A Career in Fitness: Personal Training Statistics & Facts

If you've been considering a career as a fitness trainer, now is the time to get started. People are more interested than ever in taking charge of their health, and that’s causing a continued boom in personal training.

Boasting a competitive salary and a potential for 24% annual growth expected for at least the next three years, aspiring fitness professionals can anticipate opportunity within this growing field. Curious about what the field of personal training has to offer? Let's start with the basics.

3 Intriguing Personal Training Statistics

Did you know…

• The median pay for a trainer is $58,875 annually
• The top pay for a trainer is $81,690 annually
• The total amount of estimated jobs for personal trainers is 279,100

(Sources: Salary.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics)

What are the Responsibilities of a Personal Trainer?

In some ways, personal training is an umbrella term because it can encompass so much when it comes to an individual’s opportunity in the industry. You may have the responsibility for handing clients on a one-on-one basis, or be in charge of group training, or do both.

No matter what your role, you’ll be encouraging others to adopt a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle through your evolving knowledge of fitness trends. Before you can officially start training, you need to become a certified professional trainer to deepen your knowledge on the health and safety concerns of training.

Regardless of your goal or objective and the career path you hope to follow, it's essential that you're passionate, motivated and lead by example so that your clients and potential prospects feel confident in your training.

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Work Environment & Job Outlook

Certified personal trainers have the option to work in various public environments, such as a commercial gym, fitness center, or a specialized training center. Trainers also have the option to workout with clients at their homes or offices. The preference is typically up to the client and depends on whether the trainer has a permanent location.

Curious about the current job outlook and annual salary for trainers? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations.” With obesity on the rise, and many people taking a more active role in prevention of chronic disease, trainers can feel secure in the sustainability of their careers.

In terms of salary, it's often dependent on your location and how much you’ve built up your client base. Trainers in the top earning percentage can make around $81,690 annually. If your training is in demand, you'll have the opportunity to increase your rate accordingly. Also note, if you're an independent trainer, you'll have more control over your annual intake, versus if you work for a personal training center where you may be on salary or paid an hourly rate by the gym.

To broaden your opportunities, be sure to build your reputation gradually, especially if you’re just starting out. If you don’t have a certification yet, consider pursuing one, or a specialized certification to expand your client base.

Just like you, we share a passion for the health and fitness industry, and love inspiring others through personal training. We offer a number of different certification programs that are aligned with your goals and objectives to help you gain a competitive advantage in the industry. Check out our available programs today to see which options are best for you.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2014 and has been revamped and updated for comprehensiveness.