Are you a Texas resident interested in becoming a personal trainer? The Texas Workforce Commission predicts that 460 new jobs on average will be created for personal trainers annually. With a growth rate of 22%, personal training job remains higher than the average for all jobs state-wcide.
When it comes to waistlines, the saying that “everything is bigger in Texas” is often true. By becoming a personal trainer in Texas, you will be enthroned with the enormous task of helping Texans look their best and live their best lives.
You will get clients from all walks of life. Since your clients will vary in age and health status, you require different training methods to help them achieve their individual fitness goals. In the morning, you may be helping a young lady struggling with excess weight gain. On the other hand, in the evening attending to a young man recovering from a rodeo injury. You will likely do more than you expect in Texas.
Two major qualifications will be required from you when seeking a career in personal training in the state of Texas. They are:
- A relevant college degree
- A nationally recognized personal trainer certification
College Education in Personal Training
When you begin to search for available personal training jobs, you will come to understand that most employers prefer applicants with a college degree related to personal training.
Finding a college that offers courses related to personal training in the state of Texas is easy. Texas is home to many colleges and universities. Some colleges offer courses that are related to health and physical education.
A degree in Kinesiology with a major in Health Fitness will acquaint you with courses like the psychology of sports, executive management, and development in fitness. You will also learn about intervention with therapeutic activity in aging, exercise testing, and prescription. You will also develop relevant skills in exercising leadership.
Degree in Kinesiology has classes like fitness testing and assessments, Learning, and human motor control. Other classes include anatomical kinesiology and biomechanics, motor development, and sports nutrition.
A Dietetic Technician degree with a major in Food and Nutrition incorporates courses like:
- Nutrient absorption and digestion
- Medical nutritional therapies
- Nutrition counseling
- Nutrition interviewing and charting
Majors in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, and Sports Medicine are also valid.
Define Your Specialty
It is wise to understand that you can’t be everything to everyone, no matter how much you have perfected your craft. It will help you connect with clients that best suit your services. Some niches you can focus on includes:
- Sports and performanceMajors in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, and Sports Medicine are also valid.
- Fitness nutrition
- Weight management
- Behavior change
- Muscle building and development
Nationally Recognised Personal Trainer Certifications
Applying for personal trainer positions in Texas requires you to be credentialed through a nationally recognized certifying body. Their standards for certification eligibility differ. Below are some of the most prominent certifying bodies:
- American Council of Exercise (ACE)
- Lifetime (LT) Academy
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)
- International Sports Science Association (ISSA)
- Professional Personal Trainers Association (PROPTA)
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
- The Cooper Institute
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- International Fitness Association (IFA)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)
- National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT)
Conclusion
Different employers have different requirements for personal trainers. Check the job vacancy postings to know what employers expect from applicants and the available positions. Finally, your dream of becoming a personal trainer can come true, and Texas is a great place to start.
References
Texas Education Agency, Exercise Science & Wellness: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Certified%20Personal%20Trainer%20final.pdf
