Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer in Ohio
Ohio has a large population and a thriving fitness industry. People are more interested than ever in getting fit, working out, and living healthier lifestyles. You could be a part of this trend working as a certified personal trainer in Ohio. Demand is high for qualified trainers and will be for years to come. Personal trainers are responsible for:
- Recruiting new training clients
- Conducting individual and group training sessions
- Helping clients reach their fitness and weight goals
- Designing and implementing workouts
- Educating clients about fitness, diet, and good form when working out
- Evaluating and monitoring clients’ progress
Becoming a personal trainer requires some education and skill development, but you don’t need a four-year degree to start working in this exciting industry.
Requirements to Become a Personal Trainer in Ohio
To work as a personal trainer in Ohio you do not need to have any specific license or certificate, but education and certification are strongly recommended. Many employers, like gyms and fitness centers, will only hire trainers with some degree of post-secondary education, with CPR and First Aid training, and with certification through a nationally recognized organization.
Personal Trainer Degrees in Ohio
A good way to start off in this career is to enroll in and complete a related academic program after completing high school or earning your degree:
- Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland. In Cleveland, you can complete the Fitness Specialist Certificate of Proficiency program at Cuyahoga to start your career. It’s designed to provide the knowledge and hands-on skills you need to start working as a trainer. You will be prepared to pass an exam for national certification, and you can transfer the credits to an associate’s degree program in sport and exercise studies.
- Owens Community College, Findlay. Owens offers students a certificate program in exercise science that will prepare you to pass the certification exam set by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The three-semester program includes certification in First Aid and CPR and can be transferred to a two-year associate’s degree course.
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Clifton, Middletown, Evendale, and Harrison. With a choice of several campuses, students at Cincinnati State also have a choice of several programs to lead to a personal training career. You can choose from certificates in group fitness, health and fitness special populations, aquatic group fitness and personal trainer, or an associate’s degree in exercise science.
Personal Trainer Certification in Ohio
Many employers and clients seeking personal trainers in Ohio will only consider those who hold national certification. Completion of a post-secondary program should prepare you to pass an exam from one of several nationally recognized organizations: the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Some examples of nationally recognized personal training certification organizations include: the American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Sports Sciences Association, the National Federation of Professional Trainers, and the National Council on Strength and Fitness.
Job Outlook and Salaries for Personal Trainers in Ohio
The job outlook for certified personal trainers in Ohio is positive. Positions in this field are growing at a rate of just over eight percent, which means you can expect to have more than 1,000 open jobs each year to consider.
Salaries are currently listed as $32,960 per year on average for fitness trainers in the state. However, certified personal trainers are likely to make more than this. You can also earn more with specialized certifications in subjects like group training or senior fitness.
Working as a Certified Personal Trainer in Ohio
As a certified personal trainer, you have the flexibility to seek full-time employment with a gym, to start your own training business, or to take on just a few clients part-time as a freelance trainer. For the most opportunities, look in and around the state’s larger cities: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashland UniversityAshland, OH(800) 882-1548401 College AvenueAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $28,9102023-24 | $20,158 to $23,402by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea, OH(440) 826-2900275 Eastland RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $37,9382023-24 | $21,648 to $30,725by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green, OH(418) 372-5526220 McFall CtrAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $14,4672024-25 | $15,611 to $23,945by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Capital UniversityColumbus, OH(614) 236-60111 College and MainAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $41,7882023-24 | $19,860 to $27,218by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH(937) 766-7700251 N. Main StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $36,0782023-24 | $18,952 to $28,319by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Central State UniversityWilberforce, OH(937) 376-60111400 Brush Row RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $8,0582024-25 | $15,607 to $21,211by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnati, OH(513) 569-15003520 Central ParkwayAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,5172024-25 | $5,920 to $13,736by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH(216) 687-20002121 Euclid AvenueAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $12,9882024-25 | $13,058 to $22,320by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland, OH(800) 954-8742700 Carnegie AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $3,9582024-25 | $3,249 to $10,633by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Denison UniversityGranville, OH(740) 587-0810100 West College StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $64,0002023-24 | $12,775 to $46,510by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Franklin UniversityColumbus, OH(614) 797-4700201 S Grant AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $9,5772023-24 | $21,170 to $23,466by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Heidelberg UniversityTiffin, OH(419) 448-2000310 E Market StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $33,6282023-24 | $17,150 to $25,316by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Kent State University at KentKent, OH(330) 672-3000Executive Office, 2nd Floor LibraryAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $13,2322024-25 | $14,912 to $25,263by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Lakeland Community CollegeKirtland, OH(440) 525-70007700 Clocktower DriveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,6072024-25 | $6,291 to $11,052by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lakewood UniversityCleveland Heights, OH(800) 517-08572231 North Taylor RoadAccredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission |
Private nonprofit | $10,4792023-24 | not published |
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Lorain County Community CollegeElyria, OH(440) 365-52221005 North Abbe RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,9192024-25 | $3,258 to $7,548by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lourdes UniversitySylvania, OH(419) 885-32116832 Convent Blvd |
Private nonprofit | $28,9302023-24 | $19,602 to $24,654by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Marietta CollegeMarietta, OH(800) 331-7896Irvine BldgAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $38,9742023-24 | $14,731 to $25,625by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Marion Technical CollegeMarion, OH(740) 389-46361467 Mount Vernon AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,5952024-25 | $4,874 to $11,482by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Miami University-OxfordOxford, OH(513) 529-1809501 East High StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $18,1612024-25 | $14,775 to $30,943by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH(513) 244-42005701 Delhi RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $36,6502023-24 | $11,206 to $22,642by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityMount Vernon, OH(740) 392-6868800 Martinsburg RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $35,5242023-24 | $17,598 to $26,244by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Muskingum UniversityNew Concord, OH(740) 826-821110 College DriveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $31,4402023-24 | $15,861 to $23,476by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Ohio Northern UniversityAda, OH(419) 772-2000525 S. Main StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $37,8002023-24 | $20,389 to $29,022by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH(614) 292-644615 E. 15th AvenueAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $13,2442024-25 | $6,259 to $27,144by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH(740) 593-1000020 Chubb HallAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $14,1582024-25 | $13,075 to $23,216by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton, OH(740) 533-46001804 Liberty AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,3622024-25 | $2,860 to $8,697by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Ohio University-Zanesville CampusZanesville, OH(740) 453-07621425 Newark RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,3622024-25 | $3,341 to $9,879by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Otterbein UniversityWesterville, OH(614) 890-30001 South Grove StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $34,8992023-24 | $15,057 to $25,227by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Owens Community CollegePerrysburg, OH(567) 661-700030335 Oregon RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,8702024-25 | $8,401 to $12,990by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Sinclair Community CollegeDayton, OH(937) 512-3000444 W. Third St.Accredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,8092024-25 | $3,855 to $8,559by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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The University of FindlayFindlay, OH(800) 472-95021000 North Main StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $39,6462023-24 | $19,184 to $27,573by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tiffin UniversityTiffin, OH(800) 968-6446155 Miami StreetAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $32,4002023-24 | $20,666 to $27,814by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH(330) 972-7111302 Buchtel CommonAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $13,1352024-25 | $12,319 to $19,698by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeBlue Ash, OH(513) 745-56009555 Plainfield RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $7,2002024-25 | $6,613 to $12,871by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Cincinnati-Clermont CollegeBatavia, OH(513) 732-52004200 Clermont College DrAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $6,7502024-25 | $6,868 to $12,710by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH(513) 556-60002624 Clifton AvenueAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $13,9762024-25 | $15,108 to $26,573by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Mount UnionAlliance, OH(800) 992-66821972 Clark Ave.Accredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $35,4002023-24 | $18,475 to $25,238by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Rio GrandeRio Grande, OH(740) 245-7206218 N College AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $20,5602023-24 | $26,495 to $32,843by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Ursuline CollegePepper Pike, OH(440) 449-42002550 Lander RdAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $37,8602023-24 | $12,738 to $24,145by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wilmington CollegeWilmington, OH(800) 341-93181870 Quaker WayAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $30,9622023-24 | $13,772 to $26,801by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wright State University-Main CampusDayton, OH(937) 775-10003640 Colonel Glenn HighwayAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $11,5222024-25 | $10,987 to $20,250by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Xavier UniversityCincinnati, OH(513) 745-30003800 Victory ParkwayAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $48,1252023-24 | $28,499 to $34,548by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH(877) 468-6978One University PlazaAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $11,1132024-25 | $8,053 to $16,329by 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.