You might be someone that enjoys working out and is interested in finding out how to become a personal trainer. There aren’t any legal certifications or requirements that a person needs to be a trainer for someone else. However, if you want to be taken seriously you should have some kind of accreditation to back up your skills. The ASFA or American Sports and Fitness Association offer certification for people that are interested in being a physical fitness trainer. They have an easy to access online test anyone can take to qualify for certification.
In order to pass the exam they have you only need 70 percent correct. The site offers several different certificates for fitness training depending on whether you want to specialize in a particular area. They have certification for water aerobics, group fitness/bootcamp, kickboxing, pilates and even nutrition. Most of the general exams cost $100 and you receive your certificate upon passing. The site also has an advanced and master certificate available for fitness trainers that are more expensive then the basic exam rates. Once you have your certificate of instruction you can begin to make client contacts.
If you already have a gym you belong to you can use it as a good starting point to market your personal fitness training skills. You can post your profession on bulletin boards and also take out ads in your local newspaper. People will be more inclined to pay attention to what you have to offer when you have the certification to back it up with. You can also start out working through an athletic club or gym and make your own contacts on the side. Many of the instructors at a health club or work out facility double as personal fitness trainers for their clients. Once you become a personal trainer you’ll find that helping others to be more physically fit is a rewarding experience.