Education and Training: High school and Current Certification(s)
Employment Outlook: Excellent
Definition and Nature of the Work
Personal exercise trainers provide one-on-one fitness instruction to people desiring a program tailored to their specific needs. Trainers evaluate their clients' physical fitness and keep track of their progress. Trainers must posses a knowlege of coordinating group excercise sessions of up to 20 people.
Trainers develop programs and choose exercises that provide the optimum results and take into account the activities their clients enjoy. They act as motivators who push clients to their physical limits. If a client has suffered an athletic injury, the trainer may create a special rehabilitation program. Trainers must be able to demonstrate the movements and exercises recommended. They also provide encouragement and support for the client and recognize the client's strengths and weaknesses.
An understanding of basic nutrition is also helpful to provide supplementary information to a client. A trainer should also be knowledgeable about the variety of exercise equipment being used in homes and health clubs, because this equipment is often used in personal training programs.
Trainers must demonstrate knowledge of health appraisal techniques and an understanding of motivation, counseling, and teaching in the health and fitness fields. Trainers also need to be certified in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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