There are many alternatives to choose from when looking at fitness training and courses on well-being. Before you limit yourself to one particular certification or skill, why not look at how much demand there might be for that type of training in your area? Having said that, unless you live in the middle of nowhere, you should find a market if you offer the right standard of service. So if your passion is to build a career in this industry, with the right skill-set, knowledge and certifications you could do very well.
The number one thing to note when you look to get yourself qualified is that the same sounding training courses can be very different from each other. Look upon your research as an exercise all of its own.
Finding the best company for you will be worth the effort - even if it takes all day, dedicate that day to your future by going through what the different sites say about methods and qualifications. There are usually a number of companies and colleges featuring on this website that will help you to get the ball rolling - why not start with them?
OK - so you're sold on the industry, but can't decide exactly where to hang your hat? Let's try to break a few things down for you... If you want to become a fitness instructor, you'll need to learn a great deal to be fully conversant with all that it entails. Teaching the best cardio workouts is only one small part of it - to be sure you'll need that in your repertoire (especially if you're working in a gym). However, a pro should expect to have knowledge of many other things as well.
Seek out training that offers you a good scientific basis. You can learn about anatomy, physiology, psychology, biomechanics and kinesiology. There's also the science of nutrition and weight control. Add to that equipment, strength training, cardio and group workouts. In addition to Health & Safety, and various computer user skills. Finally, if you're considering working for yourself it's likely you'll need to know about marketing yourself, accounts, insurance, certain legal issues and running your own admin system. Phew...
The great thing is everyone has to start somewhere, and it's not unheard of for a person to specialise in one or two directions and carve out a very good living for themselves.
How about diet and food science? Learn about the role nutrition plays in our diet, and which foods contain the most nutrients that contribute to good health. Then discover how we absorb and digest our food. The different stages of life can have a profound impact on weight - learn about how to manage weight and how all food has an energy value. Also under the umbrella of nutrition is balancing dieting with the right training routine for healthy weight loss.
You could consider specialising in the personal training market. If you're good at communicating and leading others, this could be the area for you. Look for courses that are scientifically based, as you need to really understand the fundamental physiological elements of fitness to instruct others successfully.
Maybe you spend a lot of time in the gym and would like to turn your hobby into a career and become a gym instructor. Search for training programmes that have a lot of practical content, backed up byin-depth theory classes. Your course should teach you how to carry out client assessments safely and responsibly, and how to tailor programmes to a client's needs. Additionally you will learn teaching skills, how to design effective warm ups and cool downs, and of course all about resistance and cardiovascular exercises and gym machinery.
You could build your CV by also knowing something about preventing and dealing with injuries. If that's of interest to you, explore training courses in pilates, yoga, healing, massage, wellness therapy and rehabilitation.
How about learning how to do personal assessments of a client's level of physical fitness and health? Learn how to measure and monitor a client's fitness level by carrying out a variety of assessments. Some require specialist equipment, like body composition analysis, others simply regular gymnasium gear, like flexibility and endurance.
Whether you get into gym instruction or personal training (or any other fitness profession,) you will find it's an incredibly enriching and rewarding place to be. Who could claim to have a more satisfying job than the person who can take another individual and transform their lives with health and vitality?
What's more, whenever you're working with others to achieve their goals, you're repeatedly re-affirming your goals too. Do your research now - finding the right courses and training career could literally change your life!