Recreational Personal Fitness Trainer
Why Is Fitness Training a Job of Tomorrow?
Physical fitness should be an important part of everyone’s lives. Staying healthy will not only keep individuals looking and feeling better, it will also add years to the lives of individuals as well as cut millions of dollars off of national medical expenses. Nearly 108 million American adults are either obese or overweight, and many develop cardiovascular disease or diabetes as a result of excess weight taking a toll on the body, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Fitness trainers will see a rise in demand as more people realize the importance of staying fit and healthy. The increasing cost of health care will also motivate many individuals to hit the gym in order to avoid doctor’s visits. Employment opportunities for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors are expected to increase 27 percent by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fitness trainers earn an average salary of $25,910 annually.
What Does a Fitness Trainer Do?
Fitness trainers work with individuals or a group towards a better health goal. These goals vary, and fitness trainers can be called upon to assist individuals in weight management, strength training, or training for a specific sporting event such as a marathon. Trainers can either work as personal trainers or group exercise instructors. Personal trainers meet one-on-one with clients and design a customized fitness plan for the client depending on his or her goals. For example, a personal trainer may develop a boot camp-style workout regime for an individual looking to lose weight quickly for an event, or develop a leg-intensive workout regime for an individual training to run a marathon. Personal trainers track client progress, offer advice to help the client achieve his or her goals, and instruct the client on different exercises he or she could perform. Group exercise instructors, on the other hand, create a general workout plan for many people to follow. Group exercise instructors often conduct classes that focus on cardiovascular health, such as dance or step classes. They must design classes that are challenging, yet easy for even beginners to follow so that anyone may join the class at any time.
What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become a Fitness Trainer?
Fitness trainers must obtain certification before working with clients. The requirements for which vary between certification programs. Most programs, however, require that prospective fitness trainers have at least a high school diploma and successfully complete an examination. On-site training is rare, as many facilities expect trainers to already be well-versed in fitness training techniques. Trainers who specialize in specific exercise arts, such as Pilates or yoga, must become certified to teach. Programs for Pilates and yoga instructors typically can last anywhere from several weeks to two years.
