Various organizations offer certification courses for people interested in working as personal trainers at health clubs and community gyms. In addition to training received in health and fitness through fitness organizations and educational institutions, the YMCA has its own program that people must complete to become a YMCA personal trainer. Those programs, offered in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, provide specialized training for people who wish to work at these centers.

You must be 16 years of age or older to enter programs to become a personal trainer at the YMCA.

You should have some experience using general gym equipment such as cardio machines, free weights and strength training machines before taking YMCA personal trainer certification classes.

You also need certification in CPR to become a YMCA personal trainer.

You need to complete courses on basic theories of health, including anatomy, nutrition, training and specialized courses such as choreography, resistance training and individual conditioning in order to qualify for YMCA certification.

Take specialized classes provided by the YMCA, such as the “Principles of YMCA Health and Fitness Certification,” to become a YMCA personal trainer. People have the option of taking those courses in 15 weeks or complete them at their own pace.

Pass the assessment outlined by thre YMCA that is necessary to become one of their personal trainers. Once people pass the assessment, they can then work as a personal trainer at the YMCA and get their YMCA Personal Trainer Award or their CYQ Level 3 Certification in Personal Training.