Top 5 Benefits of Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer While on Active Military Duty

Embarking on a journey to become a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) while serving in the military offers a series of advantages, both immediate and long-term. From earning additional income to creating a portable, fulfilling career, this path aligns seamlessly with the discipline, leadership, and adaptability developed in military service. The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) offers the top five benefits of pursuing a personal training certification while you’re still serving in active duty.

1. Immediate Application of Fitness Education Skills

Earning a CPT certification empowers you to immediately apply advanced fitness techniques and strategies within your unit. As an ISSA-certified personal trainer, you can:

• Design and implement personalized fitness programs tailored to the physical demands of military roles

• Assess the individual strengths and weaknesses of unit members to create effective training plans

• Motivate and lead group workouts with structure and efficiency, enhancing overall unit performance

• Educate peers on proper exercise techniques to reduce injury risk and promote long-term fitness​

Real-Life Inspiration:

Weston Faulkenberry, a retired Special Operations soldier, highlights how his CPT certification became invaluable during his service: “ISSA’s Personal Trainer course taught me how to break down fitness into manageable parts for myself and my unit. It wasn’t just about working out—it was about creating programs that worked for everyone.”​

2. Earning Extra Income While Serving

As a certified personal trainer, you can take on paying clients outside of your military duties. Flexible online courses and certifications allow you to pursue this career at your pace. This additional income stream is especially valuable for:

• Supplementing military pay

• Building financial stability before transitioning to civilian life​

Did You Know?

Active-duty Army personnel can use the Army Credentialing Assistance program to fund the ISSA personal trainer course, removing financial barriers​.

3. A Portable Career for Military Life

Military life often involves frequent relocations, which can make traditional careers challenging. A career in fitness offers:

• Flexibility to work in gyms, create online coaching businesses, or conduct group fitness sessions in any location

• Opportunities to serve niche populations, such as fellow military families or veterans, wherever you are stationed​

The ISSA Advantage:

ISSA’s online CPT certification and specializations are designed for a mobile lifestyle, allowing military members and their families to learn at their convenience. Faulkenberry attests to this flexibility: “I completed all my certifications during a six-month deployment to Ukraine. After 16-hour days of military duties, I would spend a few hours at night working through my ISSA courses. It became a weird but effective stress relief to focus on something I loved.”​

4. A Smooth Transition to Civilian Life

A CPT certification equips you with highly marketable skills that translate directly into the fitness industry, providing a clear pathway to a rewarding civilian career. The fitness sector is booming, offering diverse opportunities for certified professionals. By earning your CPT certification during active duty, you’ll gain a competitive edge and the confidence to transition seamlessly into roles such as:

• Personal Trainer or Gym Owner: Use your expertise to guide clients one-on-one, either in established gyms or your own fitness business.

• Corporate Wellness Consultant: Design and implement health and fitness programs for companies looking to improve employee well-being and productivity.

• Online Fitness Coach: Capitalize on the growing demand for virtual fitness solutions by offering personalized programs and guidance to clients worldwide.

• Group Fitness Instructor: Lead dynamic classes in gyms, outdoor spaces, or community centers, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared goals among participants.

The fitness industry not only offers job stability but also allows you to maintain the structure and purpose central to military life. As you transition, your ISSA certification will act as a foundation to build a successful career while continuing to make a positive impact on others.

“Once you complete your certification, you have the knowledge and tools ready to go,” says Weston Faulkenberry. “ISSA even provides business resources and step-by-step guidance for starting your own fitness career. It’s a roadmap for success.”

Whether you dream of becoming a fitness entrepreneur or joining a corporate wellness team, your CPT certification ensures you’re fully prepared to hit the ground running in the civilian world.

5. Fulfilling a Lifelong Mission of Service

Becoming a personal trainer allows you to continue serving others in a meaningful way. Fitness professionals change lives by:

• Improving physical and mental well-being

• Building communities around shared health goals

• Empowering clients to achieve their personal victories​

Join a New Band of Brothers and Sisters:

The camaraderie in the fitness world mirrors the support and teamwork experienced in the military. By joining ISSA’s global network of fitness professionals, you stay connected with a community dedicated to transforming lives through health and fitness. Faulkenberry shares, “Fitness became a way for me to continue serving, not just my clients but their families as well. ISSA gave me the tools to build a career I love while empowering others.”​

Becoming a certified personal trainer while currently serving is more than a career move—it’s a strategic step toward financial independence, career flexibility, and continued service. Ready to deploy your skills in a new arena? Contact ISSA's Military Representatives by calling 800-747-0214, emailing military@issaonline.com or visit www.issaonline.com/military to begin your mission briefing.