How to Become a Personal Trainer in New York State
Are you interested in health and fitness? Do you enjoy spending time in the gym? Are you enthusiastic in your support of others? Have you considered a career as a certified personal trainer in New York?
Certified personal trainers work with those wishing to improve their health and fitness, helping them with the design and implementation of a plan to reach their goals. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and an ability to motivate people are important for those interested in this career path.
Requirements for Personal Trainer in New York
Certified personal trainers in New York are required to have a high school diploma at minimum. Although certified personal trainers do not require professional licensing in New York, those interested in pursuing education and subsequent employment as an athletic trainer will need to acquire a license and work under a licensed physician.
Personal Trainer Certification in New York
There are many certifying organizations for personal trainers. Some popular choices include the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Federation of Personal Trainers. Many of these offer additional certifications with varying levels and specialties.
Suitable Training Programs for Personal Trainers in New York
There are many suitable training programs located throughout New York State for those interested in a career as a certified personal trainer. A small sampling of the possibilities include:
- Marist College in Poughkeepsie offers a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and will provide students with the education needed to become certified athletic trainers. Students may choose to pursue a master’s degree at Marist upon completion of their bachelor’s degree.
- Adelphi University in Garden City offers a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Probably the most specific for personal training, the Exercise Science Track prepares students for careers in strength, conditioning, and exercise leadership.
Job Growth Outlook and Salary Expectations for Personal Trainer in New York
According to 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fitness trainers and aerobics instructors made a mean annual income of $59,520, with an average hourly wage of $28.62.
In 2016, a total of 22,460 fitness trainers and aerobics instructors were employed throughout New York, with an expected 26,730 to be employed in 2026 for a 19 percent job growth projection. This compares favorably to the national job growth projection of 10 percent for fitness trainers in the same period. New York is also listed as one of the highest-paid states for this occupation.
Opportunities for Personal Trainers in New York
Certified personal trainers are an important part of any fitness or health center; however, there is also a great potential to work independently as a freelancer or business owner, for those wishing to have a greater sense of independence. Trainers should be available to work odd hours, including early mornings and late evenings, when most people are either getting ready for or leaving work.
In New York, the highest concentration of personal trainers is employed in metropolitan areas with the New York City/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area listed as having the highest concentration of workers in this profession nationally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Amusement and recreation industries are listed as the largest employer for this career at 15.8 percent, with civic and social industries next at 9.5 percent.
Potential employers in New York include Blink Fitness, ESOS, 24 Hour Fitness, Inc., Northwell Health, Syracuse University, CUNY, UFC Gym, The Max Challenge, Rochester Institute of Technology, GymGuyz, Trustmark Companies Health Fitness and the Schenectady Jewish Community Center.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY(516) 877-30001 South AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $47,2902023-24 | $22,149 to $32,093by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Alfred UniversityAlfred, NY(607) 871-2111One Saxon DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $39,5302023-24 | $15,458 to $27,943by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Canisius UniversityBuffalo, NY(716) 888-22002001 Main StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $32,7202023-24 | $12,369 to $23,259by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY(718) 951-50002900 Bedford AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $7,4522024-25 | $1,466 to $11,670by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx, NY(718) 960-8000250 Bedford Park Blvd WestAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $7,4102024-25 | $2,047 to $10,803by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
CUNY Queens CollegeQueens, NY(718) 997-500065-30 Kissena BlvdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $7,5382024-25 | $1,816 to $12,359by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
CUNY York CollegeJamaica, NY(718) 262-200094-20 Guy R. Brewer BlvdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $7,3582024-25 | $3,267 to $12,206by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Daemen UniversityAmherst, NY(716) 839-36004380 Main StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $33,7242023-24 | $10,602 to $25,038by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Focus Personal Training InstituteNew York, NY(212) 319-3816115 West 27th Street, 11th FloorAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Private for-profit | not published | not published |
|
Genesee Community CollegeBatavia, NY(585) 343-0055One College RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $5,9002024-25 | $4,399 to $14,855by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY(516) 463-6600100 Hofstra UniversityAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $55,4502023-24 | $29,667 to $38,553by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Houghton UniversityHoughton, NY(585) 567-92001 Willard AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $17,2902023-24 | $17,213 to $25,436by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Hudson Valley Community CollegeTroy, NY(518) 629-482280 Vandenburgh AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $6,7962024-25 | $3,200 to $13,224by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY(607) 274-3011953 Danby RoadAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $50,5102023-24 | $22,208 to $37,581by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Long Island UniversityBrookville, NY(516) 299-2900720 Northern BlvdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $41,6422023-24 | $20,478 to $29,036by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Manhattan UniversityRiverdale, NY(718) 862-75974513 Manhattan College ParkwayAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $50,8502023-24 | $24,024 to $29,209by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Manhattanville UniversityPurchase, NY(914) 694-22002900 Purchase StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $42,9502023-24 | $17,789 to $32,501by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie, NY(845) 575-30003399 North RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $46,1402023-24 | $25,331 to $43,143by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Marymount Manhattan CollegeNew York, NY(212) 517-0400221 E 71st St |
Private nonprofit | $40,2602023-24 | $28,492 to $43,959by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Niagara County Community CollegeSanborn, NY(716) 614-62223111 Saunders Settlement RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $6,8942024-25 | $4,163 to $12,855by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY(585) 594-60002301 Westside DrAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $37,5042023-24 | $19,371 to $26,757by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY(585) 475-24111 Lomb Memorial DrAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $57,0162023-24 | $24,475 to $34,772by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Rockland Community CollegeSuffern, NY(845) 574-4000145 College RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $6,3982023-24 | $6,283 to $14,665by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Russell Sage CollegeTroy, NY(518) 244-200065 1st StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $36,7562023-24 | $15,692 to $29,668by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
St Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure, NY(716) 375-20003261 W. State RoadAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $40,1502023-24 | $14,813 to $31,769by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
St. Francis CollegeBrooklyn, NY(718) 522-2300179 Livingston StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $27,5702023-24 | $17,889 to $41,839by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY(585) 385-80003690 East AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $39,6662023-24 | $14,994 to $32,667by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeSparkill, NY(845) 398-4000125 Rte 340 |
Private nonprofit | $37,7202023-24 | $13,977 to $27,309by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
State University of New York at CortlandCortland, NY(607) 753-2011Miller BuildingAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $8,8742024-25 | $11,272 to $23,422by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
State University of New York at PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY(518) 564-2000101 Broad StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $9,0352024-25 | $10,585 to $23,723by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY(631) 632-6000310 Administration BuildingAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $10,9312024-25 | $12,744 to $26,994by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Suffolk County Community CollegeSelden, NY(631) 451-4110533 College RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $6,6302024-25 | $2,771 to $11,022by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
SUNY AdirondackQueensbury, NY(518) 743-2200640 Bay RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $6,8442024-25 | $7,254 to $16,017by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY(585) 395-2361350 New Campus DrAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $8,7522024-25 | $10,097 to $21,400by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
SUNY Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo, NY(716) 878-40001300 Elmwood AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $8,5332024-25 | $10,684 to $21,201by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
SUNY Westchester Community CollegeValhalla, NY(914) 606-660075 Grasslands RoadAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $5,9482024-25 | $8,326 to $14,526by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY(716) 645-200012 Capen HallAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $10,9362024-25 | $14,240 to $26,546by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Utica UniversityUtica, NY(315) 792-31111600 Burrstone RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $24,3082023-24 | $14,355 to $27,736by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
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.