If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, there are a few things that you should know before taking on the challenge. A Personal Trainer assists others to reach and sustain their fitness goals. This is an exciting and rewarding career that makes excellent job satisfaction for those who pursue this field. Personal Trainers are hired by private fitness centers and gyms as well as public organizations and sports teams.

To become a qualified Personal Trainer you must have a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification from one of the many national certifying agencies. The National Exercise and Fitness Association or the NASE provides the CPT qualification. You can find more information about getting a CPT certification by contacting the NASE directly. There are also plenty of materials out there for experienced and beginner PT's (some of the best books for personal trainers can be read here). 

In the United States the foremost national certification board is the NASE. The organization does not sell fitness products but instead works with organizations to help them design fitness programs. The certification earned here is what is used to evaluate personal trainers and determine if they are competent. The next level of certification is the Personal Trainer Professional School (PTSC). Individuals wishing to pursue personal training programs in the United States will need to study for a diploma with a course that is approved by the American Board of Personal Training. This course requires the student to take a written exam and to complete a study guide and internship.

In Canada there are several bodybuilding organizations that certify personal trainers. The Canadian Fitness Association and the Canadian Council on Exercise offer certification programs. Both of these organizations require students to have certain credentials and background before being accepted into the program. The exam and study guide for these programs are different than the ones required in the United States.

If you plan to become a personal trainer, you can either train on your own or you can get certified. The only way to tell which would be best is to find out which would work for you. The personal trainer training school that you decide to pursue will be a huge factor in determining how well your career takes off. There are some people who have personal training qualifications and jobs without having attended training, while others have had their qualifications accredited and are working well.

Once you know how to become a personal trainer, it will be easier to move on from there and find other ways to be successful in the fitness field. It will be especially helpful to seek out a job with a reputable company or organization that can guide you along the way. Personal training programs are designed to give individuals the knowledge they need to know in order to properly shape their bodies. If you decide to become a personal trainer, you will have the opportunity to help people every day. Some of the people you may have the chance to work with include children, elderly individuals, and athletes.