Becoming a Personal Trainer in Nevada

While Las Vegas undoubtedly accounts for a tremendous portion of Nevada’s population, it is hardly the only place to land a job as a personal trainer. Reno and Henderson are examples of Nevada cities with a diverse population made up of residents from all walks of life. In fact, the variety of places to work as a personal trainer in Nevada is only matched by the diversity of clients you will train.

From snowy mountains to rolling arid deserts, Nevada is filled with sports enthusiasts looking to take their skills to the next level. While a dune boarder may seem to have nothing in common with a dancer in a Las Vegas casino, the one thing they may have in common is that they both need a personal trainer to help them be their best.

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Steps to Becoming a Personal Trainer in Nevada

In and around Reno or Las Vegas, you will most likely encounter the most diverse clientele. One day you may be helping a boxer increase his stamina and the next you may be leading tourists in a spin class looking to maintain their fitness routine while away from home. In Carson City, you’ll likely encounter skiers and boarders and even some mountain bikers. Regardless of where you choose to work, the one thing that will open the doors to all of these possibilities is having the proper credentials to working the industry.

Degree Options for Personal Trainers

The first step to a fulfilling career as a personal trainer is completing a two or four-year degree program. While it is true that there are trainers who forego a formal education and instead just obtain a certification, having a relevant education sets you apart from them and also means your certification options are greater, more varied and to some degree more prestigious.

Degree options for aspiring personal trainers include, but are not limited to:

Associate’s Degree Programs in:

• Physical Education

• Biomechanics

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Personal Training

• Fitness and Health

• Exercise Science

• Dietetics

Bachelor’s Degree Programs in:

• Athletic Studies

• Exercise Program Design

• Kinesiology

• Physical Education

• Sport Psychology

• Nutrition

• Exercise Physiology

• Human Biology

• Sports Medicine

Personal Trainer Certification Options

You will be hard pressed to find any professional personal trainer that does not hold a national certification. Not only employers, but clients, prefer knowing that the personal trainer they are working with has been vetted by a national agency and proved they have the skills necessary for the job. Many of the U.S.’s most well-known and respected certifying bodies offer certification exams in select cities in Nevada.

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), with tests offered in:

• Las Vegas

• Henderson

• Sparks

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), with tests offered in:

• Round Mountain

• Reno

• Sparks

• Las Vegas

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), with tests offered in:

• Round Mountain

• Reno

• Sparks

• Las Vegas

Personal Training Careers in Nevada

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Nevada is a hub for personal trainers with an employment rate of 1.52 per 1000 jobs. It is not at all uncommon for people to land their first job as a personal trainer in Nevada through personal networking or developing uniquely in demand training routines.

Between Reno and Las Vegas, the variety of professional entertainers in need of personal trainers is staggering, many desiring one-on-one sessions. This niche alone is enough to keep you very busy. Athletes like mixed martial arts fighters also create a significant demand for personal trainers as do models looking for the right balance of exercise and nutrition to stay looking their best.

By staying active in the personal training community and reaching out to other trainers, you can develop the kind of network that keeps your client list full of the type of people you most want to work with. Using social media is another great way to get your name out there and develop your brand recognition and show off your skills as a personal trainer.

Nevada does have a lot of personal trainers, so be ready to pay your dues working up the ladder toward the prime jobs. Build a good reputation and demonstrate a strong work ethic and in no time you will find yourself in demand and meeting your career goals.