Do you think you are ready to pull the trigger and become a personal trainer? There are a few things you will have to do before you can officially start your career. From determining that fitness is your passion to debating nasm vs ace, here is what you need to do to become a personal trainer. 

How To Know You are Ready 

Before you make the jump into the life of a personal trainer, you should take a moment to assess. Ask yourself a few questions to make sure that this is truly what you want to do and that helps you determine if you will be good at it. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to help determine if it is the career for you. 

Are You A People Person? 

The first question is, are you a people person? Personal trainers spend hours every day interacting with a wide range of personalities. If you hope to be successful in this profession, you need the ability to communicate effectively with anyone who hires you. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, you should be just fine! 

Do You Love Fitness? 

To enjoy any line of work you need to have a passion for it. Don't get it wrong. There will always be days when you won't want to be there, no matter what job it is. However, if you truly have a passion for something, those days won't occur near as much. So, take a step back and determine if you truly have a love for fitness. 

Are You Okay With Unusual Hours? 

Personal trainers do not typically have a consistent 9am to 5pm work experience. While it is possible, most people end up working unusual hours. Early mornings, late nights, long breaks in between clients, etc. If you prefer consistency in your work schedule, this may not be the line of work for you.

Do You Have the Prerequisites? 

Next, do you have the prerequisites to become a certified personal trainer? While it doesn't take much, there are a few requirements you will need to have before signing up for your certification class. You will need your GED or high school diploma, an up-to-date CPR certification, and a current AED certification. Once you have these, you can start the process of becoming certified. 

Do You Have Patience?

Lastly, do you have patience? It takes a great deal of patience to become a successful personal trainer. It takes about three to six months to complete your certification. After that, it could take years to build up enough clients or get a job that can sustain you financially. The harder you work, the faster you will get there, but it still takes time. 

Get Certified (NASM vs ACE) 

Now, onto the question of the hour. You are ready to become a personal trainer, but the only thing standing in your way is the certification. You just need to determine the certification that best fits your desired career path. The two most useful certifications are NASM and ACE. But how do you decide? Here is a general breakdown of NASM vs ACE. 

NASM

The National Academy of Sports Medicine is the most popular group of certification providers in the world. They are highly recognized for their specialty, technique methodology, and corrective exercise. 

This certification gives you the ability to specialize in corrective exercise, technique methodology, strength training, and group fitness and nutrition. Giving you the ability to offer more services to your clients or employer. 

ACE

Ace is almost as popular as NASM, priced a little cheaper, and is a non-profit that supports community-based projects. They specialize in group fitness. While NASM may offer a broader range, many people like to go to someone who specializes in one thing. 

Choosing

Ultimately you can't go wrong with either organization. They are similarly priced, well-respected, and take about the same time to complete. All you have to do is choose based on the career path you wish to take. 

Get a Job

Once you are certified, you are well on your way. Start applying for jobs or building your clientele, market yourself, work hard, and do what is necessary to make your career goals happen. 

Keep Your Certification Up-To-Date 

Don't forget to keep your certification up-to-date! You will need to do this every so often to keep your certification legitimate and continue your business. 

The Takeaway

Now that you know how to become a personal trainer. Go for it! Assess yourself to make sure it is the career path for you, decide which certification you need (NASM vs ACE), get certified, and work hard to fulfill your dreams. The hardest part about the process will probably be just deciding between NASM vs ACE. After that, it's just a matter of time until your career is underway. Good luck, and work hard!