Show notes
The career of being a personal trainer is evolving as those in the fitness industry learn more about what makes a successful professional. According to American Spa (2019), the fitness industry has a turnover rate of roughly 80%, which may be even higher when you talk to current gym owners across the United States. A significant issue with personal trainer education is that it doesn't emphasize two of the most critical components that new personal trainers face right away: sales and interpersonal skills. In this episode of the KIPS Podcast, guest Nick Clayton, MBA, MS, discusses the fundamentals of being a personal trainer, including gaining continuing education and certification accreditation, and how networking can help you grow your career and client list. Nick has worked for some of the most recognized brands within the fitness industry (IDEA, Dr. John Rusin, NSCA) and shares advice for new fitness professionals.What is CEUS?Continuing education units (CEUS) are among the most essential aspects of maintaining your primary certification. Depending on the organization that certifies you, these may be referred to as continuing education units or continuing education credits (CECs). Regardless, they represent the same concept and serve the same purpose: enhancing your knowledge as a fitness professional and enabling you to provide a more distinguished service.As Nick points out, CEUS are essential because they help you expand your knowledge as a personal trainer, improve your value proposition, and increase your rate. A takeaway from this episode is that your CPT contains a basic understanding of the personal training career and that learning is essential to growth. Learning can be experienced on the job, with a new certification, CEUS, or even as part of a mentorship program.CPT AccreditationAccreditation is a topic central to personal training education that is commonly mistakenly described. As regulations and popularity for personal trainer accreditation have decreased, options for personal trainer education have increased. National accreditation within the fitness industry typically pertains to the development of the exam. The structure and individuals involved in the exam's development are analyzed and compared with the outcomes of becoming an entry-level personal trainer. A common myth about accreditation is that fitness education companies and personal trainer programs are accredited. The exam is the actual item that is accredited, and the programs are not a part of the approval process.In a previous role, Nick served as the Personal Trainer Program Manager at NSCA, one of the top fitness education companies in the United States. Nick believes that accreditation helps set standards for personal trainers. Still, he thinks there is value in unaccredited personal trainer programs and certificate programs. Visit Nick on Instagram - CLICK HERE.Check out Nick on Facebook - CLICK HERE.Explore Nick's LinkedIn - CLICK HERE.Join our email list - CLICK HERE.KIPS on Instagram -CLICK HERE. KIPS Education Courses -CLICK HERE. 🎙️Podcast Chapters🎙️(00:00) - KIPS Podcast Welcome(00:44) - What is continuing education?(02:25) - Nick Clayton’s Background(08:40) - Personal Trainer CEUS(11:03) - What is a CEU Petition?(17:30) - What is national accreditation?(24:26) - New Personal Trainer Advice(30:46) - Personal Trainer Networking(41:04) - Career Development Plan(49:39) - Myths About Personal Trainer Certifications
