Teaching group fitness classes might sound like a fun profession- and it is- but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of hard work involved in becoming qualified. Like becoming a spinning instructor, there are numerous certifications needed to teach group fitness classes.

With a variety of class options at gyms across the country, including step, high or low impact aerobics, cardio-funk, cardio kickboxing, strength training, and many others, training to be a fitness instructor is no easy feat. In addition to understanding the specific format of the class, instructors must learn to cue, choreograph, perform, give feedback, and motivate students – all to the beat of their favorite music.

If instructing aerobics or fitness classes is on your life list, there are a few steps to becoming certified.

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If you are passionate about health and wellness, motivating others and of course, enjoy logging long hours inside your favorite gym or health club, you might be well suited for a career as a personal trainer. While getting into physical shape can be hard work, it’s even harder work to achieve and sustain a career as a personal trainer. Though it might be challenging, it’s more than just physical effort.

“The most challenging part about being a trainer is helping clients deal with their personal issues. Often, clients are working to lose weight and sometimes you need to cross the line into a person’s emotions to help them solve issues that might be affecting their weight problem,” said Tony Cress, NASM-CPT, of Tony Cress Personal Training. “It’s very hard and emotional, both as the trainer and the client.”

To become a personal trainer, there are a few things a person should accomplish before they begin looking for a job or planning to launch their own private consulting business.

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Are you currently in the process of looking for a personal trainer? Finding the RIGHT personal trainer is not an easy task and I strongly recommend not settling with one that doesn’t meet your standards. Below is a list of qualifications and things that your personal trainer should know. Good luck and train hard!

10 Things Your Personal Trainer Should Know:

• Education: Your trainer needs to be well educated; either a nationally recognized personal training certification or health and fitness related degree (exercise science or kinesiology). Be sure to ask your trainer if he/she has these credentials.

• Anatomy: Every great personal trainer should be able to name any muscle in the body and be able to tell you the function of that muscle.

• Proper form and technique: Your trainer absolutely has to know the proper form and technique of every single lift or exercise. This is crucial for your over-all well-being and safety. If you feel your form is wrong, be sure to ask and maybe even get a second opinion (ask another trainer) just to be sure.
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