How to Become a Personal Trainer from Home

You don't have to go to a traditional college to become a personal trainer. There are a number of programs available today that allow you to study to become a personal trainer from home. Some programs are completed online and some are completed by mail and some are a combination of the two, but you can become a certified personal trainer without stepping foot into a classroom.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An accredited certified personal trainer program

1. Find an accredited school offering a certified personal trainer program. There are different certified personal trainer programs and you'll want to look for a program that is brought to you by one of the following:
   
   ACE - The American Council on Exercise
   AFPA - American Fitness Professionals & Associates
   ACSM - American College of Sports Medicine
   ISSA - International Sports Sciences Association
   NSCA - National Commission for Certifying Agencies
   NASM - National Academy of Sports Medicine
   AFAA - Aerobics & Fitness Association of America
   ISFTA - International Sports & Fitness Trainers Association
   NESTA - National Exercisers & Sports Trainers Association
   
   Some employers will not hire you unless your program is certified by one of these organizations.

2. Begin your studies and take them seriously. Read all the materials you are given thoroughly prior to taking tests. Grasp the material as best you can - the more you know, the more successful you will be as a certified personal trainer.

3. Prepare for the final exam. Many programs will offer material prior to taking the exam to prep you for it. Study these materials. If you don't pass the exam, you will not become a certified personal trainer and you will have to attempt the exam again and there will probably be an additional fee involved.

4. Pay any outstanding balance on your account. Any monies still owed need to be paid before you are able to take the personal trainer certification exam.

5. Take (& pass) the final exam to become certified as a personal trainer. You are not allowed to take the certification exam from your home but there will be testing centers available in your area.

6. Renew your personal trainer certification every 2 years to stay certified and able to work as a certified personal trainer.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your education seriously
• Take the time to study
• If you don't pass the certification exam the first time, you can re-take it but there will be an additional fee involved.