How to Become a Personal Trainer in Colorado
Personal trainers in Colorado have plenty of opportunities to show off their skills. The state has ski hills, professional sports teams and a plethora of fitness centers that have made Colorado one of the fittest places in the country. Prospective trainers need to obtain certifications, get educated on the physiology of fitness and make contacts in the fitness world before starting their careers.
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Instructions
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Apply for part-time work with athletic clubs and sports teams while studying to become a personal trainer in Colorado. Students who work with minor league hockey teams, fitness centers and equipment suppliers learn industry jargon that is absent from the classroom.
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Attend a training institute that specializes in sports science and personal training. Groups like the National Personal Training Institute of Colorado offer certification programs taught by experienced trainers. This option is ideal for trainers who are interested in bypassing general education requirements to start their careers earlier.
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Get started on a career in sports and exercise science by attending a 4-year university in Colorado. The University of North Colorado has a renowned School of Sport and Exercise Science that results in a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training. Trainers who want to pursue teaching and research positions later in their careers should get a B.S. to pave the way for a master's or doctoral program.
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Register for workshops and testing through the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America to get certified as a personal trainer in Colorado. This organization offers novice and advanced courses on different training skills that are necessary to stay certified under state law.
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Generate a list of fitness centers in your community to start your search for personal training positions. Gyms and fitness centers hire personal trainers as contractors to work one on one with their members. Extend this list to suburbs and nearby cities to increase your chances of getting a job after certification.
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Send your resume to minor league teams throughout Colorado to get entry-level positions in sports training and fitness. Hockey, indoor football and soccer teams use part-time trainers to keep their players in shape during the season. Every trainer who takes a minor league position must also find work at a local gym to pay the bills.
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Aim for large salaries and the luxury of Colorado's ski culture by applying for training positions with resorts and ski hills. Most resorts offer fitness centers for visitors who need to run and lift weights daily. These positions allow trainers to gain experience, earn money and make connections with athletic tourists who are aware of employers elsewhere in Colorado.
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Tips & Warnings
Collect your own set of free weights, resistance bands and other fitness equipment to offer individual services at a client's home. Trainers can purchase additional items over time after generating enough money to pay off their original equipment.
Pursue every opportunity for continuing education about personal training. Busy trainers should subscribe to fitness magazines, read blogs and attend weekend seminars in their communities to stay current on professional trends.
Supplement your experience in fitness and personal training with first-aid skills that can help save a client's life. Most trainers stop their first-aid education at minimums set by Colorado law. All trainers should learn how to provide temporary treatment for breathing and cardiovascular issues until qualified medical technicians arrive.
Resources
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