From the Lab

How to become a certified personal trainer

May 13, 2026 · By Xavier Savage · Resources

Wondering how to become a personal trainer? Whether you’re fresh out of college or considering a career change, many people are tempted by working in fitness. The freedom to choose your own hours, work in an industry you’re passionate about, and help others in the process, are all appealing aspects.

In this article– we walk you through the exact steps to becoming a personal trainer (PT) and embarking on your dream career…

  1. Is a PT career right for you?
  2. Getting qualified
  3. First aid certification & insurance
  4. Landing your first job
  5. Getting PT clientsThis guide explores each of these stages, from deciding whether it’s right for you to getting your first clients. It covers certifications, the best training providers globally, and how to land a job. Let’s dive straight in…

#1– Is a PT Career Right For You?Personal training can be a hugely enjoyable and rewarding career. Doing something that you’re passionate about, whilst helping others, leads toamazing work satisfaction. But there are also times when it might get frustrating, such as when clients don’t follow your advice or skip sessions.To help decide whether a career in personal training is right for you, ask yourself the following questions…

  1. Do I like interacting with people?Some introverts can find being around people constantly a bit exhausting. This doesn’t necessarily exclude you from a PT career, but you might need to adjust for it by planning in breaks or training people online.
  2. Do I walk the talk?If you’re not fit and healthy, clients are unlikely to believe that you can help them. This doesn’t mean you need to be super-ripped though, ‘healthy’ looks different on everyone. But if you’re someone who struggles with gym motivation and healthy eating, then consider training yourself before moving on to help others.
  3. Am I happy to work early mornings and evenings?You’ll need to fit around clients’ schedules, which often means training them before or after typical office hours.
  4. Do I want to be employed or freelance?As a PT you can be either, so it’s a personal choice. Do you prefer the freedom of being self-employed or the financial security of a guaranteed base salary?
  5. What are my salary expectations?Ourfitness trainer salary guideprovides detailed information on what you can expect to earn in different locations and roles. But as a rough guide, the average PT in the USA earns $33 per hour.If you’re still unsure whether the career is right for you, thenspeak to other fitness trainersabout their experience and daily routine. If you don’t know any, then ask around your circles, or post an open question to Facebook or Twitter. You might even be able to shadow them for a day and experience it for yourself.

#2– Get Certified as a Personal TrainerOnce you decide to become a PT, the next step is toget certified. This is where you really learn your craft… Certification courses teach you about physiology (how the body works), correct exercise techniques, and how to develop training programs that help clients achieve different goals.It doesn’t matter if you have zero experience or background in fitness. These courses aredesigned for complete beginnersand will teach you everything you need to become qualified. You don’t need a degree, just a commitment to complete the coursework and practical activities.You can choose to become certified viaonline training or live workshops. Prices vary depending on the study method, with online being cheaper and live workshops being more expensive. But some countries require a physical component as part of their national requirements, so be sure to research this before signing up.The cheapest online option is offered by theAmerican Council on Exercise (ACE)for $599 and includes the course, study materials, and exam entry. However, this US qualification isn’t recognised globally so you may need to find a local training provider if you’re in the UK or other countries.NASM,Lifetime Training,Premier Global,AASFP, andAIPTare just a few of the most recognised training companies internationally.It takes around80-100 study hoursto become certified. So depending on which study method you choose, this could be completed in between two weeks and four months. Most training providers run live workshops at weekends so you can fit them around an existing job.

⇒ For a more detailed look at the certification options available (including a price comparison chart), check out our guide to thebest personal trainer certifications.

#3– First Aid & Insurance CertificationIn order to receive your PT qualification, most training providers will require you to have aCPR or first-aid certificate. This isn’t something they sort out – you’ll need to arrange it through a separate organisation.You can gain a first aid certification whilst you’re studying for the PT exam or before you even sign up for the course. You might already be certified through your current employer, in which case you won’t need to do it again.Because CPR requires hands-on skills,you need to attend a live training. Courses that are taught online don’t tend to be recognised by training providers or insurance companies.In most countries, the Red Cross or national heart association will run courses that meet the hands-on requirements. They usuallycost between $80-$100– here’s an overview of course providers in different countries…

  1. American Red Cross –www.RedCross.org
  2. Canadian Heart Foundation –www.RedCross.ca
  3. Royal Lifesaving Society (UK) –www.rlss.org.uk
  4. Nazionale di Salvamento (Italy) –www.salvamento.it
  5. German Red Cross –www.drk.de
  6. Red Crescent Society (Saudi Arabia) –www.ifrc.org
  7. Philippine National Red Cross –www.redcross.org.ph
  8. Singapore Lifesaving Society –www.SLSS.org
  9. Australian Red Cross –www.redcross.org.au
  10. National Heart Foundation of New Zealand –www.heartfoundation.org.nz/Having adequateprofessional insuranceis also vitally important. There’s always a small chance that a client may get injured while doing one of your workout programs.If they make a claim against you and you’re not insured, then you’ll have topay the damagesfrom your own pocket. And that can be expensive.In fact,most health clubs won’t employ you without valid insurance. So, it’s important to get insured before training anyone.

#4– Land Your First Personal Training JobThe next step is to find a job! Most people begin byworking at a gymto build experience. It is possible to be self-employed from the very start but we’d recommend a gym for at least a few months. You’ll benefit from mentorship, professional development opportunities, and a steady income while learning the ropes.Research personal training job opportunities online or by visiting gyms in person. Then prepare a professional CV that outlines yourqualifications, skills, and interests. Think about what makes you different from other people and highlight these things in your application.

#5– Getting Clients as a Personal TrainerWhether you opt for employment or decide to go freelance, you’ll need to get clients. Gyms may give you hot leads but it’ll beup to you to sellthem on your training services.Some certification courses will include a business module that covers sales and marketing. It’s important to learn how to acquire clients from the very start as this willset you up for success long term. Fitness knowledge is just one part of the puzzle – sales and marketing are what allow you to generate revenue from your expertise.There are lots of ways to attract and retain loyal personal training clients. Start bydefining your target audienceand the types of clients you want to work with. Then think about where they hang out (either in person or online) and what aspects of your training will appeal to them. This will enable you to develop a persuasive sales pitch that addresses their specific needs.Here are some other articles on selling personal training that you might find helpful…

  1. Personal training sales script – learn how to address client objections
  2. 5 tips for building rapport with PT clients & maximising sales
  3. How to increase online fitness training sales

Becoming a Personal Trainer – SummarySo now you know exactly how to become a personal trainer andpursue your dream career. The process is pretty straightforward – .once you’ve decided if it’s right for you and got all the necessary certificates, you’ll be ready to start working with clients!

  1. Decide whether a fitness trainingcareer is right for you
  2. Study tobecome certifiedby a recognised training provider
  3. Getfirst aid and insurancecertification
  4. Apply forjobs
  5. Get your firstclients

Ready to transform in Austin? . In-person sessions available. Online coaching open nationwide.

Unlocked

Xavier Savage

Founder, XPERFORMANCELAB

I do not shape muscle. I shape structure. The person you become is the person you construct.

Continue Reading

Related Insights

Resources

Understanding sugar alcohols

Sugar alcohol, is not a calorie free replacement or carb substitute.  People think sugar alcohols are a cure all for all their sugar...

Read Article →
Resources

Four Weight loss sins to avoid

Four Weight Loss Sins That Keep You Trapped (And How To Break Free) Most people fail at weight loss not because they lack willpower, but...

Read Article →

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *