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I am 16 looking to get a degree ASAP!

by Bryan paul
(dade city, florida)

I am young..yes, but very enthusiastic about personal training and learning as much as possible.Is there a age requirement to obtain a PT certificate? Is it possible to get one in high school or get started in high school? And the afaa sounds like it is the simplest way to get certified is that true? I have much more, but i think you covered most of them with this site, so...thank you :)

-Future Personal Trainer

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18, I think
by: Joe

This is from memory, but I think you have to be 18 to get a cert from the ACSM, at least.

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Take your time
by: Anonymous

I can tell you from personal experience to take your time. Learn all you can for a couple of years and train yourself HARD. Because until your a little older it will be hard for an older generation to take your advice simply because of the age difference. Don't get beaten down for being young, even if you know your stuff, the older person does not want to always take it. Always learn and you will always be ahead of the game.

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I'm 17.
by: Matt

You can get certified at any age, through some companies. You may or may not have trouble getting clients... I'm 17 years old (18 in a few months), and I have one certification through FiTOUR, and I'm working on two more. It depends on how professional you are, and how you present yourself. Since you're young, you have to make up what you lack in age, with presentation and experience. You can't get liability insurance until you're 18 though, so you won't be able to work for yourself, and you'll have to make sure that the gym you work for will cover you. I've found that not too many people have a problem with my age.

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Too young for personal training?

by Chris
(Virginia Beach)

I am a 20 year old who really wants to be a personal trainer. I have not been certified yet, but when I do it seems like the thing to do is start at a gym. I am worried at this young of an age it will be hard to get gyms to take me seriously, and if gyms did, would clients?

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Am I too young?
by: James McElwain

I would avoid trying to work at a gym, your lack of experience will work against you. It is that catch 22 of starting out in the business; you can't get clients without experience, and you can't get experience without clients. At your age your credibility might be questioned but it can be backed up with valid proof of experience. I would recommend finding a private personal training studio and asking one of their trainers to take you on as an intern or taking a college courese that would give you some hands on experience. I know the ACE headquarters in San Diego, CA has an internship program for personal trainers; find out if any of your local community colleges or universities offer programs such as these. As a trainer I am always reaching out to other more seasoned trainers for advice so don't get discouraged. Good luck.

-J

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Go for it!
by: Megan

I have been teaching group fitness since I was 18 years old, and I got certified as a personal trainer at age 21. There is nothing bad about being a young trainer. In fact, adults may look at you as a "fresh" source of the most current information. I am constantly being told (by adults) how much they LOVE my classes... not to brag, but simply to point out that age is not an issue. If you take your job seriously, the gym and your clients will take YOU seriously. Good luck and study hard!

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Too young?
by: Sean

Chris,

Funnily enough, I am just that: a twenty-year-old personal trainer. I've been ACE certified for nine months now, and am currently contracted by the US Navy. Prior to that, I trained as a PT at my college's gym, where I worked primarily with other students (and occasional faculty and community members).

I'll admit that it was a little difficult to get a foothold in the "real world" outside of school. However, a mature, professional attitude and thorough training knowledge are more than a match for being perceived as "too young." I agree with Megan, and have found several clients who are interested in working with a younger trainer such as myself.

Good luck! I know you can do it.

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Too Young???
by: Chelsie

I feel exactly the same. I am 19 and want to become a cert. personal trainer. I have no previous experience or certs yet. I worry that I will be looked down upon because I have less knowledge. But I am eager to learn - and hey - we all have to start some where - but how?

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Who is even asking your age?
by: Chelsea

Age is irrelevent; I have been a group fitness instructor since I was 18, and I became a certified personal trainer about a year ago when I was 20. As long as your certifications are current, you know your material, you can build a raport with the client, and you show that you are confident it doesn't matter how old you are and quite frankly it is no one's business to ask your age. Keep in mind that clients tend to pick trainers that they can relate to so your target group will probably be young adults. Keep an eye out as many schools, sports teams, and other organizations are constantly looking for trainers for teens and children. |In my experiance as a younger trainer, they will probably appriciate someone who was at that age no so long ago!

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Go for it.
by: Chris Lutz

You should do it. I started when I was 19 and actually put myself through college doing it (George Mason Univ.- Exercise Science). Now I have 10 years under my belt.

Yes, some clients will look at you and think "He's just a kid, what does he know?" I got that a lot and still do. Be prepared for it, but if you talk in depth with your clients, it's pretty easy to see that you know what you are talking about. Study hard and don't stop. Read as much as humanly possible not only on exercise, but biology, mechanics, and maybe most importantly philosophy (I like Ayn Rand). This will help you organize your thoughts and procedures and bring them into a cohesive unit rather than being very haphazard as the rest of the industry seems to be.

Good luck. It's a lot of fun and can be lucrative. Just don't burn out.

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Age ain'y nothing but a number
by: DC

Personally, I can say that age doesn't play a give of a role as many people think. I entered the fitness industry at the age of 16 under the guidance of a certified trainer who is also a registered nurse.And I have been training since then. I am currently 18 years old and I just received my AFAA certification a few weeks ago and I am looking forward to gaining my NASM certification. But even as a 17 year old trainer I got alot of respect from my clients and and colleagues simply because I always tried to better myself and increase my knowledge. So I would say if you are young just devote yourself to your practice and read alot so that when you talk to people you can speak with confidence and they'll be impressed with your knowledge and passion for what you do. You can also do what I did and start with a basic certification like AFAA which is also credible. And after that go after a more advanced certification like ACE or NASM. And also if you know any experienced knowledgeable and respected trainers speak with them and let them mentor you. But all the best to you.

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never too young
by: Anonymous

I'm a 20 year old personal trainer for virgin active. I started off at a smaller gym and got experience with working with people. Don't get discouraged, I did it! You can also! Go for it, and never give up! Believe and you wil succeed!

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No Certification
by: Anonymous

Wow these responses are so positive! I am an 18 year old male, who is a Certified Health Coach. I also have a professional looking website. I am moving to Seattle, WA and I want to get hired as a personal trainer. What should I do? Spend $600 really quick and study fast and hard and get my ISSA Certification? Will a local Seattle gym hire me if I show confidence, knowledge, and enthusiasm but without a certification? Any responses most appreciated! I am moving in 2 weeks, so I need to know soon! Thanks!

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Working as a personal trainer while still in high school?

by Ben
(Florida)

I've just recently passed my test for my certified fitness trainer certification and I'm still seventeen. I took the test through the Issa they said when I turn eighteen which is in about three months I would receive my certification. I was planning on working as a personal trainer while still in high school. Are gyms usually strict on the high school diploma requirement?

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I was wondering

by Emma lane
(San Bernardino mountains CA )

Hi my name is Emma,
I am fourteen and I am extremely interested in becoming a physical fitness trainer and later on I want to open up my own gym. I was wondering if I am able to have any experiences before having to get my certification? Also what classes I need to take to be familiar with the concept of all of the things I need to know, also if I am able to get a job at a gym to have experience but do I have to be a certain age?

Thank you

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