How to Become a Certified Fitness Trainer?

The prospects for fitness training are increasing exponentially with a large number of fitness enthusiasts hitting the business. The increased awareness of a balanced lifestyle is the reason for this growth in demand. Certified personal trainers may operate from various facilities, such as a fitness center, a gym, or a university.

Moreover, there is an increasing number of fitness freaks on social networking sites, promoting modern ways of keeping healthy, and fitness reform worldwide and in India.

To Whom does this Profession/Career Apply?

A few traits are necessary to be a fitness trainer in order to influence and motivate others to stay fit and healthy, such as:

1. You must have the drive and the right approach to do the same for others and make it enjoyable too.
2. Should be energetic and have endurance.
3. Flexibility and courage to interact with various groups, connect with them and explain the details to them clearly.
4. Acquainted with proper safety standards and uphold a strong work ethic.
5. Due to various fitness verticals that a certified fitness trainer is attached to in relation to different diets, and the human body’s form and functioning, there is a broad range of skills that is absolutely essential to learn for becoming a fitness trainer.

There was a time when the career of a fitness trainer was not deemed lucrative enough, however, the Indian fitness industry now requires certified trainers with a remarkable development from beginner-level fitness programs to the most prestigious programs. In 2021, people have become well aware of their physical wellness and fitness-related problems. Due to the shortage of qualified and certified personal trainers, there is an increasing demand for skilled trainers around India.

Here’s a short guide on various aspects that you be aware of for becoming a certified fitness trainer.

Understanding Physical Education and its Different Courses

Physical Education is a type of education that brings improvement in human performance with the help of physical activities. These physical activities range from simple jogging, running, pushing, to various sports activities.

An education system without physical activities is like a body without a soul!

Physical education is one of the growing fields of educational study as well as the profession as it contains the knowledge and study of all body activities and psychomotor activities during playing.

Let us walk you through the different courses and institutes offering Physical Education

Degree Courses and Institutes Offering Courses in India

In today’s modern times, Physical Education is one of the most exciting and dynamic subjects. This subject has changed dramatically during the last 50 years. It has expanded in different areas from school to non-school settings and from school-aged children to people of all ages. If we look at India after.

We are witnessing the growing interest in sports exemplified by the fitness boom and the wellness movement all around the world. Some of the physical education degree courses available in India are B.A. (Yoga), B.A. (Physical Education), B.P.Ed (Physical Education), etc.

Top 5 Physical Education Institutes in India

Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram

This organization is a part of the academic wing of the Sports Authority of India, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and research facilities to its students. Its wide array of options ranges from physical education and sports to teacher training. Since this is a completely government-aided institution, the fee structure here is quite nominal and stands at somewhere close to Rs. 20,000 per year on average hence making it a suitable choice for anyone and everyone who is aspiring to become a certified fitness trainer.

Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, New Delhi

This institution offers BSc, BPEd, MPEd, and Ph.D. degrees in the field of physical education with a fee structure of less than Rs. 7000 per year. Another reason why this institute is well-known is that its hostel facilities are much better than those in any government institution. The food in the mess ensures that all forms of nutritional needs of an individual are adequately met.

Amity School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Noida

Being the best private institute in the field of physical education, it ensures that the quality of education is never compromised. Irrespective of your game of choice, this institute makes sure that are given ample space to develop and improve your playing ability. Hence the admission here is given on the basis of a practical test and other such parameters and not on some written or online test. For non-sponsored courses, the fee structure is Rs 35000 while that for sponsored ones is Rs 52500.

BPCA’s College of Physical Education, Mumbai

Being centrally located in Mumbai, the institute has its advantages and the students (or aspiring certified fitness trainers) of this institute are exposed to some of the best sports infrastructures in the country. Hence the fee structure is quite justified. The BPEd course is aided with its fees of Rs 92290 while MPEd is unaided with Rs 23,000 as its fees.

Chandrashekhar Agashe College Of Physical Education, Pune

This college is one of the best in terms of the placements offered in various sectors as well as in terms of teacher-to-student rapport, which helps in gaining a personalized learning experience. The yearly fee structure is Rs. 20,000.

Internationally Recognized Physical Education Courses and Institutes

Apart from the above-mentioned degrees and institutes in India, there are many internationally recognized institutes around the world such as:

ACE- American Council of Exercise

This association has an aim to set the highest industry standards, and elevate the careers of professionals and help people worldwide make ‘movement’ their mission. The certification offered here is Personal Trainer, Health Coach, Group Fitness Instructor, and Medical Exercise Specialist.

ISSA- International Sports Science Association

ISSA is one of the most well-recognized organizations offering various courses and is known as the world leader in fitness education and certification. ISSA acts as a teaching institution for personal trainers, physicians,  physical therapists, athletic trainers, coaches, chiropractors, and professionals in every field of health care.

ACSM- American College of Sports Medicine

ACSM Certified Professionals improve lives around the globe whether they’re personalizing a workout, leading a community health initiative, or making rounds in a clinic. Earning an ACSM Certification means an individual will gain the knowledge and credibility that is needed with employers, universities, and respected institutions across health-related fields. 

NASM- National Academy of Sports Medicine

NASM courses are developed using our proprietary Optimum Performance Training model, which is a system based on scientific, evidence-based research. These courses maximize an individual’s skills and ability to help clients excel beyond ordinary expectations while improving their career opportunities not only as certified personal trainers but also as various fitness coaches.

NESTA- National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association

NESTA certifications are accepted, recognized, and used globally; with many graduates who are entrepreneurs specializing in a wide range of training and coaching specialties such as Personal and Group Training, Biomechanics Training, Nutrition, and Behavior Coaching, etc.

Other than these courses, there are well-renowned institutes around the world offering various courses in this field such as the University of Michigan, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, University of Florida, University of Massachusetts Amherst, etc.

Diploma Courses and Certificate Courses

Earlier, physical education was generally understood as physical activities either in school timetable or some freehand exercises, games, sports, racing, swimming, etc. However, now the training courses are not limited to only personal training certificates, there are many certificates as well as diploma courses such as:

Certificate courses: Aerobics, Yoga and yoga science, Naturopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy, etc.

Diploma Courses: Aerobics, Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga and Physical Education, Yoga, Physical education, etc.

Job Profiles and Recruiters for a Certified Fitness Trainer

Certified fitness trainers gain a rewarding career as there are many opportunities available for them such as Cardiovascular Fitness Instructor, Nutrition Specialis, Activities Director, Corporate Fitness Instructor, Teacher, Rehabilitation Specialist, Physical Therapist, Personal Trainer, Social Director, Zumba Trainer, Sports Information Director, Pilates Instructor, etc.

There are such job opportunities available in Health clubs: Sports clubs, Ministry of sports, Stadium staff, Schools and Colleges, Gymnasium.

In the beginning, a certified personal trainer can earn Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 on a monthly basis. The salary in this field depends upon the sports you have chosen; after a certain experience and on the basis of the skills, the salary will rise multi-fold.

Conclusion

A Certified Fitness Trainer is involved in a kind of work that is not just enriching but also rewarding. As a leader, a fitness instructor must be willing to empower, influence, motivate and encourage others to achieve their fitness goals and health objectives. With an increasing demand for healthy living, (also due to the Covid-19 pandemic) people are finding their way into health and wellness occupations.

Staying fit and healthy along with taking good care of ourselves is the need of the hour and the order of the day in the post-pandemic world!