Personal Trainer Salaries

Employment opportunities for personal trainers or group instructors is expected to grow by 24% in the next eight years. So how much do personal trainers make? The average salary for a certified personal trainer has increased significantly since 2005. Professionals who have advanced specialty certifications earn even more than those with general certifications.

Personal trainer salaries vary based on many factors including:

• Geographic location
• Education level
• Certifications
• Experience level
• Specialization

Trends Contributing to Growth

Businesses and insurance organizations continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees. Corporate wellness programs can help employees prevent illnesses by encouraging them to live a healthier lifestyle. Employee incentives to join a gym or another type of health club increases the demand for personal trainers and other fitness professionals to enter into the marketplace. Some businesses are even taking their responsibility one step further by opening their own onsite facilities.

Other employment growth trends may come from the continued emphasis on exercise to battle childhood obesity. Additional opportunities come from the aging baby boomer populations who are encouraged to remain active to combat arthritis and other weaknesses.

Health Club vs. Private Studio Trends

Both career paths have the potential to provide lucrative careers. Quite frequently, we suggest getting started as a personal trainer by joining a health club or fitness facility that offers marketing assistance and health benefits. By moving up the ladder in the facility, you will be exposed to the business side of personal training.

Career advancement inside a health and fitness facility may come in the form of a manage¬ment or director positions. Often times health club policy requires you to have some existing experience and appropriate certification credentials. Health club owners are raising the education standards for personal trainers. They may even require a relevant two or four year degree. Fitness professionals who have a Master's degree and an advanced certification may earn 15% more than personal trainers who only have a Master's degree.

Private studios provide management teams who are dedicated to training. Many times they offer a structured approach to training and provide guidance as you grow as an entrepreneur. While they may ask for you to pay rent, there is less competition than in larger facilities.

Independent Personal Trainers

Not all personal training clients want to join a gym or health club to maintain or better their level of fitness. This means bringing the gym to them – and it represents an emerging market for certified personal trainers. One of the most prevalent ways to do this is through mobile personal training. As the name suggests, this means holding sessions outside of a club setting, such as in a client’s home, garage, apartment, or backyard. In most cases, the trainer supplies all the equipment necessary for a cardiovascular or strength training workout.

If working independently is your goal, first consider and research existing supply and demand principles that apply specifically to your area and market.

• How many clubs and private studios exist in your area? 
• What are the demographics of your market and fitness reach in your community? 
• How can you be a part of improving it?
• How can you stand out?

Training Special Populations

While most trainers work with apparently healthy clients looking to improve their physical fitness levels and weight management, there is a growing trend suggesting that personal trainers are turning to specialized credentials in areas ranging from pre-and post-rehabilitation to working with competitive athletes. Other specialty credentials include nutrition and resistance training.

Regardless of the path you choose, there are some activities that are not personal trainer salary trends, but have always been elements of personal training success. You will need to set short and long-term goals. You will also need to become aware of the legalities and insurance requirements associated with starting and maintaining your business. And, most importantly, you always need to continue your education as the personal training field is constantly evolving.

Learn more about continuing your education with NFPT.