Personal trainers must understand several facets of fitness to help individuals achieve their desired goals. These include the ability to lead, guide, motivate, and instruct.
For Ohioans with a passion for fitness and skills such as patience, communication, and interpersonal relations, becoming a personal trainer can be a highly rewarding career decision. The field is highly popular and is expected to remain so, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Through the sections that follow, we extensively analyze everything that individuals must know, not only because personal trainers in Ohio, but also because they do so on the very best foundation.
How to Become a Personal Trainer in Ohio
Below are the steps necessary to enter into the personal training discipline as a resident of Ohio.
Completing a Training Program
Graduating from a training program is an effective way to gain some credibility as a personal trainer. However, there are several approaches that candidates can take in this regard, including the following:
Associate Degree Programs
Associate degrees are a common alternative for aspiring personal trainers in Ohio because they offer comprehensive education and a faster completion time. Most programs that offer associate degrees can be completed in two years or less.
Candidates who choose this route may pursue programs in fitness and health, exercise science, or other related fields.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
The appeal of bachelor’s degree programs to aspiring personal instructors lies in the comprehensiveness of the education and the prestige and credibility the degree provides. Most bachelor’s degree programs can be completed in 4 years, although some may have a 3-year program length.
Possible options include kinesiology, sports epidemiology, exercise psychology, physical education, and sports medicine.
Certification
Certification is absolutely crucial for prospective personal trainers as it is usually necessary to secure employment. Candidates are advised to receive certification from a reputable national certifying agency.
In the next section, we discuss some of the top options and the right approach to becoming certified.
Resume, Core Skills, & Client Building
Lastly, after updating their resume and cultivating core skills such as communication and customer service, fresh personal trainers in Ohio can begin to build a client list through targeted marketing, referrals, and leveraging online platforms for increased reach.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
The American College of Sports Medicine offers a Certified Personal Trainer credential for personal trainers in Ohio who wish to enhance their career prospects and increase their employability. Earning this credential involves a candidate submitting an official application, passing an exam, and recertifying every three years.
Of course, state professionals are not limited to this credential alone. The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers credentials for those who wish to specialize in strength and conditioning.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) also has a Personal Trainer Certification that requires completing digital coursework.
Top Personal Trainer Schools in Ohio
The following programs are notable for producing successful personal trainers in the state of Ohio.
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH Campus + Online
Ohio State University offers an online personal training program through its Office of Recreational Sports. The program focuses on preparing students for the ACE certification.
Tuition
$0 - $175 per ProgramContact
(614) 292-7671
miceli.37@osu.edu
National Personal Training Institute
Parma, OH Campus + Online
The National Personal Training Institute in Parma offers a flexible program that combines 500 hours of virtual learning with practical classes.
Tuition
Call for DetailsContact
(800) 960-6294
tina@nptifitness.com
Cincinnati State
Cincinnati, OH Campus + Online
Cincinnati State offers a comprehensive personal training course that prepares students for the ACE Certified Personal Trainer exam.
Tuition
$188 - $377 per CreditContact
(513) 569-5776
allison.godel@cincinnatistate.edu
Explore personal trainer schools in Ohio by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
As with most other professions, the annual average earnings of personal trainers in Ohio can be analyzed by location. Sorting through data obtained from a survey of professionals in the state, we have the distribution in this regard as follows:
- New Albany is first, with an annual average salary of $84,116;
- New Concord comes second, with an annual average salary of $66,407;
- Hilliard is third, with an annual average salary of $62,986;
- Gratiot boasts an annual average salary of $53,810.
Experience, professional credentials, marketing strategy, and networking capabilities are also important factors in influencing these returns.
Analyzing the data through a general lens, personal trainers in Ohio earn an annual average salary of $20,013 in the bottom 10% and $74,215 in the top 10%. The majority can be found in the median category, taking home an annual average salary of $38,539.