Guide to Renting Gym Space for Personal Training

Guide to Renting Gym Space for Personal Training

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If you are starting your new personal training business or seeking new ways to help build clientele, renting gym space can be a viable solution. But knowing what to expect when paying for rental space can help you determine if it is the right choice for you. 

Here, we will talk about the pros and cons of renting gym space and how much it could cost you when running your business from inside a local gym. 

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Pros and Cons to Renting Gym Space for Personal Training

As we outline below, renting gym space can be a great way to help build your personal training business. But there can also be drawbacks. Knowing the pros and cons can help you determine if using a public gym for your business is a profitable solution. Below are my experiences as they relate to renting gym space vs working for a gym.

Some Significant Benefits When You Rent Gym Space

Here are just a few of the advantages for personal trainers who rent gym space to build their business. 

You Can Start Your Business Immediately 

If you are a newly certified personal trainer, renting gym space can get your business up and running in virtually a day. There is no need for you to invest in a gym facility, purchase equipment on your own, or handle all the details of purchasing or operating a building. You simply show up with clients at an existing gym and start mashing weights.  

A Reputable Gym Location Gives Your Business a Professional Appearance

Rather than having clients to your home or at the local park, running your personal training business out of a gym gives a more professional appearance.

In addition, certified trainers working at a local gym are more likely to obtain business from other gym-goers. Gym patrons who already have an existing membership can see your personal training services live and may be more apt to sign up based on observation of your training.

Saves You Money 

A professional gym space should include all the equipment necessary to provide exceptional personal training services, so it’s likely you will not have to worry about purchasing expensive gym equipment and supplies out of your pocket to support your business. Therefore, if you are just starting a new business, renting space is a great way to save on start-up costs. 

Client Referrals 

Running your personal training business from a local gym can be highly profitable from client referrals. While it may vary by facility, if you’re renting space in a gym, they may refer their members to you, which can be a great way to build or expand your current client base. 

Disadvantages Of Renting Gym Space for Personal Training 

While it seems that renting gym space may be an ideal way to run your personal training business, it can come with some disadvantages. Therefore, you should explore all these contributing factors before making any final decisions for operating in another location. 

Excessive Gym Rental Fees

Some public gyms will rent out their space to personal trainers on a contract basis. In these situations, even when you do not have clients to work with, you will still pay the predetermined fee. 

Other gyms may charge a percentage of what you make through your business while at their location. If you are extremely busy with many clients, this can add up to a large amount of money, making it more expensive than a flat-rate rental. 

More info on gym rental costs for personal trainers below.

Gym Restrictions 

When you rent gym space, you may also be renting access to all of the equipment on site. Some gyms will restrict what independent personal trainers can do with clients at their location. 

For example, some public gyms may prohibit personal trainers from encouraging powerlifting workouts or recommending a specific brand of health supplements. In addition, many gyms require that your clients must be members of their location before accessing your services on-site.

These restrictions may limit which clients you can take on and keep you from advancing professionally as you build your business. 

Average Rental Costs for Gym Space

If you have cost concerns with renting gym space for personal training, you are not alone. Depending on the rental contract, the expenses can vary greatly.

Let’s break down some average rental costs when using gym space for your personal training business. 

By the Hour 

Many public gyms will have personal training space for rent, which they bill hourly. Hourly billing costs can range anywhere from $15 to a whopping $175 or more, depending on the facility amenities.  For example, on the rental site Giggster, it is not uncommon to spend $150 per hour for a gym space in Miami, FL.

By the Week 

Some gyms may offer weekly rentals to private personal trainers. This method can be a great way to keep overhead costs lower if you are not busy throughout the month.

A typical weekly rental cost can fall anywhere from $100 to $250, depending on what services you use during your rental.

By the Month 

For any personal trainer with an active clientele list, finding a gym that rents space by the month may be the most cost-effective solution. Many public gyms will offer discounts to independent trainers who agree to a monthly contract. 

Paying rent by the month can run you anywhere between $1,000 and $2,500 or more. The monthly rental fees will vary, depending on the location, amenities it includes, and demand. 

Some gyms may run a month-to-month renewal, while others may provide discounts for 6- or 12-month contracts. Therefore, month-to-month contracts can be more expensive than committing to a long-term agreement in some gyms. 

Negotiating Rented Gym Space

If you have a good relationship with the gym owner, sometimes there is an opportunity to exchange your personal trainer services for renting gym space. This arrangement can work well for everyone involved. 

For example, rather than paying money for renting gym space, you volunteer your time as a group fitness instructor and lead a fitness class at the gym for their members.  

While this situation may not be available for all public gyms, it can be a terrific option for personal trainers just starting out who want to keep their expenses low. 

Conclusion

Ideally, to be a profitable personal trainer, you must have enough clients and keep your expenses low. Therefore, determining the best way to rent gym space will require you to examine how many clients you will train, how much time you need at a gym space, and which rental strategy best suits your professional needs. 

The first step to building a reputable personal training business is becoming certified and learning the business. There are dozens of resources to use as you work through accreditation, from renting gym space to building fitness programs. 

Fitness Mentors can help you reach your certification goals and help guide you to be a successful personal trainer as you grow your business. 

How To Get a Personal Trainer Internship in 2025

The average annual salary of $40,510 isn’t bad either, especially considering a college education isn’t necessary and you just need an appropriate certification and training. 

But that doesn’t mean that securing a personal trainer internship isn’t competitive. Personal trainer internships aren’t necessarily advertised, so you’ll need to put your sales hat on and make sure you can demonstrate people skills. 

Below are the steps you’ll need to take to get the personal trainer internship that kick starts your training into this exciting industry. 

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Write Down Your Goals

Not all personal trainers focus on the same type of clients or objectives. Some work with people who recently sustained an injury and are trying to gain back their physical mobility and strength. Other personal trainers work with clients who want to lose weight and learn how to eat better. While many personal trainers work in gyms, there are some trainers who work for the government or in public education.

Before you seek out an internship, determine your career goals. For instance, do you want a gym internship or one that focuses on working with K-12 students during physical education courses? Personal training apprenticeships should align with your career objectives and desired area(s) of specialty.

The percentage of adults who were overweight or obese was 42.4% from 2017 to 2018. That percentage continues to increase as sedentary lifestyles and eating diets with processed foods becomes the norm. While many opportunities to work with adults who want to improve their health exist, don’t pursue a specialty just because it’s popular. Really ask yourself what your passion is and target a suitable personal training internship.  

Research Local Facilities

Job seekers often write down a list of organizations they’d like to target. You should do the same for a fitness internship. Perform an online search of gyms and rehab centers in your area, but also find out what type of clientele they work with. Some facilities, for instance, may work only with females. 

Other gyms may offer limited personal training opportunities, focusing instead on weekly group classes for yoga, aerobics, or strength training. Full-service gyms with a variety of equipment, courses, and spa, swimming, and relaxation options may have personal trainer internship programs. As long as these workout centers and programs match your goals, find out what’s required and how your application can stand out. 

For instance, pursuing personal trainer certification or having a CPR certification can give you a leg up. It may also help if you have current or previous customer service experience, such as retail, call center, or any position that requires working with the public.

Get Your Resume and Cover Letter in Order

Once you’ve figured out which facilities and personal trainer internships to target, it’s time to create your resume and cover letter. Depending on how many facilities and programs you’re applying to, you may need a slightly different cover letter and resume for each one. If you’re unsure of how to craft a resume and cover letter for a personal trainer internship, get some help from a resume writing service or ask a personal trainer you know.

If you have references that can write recommendation letters, ask them to do this before you submit your application. Alternatively, you can ask your references to submit them to the facilities via email. Some internship applications allow you to specify email addresses and phone numbers for your references so the organizations can send reference requests to them later.

Take Advantage of Shadowing Opportunities

Some gyms and fitness facilities offer shadowing opportunities. You can use these as a way to gain contacts and establish relationships with hiring managers. When you shadow other personal trainers, you’ll also get a better sense of the gym’s philosophy, what your day might be like during an internship, and what type of clients frequent the facility.

It’s one thing to learn about a gym through second-hand research and words on the web. Seeing and experiencing things in person gives you a more realistic idea of whether the facility is a right fit for you and your career goals. Observe how personal trainers interact with the clients. How do they motivate and encourage their clients? 

Before you take on a shadowing opportunity, find out if you’re expected to simply observe or whether you can provide clients with coaching tips. Some personal trainers you work with will want to see your skills in action. Other facilities will prefer that you refrain from providing clients advice unless you’re a regular employee or have a contract to provide services to their customers. 

Practice Your Interviewing Skills

Find a friend or a professional coach that can help you run through mock interviews. Be sure to research some of the questions that gym managers are likely to ask of candidates seeking a personal trainer internship. Work on not only the content of your answers but how you communicate. A confident style that projects empathy and a willingness to listen is what you should be aiming for. 

Ask for honest feedback or record your mock interviews so you can go back later and identify areas to work on. Also, come up with a list of questions you want to ask gym and hiring managers. The interview is not just an opportunity for them to evaluate you, but for you to determine if it’s the right place to start your career. 

Wrapping it Up

Preparing to apply to a gym or fitness internship involves identifying your short-term and long-term professional goals. Collecting information about local facilities, crafting an appropriate resume and cover letter, shadowing personal trainers, and running through mock interviews can get you ahead of the pack. 

For additional preparation, our business course can help get a new personal trainer up and running. 

Do You Have to Be Certified to Be a Personal Trainer?

While you may have identified that a career as a personal trainer is for you, you may also be wondering, ‘do I have to be certified to be a personal trainer?’

Here is everything you need to know.

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You Don’t Have To Be Certified To Be A Personal Trainer… But You Should

Anyone can call themselves a personal trainer, but not everyone can claim they are certified without the proper training. 

Several personal trainer certifications are available to help individuals advance their knowledge as they continue to develop their personal training practice. These certifications come from highly respected companies like Fitness Mentors, NASM, ISSA, and ACE, just to name a few. 

You can read more about those certifications here, but let’s dive into the question you came for. Do you need one?

What Are The Advantages of Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer?

While nobody is going to stop you from claiming you are a personal trainer, you’d be remiss if you practiced training and did not have formal certification. The reason is, you’ll likely struggle with getting clients or getting hired by a fitness facility without proper accreditation. And since you also won’t be able to get liability insurance, you should not call yourself a personal trainer or act as one without being properly certified.

Now, let’s explain deeper.

Obtaining Proper Business Liability Insurance 

When you work for yourself or as a self-employed contractor with a local gym or fitness studio, obtaining the proper business liability insurance is critical. Unfortunately, many insurance companies will not want to provide liability coverage if you do not have the correct certification. 

Certification ensures that you have completed a training program, so there is less chance of injuring someone you are instructing. 

Limited Job Opportunities 

Lacking legitimate certification can be a significant roadblock in obtaining clients or finding a job at a reputable gym or fitness center. Much like other specialty jobs, an employer will not hire you to do the specific work they need without the proper certification. 

Industry Credibility 

Many potential clients and employers will not see you as a credible source of information as a personal trainer without the correct certification. With personal training, there is an inherent responsibility for clients’ wellbeing, whether it be weight loss, nutrition, or proper technique to avoid injuries while building strength. Certification shows you’ve had the discipline and patience to start and finish a formal education and are competent enough to create structured programs that get results.

So, What Do I Need To Become a Certified Personal Trainer?

Because every location around the world has particular requirements, where you live and work will impact what is recognizable as credible training. 

Thankfully, there are some standard certifications that most places recognize to begin your new career as a personal trainer. These courses make it simple to start a career in the fitness industry, and you will be happy to know that you do not need to spend years of schooling and thousands upon thousands of dollars before receiving proper certification. 

The standard barrier to entry for most personal training certifications is the following:

  1. 18 years or older
  2. High school diploma or GED
  3. CPR/AED certification

Then it’s all about completing the coursework and acing the final exam. 

Learn more: How to Become a Personal Trainer in 5 Simple Steps

Personal Trainer Certification FAQs

Do you need a degree to be a personal trainer?

You do not need a degree to be a personal trainer. While it is possible to obtain a personal trainer certification in college, it is not necessary to go through college to get a certification.

Fitness Coach vs Personal Trainer: What’s the Difference?

Many people associate a personal trainer with certification, while a fitness coach may not possess the same accreditation (but can). Consequently, this can be a grey area if there is no formal training. 

Fitness coaches generally provide lifestyle changes and dietary modifications to ensure clients see their desired results, but lack formalized training in personal training. Therefore, fitness coaches don’t usually have the same prestige associated with their titles as personal trainers.

Do you need a personal trainer certification to train clients virtually or online?

Virtual personal training and certification requirements are the same as with in-person training – you do not need a formal certification to train, but it is recommended. In virtual environments just like in in-person ones, the safety of clients is paramount and is best achieved with a formalized training and online personal training certification.

Conclusion

The first step to becoming a personal trainer is becoming certified to build a successful business in the fitness world. With the proper certification, you will have more job opportunities, hold more credibility in the fitness world, and will not have to worry about liability insurance issues. 

​Fitness Mentors can help you by determining which training programs to choose and how to advance your knowledge as a personal trainer. So talk to someone today and get started with the best certification choices to suit your training needs. 

Survey Results: The Best In Personal Training & Fitness Industry Trends for 2025

Survey Results: The Best In Personal Training & Fitness Industry Trends for 2024

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It comes as no surprise that the fitness industry is rapidly growing, especially during COVID times where at-home and virtual workouts have exploded. As a whole, the industry is growing at a rate of 8.7% per year, with the demand for personal trainers expected to grow 13% between now and 2028.

 

For CPTs within this highly dynamic and steadily expanding industry, fitness trends change by the year. Fitness Mentors surveyed nearly 500 personal trainers to find out what their choices are for the best fitness-related brands, technologies, workout strategies, services, education, client acquisition tactics, and more. 

 

The categories and topics we’ll touch on include:

  • Personal trainer client acquisition: Where are clients coming from?
  • The best fitness apps, software, and technology
  • The best personal training workouts
  • The best certifications
  • Fitness Trend Projections For 2024

Some of the survey results were even a bit unexpected! Read on to see what we found.

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Personal Trainer Client Acquisition

Let’s start at the beginning. Where are we getting our clients? There’s not much sense in knowing the best workout strategies if we don’t have the clientele.

 

Over 50% of those surveyed by Fitness Mentors said their primary way to obtain clients is by word of mouth and referrals. Whether it’s a current client that recommended their services to someone else, or they just let members of their community know what they offer, most of their clients came this way. 

 

Second to that was social media, where 30.2% of those surveyed said they obtain the most clients. So what’s the best social media platform for personal trainers to use? According to 42.2% of the personal trainers we asked, Instagram is the best place to promote their personal training business, followed by 20% that suggested Facebook is best and 15.6% that prefer YouTube. 

 

Why did the majority choose Instagram? Likely because Instagram’s heavy reliance on photos makes for a great way to promote a business whose results are highly visual.

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Fitness Apps, Software And Technology

Once we have our clients, what are the best ways to record their data and manage them? 

Best CMS

We asked our survey respondents what their choice is for the best client management software. The results were not totally unanimous, but nearly 31% of personal trainers said Trainerize is the best software, followed by MindBody at 15.4% and PT Distinction at 12.8%.

When we asked why Trainerize is their favorite, they talked about the many features like the ability to build customized training programs for their clients, track their progress, and even accept payments from them using the software.

So what about fitness and nutrition apps that personal trainers recommend for their own use and for their clients?

Best Nutrition App

Let’s start with nutrition – a big part of any personal trainer’s programs. The best nutrition tracking app that CPTs suggest their clients use is MyFitnessPal, which came in at 78.3%! Their many reasons involved the ease of use and the especially comprehensive database of foods and exercises.

Best Walking And Running Apps

When it came to walking and running apps to track your routes and progress, results were fairly close between three: Map My Run came in at 27.9%, Strava at 25.6%, and Nike+ at 20.9%. While it was a close call, the preference for Map My Run came because of the ability to track other activities besides just running. The app tracks cycling, interval training, walking, and more.

Best Fitness Training Apps

For virtual classes and training session apps, 20.5% of our surveyed trainers recommended Nike Training, while 17.9% preferred Beach Body. Both options allow the CPT’s clients to supplement their workouts with digital training that boasts anywhere-you-need-it accessibility.

Best Wearable Fitness Tracker

When it came to the best wearable fitness trackers, 44.7% of personal trainers answered their favorite was the Apple Watch. This was followed by 19.10% choosing Garmin, 12.8% who selected FitBit, and 10.6% who preferred Samsung.

With Apple and Garmin being two of the biggest names when it comes to wearable fitness trackers, you may wonder why CPTs lean more towards Apple. When we asked some of our voters, they said they prefer the Apple Watch because of the advanced features, such as the ECG and pulse oximeter sensors in the newer models.

Fitness industry Trends: Best Fitness apps

The Personal Training Workouts

On to the single-handed most important aspect of personal training: the workouts themselves. With so many new trends and fitness strategies, it’s no surprise that personal trainers may differ on what they feel is the best. We surveyed to find out what the majority prefer, and here’s what we found.

Best Workout For Weight Loss

When we asked personal trainers what they think the best workout for weight loss is, the majority, 51.10%, said interval training. 13.3% answered that CrossFit is their preferred method, and 8/9% answered running.

The trainers who chose interval training said they did so because it helps your body continue to burn fat even after the workout is over.

Best Cardio Equipment

For those trainers working in gyms or studios, or recommending equipment to their clients, we asked what the best is for cardio. 31.9% chose a rowing machine, compared to 23.4% who said a treadmill. Ellipticals and steppers tied up at around 15%.

Rowing machines were a top choice because of their workout efficiency. They target 85% of your body’s muscles, which makes them the perfect workout if you had to choose just one piece of equipment.

Home Fitness Brand

So which equipment brand is a favorite amongst our surveyed personal trainers? 36.6% chose Peloton, while 24.4% chose Total Gym. 

Peloton, which was once known solely for its stationary bikes, now offers treadmills as well. When we asked why the preference towards the brand, many responders told us it’s about the quality and technology within the fitness equipment. Since Peloton integrates with its app to allow motivation and tracking, it’s often a choice for those looking for that extra support.

Transportable Strength Training

One of the beautiful things about being a personal trainer is the ability to provide your services anywhere. We asked our group of personal trainers what their favorite transportable strength training is. 46.8% answered resistance bands, while 27.7% preferred dumbbells.

The trainers who preferred resistance bands did so because of their lightweight functionality, making them effective at muscle building, yet easier to travel with.

Workout Delivery

COVID-19 put a huge emphasis on at-home workouts, which includes virtual personal training. When we asked our surveyors what their preference was for delivering their sessions to their clients, 58.7% chose a hybrid combination of in-person and virtual to obtain the most success. 32.6% preferred completely in person, while 8.7% said purely remote.

The combination of virtual and in-person training was a clear winner. 

Workout Recovery

Personal trainers have preferences for how they recommend their clients recover from a workout, as well. While resting is certainly one option, as far as other tools and techniques go, a foam roller was the highest recommended at 42.2%. This was followed by massage at 17.8% and percussion therapy at 11.1%.

The trainers said they preferred foam rollers because of their self-myofascial release that assists with tightness and soreness. They’re also easy to carry around and don’t take up a lot of space.

Fitness industry Trends: The Personal Training Workouts

Personal Training Certification

No two personal training certifications are exactly the same, and each has its own set of pros and cons that may make it better for one person over another. We asked our pool of personal trainers what their preference was for certification and CEUs. 46.8% answered NASM, while 23.4% said ACE, and 12.8% responded Fitness Mentors own certification.

You can read more about each certification here to make the best choice for you.

Personal-Training-Certification

Fitness Industry Trend Projections For 2024

Every year brings new trends, new workouts, and an upswing in certain personal training styles. Here’s what to look out for in 2024:

Move-to-Earn

These crypto-earning games push players to meet their physical fitness goals by monetary encouragement. It’s a fun way of using technology to reward your movement. The games all work a bit differently from each other, but who doesn’t want to make money for doing something beneficial to your health? Read more about Move-To-Earn games and where to play them here.

Wearable Technology

Fitness tracking devices and apps have become increasingly popular in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. These devices can track your and your client’s fitness goals –  making logging, monitoring, and accountability more streamlined. The technological advancements in these devices, especially smart watches, allow for GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, step calculations and calories burned. Some even monitor sleep, heart rhythm, and blood pressure for a holistic approach to fitness.

At-home fitness

The pandemic has pushed many people towards at-home workouts, and this is predicted to continue in the next few years. The at-home fitness market value is expected to reach $14.74 billion by 2028. This trend can be attributed to the rise in popularity of streaming services like Peloton and Zoom, which offer live and on-demand classes that can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Virtual personal training

As we mentioned above, along with at-home workouts, the addition of virtual live fitness classes and personal training are also on the rise. This is a convenient way for your clients to get their workout in without having to leave their house or office. These can be done through video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype, or performed asynchronously.

Mindfulness

The integration of mindfulness and meditation into fitness routines is becoming more popular, as the focus on mental health has increased in recent years. This can be done through guided meditations, breathwork, and even yoga Nidra. Adding these practices into your personal training sessions can help your clients to focus on the present moment and be more in tune with their bodies.

Functional fitness

This type of training focuses on exercises that help improve everyday movement and activities. It is based on the principle that the body works best when all the muscles work together, rather than isolating one muscle group at a time. This type of training can help to improve balance, coordination, mobility, and daily activities for living.

HIIT workouts

HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is a type of workout that alternates between short bursts of intense activity and periods of rest. This type of workout is effective for fat loss and cardio, as it’s effective at burning a lot of calories in a shorter amount of time.

Outdoor workouts

As the weather gets warmer, people will start to take their workouts outdoors. This is a great way to get some fresh air and Vitamin D, and it can also be a more fun and interesting environment for your clients. Exercises that can be done outdoors don’t just have to include walking, running, biking, hiking, and swimming – you can get creative with your surroundings to incorporate resistance training too.

Smart gym equipment

This type of equipment uses sensors and AI to provide feedback on your and your clients’ workouts. It can track your reps, sets, and weight lifted, as well as your heart rate and calories burned. This information can be used to help you or your clients improve form, technique, and performance.

Competitive fitness

The popularity of competitive fitness, such as CrossFit and obstacle course races, has been on the rise in recent years. This trend is expected to continue as people are looking for new and exciting ways to challenge themselves. These workouts are also great for building community and helping people stay motivated.

There you have it, some of the top fitness trends for 2024. As a personal trainer, it’s essential to be aware of these trends so that you can stay up-to-date and offer your clients the best possible service.

A Final Word

While every personal trainer may have different opinions and the trends change often, Fitness Mentors stands behind helping our CPTs stay ahead of the game with constantly updated training.

Whether you’re looking to broaden your offerings by becoming certified for virtual training, or you’d like to learn more about the business side of being a personal trainer, we have what you need to be successful!

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Tips to Achieve Work-Life Balance as a Personal Trainer

Between scheduling for clients and organizing your personal time on a weekly basis, it’s tough finding time to practice self-care.  We have pulled together a few tips to get you started towards improved work-life balance as you continue to grow your personal training venture!

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Organize Your Schedule

Start by analyzing your daily, weekly, and monthly work schedule, being sure to factor in personal time outside of the workspace. Make detailed notes about daily tasks, weekly appointments, financial obligations, and time spent on hobbies. This will be the basis for building a balanced work schedule.

Measure and Time Block

By measuring where you are spending a majority of your time and where you may be struggling, you can time block your workdays to be more streamlined, efficient and productive. For example, if you spend a majority of your week on appointments with clients, but are struggling to find the energy to devote to financial matters, where can you scale back? Determine a set number of appointments you can schedule per week while still remaining profitable. With the added free time in the workday, bring more focus to the financial and business related tasks. Apply this system of regulating tasks to every aspect of your business to keep track of all the moving parts simultaneously without feeling overwhelmed.

Planning Personal Time

It’s easy to get wrapped up in work and let personal commitments slip by, but by planning ahead of time, you can incorporate a healthy social life amongst the chaos of running a business and find a good work-life balance. Having a digestible outlook of your week ahead will give you time to both physically and mentally prepare. Time blocking also comes in handy when scheduling appointments, like doctor visits, and ensures these are a priority amongst your busy schedule. We suggest keeping a paper planner or digital calendar to stay organized, make notes about personal goals or tasks, and to track plans months in advance so not a single personal commitment is forgotten. 

Prioritize Health and Wellness

Prioritizing your health when running a personal training business is often easier said than done. With work taking up a majority of your energy and time, it can be challenging to fit self-care into the mix. Prioritizing your health doesn’t need to be time consuming though, and can fit seamlessly into your day if done right.

Prioritizing Physical Health

As a personal trainer, you are well equipped with the tools and knowledge to make physical exercise a part of your routine, it’s just a matter of finding the time. Set aside a half hour before or after work to get your body moving. Use this time to listen to your favorite music or podcast, go for a walk in nature, meditate and stretch, or do a few chores that keep you on your feet. Exercise doesn’t need to entail a lengthy workout, but just enough movement to relieve the day’s stresses and keep you feeling your best.

Prioritizing Mental Health

Prioritizing your mental health is also important. If you feel unmotivated, stressed, or anxious, it may be time to take a step back and address what’s affecting your overall mental wellbeing. Are you getting enough rest? Are you remaining connected with loved ones? Are you finding ways to unwind and stay grounded? If the answer is no, try devoting more time to self-care. Spend time doing your favorite hobby or calling a friend, or just have a relaxing night in. If you are struggling beyond just everyday stresses, there are a plethora of options to make caring for your mental health easier, from online therapy providers, or local support groups, to creating your own self-care plan. These options can ease into your busy schedule as needed and will help you take control of your mental wellbeing.

Set Boundaries

If you are noticing symptoms of burnout as your personal training business steadily grows, boundary setting may be the answer to establishing a healthier work-life balance.

Boundary Setting at Work

To start, set designated working hours. The start of your work day should allow for a few moments of calm in the morning before jumping into work tasks. This gives you time to mentally prepare and plan for the day ahead. When it comes to establishing an end time, things get a little more challenging and overly flexible. Decide on a time that allows for a few hours in the evening to fully disconnect from the day’s stresses, and stick to it! This can do wonders for mental clarity and can leave you feeling more focused, motivated, and rested for the following workday.

Boundary Setting for Personal Time

It’s also important to set boundaries in your personal life. Saying no to friends and family doesn’t always have to come with a sense of guilt. It’s okay to be selfish with your time outside of work to do the things that make you feel most at ease. For example, if going out to dinner with friends is just what you need then definitely say yes, but if you’d prefer independent time to focus on a hobby, don’t be afraid to say no! Learn to be more intune with what makes you feel your best in the present moment and find a healthy balance that is unique to you. Your loved ones will understand and be there when you’re ready.

In Conclusion - Be Patient

Key advice for achieving work-life balance as a personal trainer is to just be patient with yourself. There is no pressure to get work-life balance right, because it’s a continued work in progress towards finding what works best for you. Add the above tips to your daily routine step by step. Eventually you’ll find you’ll not only feel more productive and energized during the work day, but find calm and fulfilment in your personal time.

Complete Guide to Writing Your Personal Trainer Resume

As you navigate through the competitive personal trainer job market, there are several resume enhancements you can apply to get your foot in the door. Here, we’ll examine everything you need to know to elevate your resume to another level and land more interviews.

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Make Your Format Easy to Read

The employer reads hundreds of resumes per day. They do not have time to look through a disorganized personal training resume. If you do not have your headers, sections, and font in order, it could disqualify your application immediately.

There are multiple ways to make your resume format stand out. First, you should utilize the standard reverse-chronological format in the “work experience” section. This area of the resume tells a story about your growth and development, which is why you need to lay it out nicely.

Font style and size are small details, but they have a massive impact on the aesthetic of a resume. Use a simple, clear font style to make sure all eyesight levels can read it. Try to incorporate larger headers too, or at least make sure the header size is bigger than the body text size. As you write out the content on the page, leave enough white space to give the person a mental break.

Lastly, the file format is an important factor to consider. Every person’s computer might be different, which is why you should save the resume as a PDF. A PDF format will look organized and consistent on any computer or mobile device.

Create a Captivating Summary or Objective Statement

The resume objective or summary is a “first impression” within the resume. The recipient will most likely read this section first, so you want to engage them immediately. What do you want this person to know about you right off the bat? This prime opportunity shows how you are different from all the other applicants.

The summary should be a high-level overview of your experience as a personal trainer. You have 2–3 sentences to explain your top capabilities and unique skill sets. A personal trainer resume with no experience should emphasize the motivations to apply for the position. The employer should know exactly what they are getting out of you as a personal trainer.

Let’s put it into practice. Below are two examples that showcase a “bad” and a “good” summary for a PT resume.

  • Bad Personal Trainer Resume Example: Hello, I am a CPT who is good with people. I have skills in fitness, nutrition, and team leadership. My goal is to earn a CPT position at your company.
  • Good Personal Trainer Resume Example: Innovative Certified Personal Trainer with a successful track record helping over 125 individuals realize their overall fitness goals. People-driven professional with a 97% client satisfaction rating through innovative programming, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills. Extremely motivated to impact a growing company through an impactful role.

As you can see, the second statement is much more captivating. It fully explains how the person is unique by quantifying a satisfaction rate and the number of clients. It is also direct when describing the overarching goals of the applicant.

Highlight Your Summary of Experiences

Your experience section will give employers an idea of how closely you align with the role. It is also the best section of the resume to show why you are different from any other applicant.

As you fill up this area of the resume, there are two things to remember: tailor it to the job description and integrate quantifiable accomplishments. Fifty-four percent of recruiters claim that a resume gets rejected because it is not tailored to the job.

Once you compile your list of job prospects, highlight the key areas of the job description. Focus on hard skills, soft skills, and other unique keywords. Reflect on your past experiences and identify moments where you applied these skills. If you initiated a new workout program or improved a process, put these real-life examples into the resume.

Sprinkle them throughout the resume to ensure your resume is optimized for both a human eye and the applicant tracking systems. In fact, approximately 75% of recruiters and HR teams from large companies use an ATS to sort resumes based on keywords that match the job description.

When the employee reads through hundreds of personal trainers’ resumes, you want to ensure your document stands out with unique accomplishments. While it may be acceptable to write out your roles and tasks, you should focus on what your impact was. Everything should be accomplishment-driven. Focus each of your bullets on the following:

  • Numbers: the number of clients you served or training plans you formed
  • Percentages: client satisfaction rating, clientele growth, or retention rating
  • Impact: What was the result of what you did?
  • Process improvement: was there ever a time you improved a system or pivoted your training model?

Showcase Your Top Skills

As you list out your skills in the resume, it is important to be selective. When the employer reviews your resume, they do not want to drown in a long list of skills. Pick the ones that accurately capture your experience, but you should also look at the job description. Find the word used the most, and then integrate those into the resume.

One of the most important aspects of a resume is proof. If you list a skill in the dedicated section, you should prove it in your experience bullets. Here is a list of skills that many personal trainer job descriptions ask for:

  • Hard Skills: nutrition, fitness assessment, fitness planning, exercise programs, exercise physiology, holistic techniques, safety techniques
  • Soft Skills: interpersonal skills, time management, critical thinking, active listening

Make sure to include a balanced combination of hard and soft skills. Sixty-one percent of employers believe that soft skills are just as value-added as hard skills.

List Out Your Education, Certifications, and Continued Education

In addition to the education information, certifications are vital for a personal trainer resume. Certifications show your commitment to lifelong learning. They also differentiate you from other applicants who did not invest the time to earn them. Certifications such as:

Final Wrap Up

You have a unique story to tell, and your personal training resume is your vehicle to do that. Reflect on your unique accomplishments and align them with what the employer is looking for.

Showcase your motivations to apply for future positions, your approach with clients, and how you have already made an impact. When you apply the principles in this guide, the sky’s the limit.

We know how hard it can be to land the first clients. That’s why Fitness Mentors has created a course that will provide you with the best strategies to help you get started. Access our website for all the details.

17 of the Best Fitness YouTubers To Inspire Your PT Business

Have you ever wondered what attracts people to YouTube Fitness Channels? The most popular channels have one thing in common— they identify and build on what makes them unique. 

Let’s take a look at 17 of the best fitness YouTubers and what you can learn from them to amp up your personal training business.  

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POPSUGAR Fitness 

POPSUGAR Fitness has 5.82 million subscribers and a variety of workout videos for viewers to choose from, ranging from dance to boxing. 

POPSUGAR’s diverse workouts meet viewers exactly where they are in their fitness journey. This is one of the most beneficial skills a personal trainer can have.

POPSUGAR also establishes itself as an expert by recruiting highly experienced and even celebrity fitness instructors. Letting your clients know why you’re qualified immediately sets you apart. 

Joe Wicks – The Body Coach TV 

Joe Wicks’ YouTube channel has 2.77 million subscribers and a Guinness World Record. Wicks broke the record for most viewers for a fitness workout YouTube live stream when over 900,000 people tuned in for “PE With Joe.” 

So, what’s made the fitness enthusiast so popular? Like most personal trainers, Wicks has a genuine passion for improving people’s health. However, he proves his passion creatively. 

He utilizes a lot of challenges to make his viewers compete with themselves to better their health, and specializes in workouts for kids to get them up and moving.

Cassey Ho – Blogilates 

Cassey Ho is a certified Pilates and fitness instructor with 5.62 million YouTube subscribers. The Blogilates channel teaches pilates and other sculpting workouts. 

Ho sets herself apart by emphasizing how valuable finding joy in fitness is. Many of her videos are wise words of encouragement backed by her experience. 

ScottHermanFitness 

ScottHermanFitness has 2.55 million YouTube subscribers and a focus on maximizing workouts and progress. Herman’s channel has follow-along workouts, fitness tips, and advice. 

Herman was a fitness lover long before becoming an instructor. He benefits his followers by sharing what he’s learned along his journey. He touts his avoidance of drama and clickbait, offering videos that maximize his viewers’ workouts and helps them to succeed.

Adriene Mishler – Yoga with Adriene

Yoga with Adriene has an impressive 10.3 million subscribers. Mishler’s free yoga videos attract a diverse community of all fitness levels, ages, body types, and whatever else makes her viewers unique! 

Whether the goal is to relax, sculpt, or energize, there is a yoga video for it. If there’s one thing you take from Milshner’s page, let it be this—Find a way to adapt your knowledge and expertise to meet the varying needs of your client(s). 

Pamela Reif

Pamela Reif’s fitness channel has 7.88 million subscribers and varying levels of workout videos, including beginner, 30 minutes, 45 minutes slow, and 45 minutes hard. 

Originally an influencer, Reif became a fitness role model by sharing her love for fitness on social media. Reif proves most people prefer a trainer that genuinely cares about their health. 

Establish yourself as a trustworthy coach by expressing your passion and showing that you care about your clients. 

Caleb Marshall – The Fitness Marshall  

The Fitness Marshall is a dance exercise channel with 3.31 million followers. Notorious for choreographing routines to current hits, the channel has low impact, heart health, sweat session, and other workouts to choose from. 

Marshall’s humorous personality combined with challenging but fun workouts is what entices viewers. 

Before you take on the role of a personal trainer, remember one of the major reasons people quit exercising is because it’s not fun. Find a way to make your clients enjoy exercise and become a rarity. 

Maddie Lymburner – MadFit

The MadFit channel posts a variety of real-time workouts. Formerly a competitive dancer—Lymburner crafts enjoyable dance and song workouts. 

The channel also includes beginner, no-weight, dumbbell only, apartment-friendly, and muscle-specific workouts. 

Lymburner’s methodical use of her skills has attracted 6.34 million subscribers in just three years. 

XHIT Daily

XHIT Daily shares high-energy workouts, including weight loss, strengthening, yoga, pilates, and more. Some of their videos even include a healthy recipe to try out. 

However, XHIT’s 3.27 million followers appreciate their informative training sessions most. When it comes to fitness, knowledge equals results. 

Commit yourself to continual learning and share your expertise with clients to stand out.

Kayla Istines

During her 13+ years of personal training, Kayla Istines realized many fitness programs lack a clear explanation of how to transform your body. Therefore, she aims to do just that. 

Her fitness channel is primarily for women interested in gaining confidence. The channel includes high-intensity, low-impact, strength-building, and even post-pregnancy workouts. 

Istines takes the time to learn exactly what her 398,000 followers need for success and hits on those pain points of her viewers. 

Chloe Ting 

Chloe Ting is a certified personal trainer with 22 million YouTube subscribers. Her channel includes free workout videos, recipes, health tips, and structured routines. 

Ting’s popularity exploded in 2020 when her followers started posting results from her two-week shred challenge on social media. Ting’s rapid increase in subscribers granted her a YouTube Streamy award for Health and Wellness. 

Take it from Chloe—Results are the best marketing tactic.

 

Fitness Blender

Danielle and Kellie, a husband-wife duo, run Fitness Blender. Their goal is to improve people’s quality of life through unbiased workouts, nutrition, and health advice. 

Daniel and Kellie prioritize trustworthy instruction and “people before profit.” With 6.61 million subscribers, there’s something to be said about their transparency and commitment to their followers. 

Natacha Océane

The Natasha Océane channel has 1.36 million subscribers. Océane’s Master’s in biophysics provides her channel with a unique edge. Not only is it filled with research-based workouts, but it also contains a “Science Explained” series. 

The series clarifies how science and exercise are directly related. Océane also shoots a “Fitness Experiments” series where she analyzes how sleep reduction, calorie adjustments, and more affect her body. 

Océane establishes herself as a trustworthy leader by implementing her training and education into every aspect of her business. 

Bradley Martyn 

The Bradley Martyn fitness channel has 2.96 million subscribers and posts three times a week. Content ranges from beginner and advanced routines to quick tips and motivational videos. 

Martyn’s primary focus is strength training, but he adds material relevant to current trends to keep his business anew. For instance, he often uploads videos of his training with celebrities. 

While we don’t expect you to recruit celebrities, keep clients by finding a unique way to keep them interested in their health. 

Joanna Soh 

Joanna Soh’s channel has 2.6 million followers. As a certified personal trainer, women’s fitness specialist, and nutrition coach, Soh leads women in a healthy but balanced lifestyle. 

Soh utilizes her extensive training by creating informative workout, mindset, nutrition, and recipe videos. A skilled personal trainer recognizes how difficult dieting is. Therefore, many of Soh’s subscribers commend her for her transparent nutrition advice. 

Jeff Cavaliere – ATHLEAN-X

ATHLEAN-X has 12.1 million subscribers and includes exercise, technique, nutrition, and other informative videos. 

Cavalier is the New York Met’s former physical therapist and assistant strength coach. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Aside from his vast experience, Cavalier gains followers’ trust by teaching science-based health and focusing on training like an athlete.

Matt Morsia – MattDoesFitness 

A former gym teacher with a degree in sports therapy—Morsia now has 2.09 million subscribers. MattDoesFitness doesn’t upload follow-along workouts but offers invaluable fitness advice. 

Morsia continually discredits unrealistic fitness fads while promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. He also openly shares the struggles he’s faced throughout his journey and, as a result, encourages others.

Conclusion

The best fitness YouTubers have built up their careers by making viral videos. And the reason for this is that they how to make exercise fun, understand what their followers need for success, and utilize their unique skills to achieve both. A great personal trainer will do the same. 

Need more insight on how to run your personal training business? Whether you’re just starting out, or looking to grow, check out Fitness Mentors’ structured Business And Sales Course to help you succeed.

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Personal Trainer Biographies: How to Write Yours (With Examples)

Your biography is where you list your qualifications, highlight your accomplishments, and otherwise engage in all the requisite self-promotion. But used wisely, it’s also a place to offer a glimpse of your unique personality and connect with prospective trainees in a more meaningful and memorable way.

If you’re looking to expand your clientele, keeping a few simple guidelines in mind can help you craft a personal trainer biography that’s sure to put more eyes on your brand.

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Creating a Compelling Personal
Trainer Bio

While there are no hard and fast rules for writing personal trainer biographies, the following tips will give you an idea of what information to include and how to package it for your intended audience.

Choose the Right Tense

Most business experts recommend using the third-person tense when publishing biographical material on a professional website. Doing so will give the impression that you’re important enough for someone else to be writing about you.

It’s a subtle difference, but an opening sentence like, “Craig Steele is a Fitness Mentors-certified trainer with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry,” has a more polished and sophisticated air than the same sentence would have if it were written with first-person pronouns.

For social media bios, on the other hand, it generally sounds more natural to go with the first-person tense, since it’s understood that you’re managing your own account. To make the most of a limited character count, you also have the option of dispensing with tense altogether: “Fitness Mentors-certified trainer, Starting Strength coach, and SPF deadlift record holder.”

Lead With Your Credentials

Begin your personal trainer biography by summing up your education, certifications, honors and achievements, and any other relevant tidbits that commend you as the best choice for your market, field, or niche. This could include things like notable clients and organizations you’ve worked for or with or past competitive successes.

Showcasing your documentable competence upfront will serve to establish your credibility, and win your readers’ trust, right off the bat.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Length is another aspect of your biography that will vary depending on the medium you’re working with.

If you’re composing a detailed biography for your website, aim to tell your visitors everything they need to know about you in two to three brief paragraphs. Any less than that and you’ll be painting an incomplete picture; any more and you risk losing your reader’s attention before you’ve sold them on yourself.

With social media bios, you’ll have a lot less space to tell your story (a 150-160 characters maximum), so you’ll want to distill your expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for fitness down to a few prominent points.

Add a Personal Touch

After running down your professional qualifications, walk your reader through your own fitness journey or mention any special interests you have inside or outside the realms of exercise, nutrition, or wellness. Not only do these sorts of details allow you to share a little bit about yourself with your visitors and followers, but they’ll also make you more relatable.

As far as tone, a little humor can be a huge boon when it comes to driving engagement. Just make sure your attempts at levity don’t come across as offensive or unprofessional, as alienating your readers means losing potential clients.

Include a Link to Your Website And Social Media

Last but not least, point readers to where they can go to learn more about you and the services you provide, see visuals of you and your clients at work, and sign up for training if they feel so inclined. This step is crucial since it’s far more likely to help you secure new trainees than leaving your visitors to their own devices.

What’s more, this is also a good opportunity to link to your proprietary programs, merch store, or interviews with popular fitness publications. It’s also a good idea to rotate your biography links regularly to give dedicated followers access to exciting new content.

Personal Trainer Biography Examples

To help the aforementioned advice sink in, here are a few examples of bios that stride the precarious tightrope of professionalism with charisma:

Professional Website

“Jenna Reyes is a nationally-recognized personal trainer and registered dietician who holds certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the National Council on Strength and Fitness, and Precision Nutrition.

Her passion for healthy living was ignited at the age of 7 when her grandmother taught her to cook using fresh, organic ingredients harvested from her own garden. As a teenager, she excelled in track and field, swimming, and gymnastics, which prompted her to pursue a B.S. in Exercise Science from Ohio State University. She later went on to receive her master’s and later her doctorate from Central Connecticut State.

Jenna believes that what’s missing in today’s image-obsessed fitness climate is an emphasis on the simple joys of movement. To this end, her methods seek to improve key fitness indicators like strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance while also reacquainting clients with natural skills and patterns of movement that tend to deteriorate as a result of the modern world’s demands.

Book a consultation with Jenna today and take the first step towards revitalizing your life.”

Social Media Profile

“I’m an ISSA-certified trainer, former figure competitor, dog mom, and bona fide board game nut. Teaching the world to squat like no one’s watching since 2011.”

“NFL strength and conditioning coach. Powerlifter. Proud Kabuki Strength ambassador. Marine. Metalhead. Pizza demolisher. Sagittarius.”

“APT-certified trainer and semi-pro rock climber. If you want to learn to lift heavy stuff, balance your macros, or tie a solid Clove Hitch, I’m your huckleberry.”

Conclusion

In the fast-paced and competitive fitness industry, being average will get you nowhere.

 

Be sure to check out Fitness Mentors’ online courses for additional pointers on how to bulk up your personal training business. Our courses cover a wide range of subjects that provide the building blocks for a successful career, from business basics to advanced sales strategies.

How to Become an Indoor Cycling Instructor: The Best Certifications

As an indoor cycling instructor, you get to help others better their lives through exercise. Since 1 in 4 adults don’t meet the global exercise levels they should, becoming an indoor cycling instructor is a beautiful opportunity to do something you’re passionate about while helping others.

To become an indoor cycling instructor, you’ll need to take a class and take a test to get a certification. We’ll discuss the best certification programs around, how they’ll compare, and which one you should take to get started on your journey to be an indoor cyling instructor.

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ISSA Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification

The International Sports Sciences Association has been around for over 30 years. Its mission is to bring exercise and healthy living to everyone through education and community. They want to help 100 million people start their journey to a healthy lifestyle by 2030. 

ISSA is committed to serving others and providing a gold standard for their credited indoor cycling instructors. Their online indoor cycling certification goes as follows:

  • Prerequisites: None
  • Type of Course: Online only
  • Price: $468 in either a lump sum, 6 monthly payments of $78, or 12 monthly payments of $39
  • Program Length: Self-paced study
  • Recertification: Every 2 years, requires 20 hours of continued education, $99 renewal fee unless you complete all 20 hours of continued education through ISSA, then the fee is waived

With this program, you’ll also get unlimited educational support, e-books, 30 bonus videos for more in-depth learning, and a free NCCPT accredited exam. The free exam does not include the proctoring fee. ISSA shows you how to lead and teach classes of varying sizes, cycling safety, a greater understanding of how cycling works on the body, and cycling nutrition.

Spinning® Instructor Certification

Spinning® is a registered trademark of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc., which has certified more than 250,000 instructors in the art of Spinning®. Their Spin® instructor certification has been around since 1995. They have four different Spinning® certifications to choose from, each building off of the other until you’re a rockstar in your field.

Here are the details to becoming a certified Spin® instructor:

  • Prerequisites: Must be 18 years and older or have a waiver from your parents
  • Type of Course: In-person, live virtual, or online
  • Price: $355 for any of their certifications
  • Program Length: Online is self-study, Live is 9 hours, and you have to take the assessment within 30 days. Live Virtual is a 4-hour Zoom meeting with online resources covering the rest of the material
  • Recertification: Every 2 years, requires 14 continued education hours, has a Recertification Course should you not meet the criteria, costs $75 to recertify with the 14 credit hours

With this Spin® instructor certification, you’ll learn all about bike safety, proper riding positions, understand how to use heart rate, cadence, and power to get the most from a Spin® class, motivate, and coach classes, so they finish strong, and more!

NETA’s Indoor Group Cycling Certification

The National Trainers Exercise Association, or NETA, has been certifying health and fitness professionals for over 40 years, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to teaching the right way. They are a non-profit organization committed to in-depth, interactive, inclusive training programs.

Here are the details for their indoor cycling instructor certification:

  • Prerequisites: None
  • Type of Course: Online or in-person
  • Price: $199 for in-person, $189 for online, $29 supplemental study course
  • Program Length: In-person is 7 hours, online is self-study
  • Recertification: Every 2 years, needs 10 continued education hours with 6 of them being through NETA workshops or home study, costs $30 if done before certification expiration

With NETA’s indoor cycling instructor certification, you’ll learn how to set a bike up correctly, set up a room for a cycling class, what you should do with broken equipment, exercise physiology and anatomy, terminology and skills, and motivational tips, class formatting, and more! 

AFAA Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification

The Athletics and Fitness Association of America has been certifying personal trainers for over 35 years. They’ve been inspiring people through movement and were the first to release nationally standardized guidelines for personal trainers and fitness professionals.

Here’s what you need to know about their cycling instructor certification:

  • Prerequisites: None, this program is here to benefit everyone
  • Type of Course: Online
  • Price: $314 with the option of 11 monthly payments
  • Program Length: Self-study
  • Recertification: Every 2 years with 15 continued education units no matter what, and two options for payments plan – $99 every two years or a one-time fee of $399

Learn the G.E.A.R. approach, Goals, Energy, Accountability, Results. Learn how to design and deliver an outstanding program from music to motivation and coaching. Also, with the AFAA indoor cycling certification, learn about cycling physiology and put everything you learn together into one smooth package.

ASFA’s Online Cycling Instructor Certification

American Sports and Fitness Association’s motto is the online resource for fitness professionals. Their goal is to provide quality testing as well as help trainers with their continued education needs. The details of their Cycling Instructor Certification are:

  • Prerequisites: You do have to agree to their terms and conditions
  • Type of Course:  Online
  • Price: $149 for 1-year certification, $179 for 1-year certification and pocket certification card, $499 for lifetime certification and pocket certification card
  • Program Length: Self-study
  • Recertification: Has to be done every year unless you bought the lifetime certification – both have to have at least one continued education class that must be pre-approved by ASFA

ASFA has all the resources you need available online, and when you’re ready, they also have a guarantee that you’ll only pay for the test when you pass. You’ll learn about group exercises, cycling fitness, cycling anatomy, and cycling science. Each of these categories is available for purchase.

Become an Indoor Cycling Instructor FAQs

Here are some basics to cover before you dive into those certifications.

How Do I Become a Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor?

It’s pretty easy to become a certified indoor cycling instructor. All you need to do is keep in shape, pass the certification test, and get insurance to find work as a cycling instructor.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor?

Many certifications out there are through self-study, so it depends on how much time you put in. Getting your indoor cycling certification should take a minimum of 7 hours.

How Much Do Indoor Cycling Instructors Make?

Entry-level positions start around $45,000 a year with the potential to earn up to $93,600 a year.

What is the Best Indoor Cycling Certification?

You’ve learned how to become an indoor cycling instructor, and now it’s time to decide on a certification. Which one is the best out there?

It depends on how much time you can put in, your budget, and in what way you’d like to learn. Decide what you’d like to accomplish and what you want out of an indoor clycling certification and find the one that’s right for you. If you have a place in mind where you’d like to do class as an instructor, talk to them and see which one they’d prefer you get.

Have questions or need help deciding the best path for you? Contact us at Fitness Mentors today!

Pilates Teacher Training: 5 Best Certifications for 2025

Top 5 Pilates Instructor Training

If you’re passionate about mind and body wellness and hope to spread the message to those unfamiliar with the concept, check out the five best Pilates instructor certifications below. We’ll give you a rundown of the prerequisites, pricing and program lengths of each to help you determine which is right for you.

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ISSA Pilates Instructor Certification

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) offers a comprehensive Pilates Instructor certification program designed for fitness professionals who want to expand their expertise and enhance their career opportunities. I have personal reviewed their curriculum and believe it is one of the best Pilates Instructor Certifications.

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites to enroll in the ISSA Pilates certification program, making it accessible to anyone interested in becoming a certified Pilates instructor, regardless of prior experience in fitness or teaching.

Program Length

The program is self-paced and typically takes about 8-10 weeks to complete, depending on your personal schedule and study habits. This includes the time required to go through the course materials, complete the quizzes, and pass the final exam.

Price 

The cost of the ISSA Pilates certification course is regularly $799, but there are often discounts and promotional offers available. For instance, there are often discounts reducing the price. See current pricing. 

Course Content

The ISSA Pilates certification program covers various essential topics, including:

  • Human anatomy and physiology as it relates to Pilates
  • Basic and advanced Pilates exercises and movements
  • Designing and leading an effective Pilates session
  • Safety and health principles in a fitness environment
  • Modifying workouts to meet individual client needs and goals

The course also includes online study guides, section quizzes, a final exam, and continuous educational support from ISSA’s on-staff professors. Students also have access to an online student forum for additional guidance and support.

For more detailed information and to enroll in the program, you can visit the ISSA website.

Balanced Body Pilates Instructor Training

Combining traditional and contemporary Pilates practices, Balanced Body provides a comprehensive curriculum about how the body works and how Pilates can improve it. 

The courses offered cover a broad scope of Pilates methods to thoroughly understand the practice. However, the studies also help you gain a greater sense of mind and body connections too.   

Balanced Body’s Pilates teacher training program is set up in four modules: mat, reformer, mat and reformer, and comprehensive. You must meet the prerequisite requirements for the modules before attending.

  • Prerequisites
    • Mat Instructor Training: 10 Pilates Mat sessions, six months of work experience in related field (recommended), Anatomy (recommended).
    • Reformer Instructor Training: 20 Reformer sessions, one year of work experience in related field (recommended), Anatomy required.
    • Mat & Reformer Instructor Training: 20 Reformer sessions, one year of work experience in related field (recommended), Anatomy required.
    • Comprehensive Instructor Training: 20 Pilates studio sessions, one year of work experience in a related field (recommended), Anatomy required.
  • Price: Course prices range depending on the advanced level and additional materials required. Typically, the courses cost between $400 and $500, manually cost $50, and other videos cost $10. If you would like to bundle the course prices, you can contact Balanced Body directly for queries. 
  • Program Lengths
    • Mat Instructor Training: 134 hours.
    • Reformer Instructor Training: 214 hours (not including anatomy).
    • Mat & Reformer Instructor Training: 332 hours (not including anatomy).
    • Comprehensive Instructor Training: 520 hours (not including anatomy).

Upon completion, you will receive recognition on the Balanced Body website and Pilates instructor certification.

Basi Pilates Comprehensive Program

Split into two six-module programs; the Basi Pilates Comprehensive Program gives you the knowledge and physical ability to teach up to advanced-level Pilates students. You will get a thorough understanding of the anatomical and biomechanical principles behind Pilates practices alongside knowledge of advanced Pilates equipment. 

The initial Basi Pilates Comprehensive Program module is the Foundation Program, which provides you with the fundamentals of intermediate Pilates methods. Upon completion, you can move onto the Graduate Program for the full-rounded comprehensive Pilates certification.

  • Prerequisites: must complete both the Foundation and Graduate Program; a minimum of 100 observation hours, 200 self-practice hours, 200 student teaching hours; pass the final practical exam and final teaching evaluation, and receive a passing grade on the student term paper. 
  • Price: The cost of both programs combined is $4,198, including deposits and admission fees. You must pay an extra $250 for each program’s Comprehensive Program practical exam and teaching evaluation. If you purchase both programs simultaneously, you will receive a $200 discount off of the Graduate Program cost. 
  • Program Length: You have to complete all program requirements within three years to qualify for the final assessments.   

Core Pilates NYC Comprehensive Course

Core Pilates NYC focuses heavily on classical Pilates teachings over a 600-hour, immersive study. Here, you’ll engage in physical classes and learn from videos, manuals, quizzes, and interactive discussions with your instructors and classmates. 

You will begin with beginner-level methods and anatomy overviews and end up learning advanced skills, apparatus use, and apprentice as a Pilates professional. 

  • Prerequisites: Core Pilates requires 10 private, 10 semi-private, and 10 apparatus classes not included in the program tuition. However, you can opt to purchase the Career Starter Kit, which bundles the 30 courses together. 
  • Price: The entire program tuition costs $5,495, including an apprenticeship, Anatomy in Clay Fundamentals, Small Equipment & Special Cases courses, and access for life to the online learning platform. You can also buy the Career Starter Kit for an additional $1,536.
  • Program Length: The comprehensive program encompasses five weekends and a total six-month commitment for completion. 

Peak Pilates Comprehensive Certification

Take part in Peak Pilates’ Comprehensive Certification Program for a professional Pilates education with coverage of mat, reformer, apparatus, and auxiliary equipment alongside an in-depth curriculum centered around Pilates as a mind and body integration system.

Peak Pilates splits the program into three levels with individual modules for each, growing in advancement as you progress. 

  • Prerequisites: For entry into Level 1, Peak Pilates recommends having a basic understanding of anatomy and kinesiology, 20 hours of Pilates training, and CPR/AED and first aid certifications. For course completion, you must complete all levels, all logged hours, and pass all assessments.
  • Price: The program totals $4,579 (included individual course materials).
  • Program Length: Totals 500 hours (including course contact and logged). 

FAQs

Here’s the run-down of some basic information to get you started. 

 

What is the Best Pilates Certification?

There is no definitive answer because different courses offer varying teaching techniques, instructors, and course materials for other costs and durations. Ultimately, we can narrow down the choices to the top five mentioned above, but the determination of what you think is best for you and what you want to do with your training is up to you. 

 

How Do You Get Certified in Pilates?

You must participate in a certification program for the required training, education, experience, and assessments. Once completed, you must then take final comprehension assessments for training, teaching, and theory.

 

Can You Make a Living as a Pilates Instructor?

Yes. As a certified Pilates instructor, you can open your own Pilates studio, teach for a local gym, offer individual or group sessions on your time, and plenty of other Pilates teaching opportunities. On average, Pilates instructors make a gross annual salary of around $69,000. However, you can earn up to 27% more yearly for those that gain more professional certification.  

 

How Long Does it Take to Become Pilates Certified?

The duration to earn your Pilates certification depends on the program and the amount of time you’re willing to put into the program. If you don’t plan to become instructor certified, it might not take you as long. However, for a fully comprehensive Pilates certification, it takes, on average, 500 hours. 

How to Become a Weight Loss Specialist in 2025

How to Become a Weight Loss Specialist in 2024

More than 2/3 of American adults are overweight or obese.

Now more than ever, Americans need help losing weight. 

If you’re interested in helping people lose weight and keep it off for good, you can become a certified weight loss specialist.

With an average salary in the U.S. of $60,911, it makes more sense than ever to get your weight management certification; and the growing problem with obesity in American strengthens the need for the weight loss industry. Even with recent economic issues, the job outlook for the industry can see an increase of at least 0.08% in the coming years. 

To become a weight loss specialist, you’ll first need to take courses and get a certification. Here, we’ll discuss our top choices for weight loss certifications based on some objective analysis. Read on.

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NASM Weight Loss Specialist

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) offers a weight loss coach bundle which includes three of NASM’s essential course for your success:

You can also get the Weight Loss Specialization (WLS) certification separately if you’ve already been certified as a personal trainer. Course topics include the Obesity Epidemic, the science of weight loss, metabolism, nutrition, psychology, and more.

The details for the NASM Weight Loss Specialist certification are:

  • Prerequisite: Your CPT, since the program is a CEU specialization. 
  • Price: $629
  • Program Length: You have one year to complete your course by taking your final exam.
  • Recertification Requirements: The WLS itself does not require recertification, as it is considered a CEU for the CPT.

NASM’s certification is completely online and all of the resources for the course are digital.

ISSA Weight Management Specialist Certification

The International Sports Science Association (ISSA) upholds a gold standard of exercise and nutrition credentials. The organization is working to remove the stigma of vanity in weight loss and instead focuses on the health aspects of weight management. The ISSA Weight Management Specialist certification details are:

  • Prerequisite: Must be over 18 and have a CPR certification
  • Price: One payment of $399, 6 monthly payments of $66.50, or 12 monthly payments of $33.25
  • Program Length: From the point in which you purchase, you’ll need to complete the course and the exam within 8 months. You will still have access to the course indefinitely.
  • Recertification Requirements: After 2 years, you’ll need 20 hours of continued education to be recertified. There is a $99 renewal fee.

The course gives you the materials that you need to pass the exam, including digital textbooks, video lectures, and downloadable study materials. Once you complete the course, you will have access to a professional website and comprehensive student support.

ACE Fitness Weight Management Program

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) Fitness Weight Management Program helps certified weight loss trainers add professional credentials to their resumes and boost their business. The course is taught by experts in the weight loss industry. Topics include the science behind obesity, behavior changing, nutritional guidelines, pediatric obesity, bariatric surgery, and more.

  • Prerequisite: For an official ACE Specialist designation, you’ll need to hold a current professional certification in health education, fitness, or wellness, or be a licensed healthcare professional.
  • Price: One payment of $341.40, 6 monthly payments of $56.90, or 12 monthly payments of $28.45
  • Program Length: Once you purchase the course, you’ll have as much time as you need to complete it.
  • Recertification Requirements: Since this course is considered a CEU, there is no recertification necessary.

The program includes:

  • Recorded videos
  • Printable PDFs
  • Podcasts
  • Online quizzes

The program consists of 9 modules followed by an online quiz in which you must receive a score of 70% or higher. 

NESTA Lifestyle and Weight Management Certification

The National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) Lifestyle and Weight Management certification offers comprehensive training. The training comes from a reputable institution that can help you to learn the fundamental science and psychology behind nutrition and weight loss. Some of the course topics include healthy eating, tackling triggers, cooking a healthy diet, dietary supplements, fad diets and more.

The certification is available online and via online resources. 

  • Prerequisite: Since this course is considered a CPT CEU, you’ll first need a personal trainer certification.
  • Price: One single payment of $127
  • Program Length: Once you purchase the course, you’ll have unlimited access to the course. However, you’ll need to complete the course within one year of purchase.
  • Recertification Requirements: NESTA does not require recertification for this program.

You’ll need to pass a 100 question non-proctored online exam. If you do not get a 70% or higher after exam attempts, a $95 fee applies to retest.

NCCPT Weight Management Specialist Certification

The National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) offers a Weight Management Specialist Program certification. The program has a focus on the nutritional aspects of weight loss. It uses the psychology behind eating to help clients lose weight and keep it off. You can expect to learn the principles of weight gain and weight loss, energy balance, how to conduct nutrition interviews, the energy content of food, and more.

  • Prerequisite: Since this course is considered a CPT CEU, you’ll first need a personal trainer certification and a valid CPR card.
  • Price: $199 for the exam only, $239 with study materials, and $279 for premium study materials like sample tests and study guides. There may also be an additional proctoring fee for the exam.
  • Program Length: From the date of purchase, you will have 6 months to take your exam. After 6 months, a late fee will be incurred.
  • Recertification Requirements: NESTA does not require recertification for this program.

The program’s exam is done through a live proctor (online or in-person depending on your location). You will be given 120 minutes to pass a 74 question exam with at least a 75% or higher.

AFPA Weight Management Specialist Certification

The American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA) offers a more holistic weight loss approach with their Weight Management Specialist certificate. Topics covered include obesity concepts, metabolic rate, body composition, lifestyle balancing, and more.

  • Prerequisite: You must hold a Nutrition & Wellness Consultant certification, Holistic Nutritionist Certification, or similar certification. You also must be 18 years of age and have a solid understanding of the English language.
  • Price: One payment of $649, or multiple payments over 3, 6, or 12 months using Affirm or PayPal Credit..
  • Program Length: From the date of purchase, you will have 6 months to take your exam. 
  • Recertification Requirements: You are required to earn 16 CEUs during each 2 year certification period. In addition, an $85 fee applies.

The exam requires an 85% or better to pass, and a $75 retest fee applies.

Benefits of a Weight Loss Certification

As a weight loss trainer, you will be able to reach your clients with empathy while using results-oriented science to help them meet their weight loss goals. 

The industry is growing as Americans continue to struggle with obesity – getting the certification means that you are creating a solution to a national problem. The above programs offer world-class knowledge allowing you to help others without resorting to another fad diet. 

With any of these programs, you will be recognized as an accredited weight loss specialist. The programs provided by these agencies are known for training top-rated weight loss specialists to help you achieve success in your career. 

Steps to Become a Weight Loss Specialist

The best online weight loss coach program for you depends on your budget and what you expect to get from the program. Once you’re certified, the steps to become a weight loss specialist are fairly straightforward. 

  1. You’ll need to get professional and general liability coverage to cover your business in the case of any client injuries or other dissatisfactions. This insurance coverage will protect you from any mishaps where clients may choose to sue your business.
  2. Start your business! A helpful course, such as this one from Fitness Mentors, will guide you through starting your new weight loss coaching endeavor. We’ll teach you how to optimize your brand, attract clientele, engage your prospects and close the sale to be on your way to financial freedom.

By getting started today, you are forging a path of success. Choose one of the above top-rated courses to get your weight loss specialist credentials in the near future. Contact Fitness Mentors today for a consultation that will help you determine the path best for you.

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NCCA Certifications for the Fitness Industry

NCCA Certifications for the Fitness Industry

Do you aspire to be a personal trainer but have no clue about NCCA certifications or which one is suitable for your goals?

Do you want to explore the various NCCA certified personal trainer (CPT) options and their prerequisites?

Getting yourself accredited before entering the fitness industry can work in your favor and helps you build a better clientele. Before selecting the appropriate certification for yourself, it is essential to learn about NCCA and the types of certification bodies accredited by it. 

The information regarding the programs may seem a little overwhelming, but this article helps you thoroughly understand the most popular accreditation programs where you can enroll.

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What Does NCCA Stand For?

NCCA is short for National Commission for Certifying Agencies and is the gold standard of accreditation for the fitness industry. Most fitness employers prefer personal trainers accredited by the NCCA. 

Accredited programs are popular as they are the gold standard. NCCA grants prestigious certifications that broaden your scope for employment.

Established in 1989, NCCA is an independent, non-governmental agency responsible for setting standards for the fitness and health industry. NCCA is one of the top accreditations around the world that sets the benchmark for certification programs.

What does it mean to be NCCA accredited?

The NCCA accredited CPT programs test your written knowledge and practical skills through a comprehensive personal trainer program and examination.

Getting an NCCA accreditation sets you apart as a professional personal trainer. Since NCCA is the leading standard in the accreditation of certification, it boosts the trust in the certification program while ensuring that the competence and skills of the trainer are on par with the industry requirements. 

NCCA certification also ensures employers that you have the highest level of skills and ability for the fitness industry.

NCCA requirements for personal trainer certifications

The agencies accredited by NCCA need to meet a specific set of standards before they can issue the certificates. The NCCA analyzes the programs and systems of the certifying agencies and investigates the curriculum set by them to get a clearer picture and understanding of the following:

  • To check whether the agency conducts examinations in an unbiased manner.
  • To ensure that the program assesses the minimum proficiency level of the candidate.
  • To assure enough support and guidance by the certifying agencies to their certified professionals.
  • To make sure that agency protects its clients from incompetent trainers.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies makes sure that the certifying agencies work in a regulated manner to extend utmost support to the candidates and ensure complete protection for the people by determining the skill level of the personal trainers.

Current agencies that provide NCCA accredited personal trainer certification programs include:


Every program has its own set of guidelines and prerequisites. You can choose the best according to your career requirements and your knowledge level. 

While the NCCA accredited fifteen personal trainer certifications, our top four choices include the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). The ISSA recently acquired NCCPT, making their CPT program NCCA certified as well.

Let’s dive in deeper to these four:

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Opened in 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine is a premier certifying agency, regarded as the best certification program by many professionals. 

NASM is known for its Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model. This model enables trainers to advance their clients using secure, safe, and effective methods. As a prestigious agency, NASM primarily focuses on training instructions and exercise techniques.

There are four available study options – self-study, premium self-study, guided study, and the all-inclusive package. The examination consists of 120 questions you need to complete in two hours. To pass the exam, you need a score of 70% or above.

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

Founded in 1988, ISSA is a 100% online certification program, and it is an entry-level personal trainer program. It offers five NCCA accredited certifications that are well-recognized in the fitness industry. 

ISSA offers extensive study material and various specializations for aspiring personal trainers. ISSA strongly emphasizes business-oriented personal training in its study materials.

The ISSA exam follows a unique pattern. It is an open-book test consisting of 200 questions, with a pass rate of 90%. You need to score 75% or above to pass the test. 

National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF)

Founded in 1996, National Council on Strength and Fitness is a community-driven fitness and health initiative. This certification aims to elevate the standards of the personal trainers and their inclusion in the same professional bracket as therapists and doctors. 

NCSF offers four packages – home study, home study plus, workshop, and workshop plus.

The NCSF exam consists of 150 questions that you need to complete in three hours. You require a score of at least 70% to pass the test.

American Council on Exercise (ACE)

American Council on exercise is the most popular non-profit certifying agency and considered one of the top-most personal trainer certifications. 

ACE follows an integrated fitness training model and offers a primary study package and a plus study package.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions divided into three sections. The pass rate for the examination is 65%.

Final Notes From A Certified Personal Trainer

Choosing the best personal trainer program depends on your personal preferences and passion. You can select an appropriate program from the available NCCA certifications that can help you become a successful personal trainer and excel in the fitness industry. There are even programs that focus on personal training your clients online.

No matter which certification you choose, a career in personal training can be incredibly enriching!

Read more: How To Start A Personal Training Business: The Ultimate Guide

And for added momentum in your personal training certification, don’t forget that Fitness Mentors offers in-depth, proven study guides to help you reach your career goals!

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