Every day, millions of people work out in gyms around the world. Some are certified personal trainers (CPT) and others are not. The difference between these two groups is significant because it affects how the workouts are conducted, what equipment they have access to, and whether or not they can give advice to their clients about diet plans. We will provide information on what it takes to become a Certified Personal Trainer or CPT so you know whether this career path is right for you!
The first thing to understand is that not all personal trainers are certified. This means that they just completed a course offered by an organization like the ACSM or ACE, but their certification is good for only one year. After this time period passes, these trainers need to complete another training program in order to retain their designation as CPTs and keep working with clients.
The next step in becoming a Certified Personal Trainer requires meeting certain educational requirements . These vary depending on which of the major organizations (i.e., NSCA, ACE, NASM) you choose; however, most require applicants to hold at least 60 college credits from accredited universities before beginning classes for certification , covering topics like anatomy/physiology and exercise science . The good news is that there are many different ways to obtain these credits, such as transferring previously earned credits or participating in degree completion programs.
Once you have completed the necessary coursework and educational prerequisites, it’s time to take your certification exam ! This is a challenging process that tests your knowledge on all things related to personal training. Depending on the organization, exams can cost between $200 and $700 . However, if you pass, you will be able to work with clients as a certified personal trainer.
Maintaining your CPT designation also takes effort beyond just passing an exam. Continuing education requirements must be met every few years in order to stay up-to-date on best practices within the industry.
