How to Become a Certified Personal Trainer in Kansas
As a certified personal trainer, you’ll be able to combine your love of fitness and health with a love of helping people reach their own fitness goals. Certified personal trainers work with individuals and small groups in a variety of settings and use their knowledge of nutrition, kinesiology and the human body to develop workout and health routines.
Good communication skills, an energetic personality and the ability to motivate others are also qualities of a good certified personal trainer. These allow you to explain exercises and cheer your clients on when they need some extra support.
Before your Certification
Personal trainers must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. In some cases, your employer may ask you to obtain CPR and AED certifications, which can be received through the Red Cross.
A certified personal trainer is someone who has passed a national certification exam. While this designation is not necessary to begin work, becoming a certified personal trainer can qualify you for a wider variety of jobs. Many of these may be higher paying as well.
National Certification Programs
Receiving your national certification in personal training shows that you have advanced knowledge in the field and take your career seriously, making you a more attractive applicant when looking for jobs. There are several national tests available, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Council on Exercise (ACE). The test, structure and prerequisites for in each of these programs differ, so carefully review each one before signing up to find the best match for your goals.
Higher Education in Kansas
A bachelor’s or master’s degree is not necessary to begin working as a certified personal trainer. If you choose to pursue one, however, you will gain additional knowledge of fitness and health that you can use to create higher-quality programs for your clients. The following schools in Kansas offer degrees in related fields:
- Kansas University. The KU system offers bachelor’s degrees in exercise science, online or on campus. The course consists of classes in strength training, research and data analysis, prevention of injuries and biomechanics, with electives in genetics, sociology and psychology available.
- Wichita State University. Wichita State’s Human Performance Lab supplements its bachelor’s degree in exercise science with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment. The program includes coursework on the natural sciences, human anatomy, kinesiology and sports nutrition.
- Kansas City Kansas Community College. Students interested in an associate’s degree can consider KCKCC, which also offers certificates in personal training alongside degrees in pre-exercise science, pre-sports management and general studies with a concentration in exercise science.
Salary and Career Outlooks
The Projections Managing Partnership estimates that jobs for certified personal trainers, fitness instructors and similar roles will increase by 10 percent during the 10 years to 2026. In Kansas, growth is expected to be slightly slower at 7 percent during the same time period.
Certified personal trainers can expect an average annual salary of $37,260 in Kansas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who charge hourly rates for their services make an average of $17.91 per hour.
Working as a Certified Personal Trainer in Kansas
Certified personal trainers work in rehabilitation centers, gyms, schools and fitness centers, among other facilities. Jobs at these locations are most readily available in urban areas, such as Topeka. Some certified personal trainers choose to start their own businesses instead, allowing them to work wherever there is demand. No matter where you work, a career in personal training can be a rewarding one for people who are seeking jobs in fitness, mentorship and health.