How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer in California

If you are passionate about fitness and want to help others achieve their fitness goals, becoming a personal trainer in California is a rewarding career choice. This guide explains the steps to become a certified personal trainer in California, including certification options, job opportunities, and salary expectations.

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Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements

To become a personal trainer in California, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Hold a valid CPR/AED certification.

These requirements ensure that trainers are prepared to work with clients safely and professionally.

Step 2: Choose a Certification Program

Certification is essential for personal trainers in California. Popular personal trainer certification training programs include:

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
    Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES),  Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC), Group Personal Training Specialist (GPTS), Behavior Change Specialist (BCS)
  • American Council on Exercise (ACE)
  • Personal Trainer Certification (CPT), Group Fitness Instructor (GFI). Health Coach Certification, Medical Exercise Specialist (MES), Sports Performance Specialist (SPS)
  • International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC), Certified Nutritionist (CN), Elite Trainer Certification, Yoga Instructor Certification, Certified Glute Specialist
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
    Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F), Certified Special Population Specialist (CSPS), NSCA-Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC)

These organizations offer nationally recognized certifications that employers trust.

Step 3: Complete Your Training and Pass the Exam

After selecting a personal trainer certification program, you will study topics like anatomy, exercise science, nutrition, and client assessment. Most programs allow you to study at your own pace, either online or in person. Once you feel prepared, schedule and pass the certification exam to officially become a certified personal trainer.

Step 4: Explore Specializations (Optional)

California offers unique opportunities for personal trainers to specialize in areas such as:

  • Group Fitness Training
  • Pilates or Yoga Instruction
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Nutrition Coaching

Specializing can help you stand out and increase your earning potential.

Step 5: Find Job Opportunities

California has a high demand for personal trainers due to its active lifestyle and large population. Some popular locations to find work include:

  • Gyms and Fitness Centers: LA, San Diego, and San Francisco.
  • Corporate Wellness Programs: Companies often hire trainers for employee health initiatives.
  • Private Personal Training: Many trainers work with clients in their homes or private studios.

If you prefer flexibility, consider starting your own business or working as an online personal trainer.

Study Options for Personal Trainers in California

Associate degree programs for fitness instructors are all over California. Here are just a few of many options for students pursuing careers:

  • Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Students earn an Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Kinesiology. The program lasts 60 units and includes aquatic exercise, body conditioning and weight training.
  • Los Angeles City College. While earning their AA-T in Kinesiology at this school, students learn teaching techniques, coaching, exercise physiology, group and personal training, sports and fitness biomechanics, sports nutrition and more. Students must demonstrate an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher to graduate.
  • Skyline College. Located in San Bruno, just south of San Francisco, Skyline College also offers an AA-T degree in Kinesiology. Courses include wrestling, self-defense, body conditioning, strength training and a variety of sports.
  • Cypress College. Located in Cypress, CA, this school offers its students an AA-T degree with a concentration in Workforce Fitness & Wellness. Courses include health assessment, sports conditioning, nutrition for fitness and teaching cardiovascular exercise.

If earning an associate’s degree is not right for you, consider studying something related in a community college personal training program. Although you won’t earn a degree, you will learn the skills necessary to pass your certification exam and become a certified personal trainer in California.

In addition, consider joining one of the many clubs or organizations throughout California that promote physical fitness, such as:

  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • International Health Racquet and Sports Club Association
  • International Fitness Professionals Association

If you decide not to go back to school but instead begin training clients out of your home, you must first obtain a business license.

Career Opportunities as a Personal Trainer in California

The job outlook for fitness trainers and instructors in California is highly favorable. Employment in this field is projected to grow by 14% from 2023 to 2033, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations.

In California, fitness instructors earn competitive wages. As of November 2024, the average annual salary for a fitness instructor in the state is approximately $52,102, with most earning between $38,335 and $72,865.

This is higher than the national median annual wage of $46,480 for fitness trainers and instructors.

Obtaining certification from recognized organizations can enhance earning potential. Certifications from bodies such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) are highly regarded in the industry.

The increasing demand for certified personal trainers in California reflects a growing emphasis on health and wellness, making it an opportune time to pursue a career in this field.

California Personal Trainer Salary & Job Growth Trends

  • Competitive Compensation: Personal trainers in California earn higher wages compared to the national average. As of November 2024, the average hourly pay for a personal trainer in California is $32.39, aligning with the national average.
  • Job Growth: The personal training industry in California is experiencing significant growth. Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
  • Regional Opportunities:
    • Los Angeles: With its large population and emphasis on health and fitness, Los Angeles offers numerous opportunities for personal trainers. The average annual salary for personal trainers in LA is approximately $76,053.
    • San Francisco: Known for its affluent clientele, the average annual salary for personal trainers in the city is about $85,338.
    • San Diego: With a strong focus on outdoor activities and wellness, San Diego offers a favorable market for personal trainers. The average annual salary in this area is around $72,000.
  • Industry Growth Areas: The highest growth areas for personal trainer jobs are expected to be in the tech, healthcare, and insurance industries, as companies in these sectors increasingly invest in employee wellness programs.

Overall, California presents a promising landscape for personal trainers, with competitive salaries and a growing demand for fitness professionals across various industries and regions.

Where To Work in California

Where there are large populations, there tend to be more certified fitness professionals. According to the BLS, the highest number of California fitness and aerobics instructors were employed in LA, teh Bay Area and San Diego in 2018. The BLS doesn’t provide salary data for personal fitness trainers alone, but the statistics show that the highest-paid fitness trainers and aerobics instructors that year were in the Oxnard area, earning a median income of $27.85 per hour.

When it comes to career advancement, there are some other cities in California besides LA where the personal fitness trainer can make themselves more marketable. For example, opportunities may exist for those looking to work as fitness trainers at corporate wellness centers like Club One Fitness (are you seeing a pattern here? Work with tech companies or health care organizations!)

In addition to working with tech companies and health care organizations, other competitive California-based fitness jobs include becoming a fitness instructor at resorts, spas and cruise lines.

Where to Work in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is home to some of the most competitive health care organizations in the country, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The largest employers in L.A. are UCLA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and California State University at Los Angeles.

Where to Work in San Francisco?

San Francisco is home to some of the leading health care organizations in the country, including UCSF Medical Center and California Pacific Medical Center. Here are the top employers of in San Francisco:

University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) – 804 employees Kaiser Permanente – 652 employees Sutter Health – 269 employees California Pacific Medical Center – 241 employees San Francisco State University – 185 employees

Where to Work in Sacramento?

Sacramento, California is the state’s capital and a large metro area. The largest employers of in Sacramento are UC Davis Health System, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California and Sutter Health.

According to the BLS, the average salary for fitness instructors in Sacramento is $62,680.

Where to Work in San Diego?

San Diego is home to some of the largest health care organizations in California, including UCSD Medical Center and Scripps Health. These are the top employers of personal fitness trainers in San Diego:

Scripps Health – 330 employees University of California at San Diego (UCSD) – 195 employees Sharp HealthCare – 175 employees Kaiser Permanente – 100 employees UC San Diego Medical Center – 93 employees.

Where to Work in Pasedena?

These are the top employers of trainers in Pasedena: UCLA – 490 employees Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – 130 employees California State University at Los Angeles. Look for large companies with fitness facilities.

How to start your own personal training business in California

If you’re not interested in working for someone else, you might want to consider starting your own business. This guide provides everything you need to know about getting started and join the many self-employed trainers who enjoy professional independence.

https://www.homebasedtrainers.com/how-to-start-a-personal-training-business/

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