Become a Personal Trainer in Louisiana

Are you passionate about working out and going to the gym? Do you want a job where you can motivate and encourage others to meet their own fitness and nutritional goals? Are you interested in a career that involves working in health and fitness? If you answered yes to any or all of these, then you should consider working as a certified personal trainer in Louisiana.

A certified personal trainer works with individuals or small groups and helps them to create and implement a fitness and nutrition plan that will help them achieve their fitness goals. You might have to demonstrate exercises or modify them depending on your clients’ needs. This job requires strong communication, interpersonal and motivational skills.

Requirements for Personal Trainers in Louisiana

A minimum educational requirement of a high school diploma or GED is needed to work as a personal trainer. No other education is necessary, but completing a certificate or diploma program in personal training or getting a degree in exercise science or a related field can be beneficial.

Personal Trainer Certification in Louisiana

State licensing is not required in Louisiana and neither is certification. However, becoming certified may increase your chances of being hired and will undoubtedly help if you are planning to work on your own. If you do choose to become certified, look for a program that has received accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) all offer excellent programs.

Training Programs for Personal Trainers in Louisiana

If you are interested in a training program for personal trainers in Louisiana, you have options. Here are a couple of them:

• National Personal Training Institute. This course is made up of world-class instruction combined with hands-on practical training. Classes are small, with fewer than 15 students per class. Day, evening and weekend classes can be taken in New Orleans. Financial assistance and job placement assistance are also available. CPR and First Aid training are included. The program takes six months to a year to complete, and once you complete it, you do not have to renew your diploma or receive continuing education. If you do wish to complete continued education to sharpen your skills, NPTI does offer workshops in Foundation and Assessment, Kettlebell Training, Sling Training, and Program Design and Integration.
• The University of Louisiana at Monroe. If you are interested in earning a bachelor’s degree, ULM offers a four-year program in kinesiology. Students help with coaching local youth teams and provide services to local high school and college athletes. They also participate in internships at nearby schools, hospitals, physical therapy facilities and wellness centers.

Job Outlook and Salary Expectations for Personal Trainer in Louisiana

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors in Louisiana, which includes personal trainers, made a mean annual salary of $32,620 in 2018. Their hourly wage averaged $15.68 that same year. This data was provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2016, there were 2,280 fitness trainers and aerobics instructors working in the state. That number is predicted to be 2,560 by the year 2026, which is a 12 percent increase. This is slightly higher than the predicted national growth rate of 10 percent for this field.

Opportunities for Personal Trainers in Louisiana

As a certified personal trainer in Louisiana, you may work in fitness and health centers, gyms or wellness centers. You also have the option to work as a freelancer from your home or visit your clients at their homes. Or, you may wish to open your own business. You can work full-time, or you can see clients in your spare time, around your family or another job schedule.

In Louisiana, the highest concentration of personal trainers can be found working in Baton Rouge, Kenner, New Orleans and Metairie. Top-paying areas in the state include the Bossier-Shreveport region, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Thibodaux. Some places you might expect to work are Anytime Fitness, Element Fitness Group and Planet Fitness.

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