Personal Training As A Profession and A Career
If you are interested in helping others understand the importance of fitness, improve their health, and learn how to lead an active and injury free lifestyle, then personal training is a career that should be considered. At the same time, while learning the skills to enter this explosive profession, you can also gain the knowledge and skills necessary to get into the best shape of your life.
Surveys show that Personal Trainers have one of the highest job satisfaction rates...
Recent studies have revealed historic and discouraging trends in the level of obesity, inactivity and preventable diseases that apply to all age groups and both sexes; with an emphasis on our nations youth. The result of this will be felt in the form of coronary disease, orthopedic and age related injuries, but can be prevented through a change in lifestyle that include these five principle behaviors:
- Flexibility
- Diet
- Positive Attitude
- Aerobic Conditioning
- Resistance / Weight training
By incorporating all five principal behaviors into one's daily routine, dramatic changes can occur in a short period of time, and lead to a greater quality of life. The benefits are not only experienced by those who participate in these types of preventative care programs, but also the people they interact with; not to mention the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that exists between client and trainer.
A major indicator as to the validity of the personal training industry, and the widespread respect it is receiving, is the increase in hospital based fitness facilities. Also telling, is the active participation by insurance companies and HMO's who are incorporating fitness and dietary programs as part of their preventative care service offerings. Corporations are recognizing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as they are building onsite fitness facilities, subsidizing gym memberships, and offering extra perks to those employees who exercise regularly.
Industry Trends
The U.S. Department of Labor cites that within the last 5 years, the ranks of personal trainers and aerobic instructors numbered well over 100,000, has doubled within the last year alone, and is expected to have double-digit growth every year for an indeterminate period of time. This trend is much greater than average, and it bears emphasis considering that we have been experiencing a shifting economy that saw a lot of downsizing. In essence, the health and wellness industry is proving to be recession-proof as the public-at-large continually seeks to maintain, if not improve, their level of fitness.
The demand for health and wellness professionals has never been higher...
The need for trainers, and other wellness professionals, stems from the fact that many people are not sure how to safely and effectively create a life-altering change in behavior. Personal trainers need to be part exercise expert, nutritional guru, and motivational leader. As training is no longer an activity used only by bodybuilders, professional athletes, or those who are privileged, the demand for fitness professionals is being seen worldwide in health clubs, spas, resorts, rehabilitation centers / hospitals, and on cruise ships. There are also opportunities to work within corporations, as part of a training team, or be an entrepreneur who is as limited as their creativity.
With the increase in demand for personal trainers has also come an increase in the number of organizations that ‘certify' them through offers to learn this craft at home, on the Internet, and at weekend seminars; they also never set foot inside a fitness facility or gymnasium. As with massage, personal training is a hands-on profession in which you are responsible for the livelihood and physical wellness of those you work with. This not only requires a strong didactic preparation, but also an interactive and guided hands-on education by instructors that are highly trained, have the appropriate credentials, and requisite real world experience. Regulatory agencies are also getting involved as they change the licensure requirements to include a predetermined number of hours of classroom and gym based exposure.
You can change people's lives...
Once you have gotten your personal training and / or massage therapy certification, your opportunities are just beginning. Besides enjoying a fruitful career as a trainer and massage therapist, professionals in this industry continue to expand their knowledge base and get advanced credentials that allow them to work as:
- Athletic Trainers
- Coaches
- Aquatic Specialists
- Rehabilitation Specialists
- Performance Nutritionists
- Older Population Specialists
- Sports / Endurance Conditioning Experts
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS)
They are also using their knowledge and experience to enter other health care professions that include:
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Nutrition
- Chiropractic Medicine
- Physical / Occupational Therapy
- Acupuncture / Naturopathic Medicine