So you want to become a personal trainer? As with any career path, there are many things to consider if you become a personal trainer. Firstly, this is a competitive industry, with lots of people wanting to become a personal trainer. That means you have to find a way to stand out from the crowd.
The first step is to look at training courses. While in the past this was a somewhat unregulated area, it is now a highly professional field with a national governing body (REPS - The Register of Exercise Professionals) and strict industry standards. What that means is that your chances of getting any kind of work without appropriate qualifications is minimal.
When you start to look at courses, you will find that there are loads of courses on the market - but of the hundreds out there how do you know which ones you can trust?
That's where the tight industry standards come to your rescue. Before you sign up for any training course, check on the qualification being offered. For a course to be of any value to you, it should qualify you to be registered with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).
REPs are recognized throughout the industry as the principal governing body for fitness professionals, and most employers and clients will not even consider working with anyone who is not registered with REPs.
To qualify, you need a Level 3 qualification, such as:
- NVQ Level 3 in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise (awarded by City and Guilds, Active IQ, OCR, VTCT and CYQ)
- Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing (awarded by Active IQ, City & Guilds, CYQ, NCFE, VTCT and OCR)
- Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training (awarded by Active IQ and CYQ)
In order to remain impartial, REPs does not actually offer training. However, if you visit their website you will find details of qualifications, and also a list of recommended training providers.
By sticking with these recognized training providers you can ensure that the training you do will lead to a nationally recognised qualification.
Options for training are huge, including modular and online training courses. These are designed to fit easily into your life, whether you want an intensive route - for those in a hurry - or distance learning options. These are great if you don't need the motivation of classmates or face-to-face instruction.
Modular personal training courses allow you to take the training at your own pace - you schedule the different parts at a pace that suits your life and your learning style.
Online personal trainer courses are also popular - they are flexible, and can fit easily into your existing work or home schedule. Options like this are great for working people, allowing them to train for this exciting field while still earning an income from their current job.
