valid for 2 years and then can be renewed | | | | locations throughout the world. |
| only upon completion of a certain number of training | | | | 4. International Fitness Professionals Association. The |
| programs, seminars, and other physical fitness | | | | exam for IFPA certification must be taken at a |
| programs (collectively called continuing education | | | | select location. |
| credits). | | | | 5. National Academy of Sports Medicine. To be eligible |
| Although becoming certified takes time, effort, and | | | | to take NASM's certification exam, one must be a |
| money (for study materials and examination fees), | | | | legal adult and be CPR certified. This examination is - |
| most fitness facilities require such personal trainer | | | | as with most - given at a specified location. In |
| certifications of their employees, thus even | | | | addition to these five, there are many others (such |
| experienced individuals are simply handicapping their | | | | as the NSCA, NESTA, and the Cooper Institute) that |
| employment opportunities by failing to obtain such | | | | are worth investigating. |
| certification. | | | | Which one you choose depends largely upon your |
| Finding a Personal Trainer Certification Agency | | | | personal tastes and (likely) the affordability of the |
| There are many acceptable certifying agencies and | | | | exam. Of course, if you know the requirements of a |
| many that are simply fraudulent enterprises designed | | | | particular facility with which you would prefer to |
| to make a profit without offering anything of value. | | | | work, that is an excellent first step in making your |
| The most important step in finding a good personal | | | | decision. Furthermore, there is no limit on the number |
| trainer certification organization, therefore, is making | | | | of certifications that one might accumulate, and |
| sure that it is accredited by a reputable independent | | | | indeed, it may be wise to be certified by more than |
| accrediting agency. Accreditation insures that the | | | | one organization, particularly if you wish to specialize |
| certification program meets industry standards. It is, | | | | in a particular area-whether working with children, the |
| in essence, a "gold seal" of approval within the | | | | elderly or the infirm. |
| industry and, as such, it carries of prestige with | | | | As the expected growth of the fitness industry is |
| prospective employers. The very best way to make | | | | encouraging, so too will be the job prospects, but |
| sure that a certifying agency is reputable, says the | | | | only if one has obtained personal trainer certifications |
| BLS, is to determine whether it holds accreditation by | | | | though a reputable certifying agency. Fortunately, |
| the National Commission for Certifying Agencies | | | | there are many such organizations from which to |
| (NCCA) or other similar agency. | | | | choose. |
| In addition to accreditation, certified personal trainer | | | | |