Many people get into the business of fitness because they already have a passion for working out. Being a personal trainer gives you easy access to workout facilities and the ability to still focus on your own fitness goals, essentially making the gym your office - or even your home, if you are an online personal trainer.
But why else should you choose to become a personal trainer? Deciding on a career path can be a challenging thing to do since you have to consider what you are interested in and have a strong passion for. You also have to look at the longer term benefits of the profession and if it’s right for you. To help you decide we’ve put together the top 5 reasons for becoming a personal trainer.
If you find yourself convinced, be sure to check out the How to Become a Personal Trainer page.
1. Helping People
Personal training is about helping people reach their health and fitness goals. Most individuals seeking the guidance of a personal trainer want to improve their general fitness, reduce pain, improve their athletic performance or lose weight. With 70% of the U.S. population considered to be overweight or obese, the need for personal training services is more important than ever!1
There are obvious health risks associated with being overweight, but there is also the aspect of people lacking confidence and feeling apprehensive about their body.
Whatever the reasons, people are in need of help and motivation when it comes to safely and effectively incorporating exercise into their regular routine. When they look for help, they will turn to a fitness professional who has a passion for sharing knowledge and changing people’s lives!
2. Career Opportunities
The continued rise of people who are overweight or obese has driven the weight loss industry to reach an astounding $2 billion dollars.2 Fueled by the need for healthier living, the personal training industry is expected to continue to grow by more than 16% between 2015 and 2020.3
Fitness professionals who can help clients reduce their weight and reach their goals safely and efficiently are currently and will continue to be in high demand.
And a great thing about a NASM personal training certification is that you can work abroad because it's internationally recognized.
See our Fitness Careers page for a great overview of the exciting careers in fitness available.
3. Income Earnings
With the growing industry comes growing pay for the professionals within that industry. Fitness professionals have witnessed their mean incomes grow 26% from 2010-2014.4 With the demand for personal trainers continuing to increase, you can expect incomes to rise as well. Professionals who have a personal trainer certification from NASM earn, on average, $40,784 annually, putting them 12% above the industry median.5,6
This shows that while the industry continues to expand and the outlook remains high for all fitness professionals, it is important to seek education and certification from the right organization!
4. Independence
A career as a CPT can open many opportunities, including the opportunity to work independently. Schedules can be flexible as you work with your client base to determine training times and availability. You can be your own boss as an independent trainer, guiding your own schedule and business. The industry is also open to entrepreneurs who have the drive and ambition to build their own brand and business.
NASM provides a strong knowledge base, paving the way for self-starters, as a recent survey showed that 38% of NASM-CPTs are self-employed.7 Don’t forget, with any path you choose, you will be able to call the gym your office!
5. Become a Fitness Expert
Many people want to become a fitness expert. As a successful fitness professional, you can become the go-to individual for a community’s health and fitness needs, ranging from the local gym to the media. Through strong business development and a commitment to success you can even grow to become a national expert as well.
Continuing education through fitness certifications and a dedication to the industry will give you the knowledge necessary to implement the latest exercise techniques and gain insight into the current exercise science and research being published. NASM’s commitment to your career growth will help you become the fitness expert you aspire to be!
There are many reasons to become a personal trainer. The most important is a passion for fitness with a focus of helping people. The first step to your new and rewarding career is to begin your educational journey. By growing your knowledge, you will be on the path to developing the skills necessary to guarantee success in your career.
To learn more about this rewarding career and becoming an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, visit us today.
References
1) The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Oct 2012. Retrieved 6/17/2016
2) IBISWorld Weight Loss Services Market Research Report, Feb 2015 Retrieved 6/17/2016
3) IBISWorld Personal Trainers in the US, Feb 2015
4) Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014 wage data retrieved 2/29/2016
5) NASM trainer and specialization income data source is 2016 survey of personal trainers. Industry median income data source is Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014 wage data retrieved from http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9031.00 on 11/9/2016.
6) NASM 2016 survey of personal trainers working full-time.
7) NASM 2016 survey of personal trainers.
