Personal Trainer Schools in Illinois

Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics are very promising for personal trainers in Illinois and virtually everywhere else in the country. The organization expects the personal training profession to grow by 14% in the next 10 years.

This is more than the expected average growth potential for other occupations and will lead to more than 70,000 new jobs every year. Naturally, now is as good a time as any for fitness enthusiasts and knowledgeable individuals to pursue a career in this discipline.

Below, we analyze everything they need to know to do so successfully. We discuss, among other things, educational options, certification requirements, training destinations, and salary projections.

How to Become a Personal Trainer in Illinois

The steps below are needed to enter the personal training profession as a resident of Illinois.

Cultivating Core Skills

Even before attending an institution for formal training, personal trainers have to develop the core skills that will allow them to thrive on the job. These include an affinity for problem-solving, effective communication, sound interpersonal skills, and, of course, fitness and customer service skills.

Obtaining an Academic Degree

Personal training education usually involves attending a formal academic program and graduating with either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. This part of the process is especially important because clients and fitness employers tend to prioritize individuals who have a solid academic background over those who merely have a recreational one.

Students can also choose any related field as their focus area. For instance, personal trainers can have degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, physical education, sports medicine, and more.

Client Outreach

After receiving proper education and being confident enough to carry out their duties at a high level, candidates may start to reach out to clients in the hopes of building a solid customer base. Networking is a very crucial part of achieving this.

The internet’s easy reach also makes it possible to network with fellow professionals and discover potential clients. Candidates may take advantage of online forums, social media platforms, and real-life events to achieve this objective.

Specialization

Personal trainers who choose to specialize will have a narrower focus and a better chance of developing themselves as authorities in their specialty area. Some possible specialty areas include weight loss, sports performance, postnatal fitness, senior fitness, and functional fitness.

Explore trades with similar paths:

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Apart from foundational certification in CPR and Automated External Defibrillators, personal trainers in Illinois are expected to have professional certification to improve their career prospects. Most employers will ask for certification evidence before hiring a personal trainer.

Individuals who would like to become certified in the state will appreciate the flexibility they have concerning their chosen credentials and certifying agencies. They also have a great deal of choice when it comes to specialty credentials.

Some top options include the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

All of these credentials require proper education, passing scores in the respective certification examinations, and occasional renewal.

Top Personal Trainer Schools in Illinois

These are the top institutions in Illinois that can earn a personal training certification.

Explore personal trainer schools in Illinois by city:

• Personal trainer schools in Chicago

Salary & Career Outlook

The average annual salary of a personal trainer in Illinois can start at around $25,603, which is the figure for the lowest-paid person in the state. However, this figure can be rapidly scaled with time, up to around $47,335 for the median earner and around $87,512 for the highest earner.

Along with time and experience, factors like marketing approach, networking, and location are also very crucial for a personal trainer in Illinois looking to improve their yearly returns.

Data obtained from a survey of Illinois professionals shows that personal trainers in Chicago are the highest-paid in Illinois, with an annual average salary of $57,139. They are followed by those who work in Evanston, who make an annual average salary of $53,582.

Arlington Heights and Springfield are also in the top bracket, with annual average salaries of $52,086 and $48,716, respectively.