Illinois has cold winters full of snow and rain, so many of its residents are forced to exercise inside of a gym rather than outdoors. This makes Illinois an ideal state to be a personal trainer in since there are many potential clients. Personal trainers are physical fitness experts with a passion for exercising and eating healthy. They typically work in fitness centers to help members achieve their personal fitness goals, although some choose to open their own private practice instead. Personal trainers must be certified to prove they have a high level of competency when it comes to exercise and health.
Instructions
1. Get in good physical shape. Clients want to work with a personal trainer who is physically fit and has an athletic physique. Before you can be taken seriously as a personal trainer, you must look the part and be able to perform the exercises you teach to your clients.
2. Get first aid-CPR-AED certified. Most personal trainer certification programs require you to already be certified in CPA/AED. Certification can be obtained through the American Red Cross.
3. Enroll in a national personal trainer certification program. Illinois requires anyone working as a professional personal trainer to be certified. There are several programs to choose from, such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
4. Study all course materials and literature, and complete all of the required online and/or in-class courses of the certification program. Most courses take approximately three days to complete.
5. Pass a final exam to receive your personal trainer certification.
6. Apply for a job as a personal trainer at an Illinois fitness center. There are lots of fitness centers and health clubs throughout the state at which to apply (see Resources). You can also start your own private practice as a personal trainer, traveling to your clients' homes to train them indoors.
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