Becoming an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

When scouring the Internet, it can be tough to find a true beginner's guide to becoming a personal trainer. In this article, we're going to go through it from scratch to ensure everything is crystal clear.

A lot of people come to personal training thinking it will be one way or another, but at the end of the day, there's one main goal to personal training—to help others be their most fit selves. There are multiple ways to get there, for some it's about physical appearance whereas, for others, it's about being as healthy as possible. All sorts of people seek out personal fitness trainers for all sorts of exercise goals. One thing is for sure: trainers will always be in demand.

The fitness industry can be difficult to navigate sometimes, so with anything, feel free to contact ISSA if you have any questions about the benefits of becoming a personal trainer. Let's get started on the basics.

What is a Personal Trainer?

Ultimately, a personal trainer is an individual dedicated to the improvement of others' physical fitness. This can take many forms, and most trainers have to wear many hats to make it work. It's important to note that a personal trainer, even with the basic certification, is not a sports medicine professional. Knowing your scope of practice, which gets extensively covered in your course materials, is essential.

A personal trainer helps clients set and meet fitness goals through their workouts, which are unique to their own particular circumstances. Sometimes, they work for a gym, and other times, they work for themselves. It simply depends on what you want out of it.

However, one thing is for sure—you're going to need a personal training certification.

Why Do I Need a Certification to be a Personal Trainer?

There's an alarming fad going on with online training becoming more common. Some people are simply relying on their own personal experience (and often lack experience, sadly) to offer advice and recommendations on how people should train. And, sometimes, people are even trying to be personal trainers without a certification. Not only is this ethically wrong, but it can also place that individual in legal hot water.

Training someone without a certification opens the person up to personal liability, meaning an injured client can sue a non-certified trainer for pretty much anything. Even liability waivers often fail to stop such legal issues, and for good reason: a lack of proper education brings with it a much higher likelihood of injuring a client. Your clients are putting their trust in you, so having the proper knowledge and education is a must to justify that trust.

Furthermore, most gyms and health clubs won't hire trainers without certifications because of the liability issue. Hurt people cannot train, and training clients without a proper certification can dramatically increase the likelihood that clients will get hurt.

So, for the physical and financial safety of all parties, it's essential that a trainer holds a certification offered by legitimate certifying agencies.

How Do I Become a Certified Personal Trainer?

The good news is that, while becoming a certified personal trainer is by no means "easy," the process is still really simple!

Some organizations require an extensive background with a bachelor's degree—and some of ISSA's own offerings require a more extensive background. But with personal training, the basics you need to know only require our own coursework, saving you the time and expense of an entire degree program.

These are the steps to become an ISSA certified personal trainer:

1. Choose a study program

2. Study with your support team

3. Pass your personal trainer certification exam

4. Select your specialty

5. Get a job

Once you've achieved your personal trainer certification, you can expand your offerings with additional specializations: group fitness instructor, strength and conditioning specialist, health coach, yoga instructor, and more.

What Makes a Great Personal Trainer?

A great personal trainer possesses a combination of qualities and skills that set them apart in their profession. Here are some key attributes that make a personal trainer great:

• Expertise and Knowledge: A great personal trainer has a strong foundation of knowledge in exercise science, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and fitness principles. They stay updated with the latest research and industry trends, continuously expanding their knowledge base to provide clients with accurate and effective guidance.

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication is essential for building trust and rapport with clients. Great personal trainers have excellent communication skills, listening attentively to clients' needs, goals, and concerns. They can convey complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner, adjusting their communication style to suit each client's preferences.

• Motivational and Supportive: A good personal trainer is a source of motivation and support. They inspire and encourage clients to push beyond their limits, providing positive reinforcement and celebrating their achievements. They understand that everyone has unique motivations and challenges, adapting their approach to meet each client's needs and fostering a supportive environment.

• Adaptability and Individualization: Every client is different, with unique goals, abilities, and limitations. Great personal trainers tailor their training programs and approaches to suit each client's specific needs, preferences, and abilities. They adapt exercises, intensity, and techniques to ensure clients can progress safely and effectively.

• Goal-Oriented and Results-Driven: A great personal trainer helps clients set realistic and achievable goals. They develop personalized plans that align with these goals, tracking progress and making adjustments as necessary. They focus on delivering measurable results for their clients, motivating them to stay committed and engaged in their fitness journey.

• Safety and Injury Prevention: Safety is a top priority for a great personal trainer. They have a deep understanding of proper exercise technique and form, ensuring clients perform exercises correctly to prevent injuries. They emphasize the importance of warm-ups, cooldowns, and proper rest and recovery, guiding clients in maintaining a balanced and injury-free training program.

• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Great personal trainers are empathetic and possess emotional intelligence. They understand the emotional aspects of fitness journeys, acknowledging clients' frustrations, fears, and setbacks. They provide a supportive and non-judgmental space, offering guidance and reassurance to help clients overcome challenges and stay motivated.

• Continued Professional Development: The fitness industry is constantly evolving, and great personal trainers understand the importance of continued learning and professional development. In addition to their personal training certification, they invest in expanding their skills, staying up-to-date with the latest research, attending workshops, obtaining advanced certifications, and seeking mentorship opportunities to enhance their expertise.

• Professionalism and Ethics: Great personal trainers maintain a high level of professionalism and ethical conduct. They adhere to industry standards, respect client confidentiality, and maintain boundaries. They prioritize the well-being and best interests of their clients, always acting in a responsible and ethical manner.

• Passion and Dedication: An excellent personal trainer is passionate about their profession and genuinely cares about helping clients achieve their goals. They exude enthusiasm and dedication, inspiring clients to adopt a healthier lifestyle and supporting them on their fitness journey. 

Can I Start a Certified Personal Trainer Home Business?

One of the most popular reasons people become personal trainers is to start their own business. This is a great motivating factor, and there are many people online who have become very successful in doing this.

But don't think it's going to automatically be a cakewalk. Everything you want in life will require hard work. Just as you won't see improvements in your one rep max or your waistline by simply watching YouTube videos, you won't just improve your business acumen by just lifting weights. So, it's important to remember that you need to study the business of personal training, too, if your goal is to run a personal training business from home.

This is why it's a great idea to start your career at a gym. You can learn about the business while making money and getting hands-on experience. If you're looking for ways to set up your own home business, there are great resources all over the Internet to help you out with that.

And don't be intimidated if you don't have a bunch of fancy equipment at home to train people. If you're a fitness trainer worth their salt, you can accomplish most people's fitness goals without a single piece of expensive equipment. The equipment can help as tools, but true personal trainers know have the knowledge and ability to use a client's own bodyweight to accomplish the goals they need—it might just take a little bit longer sometimes.

What are the Advantages of Getting a Personal Trainer Certification?

In general, being an ISSA certified personal trainer has a lot of advantages. For one thing, you get to work a job every day that you're passionate about. For another, you're working a job that really makes a measurable improvement in people's lives.

If you've ever had a hand in helping someone feel good about themselves, then buckle up! That's what personal training is all about—giving people the confidence to be their best selves, to overcome adversity, and to show the world what they can do with the right help, motivation, and accountability.

But the tangible benefits don't just end there. Having your personal trainer certification means that you have the ability to write your own ticket. You can be the next major name in fitness, or you can train people in your spare time for a little extra money. The flexibility here is really an enormous advantage, especially if life tends to get in the way.

If you're a parent, a caregiver, or filling some other role which makes having a regular 9-5 difficult, or you just hate having to show up at an office, personal training can really open new doors in your life. Embrace it—it's one of the best parts of holding a trainer certification!

Make a Difference With a Personal Trainer Certification

No matter how you slice it, being an ISSA certified personal trainer is pretty awesome. It gives you the freedom to make your own schedule, make more money, and make a serious difference in the world.

There are all sorts of reasons to go into this field, but make no mistake, personal training is first and foremost a "people" business. There are so many people in the world whose lives are made better by personal trainers.

There are everyday people who want to live better lives with their families. There are those joining the military or local police forces who might need an extra push to accomplish their health and fitness goals to get hired. There are elderly individuals who might need specialized care they can't get safely anywhere else. All of these and more are great examples of the sorts of clients you stand to help in your new career as a fitness professional.

So, if you're ready to make a difference, don't let another second go by. Check out ISSA's personal trainer certification program. Start your journey to making the world a better and more fit place for everyone!