General Personal Trainer Qualifications

If you are interested in hiring a personal trainer, or a personal trainer career, it is helpful to become acquainted with general personal trainer qualifications. Keep in mind that even qualified trainers are only educated in areas surrounding physical fitness, diet and nutrition – they cannot provide medical advice or take the place of a doctor, nurse or physical therapist.

Personal Trainer Qualifications for Certification

All working personal trainers must have some type of certification. Most schools which offer personal training qualifications and certifications utilize a comprehensive fitness program designed to provide a well-rounded fitness education. Students must learn basic physical anatomy, master mathematical skills needed for fitness formulas, learn safe exercise and training techniques, and learn how to perform a risk and fitness assessment.

As with many other types of certification programs, there are various levels of personal trainer programs – some offer the best educational services while others provide their students with just enough to get by. This is why it is so important for students to choose a quality accredited certification program with a stellar reputation, and why persons interested in hiring a personal trainer must always check the source of their trainer’s education and certification.

On-Going Education for Personal Trainer Qualifications

Dedicated personal trainers will take part in on-going educational workshops designed to keep their knowledge up-to-date. On-going education can also result in additional personal trainer qualifications such as a health fitness specialist certification or a clinical exercise specialist certification.

Accredited certification programs often require on-going education for yearly renewals of certifications, and if personal trainers do not keep up on their education than their certifications may expire and become invalid; a personal trainer working with an invalid certification can be held legally responsible if their client is injured during a training session.

Additional Personal Trainer Qualifications

Additional personal trainer qualifications which are needed for basic trainer certifications include a high school diploma or GED; trainers must also have a current Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and some programs also require a valid Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification as well. A few certification programs may also require an internship under an experienced professional trainer before certifications may be awarded.