Do you have a passion for health and fitness? Have you considered pursuing a career as a fitness trainer or personal trainer? In doing so, you could enjoy the rewarding work of helping others achieve their fitness and wellness goals.
When it comes to becoming a fitness instructor or personal trainer, you don’t necessarily have to be certified. However, obtaining your personal fitness instructor certification can help you stand out from others in the profession while enhancing your skills and knowledge.
The Growing Demand for Certified Trainers
Across Canada, the United States, and numerous other countries, there is a growing demand for personal fitness instructors who have gone through the process of becoming formally certified. This is especially true as people become increasingly health-conscious and seek assistance from personal trainers to help achieve their goals. Clients want to hire the most reputable and knowledgeable trainers—and certification can offer them some added reassurance and peace of mind.
Benefits of Hiring Certified Trainers
There are a range of benefits to hiring a certified personal trainer, fitness goals, or wellness coach. For starters, these professionals will have unrivaled expertise when it comes to preventing injuries and designing fitness plans that keep clients safe. Rather than issuing generic fitness plans, certified trainers have the experience and knowledge needed to custom-tailor plans to meet a client’s exact needs and goals.
Trainers who have received a formal health certificate or personal trainer certificate are also more likely to have received specific training on keeping clients motivated and accountable, helping them more readily achieve their short- and long-term goals.
The Significance of Certification in the Fitness Industry
If you’re thinking about entering the field of fitness training or personal training, then you may be wondering how much it really matters to get certified. In reality, it’s more important than you might think.
Defining Certified Personal Trainers
What exactly is a certified personal trainer, anyway? In Canada, a certified personal trainer or fitness instructor is a professional who has gone through specific training and acquired hands-on experience to pass a certification exam or similar assessment. In addition, many certifications require trainers to pay a fee and renew every so often. In certain scenarios, renewal may also require additional professional development or continuing education.
Industry Growth and Demand in Canada
You can read more about the increasing demand for certified personal trainers on the Government of Canada Job Bank website. In general, though, the outlook for certified personal trainers throughout the country is expected to grow moderately across all regions.
Building Trust With Certifications
Having a personal training certification can also help professionals who are still relatively new to the field build trust and credibility. This, in turn, could make it easier to find employment or to land new clients—as employers and independent clients may be more likely to trust a personal trainer who has gone through the certification process.
Types of Personal Trainer Certifications
Even once you’ve decided to become a certified personal trainer, you’ll need to do some additional research. This will involve comparing different certification options and determining which is best for your needs and goals.
Comparing Certification Bodies
There are numerous reputable certification bodies in Canada, with some of the most popular including:
- Canfitpro
- Canadian Fitness Education Services (CFES)
- Certified Professional Trainers Network (CPTN)
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
Popular Certifications in Canada
There are various certification bodies, each offering different certifications. For example, CFES offers certifications in personal training, weight training, and fitness knowledge. Perhaps the most popular individual certification, however, is Canfitpro. With more than 20,000 members, this certification is the largest in the country.
Choosing Between Online and In-Person Courses
As you explore your options for getting certified as a fitness trainer, you’ll also need to decide whether in-person or online classes are best for you. Some students may benefit more from hands-on experience, whereas others may enjoy the flexibility and versatility of a fitness instructor course online. In some cases, a hybrid program option may be available that combines the benefits of each.
Benefits of Hiring a Certified Personal Trainer
These days, fitness centers and private clients alike tend to lean toward hiring personal trainers who have at least one formal certification under their belt—and for good reason.
Safety and Injury Prevention
Part of preparing for a certification exam is taking classes and learning about the importance of safety and injury prevention during exercise and other physical activity. A certified trainer will be able to follow industry-accepted best practices for staying safe while performing exercises and working toward goals.
Tailored Workouts for Better Results
Certified personal trainers also have extensive knowledge of building customized wellness plans for clients from all walks of life. This means considering a client’s current fitness levels, goals, health conditions, and other factors to create a tailored plan that yields real results.
Accountability and Motivation
Finally, certified fitness coaches have specialized training and experience in keeping clients motivated and accountable. They know exactly what to say and do to keep clients on track or help them get back on track as needed.
How to Choose the Right Certified Personal Trainer
So, what are today’s clients looking for when they hire a certified personal trainer or fitness instructor? There are a few factors to keep in mind.
Factors for Selecting a Trainer
First and foremost, clients want to find a personal trainer they “click” with because they’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person. For instance, it’s not uncommon for a female client to prefer a female trainer, or for a male to seek another male trainer.
Reviewing Testimonials and Reviews
Clients will take the time to carefully research trainers, reading reviews and testimonials in-depth before making a decision. This is why it’s so essential for trainers to have a strong online presence that includes not just a website but also active social media pages.
Tips for Consultations and Questions
Certified personal trainers and fitness instructors are usually expected to provide free consultations for potential clients. When preparing for a consultation, it’s a good idea to ask your client to fill out a brief questionnaire or survey so you can get to know them and their goals and get a better feel for whether or not you’ll be a good fit.
The Future of Personal Trainer Certification
As demand for certified personal trainers continues to increase throughout Canada and beyond, now is also an ideal time to consider what the future might hold for the fitness and personal training industry.
Trends in the Fitness Industry
One of the biggest emerging trends in recent years is the use of wearable fitness devices, which can track everything from heart rate to steps taken to calories burned. With so much data being readily collected, it’s easier than ever for personal fitness instructors to gain valuable insights into their clients’ exercise performance, physical activity, and much more. This is especially true for clients who voluntarily share their wearable device data with them.
Over the past few years, more clients have also begun ditching the gym in favor of at-home workouts. With this in mind, personal trainers must be prepared to adapt and meet clients in their own homes.
Continued Education and Development
The fitness and wellness industry is constantly changing and innovating, which is why personal trainers need to be fully committed to continuing their education and pursuing professional development opportunities whenever possible. This way, they stay on top of the latest innovations and trends while remaining as competitive as possible.
Impact of Technology on Certification
Technology has also made it logistically easier than ever to get certified as a personal trainer or fitness trainer. While most certification programs require some kind of in-person component, many core classes can be taken entirely online. This makes fitness education accessible for those who want to pursue a career in the industry.
