Do you want to help educate people about fitness? Are you able to motivate others to work hard? If so, you might be a great personal trainer. Read on to learn how to become a personal trainer. A personal trainer generally has a passion for fitness that they desire to share with others. You need to have a sound knowledge of diet and nutrition, as well as education in exercise.

Personal trainers need to be upbeat and motivating, and will need to be creative to keep things interesting for their clients. They need to have flexible schedules, as many clients need appointments in the early morning or evenings. A personal trainer also needs to commit to keeping themselves in excellent shape.

While an advanced degree is not required to become a personal trainer, you should have a high school diploma and be certified in first aid and CPR. Courses in nutrition, anatomy, and health will be helpful. There are also programs offerred online an at community colleges to prepare you to be a personal trainer.

While most states do not require personal trainers to be licensed, it is easier to get a job if you are certified. There are a number of certifying agencies and each certifying body has their own requirements. Most require a high school diploma, CPR certification, and successfully passing an exam that covers fundamentals of nutrition and exercise. Some of the certifying authorities are:

1. American Council on Exercise (ACE)
2. Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
3. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
4. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

There are specialist certifications available such as Pilates, kickboxing, or clinical exercise.