California is home to many of the top personal training schools. Our directory will help you find a great program that is convenient for you.
If you are considering becoming a personal trainer you know that you need to get trained and certified. Fortunately, there are many great schools offering personal trainer certification in California. Many programs take just a few months of part-time study and they don't cost a lot.
This makes personal training a very easy career transition. You don't have to go back to school and earn a University degree. These California personal training schools offer diploma, certificate, and Associates Degree programs to suit many people. It doesn't matter if you want to get working as a personal trainer as soon as possible or you want a comprehensive program...you can get both levels of personal trainer certification in California.
San Diego Area
There are limited to one choice for local San Diego personal trainer certification schools. But fortunately, its a good program. You can also choose on of the online programs listed at the bottom of the page.
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer Diploma + Personal Trainer Certification + Nutrition Certification
Locations:
San Diego, CA
Description:
Very popular comprehensive program combining classroom and hands on training. See our full review for details. (Get Free Info Pack)
This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to enter the field of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Course includes training in the arenas of physical therapy and physical fitness. Medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology are emphasized as well as First Aid, CPR, taping, & nutrition. (Get Free Info Pack)
Orange County Area
There is a good choice of Orange County personal trainer certification programs. Both CNI and NPTI are well known in the area.
The CNI College Fitness Trainer Program trains students to become personal trainers for entry-level positions or higher in the booming fitness industry, Graduates are qualified to be fitness instructors, exercise testing technicians, aerobic instructors, weight training coaches and personal fitness counselors. The course is designed to prepare students who may have been away from an academic environment for an extended amount of time, or those without a formal education in exercise science/physiology, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, or athletic training to take the NSCA-CPT certification exam. (Get Free Info Pack)
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer Diploma + Personal Trainer Certification + Nutrition Certification
Locations:
Newport Beach , CA
Description:
Very popular comprehensive program combining classroom and hands on training. See our full review for details. (Get Free Info Pack)
This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to enter the field of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Course includes training in the arenas of physical therapy and physical fitness. Medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology are emphasized as well as First Aid, CPR, taping, & nutrition. (Get Free Info Pack)
Inland Empire / Riverside
Lots of choices for San Bernardino and Riverside personal trainer certification schools. The Sports Medicine Technologist program will qualify you as a personal trainer but also allow you to get into rehabilitation and physical therapy work (which pays considerably more). And NPTI is a good choice.
This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to enter the field of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Course includes training in the arenas of physical therapy and physical fitness. Medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology are emphasized as well as First Aid, CPR, taping, & nutrition. (Get Free Info Pack)
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer Diploma + Personal Trainer Certification + Nutrition Certification
Locations:
Riverside , CA
Description:
Very popular comprehensive program combining classroom and hands on training. See our full review for details. (Get Free Info Pack)
Los Angeles Area
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Athletic Trainer
Includes in-depth knowledge of health and fitness emphasizing personal training, nutrition and weight management. Graduates will benefit from the increased revenue streams available because they are able to offer clients such broad range of wellness services.
School:
American Fitness & Nutrition Academy
Program:
Personal Trainer, Weight Management Specialist
Locations:
Pasadena, California
Santa Barbara, California
Description:
This 500 hour program combines classroom learning with hands on instruction and provides extra emphasis on Nutrition. Day and night classes are available and usually take 6 months to complete, however an accelerated 14 week option is available. (Get Free Info Pack)
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer Diploma + Personal Trainer Certification + Nutrition Certification
Locations:
Santa Monica , CA
Description:
Very popular comprehensive program combining classroom and hands on training. See our full review for details. (Get Free Info Pack)
Central California / Santa Barbara
This is a large area covering from Bakersfield to Santa Maria. If there is not a campus near you, you can consider one of the online programs listed below.
School:
American Fitness & Nutrition Academy
Program:
Personal Trainer, Weight Management Specialist
Locations:
Pasadena, California
Santa Barbara, California
Description:
This 500 hour program combines classroom learning with hands on instruction and provides extra emphasis on Nutrition. Day and night classes are available and usually take 6 months to complete, however an accelerated 14 week option is available. (Get Free Info Pack)
California Locations: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Ventura, Bakersfield
Description:
Program covers a variety of exercise-related assessments and tests, design of safe and effective exercise programs, and implementing safe weight loss/gain programs. Santa Barbara Business College also teaches you to be proficient in a variety of business-related skills for work in a fitness center, corporate gym or your own personal training business. (Get Free Info Pack)
San Francisco Bay Area / Sacramento
Unfortunately there are no personal training schools in the East Bay area, but BART makes the commute to San Francisco easy. An online certificate program listed at the bottom of the page may also be a good option.
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer Diploma + Personal Trainer Certification + Nutrition Certification
Locations:
Santa Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento CA
Description:
Very popular comprehensive program combining classroom and hands on training. See our full review for details. (Get Free Info Pack)
School:
Program:
Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Athletic Trainer
Includes in-depth knowledge of health and fitness emphasizing personal training, nutrition and weight management. Graduates will benefit from the increased revenue streams available because they are able to offer clients such broad range of wellness services.
Online Personal Trainer Certification Courses
School:
Program:
ACT Certified Personal Trainer
Locations:
Online Course
Description:
ACT is making a bold statement by offering FREE Personal Trainer Certification. You can download their 300 page textbook, study and take the exam, all for free. But most people will benefit from their package of extras they offer for $65 which includes unlimited online training classes, practice exams, instructor email support and more. (Read our ACT Certification Review)(ACT Web Site)
This popular Online Certification program covers all the critical topics to prepare you for a personal training career. The online course features community forums, e-mail, live chat, and direct instructor interaction, which are all available 24 hours a day making this a convenient choice for people who have work or family commitments. (Receive More Information)
School:
Program:
Sport Management: Fitness and Wellness
Locations:
Online Course
Description:
California University offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sports Management: Fitness and Wellness. These advanced degrees can be earned by attending courses online and working with your professors on a flexible schedule. This is a great choice for somebody who wants to have the extra knowledge that comes with a degree while maintaining the flexibility of an online course. (Get Free Info Pack)
Another online personal training course that allows you to self study at your own pace. All exams are taken online and the curriculum uses a mixture of audio and video programs to compliment the textbook. The overall program including materials and exams is available for around $900 making it an economical choice and a quick way to get started in the industry. (Receive More Information)
