Personal Trainer Schools in South Dakota

Residents of South Dakota can become successful personal trainers by choosing a prominent training destination and earning relevant industry credentials. Of course, there are also a few other simple but necessary steps that ensure candidates enjoy their journey, kick-start their careers, and do so properly.

Through the following article, we aim to introduce readers to all of these key considerations. We begin with the preparatory steps and training possibilities, before considering employment, certification, and how to build a solid brand.

Readers will also understand the specific salary categories they may fall into as personal trainers in South Dakota throughout their prospective careers.

How to Become a Personal Trainer in South Dakota

The following steps are required to become a successful personal trainer in South Dakota.

Basic Skills and High School Requirements

South Dakota does not have any stringent requirements for personal trainers. However, in preparing for their education, a high school diploma or GED can be valuable for interested individuals.

Soft skills, including listening, communication, and motivation, are also essential for the job.

Completing an Academic Program

A dedicated online personal training program designed to achieve personal training certification is an ideal way to launch a personal training career. However, for those who wish to attend campus-based programs, it is common to choose either an associate’s degree program or a bachelor’s degree program.

Candidates can pursue either program in various related fields, such as exercise science and physical education. During their training, candidates will develop technical and practical proficiency as they prepare for certification examinations, a crucial step for all personal trainers.

Employment, Career Boost & Continuing Education

Securing employment at a gym or fitness center is crucial for personal trainers to settle in and make use of the existing resources that make their lives easier. Ultimately, professionals will have to start building their own portfolio and finding clients.

They can do this through networking, leveraging social media, and other approaches. Continuing education is also crucial for candidates to enhance their skills and remain current with industry advancements.

Explore trades with similar paths:

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

A personal trainer in South Dakota can work professionally without certification. However, they will have a significant advantage because most of the individuals they work with prefer a certified personal trainer.

Thankfully, becoming certified as a personal trainer in South Dakota is quite straightforward. Candidates only need to choose a specific certifying agency and pass the credentialing examination.

Among the most reputable credentialing bodies with highly rated, nationally recognized credentials for personal trainers in the state are the National Council on Strength and Conditioning, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, and the American College of Sports Medicine.

Top Personal Trainer Schools in South Dakota

Below are some excellent training programs for individuals seeking to launch a career as a personal trainer in South Dakota.

Explore personal trainer schools in South Dakota by city:

• Personal trainer schools in Sioux Falls

Salary & Career Outlook

Personal trainers in South Dakota who earn an annual average salary of $23,000 are in the bottom 10%, but they can quickly advance up the salary brackets. They can do so by focusing on building their marketing and entrepreneurial skills, optimizing their location and certification, or finding better employment opportunities.

Of course, with more experience also comes better earning potential. In the middle bracket, these professionals earn an annual average salary of $37,408, according to Indeed.

Personal trainers in South Dakota who are in the top 10% of earners earn an annual average salary of $68,246. As for location, candidates who work in Brookings and Watertown have annual average salaries of $53,674 and $41,566, respectively, ranking among the top two.

Those who work in Madison are third with an annual average salary of $40,004.