Become a Personal Trainer in Kansas
As a certified personal trainer in Kansas, 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.
Requirements for Personal Trainers in Kansas
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 in Kansas 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.
Personal Trainer Certification in Kansas
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.
Personal Trainer Career in Kansas
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 in Kansas can expect an average annual salary of $37,260, 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 in Kansas 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.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Baker UniversityBaldwin City, KS(785) 594-6451615 Dearborn Street1,945 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $33,9002023-24 | $15,729 to $27,999by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Barton County Community CollegeGreat Bend, KS(620) 792-2701245 NE 30th Road4,393 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $4,0322024-25 | $9,782 to $13,118by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KS(913) 367-53401020 N 2nd St2,465 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $34,8002023-24 | $21,531 to $30,253by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Bethany CollegeLindsborg, KS(785) 227-3380335 E Swensson St637 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $31,9462023-24 | $25,052 to $32,651by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Bethel College-North NewtonNorth Newton, KS(316) 283-2500300 E 27th St502 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $34,0022023-24 | $21,747 to $25,905by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Central Christian College of KansasMcpherson, KS(620) 241-07231200 S Main455 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $21,0002023-24 | $8,529 to $17,717by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Cleveland University-Kansas CityOverland Park, KS(913) 234-060010850 Lowell Avenue588 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $14,4002023-24 | not published |
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Dodge City Community CollegeDodge City, KS(620) 225-13212501 N 14th Ave1,757 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $5,5502023-24 | $3,967 to $9,130by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KS(620) 341-12001 Kellogg Circle4,658 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $7,1062024-25 | $10,658 to $18,347by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS(785) 628-4000600 Park St12,843 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $5,9232024-25 | $9,964 to $16,847by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Friends UniversityWichita, KS(316) 295-50002100 W. University Ave.1,927 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $32,7482023-24 | $17,538 to $33,926by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Independence Community CollegeIndependence, KS(620) 331-41001057 West College Avenue821 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $4,7402024-25 | $4,949 to $10,187by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, KS(913) 469-850012345 College Blvd17,121 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,9042024-25 | $12,074 to $18,399by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS(785) 532-6011919 Mid-Campus Drive, Anderson Hall19,745 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $11,2212024-25 | $10,742 to $21,843by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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McPherson CollegeMcpherson, KS(620) 242-04001600 E. Euclid788 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $35,1622023-24 | $20,869 to $28,232by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOlathe, KS(913) 782-37502030 E College Way1,539 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $36,1202023-24 | $24,595 to $34,162by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa, KS(785) 242-52001001 South Cedar1,055 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $35,3002023-24 | $21,092 to $30,254by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg, KS(620) 231-70001701 S Broadway5,722 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $8,4002024-25 | $17,369 to $20,287by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southwestern CollegeWinfield, KS(620) 229-6000100 College Street1,139 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $38,4802023-24 | $24,537 to $31,218by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Sterling CollegeSterling, KS(620) 278-2173125 W. Cooper707 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $32,2002023-24 | $18,043 to $25,938by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tabor CollegeHillsboro, KS(620) 947-3121400 S Jefferson664 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $35,0502023-24 | $17,138 to $22,280by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of KansasLawrence, KS(785) 864-2700Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 23028,406 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $12,1022024-25 | $10,908 to $21,310by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Saint MaryLeavenworth, KS(913) 682-51514100 S 4th St1,414 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Private nonprofit | $9,0732024-25, graduate | $19,319 to $24,862by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Washburn UniversityTopeka, KS(785) 670-10101700 SW College Avenue5,663 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $9,9452024-25 | $9,589 to $17,518by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS(316) 978-34561845 N. Fairmount16,741 students, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $9,6842024-25 | $10,914 to $18,751by 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.