Individuals who work as fitness instructors assist others with issues such as weight loss and management, exercise, and fitness training. Personal fitness instructor, group fitness instructor, lifestyle and weight management coach, and advanced health and fitness specialist are some of the different fitness instructor certifications available. Each type of certification has its own set of requirements, but most of them entail taking and passing an exam designed specifically for that certification.
Fitness instructor qualifications begin with the obvious: a passion for health and fitness, as well as a desire to assist others in achieving their fitness goals. The most basic level of certification necessitates course completion and current CPR and automated external defibrillator certification (AED). Advanced certification levels may necessitate college-level coursework or a minimum of an associate’s degree in a health or fitness-related field.
While fitness instructor qualifications vary depending on the level of certification desired, an employing agency may require additional qualifications. The requirements for becoming a certified personal trainer, for example, are less stringent than those for becoming a certified performance enhancement specialist or athletic trainer. Advanced fitness instructor certification requirements may include current lower-level certifications or a four-year degree in a related field. In some cases, a combination of current certifications and education can be used to replace four-year degrees.
Certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, athletic trainers, and weight loss coaches can add degrees in physical or occupational therapy, sports medicine, nutrition, or physical education to their fitness instructor credentials. These advanced credentials may open up more job opportunities in hospitals, orthopedic and sports medicine facilities, and college or high school athletic departments, among other places. Individuals with lower-level certifications that do not require a bachelor’s degree can still work in gyms and fitness centers, community centers, or as self-employed individuals.
Fitness instructor qualifications vary depending on the certifying agency and type of certificate desired, as well as the desired location of employment. Any courses or exams taken by aspiring fitness instructors should ensure that they meet the requirements for certification as set forth by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the accrediting organization in their jurisdiction. This is the most effective way to ensure that the certification is recognized by the facility or institution that will be employing you. Continuing education credits are required for many fitness certifications in order to keep them current. The higher the level of certification and education required, the higher the potential salary for the field.