Personal Training Article's
Name: Kelli Calabrese - MS, CSCS, ACE
Is Fitness Your Calling?
Have you ever thought about a career in fitness? Maybe you’ve reshaped your body and want to help others share the same success. Despite what you might think, there is more to becoming a personal trainer than how much you can bench and knowing how to count. In the past, personal trainers may not have had the best reputation for several reasons, including that there were no set standards for getting into the fitness industry.
In the past, a trainer could learn their trade from magazines with few scientific concepts. Thankfully that’s all evolved and today’s trainers have a plethora of research-based health, fitness and nutrition information.
So where do you begin?
To start your career with a solid foundation, there are three major organizations that certify fitness professionals: the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
ACE is the largest certifying organization, and we’ll focus on their offerings. ACE has exams in Personal Training, Group Fitness Instruction, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consulting and also for a Clinical Exercise Specialist. Their exams are developed using a six-point development process and are guided by standards accepted by the American Psychological Association, the American Educational Research Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education.
What does it take to be a good personal trainer?
According to Cedric Bryant Ph.D., Chief Exercise Physiologist of ACE, the following are good traits for any fitness professional:
“Strong interpersonal skills, integrity, punctuality, stays up-to-date on industry developments through continuing education, utilizes fair business practices, treats all clients fairly, and practices only within his or her scope of practice.”
Sounds pretty professional, huh? As clients are becoming more savvy, they are expecting more from their trainers both in knowledge and service.
What is a day in the life of a personal trainer like?
Part of the beauty of personal training is the flexibility to schedule clients at your convenience. The personal training field can be easy to transition into because you can schedule clients around your current full-time schedule.
You may start out with early morning and weekend clients. As your schedule fills up, you can transition out of previous commitments into full-time training. Your schedule may include training at several clubs or a combination of in-club and in-home clients.
For the ambitious, client appointments can start as early as 5 a.m. and finish as late as 10 p.m. It is not recommended or realistic to train clients for more than 40 hours a week.
What are certified personal trainers qualified to do?
The ACE Personal Trainer Certification is designed for trainers providing any form of one-on-one instruction. Once a candidate has successfully passed the ACE Personal Trainer certification exam, they will have demonstrated knowledge of basic exercise science, nutrition, fitness assessment, exercise programming, instructional and spotting techniques. Passing the ACE Personal Trainer exam would qualify you to prescribe fitness programs for apparently healthy adults.
What settings are personal trainers working in?
Personal trainers work in traditional fitness centers, small private studios, large chains and also train clients at home. They are found in corporate and clinical settings. You may be able to bring expertise you have in other areas to the field of personal training. For example, directing personal trainers, managing a club, writing for fitness publications or marketing and selling fitness products.
What is the cost of the certification?
ACE exam fees are $200 when a candidate registers for the Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant certifications. Candidates interested in the Clinical Exercise Specialist certification will pay a fee of $225.
How long will it take me to get certified?
It's recommended that candidates allocate 3 to 6 months to study for the exam, depending on their background. ACE also offers a comprehensive exam preparation course to candidates. This two-day review course (three-day for Clinical Exercise Specialist) is designed for those who have practical experience but need to work on theory. It covers all critical exam competencies as well as topics that may be more complex for exam candidates. There is also support available from other study materials including flash cards, a workbook and sample tests.
Are there any prerequisites for certification?
To be eligible to take the ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor or Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant exams, candidates must be at least 18 years old and have adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification current at the time of the exam. It is also recommended, but not required, that candidates have at least 100 hours of practical hands-on experience prior to taking one of the ACE exams.
What income can you expect?
Depending on where you live, your experience and testimonials from your clients, you can charge anywhere from $25.00 – $200+ per session. As a new fitness trainer, working an hourly schedule at a fitness center pays anywhere from $9.00 - $17.00 per hour. If you are a fitness director, salaries range from $30K and up. Health club membership and equipment sales have open-ended income potential.
There are many complimentary resources available to help a trainer get started with their business. Services include a professional registry offering referrals to ACE-certified fitness professionals; a password-protected ACE Pro Site; a health and fitness e-newsletter; and an online store.
Once you get certified, how do you keep your status current?
ACE certification is valid for two years. To maintain certification beyond that period, fitness professionals must earn a minimum of 1.5 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) before their renewal date. 1.5 CECs equal 15 contact hours. They must also maintain current CPR certification.
ACE requires strict adherence to a code of ethics to help ensure that certified professionals stay within an established scope of practice and, ultimately, serve to protect the public from unethical and unsafe practices. To get more information, go to ACE’s interactive web site, www.acefitness.org. It provides certification and career information to fitness professionals; health and fitness information for consumers; and a special press section for the media.
Having been a personal trainer and fitness professional for over 15 years I can tell you that it’s a rewarding experience and every day can bring a new adventure and opportunity. It’s priceless to help someone transform their body, renew their energy and improve confidence in themselves. Even if you decide not to train others, the factual information you will learn for your personal fitness program will be invaluable. If you have any questions about a career in fitness, please e-mail me or contact www.ACEFitness.org.
Kelli Calabrese, MS, CSCS is the 2004 Personal Trainer of the Year. Kelli is an international presenter, author, personal trainer, lifestyle coach, online trainer, spokesperson, women’s fitness expert and 20 year wellness professional. She can send workouts to your iPod or you can read many of her articles on fitness and wellness.
Kelli is the Editor of Personal Fitness Professional and Wellness & Fitness Entrepreneur magazines. She is the Author of Feminine, Firm & Fit – Building A Lean Strong Body in 12 Weeks. She was the lead fitness expert for eDiets and eFitness from 2000 - 2003. Her personal mission is to empower individuals with the tools to make health, fitness and wellness a permanent part of their lives. She does this through teaching and coaching both consumers and fitness professionals. Kelli leads an Adventure Boot Camp for Women in Argyle, TX. For more information go to www.KelliCalabrese.com or e-mail Kelli@KelliCalabrese.com
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