How to Prepare for the Personal Trainer Certification Exam

The fitness industry has been growing steadily over the past 10 years and is not going to be slowing down anytime soon. With the increase in popularity, that means more personal training job opportunities and the opportunity to make a career in fitness.

If you are looking to become a fitness professional, your first step is to get your personal training certification. While people often think they need to get a degree to work in fitness, the answer is no. What you need, however, is a certification. Even if you do get a degree in the field, at the end of the day you will still need to get your personal training certification to get hired and train clients.

Who Should Get a Personal Trainer Certification?

If you've already asked yourself some of the following questions, you should consider getting your certification to become a fitness trainer.

• "I really enjoy being in the gym, how can I make a career of this?"

• "People are constantly asking me for fitness advice, how much money could I make from helping other people?"

• "I really love helping people and I love fitness, how can I put those together to make a career of it?"

If you have both a passion for fitness and helping other people, then becoming a certified personal trainer can only benefit you. Additionally, personal trainers can choose to do this in addition to another job, or like most, they make a career out of it as a full-time fitness professional. This is a flexible career that can fit almost any lifestyle.

How to Get Started in a Personal Trainer Certification Program

Getting started with the ISSA is the easiest part! First, decide which course path is right for you. To help you make the decision, look at your options of what materials you need to study for the personal trainer exam. Then compare that to your end goal as a fitness professional.

You can always call and talk to an ISSA education advisor who can go through the process and help you decide which path is best for you to earn your personal trainer certificate. Then you can get started either by enrolling online or over the phone.

Most people who decide to get their personal training certification will also get their nutrition certification at the same time. This will give you the extra education to offer your clients more services and will also make you more attractive to potential employers.

Once you get that personal training certification you can also go into other specialization areas beyond nutrition to further your education. Most fitness trainers will choose the areas they are interested in most to become specialized.

Are There Any Prerequisites?

The only requirements to earn your personal training certification are that you are 18 years of age or older and that you hold a current CPR/AED certification. No degree or prior experience needed.

What Will I Learn in a Personal Trainer Certification Program?

To become a personal trainer, you're tested on six key areas on the certification exam. Between the textbook and the online resources for the personal trainer exam, you will be fully prepared to pass the exam.

First, you will start off with learning about the human body and how it all works. This will cover everything from the systems of the body and how those systems work together down to the muscles and joints. Then you will move onto learning how to assess your clients. A fitness assessment is important so you can understand where they are starting out and how you can best work with them to hit their goals.

Once you have learned how to assess clients, you will then move onto learning how to create workout programs specific to the goals they are looking to accomplish. You will also learn how to work with people that have special conditions and what modifications are best for them.

While a nutrition certification is highly recommended for personal trainers, you will learn the basics of nutrition in the course to become a certified personal trainer. And of course, as with any career, you will learn what professional practice means as a fitness professional.

How to Prepare for the Personal Trainer Exam

Everyone has a different style of learning and pace at which they work, so keep that in mind as you are going through your course. You have six months to complete the personal trainer certification exam. That is going to be more than enough time to get it done.

The certification program will provide you will all the study material you need to pass the certification exam. You will have the textbook, a study guide, and practice exams to study at your own pace. It is suggested that in addition to the textbook you use the study guide to make sure that you focus on what is important for the certification exam.

How Long Will It Take to Get Certified?

You will be given 6 months to complete the certification exam to earn your personal training certification. Now keep in mind you do not have to take that full 6 months; you can get through it as quickly as you would like.

Where is the Personal Trainer Certification Program Located?

To keep up with the fitness industry, the International Sports Sciences Association offers programs fully online. What that means for you is that you don't have to wait to begin! You can get your certification started as soon as you are ready. Once you enroll, you have instant access to your online account so you can start that same day toward becoming a certified personal trainer!

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer?

The cost of a personal fitness training program will vary depending on which option is best for you. Also, if you decide to combine other courses to further your education as a fitness professional that will change the initial cost. This will generally save you quite a bit of money in the long run. Plus, there are flexible payment plan options that make it extremely affordable to start a career as a fitness professional.

Do I Have to Renew My Certification?

Like many other professional certifications, you will need to renew your certification every two years. As part of the renewal, need to have a current CPR/AED certification and you must earn continuing education credits.

Most commonly, fitness professionals will take another course such as Strength and Conditioning Specialist or Group Fitness Instructor to add to their education and renew their certification at the same time. This not only gives you the credits you need to renew but also increases your knowledge and professional development to better serve your clients and expand your career opportunities.

Keep in mind every person is going to have a slightly different learning style. As well as from where you are starting your journey to become a fitness professional. So, be sure the path you choose works best for you.

Want to jumpstart your learning? ISSA's CPT Bootcamp provides you with the ultimate LIVE guide to studying, understanding, and passing your course. You'll take part in live study tutorials that deep-dive into specific concepts of the course, and you will find out EXACTLY what you need to pass your final exam. Sign up for the CPT Bootcamp today!