Pursuing a career in personal training is an exciting journey that offers continuous growth and fulfillment. As you advance in your career, specialization in specific areas unlocks new opportunities for additional clients, experience, and income.
Personal trainer specializations allow you to focus on demographics that match your personal and professional interests: whether it’s sports rehabilitation, pregnancy/prenatal, or senior populations.
By honing your skills in a particular field, you can make a greater impact on your client’s lives by providing targeted and effective programs. This improves your career while amplifying the difference you make in the well-being of those you serve.
Here are five steps to help you get started with your path to specialization.
Step 1: Cover the Basics
Before we get into choosing a fitness niche or specialization, let’s make sure you have the basics covered. For most personal training businesses, that includes the following basic certifications:
A. Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
You probably already have one, but in case you don’t, a basic personal training certification covers key topics, such as:
- Exercise science
- Human anatomy
- Biomechanics
- Fitness assessment techniques
Trainees learn to design customized exercise programs considering clients’ goals and limitations, alongside basic nutrition principles to support their fitness journey. Additionally, the certification includes behavioral coaching strategies for client motivation and long-term adherence.
Earning your certification is more accessible than ever, with top rated online courses and in-person options. Popular certifying bodies include the American Sports and Fitness Association (ASFA), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), and many others.
B. CPR/AED Certification
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification is a necessary credential for anyone working in the fitness industry or other settings where emergencies may arise. This certification equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in life-threatening situations.
Training typically covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques for aiding someone experiencing cardiac arrest, including chest compressions and rescue breathing. Additionally, participants learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to deliver an electric shock that can restore normal heart rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.
CPR/AED certifications are offered by MyCPR Now, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, and other recognized organizations.
C. First Aid Certification
First aid certifications are typically offered in conjunction with CPR/AED courses by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and other reputable organizations.
Put together, these certifications provide a foundational understanding of exercise science, program design, and emergency response, ensuring that new trainers can safely and effectively work with clients.
Got your basic certs? Take the next steps with insurance options that keep your personal training business covered on every level.
Step 2: Gain Clarity with On-the-Job Experience
Getting relevant experience on the floor is a great way to learn more about yourself, your strengths, and the populations you wish to serve. This step is not always necessary, however many people benefit from on-the-job experience that comes from working with people in real-life situations.
Step 3: Ready, Set, Specialize!
At this stage you’ve covered the basics, gained some experience, and are ready to go further in your career.
Some common areas of specialization for personal trainers include:
A. Sports Performance
Focus: Working on athletic performance for professional, amateur, and youth athletes.
Skills: Advanced strength and conditioning, sport-specific training, agility, speed, and endurance.
B. Corrective Exercise
Focus: Addressing muscular imbalances, postural issues, and movement dysfunctions.
Skills: Biomechanical assessment, injury prevention, and rehabilitation exercises.
C. Youth Fitness
Focus: Promoting physical activity and healthy habits among children and adolescents.
Skills: Age-appropriate exercise programming, motor skill development, and fun, engaging activities.
D. Senior Fitness
Focus: Improving and maintaining fitness levels in older adults.
Skills: Low-impact exercises, balance and coordination training, flexibility, and strength exercises tailored for seniors.
E. Weight Management
Focus: Assisting clients in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
Skills: Nutritional guidance, behavior modification strategies, and designing effective exercise programs for weight loss.
F. Pre- and Post-Natal Fitness
Focus: Supporting the health and fitness of pregnant and postpartum women.
Skills: Safe exercise modifications, core strengthening, pelvic floor exercises, and recovery post-birth.
G. Group Fitness
Focus: Leading exercise classes for multiple participants.
Skills: Class design, group motivation, choreography (for classes like dance or step), and effective communication.
H. Functional Training
Focus: Improving everyday movements and activities.
Skills: Core stability, functional strength exercises, balance, and coordination drills.
I. Special Population Training
Focus: Working with clients who have chronic conditions or disabilities.
Skills: Adapting exercises for medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and physical disabilities.
J. Strength and Conditioning
Focus: Building muscular strength and endurance for various populations, including athletes.
Skills: Advanced resistance training techniques, periodization, and performance testing.
Step 4: Update Your Insurance Policy
Now that you’re getting specialized, you may need to update your insurance policy, so you’re covered in every situation.
Types of insurance available to specialized personal trainers include:
- Professional Liability Insurance: Covers claims of bodily injury resulting from professional services, often called malpractice insurance.
- General Liability Insurance: Protects against claims of bodily harm or property damage within the business setting, commonly known as “slip and fall” insurance.
- Personal and Advertising Injury Insurance: Defends against claims of defamation, slander, or violation of rights in advertising.
- Identity Protection Insurance: Assists in covering expenses related to recovering a stolen identity.
- Online Personal Trainer Insurance: Covers trainers offering virtual classes or online training sessions.
Step 5: Take Advantage of Discounts!
Looking for continuing education discounts? Insure Fitness Group has you covered with our members-only benefits!
Get insured today and gain access to exclusive member discounts on continuing education credits (CECs) that set the foundation for a successful career:
- American Sports and Fitness Association: IFG members save on all fitness certifications from ASFA.
- Power Pilates: Save $50 on the Power Pilates Online Mat Academy e-learning program.
- Web Exercises: IFG members receive a 20% discount on Web Exercises online continuous educational material.
- WARRIOR: Get a massive 50% discount on WARRIOR Rhythm and WARRIOR Strength instructor training.
- Athletics and Fitness Association of America: IFG members receive a 20% discount on associate-level membership to the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) – a global leader in fitness education.
What are the basic certifications needed to start a career in personal training?
A basic personal training certification, such as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), along with CPR/AED and First Aid certifications, are essential. These certifications provide foundational knowledge in exercise science, human anatomy, biomechanics, and emergency response.
Why should a personal trainer consider specializing in a specific area?
Specializing allows trainers to focus on demographics that align with their interests, such as sports performance, senior fitness, or corrective exercise. This not only enhances their expertise but also opens up new opportunities for clients, experience, and income.
What are some common areas of specialization for personal trainers?
Common specializations include sports performance, corrective exercise, youth fitness, senior fitness, weight management, pre and post-natal fitness, group fitness, functional training, special population training, and strength and conditioning.
Is on-the-job experience necessary before specializing as a personal trainer?
While not always necessary, gaining on-the-job experience can be highly beneficial. It allows trainers to better understand their strengths and the populations they enjoy working with, helping them make informed decisions about their specialization.
What types of insurance should specialized personal trainers consider?
Specialized trainers may need to update their insurance policies to include professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, personal and advertising injury insurance, identity protection insurance, and online personal trainer insurance, depending on their services offered.