The definition of a personal trainer is a very broad one. In reality, most personal trainers specialize in specific fields of fitness and nutrition training.
In order to get these specializations, you must be certified in their respective areas. Fortunately, almost all of these certifications can be taken online.
If you are a personal trainer looking to expand your career opportunities, check out the American Sports and Fitness Association certifications or ASFA. Below we have listed and broken down some of our favorite certifications available.
Cycling Instructor
Cycling is a favorite among fitness enthusiasts and those looking to burn weight in a hurry. It provides excellent cardio and strengthens your leg muscles, but it is also a low-impact exercise, meaning your joints are safe from injuries you may see from long-distance running.
During the cycling instructor certification process from ASFA, you will learn how to create a wide variety of cycling programs and exercises for various potential clients.
Senior Fitness Instructor
More and more doctors are prescribing physical exercise to older adults looking to treat their ailments and improve their daily lives. Unfortunately, many exercises can be quite harmful to seniors as their bodies aren’t capable of handling the physical stress.
With a senior fitness instructor certification from ASFA, you will be capable of creating programs tailored made for older adults.
Pilates Instructor
Pilates has risen in popularity because it focuses on strength training, flexibility, and stabilization. These exercises can dramatically improve the quality of life of its users, like many states that after doing pilates, everyday soreness and strain begin to disappear. With a certification from ASFA, you will be able to create dynamic pilates exercises for potential clients.
Group Fitness Instructor
Group fitness has risen in popularity as more people find they can stick to an exercise schedule if they have other people to hold them accountable and enjoy the day with. However, being a personal trainer for an individual is vastly different from an entire group of people. It requires training and specialization from ASFA to be certified as a group fitness instructor.
Self Defense Instructor
Self-defense is a rising profession among personal trainers that requires a unique skill set to teach properly. A self-defense instructor isn’t only worried about physical fitness and techniques but also teaches your client how to identify dangerous situations and adopt the right mindset during these times. With a certification from ASFA, you will be able to design courses and programs that can keep your clients feeling safe and may even save a life.
Kickstart Your Personal Trainer Career With an Online Fitness Certification
Whether you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer or already are, getting specialized in different areas of interest can boost your career earnings and job satisfaction. The certifications listed above are just the tip of the iceberg of what’s possible in this industry. If you want the best chance of success, the certifications at ASFA are your best bet.