There are a lot of reasons why someone might want to become a personal trainer in New Brunswick. At a minimum, most fitness professionals are passionate about fitness, health and most importantly, helping others.
Why is Fitness a Good Career?
Most people start in the fitness industry because of passion. But they stay in it for more practical reasons.
Job Security
Whether you work at a gym or independently with your own list of clients, job security is a major attraction of the job. Because you have such a personal relationship with your clients, they don’t often switch to a new trainer. Think about it like your hairstylist or barber – once you find one you like, you don’t really want to switch.
Income
According to data from Neuvoo, salaries for personal trainers can reach into the six-figure range if you are good at your job.
Flexibility
On top of the money and job security, probably the most important aspect of this industry is flexibility. You can work in a gym in a “9-5” or you can go out and build your own brand and work with your own list of clients from the regular joe, to the corporate executive, to the professional athlete looking for a performance boost.
The bottom line is, you get to make your own hours and call your own shots.
Becoming a Personal Trainer in New Brunswick
To receive a fitness leader and personal trainer certification in New Brunswick, there is a 5 step process:
Step 1: Exercise Theory (aka. Fitness Theory)
This step involves registering to become a Fitness NB member, studying our Exercise Theory course, and passing the Exercise Theory exam (80% to pass).
Step 2: Specialty Courses
After that, you will need to take a specialty Personal Fitness Trainer course and pass the relevant exam (80% to pass). You must maintain a current Fitness New Brunswick (FNB) membership during this time.
If you don’t want to be a personal trainer, there are other specialty courses available like aquafit or osteofit.
Step 3: Apprenticeship
At this stage, you will need to get a minimum of 8 hours of practical experience with an FNB-approved mentor either in a classroom or in 1-on-1 setting.
Step 4: Practical Evaluation
Here you will be given a practical evaluation based on your chosen specialty (80% to pass).
Step 5: Certification
After completing steps 1-4, you will need to get and maintain a CPR Level A or C certificate, personal fitness trainers CPR Level C, and a current Standard First Aid certificate.
You will also need to pay for FNB Group Liability Insurance to make sure you and your clients are protected. Depending on your specialty, there may be other insurance you may need.