Becoming a Personal Trainer in Iowa
Certified personal trainers help people get in better shape and meet their health and fitness goals. They can work in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers and gyms, and use their knowledge of fitness, nutrition and health to develop workouts. Certified personal trainers can provide one-on-one coaching or lead small group classes.
In addition to promoting personal health, certified personal trainers must be good communicators who are able to clearly and safely explain exercises. They should also be energetic, upbeat people who are able to motivate their clients and provide encouragement. Learn how to get personal training certification below.
Personal Trainer Certification in Iowa
To become a certified personal trainer in Iowa, you should be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. This will qualify you to take a national certification exam. Some employers may also require that trainers have CPR and AED certification, which can be obtained through the American Red Cross.
While no certification is necessary to begin working as a personal trainer, receiving your certified personal trainer designation may qualify you for a larger variety of jobs, many of which may come with a higher salary.
Obtaining Certification for Personal Trainers in Iowa
By successfully passing a national certification exam, you demonstrate to potential employers that you take your career seriously and have advanced knowledge of personal training principles. This helps make you a more competitive applicant.
There are several nationwide certification exams available, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Council on Exercise (ACE). Carefully review the prerequisites and structure of each, as these factors can vary by organization.
Available Degree Programs in Iowa
Certified personal trainers are not required to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. However, pursuing one can help you advance your knowledge of the field and create stronger fitness programs for your clients. Consider the following programs located in Iowa:
- University of Iowa. Students interested in personal training have two options at the University of Iowa. They can consider a bachelor’s degree in health and human physiology, which focuses on cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal responses to exercise, or combine that degree with a master’s in athletic training through a special program.
- University of Northern Iowa. The University of Northern Iowa offers a bachelor’s degree in movement and exercise science, which combines classroom instruction, lab experience, and experiential learning with the school’s own athletics teams.
- Iowa State University. At Iowa State, students can major in kinesiology and health with a concentration in exercise science. This program teaches the fundamentals of human health with an emphasis on preparing fitness programs and coaching.
Career Opportunities for Personal Trainers in Iowa
According to the Projections Managing Partnership, jobs for fitness instructors, certified personal trainers and related professionals are expected to increase by 10 percent in the 10 years to 2026. Iowa is expected to remain relatively on pace with 9.2 percent growth during the same time period.
Certified personal trainers can expect an average annual salary of $32,880 or an hourly salary of $15.81, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Working as a Certified Personal Trainer in Iowa
After receiving your certification, you’ll be able to work in rehabilitation centers, gyms, schools, fitness centers and more. Personal trainer jobs in these facilities will typically be most readily available in larger cities, like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Many personal trainers choose to start their own companies instead, allowing them to work anywhere. Whichever path you choose, personal training is an excellent career option for people who not only enjoy working out and maintaining their personal health, but also want to help others find confidence through those means as well.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City, IA(712) 279-52003303 Rebecca StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $35,5342023-24 | $17,357 to $25,265by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA(712) 749-2400610 W 4th StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $40,1902023-24 | $14,583 to $22,791by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Clarke UniversityDubuque, IA(563) 588-63001550 Clarke DrAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $39,6002023-24 | $10,870 to $26,435by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Coe CollegeCedar Rapids, IA(319) 399-80001220 First Ave NEAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $52,5762023-24 | $12,657 to $27,413by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA(319) 895-4334600 First St. SWAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $50,6342023-24 | $17,873 to $30,897by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA(515) 964-62002006 Ankeny BlvdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,7902024-25 | $9,302 to $14,269by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA(712) 722-6000700 7th St SEAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $35,9602023-24 | $20,966 to $31,607by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA(515) 271-20112507 University AvenueAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $49,9442023-24 | $25,335 to $32,993by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport, IA(563) 336-3300101 W Third StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,8482024-25 | $7,830 to $14,499by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA(641) 784-50001 University PlaceAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $33,2202023-24 | $14,173 to $19,613by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA(515) 263-28001200 Grandview AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $33,4502023-24 | $19,216 to $25,025by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo, IA(319) 296-23201501 E Orange RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,5252024-25 | $8,428 to $12,722by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge, IA(515) 576-7201One Triton CircleAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,4962024-25 | $8,354 to $12,495by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA(515) 294-41111750 Beardshear HallAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $10,7872024-25 | $11,734 to $21,827by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs, IA(712) 325-32002700 College RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,9302024-25 | $10,053 to $14,113by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids, IA(319) 398-54116301 Kirkwood Blvd SWAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,1762024-25 | $6,322 to $13,234by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Loras CollegeDubuque, IA(563) 588-71001450 Alta VistaAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $38,2982023-24 | $14,851 to $23,295by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Luther CollegeDecorah, IA(563) 387-2000700 College DriveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $50,3202023-24 | $16,937 to $31,047by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Marshalltown Community CollegeMarshalltown, IA(641) 752-71063700 S Center StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,4962024-25 | $5,712 to $10,254by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA(319) 363-82131330 Elmhurst Dr NE |
Private nonprofit | $39,0702023-24 | $17,255 to $25,996by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City, IA(641) 423-1264500 College DrAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,6532024-25 | $6,912 to $11,851by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmar, IA(844) 642-23381625 Hwy 150Accredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,7802024-25 | $8,886 to $13,057by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA(712) 707-7000101 Seventh St SWAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $35,3002023-24 | $20,674 to $26,036by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA(563) 333-6000518 W Locust StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $35,5982023-24 | $17,945 to $25,806by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA(515) 961-6251701 North C StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $46,2122023-24 | $15,172 to $26,854by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington, IA(319) 752-27311500 West Agency RoadAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,4202024-25 | $10,279 to $16,582by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southwestern Community CollegeCreston, IA(641) 782-70811501 West Townline StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $8,0642024-25 | $6,869 to $12,884by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of DubuqueDubuque, IA(563) 589-30002000 University AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $40,0652023-24 | $16,617 to $26,752by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA(319) 273-23111227 W 27th StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $9,9362024-25 | $10,170 to $16,396by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA(563) 425-5200605 Washington StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $19,0002023-24 | $19,324 to $27,503by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Waldorf UniversityForest City, IA(641) 585-2450106 S Sixth StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private for-profit | $25,2202023-24 | $19,354 to $24,590by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA(319) 352-8200100 Wartburg Blvd.Accredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $51,0402023-24 | $16,146 to $26,429by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City, IA(712) 274-87334647 Stone AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,1862024-25 | $7,493 to $10,970by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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William Penn UniversityOskaloosa, IA(641) 673-1001201 Trueblood AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $28,7502023-24 | $19,318 to $24,384by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.