Growing awareness of the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease and growing interest in achieving healthier lifestyles are attracting more and more people into the field of health and fitness. According to the Department of Labor, employment in this industry is expected to grow by 13% between 2018 and 2028. If you want to become a certified personal trainer, here are some steps to make the process easier.
Do your research and choose a study plan
Once you’ve determined that you can become a personal trainer, the first step is to choose a certification program. Consider accreditation by the National Council of Accrediting Bodies (NCCA), known as the Gold Standard for Health and Fitness. All NESTA certifications are NCCA certified.
Choose the best certification program for you and get your learning materials. The NESTA Personal Trainer Learning Program is designed for all learning styles and features familiar text, charts, graphs, and videos, as well as content that enhances the material through online activities, quizzes practices, and on-demand learning support. The learning experience progresses at your own pace, typically takes 80-100 hours over 3-4 months, and is built around NESTA University, an intuitive learning platform. You can also get study aid from NESTA Answers to make sure you are ready for the certification exam.
Register for the exam
The fees associated with registering for the NESTA Personal Trainer Certification Exam are included in each course of study. You must register for the exam within six months of purchasing the hardware.
Before registering, be sure to complete all exam prerequisites, including maintaining your current CPR/DEA certification and real-time skills verification. You do not need to purchase NESTA textbooks to register for the exam.
Take the exam and land your dream job
If you pass the exam, you become an officially accredited NESTA personal trainer. Receive exclusive resources designed to help jump-start your career, including professional discounts on equipment, liability insurance, and more. You will also receive a certificate and portfolio ID to verify your eligibility with prospects and employers.
As a NESTA Certified Personal Trainer, many factors can help you find the right career path. First, you need to decide where and in what environment you want to work: a health club, a fitness club, a professional studio, a medical fitness center, even yourself and online. Whatever career path you pursue, NESTA provides many tools to help you get started.
Enjoy a fun and rewarding career in the fitness industry
Major definition
No matter how good your skills are, it’s important to note that you can’t be everything to everyone. Connecting with the right customers for your service requires a clear understanding of your target market. NESTA has developed a range of expert programs to help you focus your expertise in specific areas including sports performance, physical nutrition, weight management, and behavior change. Anyone can be trained in a professional program, but only those with NCCA accreditation can be recognized as NESTA specialists. Think about the needs of your community, what you are most passionate about, and how you educate yourself to find an area to pursue.
Stay NESTA certified
To maintain the high standards set by the NCCA, NESTA professionals (and others in the industry) must earn 20 consecutive hours of training credits (2.0 CECs) every two years. Establishing and implementing these standards ensures that professionals continually improve their ability to guide people through change safely and effectively. To meet these updating requirements, NESTA offers a variety of opportunities to help you develop your expertise.