How Much Does Fitness Training School Cost?
Fitness trainers help individuals who want to become physically fit and healthy. While many of their clients are those who want to reduce weight and avoid the medical conditions that come with obesity, fitness trainers also work with individuals and groups who simply desire to maintain good health or develop their flexibility and strength. This is the career for the avid fitness nut who also wants to make a difference in the lives of those who want to achieve optimum physical wellness. If this sounds like the career path you want to take, knowing the costs associated with the program will help you prepare for it financially.
The cost of fitness training school actually depends on the type of program you enroll in. There are certification programs from various organizations that allow you to study to become a fitness trainer on your own. You study the textbooks, CDs and other resources that will be sent to you and then take the exam in order to get your certification. American Fitness Professionals & Associates, for example, offers the Personal Trainer Certification program which costs $395. This covers online testing and all the learning materials needed to prepare for the certification exam.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers different Personal Trainer Certification study programs. The Standard study program costs $599 and covers the ACE Personal Trainer Manual, ACE’s Essentials of Exercise Science for Fitness Professionals, an exam voucher and ACE Academy which includes a study coach, a practice test, exam review and access to the ACE Resource Center. The Premium study program costs $699 and features everything in the Standard program plus the ACE Academy Elite which features a video lecture series and custom progress tracking, ACE Personal Trainer Manual Study Companion and Essentials of Exercise Science Flashcards. The Premium Plus program which costs $799 features everything in the Standard and Premium programs plus fitness math and a retest voucher.
Penn Foster Career School also offers the Online Certified Personal Trainer Program which can be finished in three months. The total program price is $799 if paid in full and $959 if paid monthly. At Focus Personal Training Institute, the 700-hour Personal Training Master course has a tuition cost of $9,500.
An associate’s or bachelor’s degree is needed for advanced certifications in the field. On the average, the yearly cost for the tuition and fees, books and supplies and room and board for health and physical fitness programs is a little over $30,000 for an out-of-state student. If you want to save on your college costs, going to a public school in your state of residence will help because they usually give tuition discounts to in-state students. Private schools and universities don’t offer this kind of perk.
Financial aid is also going to substantially lower your overall college costs. Don’t forget to talk to your school’s financial aid adviser to ask if you are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants. Schools also offer discounts to military personnel and their spouses so if you are one, be sure to inquire about any tuition discounts that might be applicable to you.
Career Spotlight: Fitness Trainer
A fitness trainer teaches people exercise activities that would improve their fitness levels. You’ll be designing workout routines tailored to the health objectives of the clients you are working wi[...]
