The field of personal training can be highly rewarding, offering numerous opportunities to advance one’s career and become an industry leader rapidly. Personal training also helps professionals meet interesting individuals, enabling them to achieve their goals and prolong their quality of life.
To work as a personal trainer in Colorado, residents must meet several requirements, including possessing the necessary educational background and documentation, demonstrating specific professional attributes, and completing a training program approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. We delve into these considerations in detail below.
We also analyze stop training programs to consider, along with the annual average salary categories, to which candidates may fall across the course of their careers.
How to Become a Personal Trainer in Colorado
The steps below are needed to launch a personal training career in Colorado.
Professional Attributes
Personal trainers help customers achieve fitness, which means they must also be in good physical shape and have excellent stamina. Problem-solving skills, excellent communication, and interpersonal skills are also essential to achieving success in this discipline.
Completing a Training Program
Several training programs in Colorado are suitable for prospective personal trainers looking to earn a degree and improve their credibility. Among these are programs in physical education, kinesiology, and exercise science.
Many of these programs can be completed in just two years, leading to an associate’s degree. Some take 4 years to complete, in which case graduates live with a bachelor’s degree.
Practical Training
Academic education is excellent at helping candidates build a solid foundation in scientific and theoretical principles. However, professionals need to be able to perform their duties excellently in a real-world environment, necessitating the need for practical education.
Some programs allow students to develop practical skills in the real world through internships. Graduates may also offer their services for free or volunteer at fitness centers to gain experience before securing full-time positions.
Continuing Education & Career Opportunities
Thanks to the internet, personal trainers can easily reach out to new clients and build a name for themselves. They may also offer free introductory sessions and other resources to attract first-time clients.
Certification and continuing education are additional tools that professionals in the field can utilize to enhance their career opportunities.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
As a personal trainer in Colorado, it is possible to secure employment and start working in a professional capacity without being licensed. Candidates may technically begin their careers without certification, but in this case, they will be at a significant disadvantage, especially compared to certified professionals.
This is why the majority of personal trainers in the state and across the country choose to be certified by prominent organizations. Currently, the most respected credentials are offered by organizations like the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Top Personal Trainer Schools in Colorado
Future personal trainers in Colorado can establish a strong foundation for their careers by attending any of the programs listed below.
Community College of Denver
Denver, CO Campus Only
Community College of Denver offers a hands-on personal trainer program that prepares students for direct entry into the fitness industry while also awarding college credits that can be applied toward further academic advancement.
Tuition
$175 - $718 per CreditContact
(303) 365-8300
HealthSciences@ccd.edu
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO Campus Only
Colorado Mesa University offers two distinct paths for individuals pursuing a career in personal training: a professional certificate program for focused career training and a minor option for those pursuing other academic majors.
Tuition
$3,852 - $6,096 per SemesterContact
(970) 248-1875
admissions@coloradomesa.edu
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO Campus Only
The University of Colorado Boulder offers a flexible preparatory course in personal training, designed to help individuals earn certification from the American Council on Exercise.
Tuition
Call for DetailsContact
(303) 492-6880
sarah.granberry@colorado.edu
Explore personal trainer schools in Colorado by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary of a personal trainer in Colorado can range from $29,620 for those starting at the bottom 10% to $49,208 for those starting at the median. If they ultimately rank among the top 10% in the state, they can expect an annual average salary of $86,826.
Those who make it to the top 10% do so thanks to optimizing key determinants such as employer, experience, professional networking, professional credentials, and even location. When it comes to prominent locations to work as a personal trainer in Colorado, Greenwood Village stands out with an annual average salary of $65,613.
Also notable are Boulder and Aurora, with annual average salaries of $54,545 and $53,276, respectively.