Readers of this page will find below a comprehensive guide to building a fulfilling career helping others achieve their fitness goals in Massachusetts. Professionals who choose this career path are known as personal trainers, and they are among the fastest-growing professions in the country.
Starting a personal training career in the state can be very enjoyable, thanks to the minimal and non-stringent requirements. Using the guide below, candidates can discover everything they need to know and take the necessary steps to start their careers the right way.
These include basic educational considerations, training pathways, licensing and certification steps, annual average salary projections, and other important resources.
How to Become a Personal Trainer in Massachusetts
The following are the top training programs for future personal trainers in Massachusetts.
Step 1: Meeting the Basic Requirements
The basic requirements to become a personal trainer in Massachusetts can be divided into educational and professional requirements. Regarding basic education, a high school diploma or GED is typically required for several purposes, including securing employment and enrolling in a program.
Professional requirements include being in good physical shape and possessing soft skills such as effective communication, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Step 2: Academic Education
No law mandates personal trainers to complete a conventional 4-year college program. However, passing through an academic institution is still highly regarded in the discipline for career growth.
Individuals may choose to pursue associate degree programs, which typically require 18 to 24 months of learning resources, or certification programs that offer a self-guided approach. Some programs for personal trainers also allow for convenience through self-guided virtual learning.
The next section covers the top training programs for aspiring personal trainers.
Step 3: Practical Education & Employment
Practical education is crucial for personal trainers because it enables them to elevate their skills to the next level and develop the confidence to succeed in real-world work environments.
Completing an internship is one of the most popular ways to gain practical experience as a personal trainer. However, candidates may also leverage other avenues, including free services offered to family and friends, as well as opportunities to work under established professionals for a brief period.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
In Massachusetts, customers and employers tend to gravitate toward certified professionals. Becoming certified demonstrates a level of professional qualifications and responsibility that appeals to potential customers.
For this reason, the majority of personal trainers are indeed certified, despite there being no law that makes it compulsory. To become certified, professionals typically need to demonstrate completion of a formal training program.
They can then apply for certification with prominent organizations, such as the American Council on Exercise or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Of course, applicants will be tested and required to maintain their certified status through periodic renewal.
Top Personal Trainer Schools in Massachusetts
All of the entries below offer high-quality training programs for aspiring personal trainers in Massachusetts.
Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA Campus + Online
Bunker Hill Community College has a hybrid training program for future personal trainers in the state. The program allows accepted applicants to earn the Certified Personal Trainer designation and develop crucial skills.
Tuition
Call for DetailsContact
(617) 228-2462
commed@bhcc.edu
Massasoit Community College
Online, MA Online Only
Massasoit Community College is also responsible for an excellent Personal Trainer program for candidates in Massachusetts. The program comprises 80 course hours and employs a self-guided approach for maximum flexibility.
Tuition
$1,497 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Quincy College
Online, MA Online Only
Finally, Quincy College boasts an Exercise and Personal Training program that leads to a certificate or an associate degree. The certificate program lasts a few months, while the associate degree program lasts two years.
Tuition
$273 per CreditContact
(617) 984-1700
admissions@quincycollege.edu
Explore personal trainer schools in Massachusetts by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
One of the main factors that decides how much a personal trainer in Massachusetts makes at the end of the year is experience. Location, professional credentials, networking, and promotion are also important.
These factors work together to group candidates into 3 broad categories. These are the bottom 10%, with an annual average salary of $30,000; the top 10%, with an annual average salary of $88,312; and the median professionals, with an annual average salary of $48,510, according to Indeed.
Regarding location, the best places to work as a personal trainer in Massachusetts, based on salary alone, include Cambridge ($63,066) and Boston ($60,211).
Professionals in Springfield end the year with an average salary of $55,485.




