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How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer?
India’s fitness industry is undergoing an extensive revolution and is at boom right now. Most people are driving towards fitness, thereby leading to increased awareness of health and fitness, especially among the youth. To your surprise, the health and fitness market is valued at US $6.72M in 2022 and is expected to grow even further at an impressive CAGR of 3.69% during 2024-2032 (IMARC Group). This has led to an influx in the demand for fitness trainers across the nation.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll explore the following:
- Why become a certified personal trainer?
- Steps to become a certified personal trainer?
- Benefits of being a certified personal trainer?
- Growth Scope for professionals in India
Without any further delay, let’s get started.
Why become a certified personal trainer?
There is a fitness revolution going on in India, leading to a rise in the demand for a certified personal trainer. Now here arises a very crucial question: Why is it necessary to become a certified personal trainer? Let’s explore the reasons together:
High expertise demand
Gyms, fitness studios, and wellness centres are growing up like mushrooms in the country, which has led to an increased demand for certified fitness trainers in the nation. Trainers with appropriate certification seem to be more credible and reliable than someone who’s just having experience but no certification. Those with proper certification have the ability to create that trustworthiness in the individual by delivering effective fitness plans according to their needs and demands.
Potential for money-making
The demand for certified fitness trainers is too high, but sadly, not many people are available in the market. This can lead you to command higher salaries as compared to the uncertified employees. A certified fitness trainer can earn anywhere between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 per month in India, depending on the location, clientele, and experience you hold.
Flexibility and Entrepreneurship opportunities
A personal trainer has the flexibility to work in varied settings, such as gyms, start their own private practice, or even offer virtual training programs.
Positive and Social impact
Helping people attain their fitness and wellness goals is enriching. This can thereby assist trainers to create a positive impact amongst the people, hence promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Steps to Become a certified personal trainer
You have understood the factors that make being a certified personal trainer important. Now the next thought that you must be having in your mind is how to become a certified personal trainer? Let’s explore the steps to becoming one:
Have thorough understanding about your role as a personal trainer
The very first step in the journey of becoming a certified personal trainer is for you to have a clear, transparent understanding as a personal trainer. A personal trainer is more than a fitness and workout guide. They make sure that you have a clear picture of your own body and what you actually require physically in order to be fit. There must be certain questions that might arise before being a personal trainer, like, What are you supposed to actually do? Are there fitness plans and theories that might be in existence? How can you assist people to achieve their goals and fitness plans?
Although having sound knowledge about fitness and health is really crucial, there are certain other things as well that might help you to excel, which include strong communication, empathy, and understanding towards your clients.
All these soft skills are essential so that you have a better understanding of the client's needs and make a strong plan to help them achieve the same.
Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before moving ahead with this fulfilling journey of being a certified personal trainer, it’s important to ensure that certain crucial and basic requirements are met, as without this criteria being a certified personal trainer is a little challenging. Let’s have a look at all these requirements:
- Some of the certification programs demand the candidate to be at least 18 years old.
- For most certifications, high school diploma is a must.
- Also, being certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is mandatory and crucial.
These certifications are important for dealing with emergencies in fitness settings.
Opt for the right certification program
Choosing the essential and right certification program is another major yet crucial step, which further enhances the individual’s career growth as a fitness trainer. It’s very crucial to ensure that these certifications are achieved from globally recognised and credible organisations.
Some of the popular certifications in India are:
- NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
- ACE (American Council on Exercise)
- NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
- ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association)
Further ensure that these certifications are accredited by the following organisations:
Prepare for the certification exam
Getting a fitness certification is not at all a cake walk. It requires a proper exam for which one must be fully prepared.
Some of the disciplines that are involved in the certification exam include anatomy, physiology, exercise techniques, program design and client communication, and other soft skills. In order to pass and clear the test with good scores, ensure that you study dedicatedly and get yourselves enrolled in varied study programs and courses that will help you crack the exam with greater scores.
Further, make sure that you religiously dedicate 2-3 hours daily for studying and utilise varied resources like textbooks, practice exams, recorded lectures, etc
Passing the certification exam
The pattern that many certification exams follow is not fixed in terms of patterns of the questions to be asked. Usually, it’s a mixture of short-term questions, case studies, real-life scenarios, and multiple-choice questions.
Fees for these examinations generally range from Rs. 35,000 to 85,000 approximately, depending on the organisation you are choosing. Once you pass the exam, you get the Certified Personal Trainer certification.
Gain Practical Exposure
The story doesn’t end once you acquire the certification.
No doubt, the certification is very crucial for a fitness trainer, but so is gaining practical exposure. It’s time to apply the theoretical knowledge learnt so far! But why is having practical exposure crucial as a trainer?
This is because it will help you gain confidence, which will thereby refine skills. In order to gain practical exposure, make sure that you enrol yourself in internships and utilise learning platforms and entry-level roles.
Have a specialization in some niche
Having a specialisation in some niche is crucial, as this is what makes you different from other people in the industry. With specialisation, you can deal with clients having some unique set of needs and demands. Some of the popular niche options include weight management, sports performance training, senior fitness, Pilates, nutrition, rehabilitation, or injury prevention.
Market yourself
Today’s world is driven by social media; hence, whatever is visible sells. Thereby, marketing yourself and getting that attention from people is necessary to help you grow further by retaining and attracting clients. You can market yourself by using the following key strategies:
- Build an online presence
- Offer sessions free or at a discounted rate
- Network with as many people as possible
- Stay updated with the upcoming trends
Growth Scope for Fitness Trainers Professionals in India
The fitness industry in India is also growing and is bringing up multiple opportunities in multiple settings, like:
Gym and fitness chains
The influx of gyms has increased in the past few years. In every other locality, you’ll find a gym because people are moving towards being fit. Hence, these gyms or fitness studios are great places to explore and gain experience.
You can now associate with multiple gyms and wellness studios as a fitness trainer, which can help you gain recognition and attention, thereby helping you network with as many people as possible.
Online/Virtual Programs
There are a lot of people who wish to have the taste of fitness by being in the comfort of home, which is why they prefer something that is accessible to them online. For such individuals, you can also try organising online or virtual programs. This adds up to the options of growth post your certification is done.
Corporate wellness programs
A lot of companies are now focusing on individuals’ physical and mental health. Hence, you can also collaborate with many companies and can thereby organise fitness workshops. These fitness workshops will thereby help to network and also create a clientele that will help you in the long run.
Conclusion
The fitness industry in India is rapidly growing, which is thereby leading to an increase in the growing demand for various certifications. These certifications ensure that you become the best certified personal trainer. Furthermore, it is equally important that these certifications are done from a reputed and credible organisation.
By following the complete guide step by step outlined—having clear knowledge about the role, meeting the basic eligibility requirements, choosing the right certification program, and also gaining the practical experience—you can lead yourself to be a great trainer.
If you are ready for a rewarding career as a fitness trainer, there are multiple programs offered by FIT India Trust to give you a perfect start. Take the first step today towards transforming lives!
FAQs
What are the eligibility criteria to be a certified personal trainer?
In order to be a certified personal trainer, make sure you are 18 years or older. Enrol yourself in good accredited certifications from reputed organisations. Post that, gain some experience, and you can start off your career as a fitness trainer.
How much a fitness trainer can earn on average in India?
A fitness trainer, on average, can earn between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 per month, depending upon the specialisation, skills, clientele, and location.
How long does it take to be a certified fitness trainer?
Usually the course duration varies between 3 months and 6 months to complete.
Is it necessary to gain experience after certification?
Yes, of course, it’s very crucial. Whatever theoretical knowledge you have gained, it’s important that you apply it as well. The more experience you gain, the better your skill set will be.
