Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) does more than set you on the path to work in a gym — it’s a versatile credential that can help you launch the fitness career that’s right for you. Do you like working one-on-one, or would you rather lead a group? Do you want to work for yourself and create your own fitness brand, or do you envision yourself working for a sports team? The options are endless!
In this article, we’re going to explore five different career paths you could choose to follow as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT).
Related: How to Become a NASM Certified Personal Trainer
First let’s start with the most obvious one — working as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)! This could mean working in a gym, with private clients, at boutique fitness centers, or freelance.
This is the ideal path if you like working one-on-one with clients and making an impact on their health and confidence. You can create custom fitness programs, help clients find out their fitness levels, track their progress, and motivate them to keep growing.
Working as a CPT is still a broad job title. You can work freelance and make your own schedule, meeting clients where they are! Or you can work for your favorite gym and be part of a team of fitness professionals.
If you want to help others reach their fitness goals or just have fun exercising, but you don’t enjoy one-on-one work, then working as a group fitness instructor might be the path you’re looking for!
You could work in community centers, schools, gyms, corporate wellness programs, fitness companies (think Orangetheory), and even virtually.
If you’re passionate about helping clients make long-term lifestyle changes, then you might be interested in becoming a health and wellness coach. In this position you can help people build lifelong habits through nutrition guidance, exercise support, behavior changes, and stress management.
This approach goes beyond the gym, can include more holistic elements, and lets you support your clients through every aspect of their journey to better health. You could work virtually, from home, at healthcare clinics, at private practices, and more.
You could work virtually, at healthcare clinics, private practice, and more.
Combine your passion for fitness and your love of sports into a career as a strength and conditioning coach! You could work at colleges, at athletic facilities, with private clients, or for sports teams.
You could also create specialized training programs to help athletes improve their performance, prevent injuries, and enhance their overall strength and endurance.
This career path is ideal for someone passionate about sports and athletic training.
Starting a career in fitness is really a launching pad for numerous career paths — including working for yourself! You could start your own business, like opening a gym or private training center, or you could work virtually by training clients over Zoom, or you could become a fitness influencer (yes, seriously!).
This path is perfect for anyone who wants to reach people around the world and build other more passive forms of income, like online programs, ebooks, and videos.
Whether you want to work as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) in a traditional setting, lead group fitness classes, work freelance, or as an influencer — the options are limitless with the right tools and training.
At Bryan University, our Personal Trainer Undergraduate Certificate is 100% online, includes training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, motivation and goal setting, client intake, designing personalized fitness programs and much more. Our program prepares you for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Personal Trainer Certification exam and includes the cost of one exam attempt in tuition.
Take the first step and start your future in fitness at this link today!
Recommended:
Terms of submitting this form: I agree that Bryan University may contact me regarding educational services via email, telephone, SMS text message, or automated technology at the email address and phone numbers provided. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Text STOP to cancel anytime. This consent is not required to enroll. For questions, call 1 (888) 768 6861. Visit our Privacy Policy.
