? for Midnight.....

J

joditoad1974

Cathlete
Can you tell me a little about how someone can become a personal trainer. I saw on here that you are getting ready to take your exam (good luck by the way). How long do you go to school, and how much can you expect to make on average doing this when you get out?

I have been in the medical field for 11 years, I would love a change.

Any info you could pass on would be great!

Joanna
 
Hi Joanna,

When I decided I wanted to become a personal trainer, I did some research into certifications and how to become certified. I decided to go with the ACE (American College of Exercise) certification program for personal trainers (they offer other certifications as well) because it is a well-known and respected certification. They offer a home study course for which you buy materials such as the handbook, workbooks, flashcards, cds, etc. The rest is up to you. I believe certification exams are offered 4 times per year. I have been studying for almost a year as I have to fit it in between being a SAHM to 2 human and 3 furry children with a DH that travels frequently for work. A couple of weekends ago I took a test prep course with an actual teacher and it was incredibly helpful. There is a LOT of material. They recommend that you already have some kind of fitness experience (although they don't require it) so I am "shadowing" a peraonal trainer who owns a small studio. You will have an advantage being in the medical field as the first two chapters are physiology and anatomy which almost made me bail out (I have no medical or science background).

The options once you get certified are to work in a large club, smaller studio, or independently. I don't know what the clubs pay but I do know that the woman I work with charges $65.00 and up for a one-on-one session. It costs more if she goes to your home to do it.
Quite frankly, I haven't thought of much of anything other than passing the exam. I decided to do it because I love to exercise, want to work with women to help them make peace with their bodies and be able to be home when my kids come home from school. We shall see......


www.ace.org is the place

--Lois

"Don't forget to breathe!"
 
Thanks Lois....I am also a sahm right now with 3 boys 7,4,2....I will be looking into this. Thanks for all the info, and good luck!

Joanna
 
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