Personal Fitness Trainer Certificate
At a Glance
Transform Lives as Personal Fitness Trainer
Our Personal Fitness Trainer Certificate program prepares you to guide clients toward better health and performance. Through a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on work in our fully equipped fitness center, you’ll develop the skills to help clients reach their goals with confidence.
Approx. Number of Hours/Months:
42 hours/3 months
Schedule:
Offered Fall & Spring
Program Cost:*
Certification Earned:
ACE CPT certification
Min. Occupational Requirements:
18 years old or older; high school diploma or equivalent; current CPR/AED certification with live skills check
What You’ll Learn
In this program, you will master techniques & strategies to help clients:
- Correct posture
- Enhance movement efficiency
- Increase flexibility
- Build strength
- Improve balance
Curriculum
This course presents the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) Model as a comprehensive system for designing individualized programs based on each client’s unique health, fitness, and goals. Instruction occurs both in the classroom and in our fitness center/gym.
View all current course offerings. Not all courses are offered within every term schedule.
Prepare for the American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Fitness Trainer exam. Learn the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology as it applies to the movement of the body during daily living and exercise, how to conduct client interviews, perform pre-program assessments, determine corrective exercise measures, develop fitness plans, and how to coach clients in making behavioral changes for a healthy lifestyle. Identify correct exercise posture and movement for skeletal-muscular improvements. This course includes 60 hours of classroom lecture and hands-on lab work in a fitness facility and gym. Co-listed with credit.
Licensure/Certification Earned
Students who complete this program are prepared to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam.
Financial Assistance
Why Choose Carroll’s Personal Trainer Program?
- Practical Experiences: Learn both the sales & science sides of personal training.
- Fast & Affordable: Gain job-ready skills in just 3 months, without going into debt.
- Accredited Partnership with ACE: American Council on Exercise offers Carroll students a discounted rate on the certification exam.
- Co-listed with Credit: Course will transfer to a 4-year institution if students are interested in pursuing an Exercise Science degree.
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Our program is shaped by industry experts, ensuring you learn the skills employers are looking for right now. View our Advisory Boards.
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth represents about 73,700 job openings each year, driven by both new positions and the need to replace workers who retire or move into other careers.
BLS research also shows that fitness trainers lead the wellness field in job availability, with a steady stream of opportunities expected in the coming years. Professionals who combine formal education with industry-recognized certifications are especially well positioned to take advantage of this growth.
Trainers may be employed in gyms, fitness studios, community centers, corporate wellness programs, resorts, and rehabilitation facilities. Many also work as independent contractors or start their own businesses.
Is this career a good fit for me?
If you enjoy helping people, have an interest in health and fitness, and are comfortable working one-on-one or with small groups, personal training can be a rewarding career.
Can I work as a trainer while holding another job or going to school?
Yes. Many personal fitness trainers work part-time or set their own schedules, making it possible to balance training clients with other work, studies, or family commitments.
What is the average salary for Personal Fitness Trainers?
The average wage for Certified Health Coaches is $22-29 per hour. (Wages are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are estimates only.)
Is financial assistance available for this program?
Yes! This program is eligible for tuition assistance.
Related Professional Skills and Job Training Courses
Learn the critical skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical help arrives. This classroom, video-based, instructor-led course is designed for anyone with limited or no medical training and teaches adult and child CPR and AED use, infant CPR, and how to relieve choking in an adult, infant and child. Upon successful completion, an AHA Heartsaver CPR AED card will be issued, valid for two years.
Get Started Today
410-386-8100 | wbce@carrollcc.edu | Building A, Room 115
*Unless noted, cost does not include any required textbooks and related materials, applicable licensing fees, background check fees, testing fees or prerequisite courses.