How to turn your passion for fitness into a full-time profession slowly but surely

It goes without saying the health and fitness industry as a whole has evolved into a lucrative business over the years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of fitness trainers is expected to rise by 8% from the year 2014 to the year 2024. This, of course, is great news for individuals planning to start a career in fitness training.

 Moreover, the fast-paced, hectic and daily grind of life can take a toll on anyone’s mental and physical health. This has resulted in more and more people becoming health conscious than they used to be in the past years. If they are not running, working out at home, performing yoga, they are hitting the gym!

So, here are some good tips to help you start your journey as a fitness trainer/instructor.  

Research fitness trainer certifications and group training's

The first step is researching all types of fitness certification programs and organizations offering the trainings.  You will find an exploding number of options available, but you have to narrow them down to only accredited programs. This ensures the certifications provided meet defined standards of excellence for best practice.

Here are some reputable certification programs you should opt for: 

•  International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
•  International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA) 
•  American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 
•   National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) 
• America Council on Exercise( ACE)  
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) 
• National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT)      

It’s also important to note, all the above certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). For group trainings there are Health Coach, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Fitness Trainer, Weight Loss, Nutrition and Senior Fitness programs just to mention a few.

Enroll

After choosing a certification that best suits your needs, enroll in the program. This was obviously the next step. Almost all certification organizations have their own study materials which are available for purchase from their websites. These sites offer additional tips on test preparation, study aids and strategies. You can as well get the study materials on eBay, Amazon, and other marketplaces but make sure they are up to date.

Study smart and pass your exams

Just study smart not hard and the most important thing to remember is to pass your exams. Yes, you need to pass your exams to kick start your own journey into an exciting fitness instructor/trainer career.

Test your skills - Get a job

Congratulations! You are now a certified fitness training; it’s time to put those skills to the test.  To start things off you can work in a gym, studio, health and fitness club or a medical facility. You may feel you are ready to take the plunge into your own venture but you need to gain enough experience and clients first.