For gym enthusiasts, becoming a fitness coach and doing what they love for a living is a long-life dream. Aspiring to be a fitness coach is rewarding on so many levels. Plus, you will most likely get free gym memberships. You might think that this is an easy task, but don’t fall under the wrong impression that you will be paid to work out; you will have to learn more about human anatomy and physiology to be able to help your clients.
Without hard work and dedication, this dream is almost impossible to achieve. With the obesity rate on the rise, there is a growing awareness that pushes many people to opt for a healthier lifestyle that protects them against the risks of obesity and other related health complications. This is why many people are drawn to career opportunities in the fitness world. To help you achieve this dream, here is how you can become a certified fitness coach.
Do Your Research
Once you have decided to join the fitness world, the first step you need to take is to read about the different fitness jobs that you can pursue. The basics of every fitness job lie in leading, instructing, and motivating individuals or groups to perform different activities. The first thing you need to determine is whether you want to become a personal coach or a group fitness instructor. Becoming a personal trainer is an extremely rewarding and inspirational career. You will have to create tailored plans for your clients and witness their progress as they turn their lives for the better.
If you decided to become a group fitness coach, you will need to motivate and guide a group of people through the basics of fitness from 30 to 90 minutes per session. What’s important is that you take your time while making this decision by considering every aspect of every job and how well it suits your personality. This way you will be able to decide what’s the right fit for you.
Educate Yourself
Once you have decided what fitness job is suitable for you, you will be able to determine the type of certificate you should be seeking. However, one thing you need to do before launching into this mission is to educate yourself on the other aspects out there that are relevant to any professional in the fitness world. Since HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulates the use of private information, it is a must for all organizations and individuals that fall under the healthcare umbrella to receive proper HIPAA training, and those working in the fitness world are advised to do so as well. Getting your training will make your clients more comfortable about sharing their private health information with you.
Pick a Study Program
To become a certified fitness instructor, you must study at least one of the established fitness courses and pass the exam. Make sure that the course you choose is accredited by legit agencies. After you have decided on what type of fitness instructor you would like to be, it will be easier to choose the right certified program for your needs. However, you need to make sure that the course you choose covers all learning techniques from texts, charts, graphics, to videos. This will ensure that you learn at a faster pace to be able to keep up with your dream.
Get Your Materials and Pass the Exam
After choosing the right certified program for the type of coaching you want to pursue, it is time to get your materials. With jobs that involve the client’s health and well-being, you must pay attention to every piece of information included in your study materials. Even after passing the test and becoming a certified coach, you will still have to keep yourself up to date on the latest trends in the fitness world. In an ever-evolving career path, continuing education is a must to keep the certification you acquired current.
This in itself isn’t one of this career choice’s cons. On the contrary, people who tend to get bored easier will find continuing education is a much better option than learning the ins and outs of a desk job and repeating the same duties every day.
If working an office job from 9 to 5 is not suitable for your hyperactive personality, then being a fitness coach may suit you like no other. If you choose this career path, you must always stay up to date with the latest information and trends in the health and fitness world. Becoming a certified fitness instructor isn’t an easy job, but it’s definitely rewarding and worth the effort.
