Question concerning becoming a personal trainer.?

Question

I am looking into making a career change and becoming a personal trainer. I do know a little about getting certified (looks relatively easy even with the highly regarded certifications, please correct me if I’m wrong). My real question is how important is it to have the 4 year degree in a related field? I do have a degree, but in business.

Side note: If there is a successful personal trainer out there that I could chat with that would be great!

Answer 1

No formal post-secondary course work is required for some certifications although that will probably change as the industry matures.

There are several certifications that are more highly regarded and more difficult to obtain because of the testing and prerequisites.  For example, the NSCA which is very highly regarded and has two different certifications--the certified strength and conditioning specialist and the certified personal training.  

Registrants for the CSCS certification must submit an original, official transcript of their academic work, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution.  

For the certified personal trainer do not need a college degree however, candidates are expected to have a good knowledge of biomechanical concepts, training adaptations, anatomy, exercise physiology, program design guidelines and current position papers pertaining to special populations.

To qualify to register for the NSCA-CPT exam, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Current CPR and AED certification is also a requirement. If you do not have current CPR and AED certification, you can still register for and take the NSCA-CPT exam.

The exam for the NSCA-CPT exam is considered difficult and requires a high level of understanding of human physiology, etc.  

Your business degree will be a great help to you and once you obtain your certification you can improve your ability to market yourself through advance education, or through continuing education.

In order to remain certified, the Executive Council of the NSCA Certification Commission requires that each Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) complete a specified number of continuing education units (CEUs).

Likewise, there are other highly regarded programs like the Chek institute.

My wife is a physician and I am an attorney and we intend (over the next few years) to meld our experience and education with our martial arts training and fitness training in combination with ongoing yoga and fitness trainers certification to provide a holistic environment for fitness trainers and training people.  

Over the years of examining this field, we've found a number of people from a variety of disciplines who bring a common element of passion for helping people transform them selves and improve their health.  

Given your education and ability to obtain a preferred certification it seems that you have a good chance to make you career evolution or metamorphosis succeed.