Becoming a Personal Trainer in Virginia
Do you have a passion for health and fitness? Are you known in your circle as the go-to for training advice? If you enjoy helping others work through fitness plateaus and low motivation to reach their goals, you might want to consider a career as a personal trainer in Virginia.
Certified personal trainers can be found in gyms and fitness centers across the country, working with clients to help them become their healthiest selves. The work involves creating and implementing fitness programs, teaching various fitness techniques and providing dietary education, all while keeping the client motivated. If you take great pride in helping others succeed, this career will be very rewarding for you.
Requirements to Become a Personal Trainer in Virginia
Certified personal trainers do not carry licensure in Virginia. They are certified through one of many organizations, which provide certification. The various organizations each have their own prerequisites, often including a high school diploma or GED equivalent and Basic Life Support training through the American Heart Association.
Personal Trainer Certification in Virginia
Many programs will require ongoing continuing education to keep personal training certification current.
Popular programs include:
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers certifications as a Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Exercise Physiologist or Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) offers certification as a Personal Trainer Group Fitness Instructor or Nutrition Coach.
- National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT) offers certification as a Personal Trainer as well as opportunities for ongoing continuing education.
- World Instructor Training School (W.I.T.S.) offers courses and certification as a Personal Trainer (levels 1 and 2) as well as Older Adult Fitness Specialist, Group Fitness Instructor, Youth Fitness Specialist and Online Lifestyle Wellness Coaching.
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers certification as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Medical Expertise Specialist
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) offers certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator or Certified Special Population Specialist
Suitable Programs for Personal Trainers in Virginia
Virginia has many programs for those seeking a bachelor’s degree in an athletic career, but not many for those wanting a certificate. Some of the baccalaureate programs include:
- William and Mary College in Williamsburg offers a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
- Bluefield College in Bluefield offers a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and sport Science.
- James Madison University in Harrisonburg offers a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
Salary and Job Growth Projections for Personal Trainer in Virginia
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show the mean annual salary for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors in Virginia was $41,370 in 2018, with an hourly mean wage of $19.89.
In 2016, a total of 12,650 fitness trainers and aerobics instructors were employed in the state, with a projected 14,720 in 2026 for a growth rate of 16.4 percent. This is favorable compared to the national projected growth rate of 10 percent for this field. An expected 2,470 new jobs should be available to fitness trainers in Virginia each year.
Career Opportunities for Personal Trainers in Virginia
The greater Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA area is listed among the top five areas with the highest employment in this career, coming in at number four according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also lists recreational fitness centers as the largest employers for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors. This career choice allows for flexible hours and the possibility of self-employment, either through freelance work or ownership of a fitness center.
In Virginia, potential employers include the Virginia State government, Gold’s Gym, SAIC, Carillion Clinic, 24 Hour Fitness, Vail Resorts, Anytime Fitness, Life Time Fitness, KBR, Commander Navy Installations and The Mentor Network.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Averett UniversityDanville, VA(434) 791-5600420 W Main StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $38,5502023-24 | $19,655 to $27,470by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Bluefield UniversityBluefield, VA(276) 326-36823000 College AvenueAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $29,6962023-24 | $20,952 to $23,958by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VA(540) 828-8000402 E College StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $41,3502023-24 | $14,410 to $21,465by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg, VA(540) 432-40001200 Park RdAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $41,8602023-24 | $14,081 to $31,526by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Emory & Henry UniversityEmory, VA(276) 944-412130461 Garnand DriveAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $35,2802023-24 | $17,348 to $23,722by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Ferrum CollegeFerrum, VA(540) 365-2121215 Ferrum Mountain RoadAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $38,3202023-24 | $18,607 to $28,515by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA(703) 993-10004400 University DrAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $14,2202024-25 | $12,197 to $25,247by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Hampton UniversityHampton, VA(757) 727-5000200 William R. Harvey WayAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $29,1622023-24 | $29,338 to $44,119by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA(540) 568-6211800 South Main StreetAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $14,2502024-25 | $10,582 to $28,869by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA(434) 582-20001971 University BlvdAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $21,2222023-24 | $26,312 to $31,028by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Longwood UniversityFarmville, VA(434) 395-2000201 High StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $15,7402024-25 | $14,546 to $26,405by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton, VA(540) 887-7019318 Prospect Street |
Private nonprofit | $33,1572023-24 | $14,762 to $23,106by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA(757) 683-30005115 Hampton BlvdAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $12,7502024-25 | $9,627 to $22,658by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Radford UniversityRadford, VA(540) 831-5000801 East Main St.Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $12,5482024-25 | $11,289 to $22,537by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Roanoke CollegeSalem, VA(540) 375-2500221 College LaneAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $36,7742023-24 | $19,396 to $32,137by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA(540) 665-45001460 University DrAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $36,0282023-24 | $21,803 to $34,304by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of LynchburgLynchburg, VA(434) 544-81001501 Lakeside DrAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $35,5402023-24 | $18,308 to $21,490by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA(434) 924-03111827 University AvenueAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $21,8032024-25 | $8,842 to $34,777by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA(804) 828-0100910 W Franklin StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $16,9452024-25 | $12,830 to $28,474by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Virginia State UniversityPetersburg, VA(804) 524-50001 Hayden DriveAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $10,0432024-25 | $12,432 to $22,390by 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.