Veterans Education Benefits to Become a Personal Trainer

Personal Trainer Certification Through the Post 911 GI Bill

You can use your veterans’ benefits to become a personal trainer. To do so you must satisfy many civilian personal trainer requirements.

Here is a checklist:

1. Check with the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA) to find out what you need to do to become a certified personal trainer. Some civilian agencies require personal trainers to become certified, while others don’t. However, your chances of becoming a personal trainer in the military will significantly increase if you obtain certification.
2. Determine the personal trainer certification program that is best for you. You will base this upon your education and experience in the area of personal training. Check with the NCCA to determine the right certification agency, as there are several from which personal trainers can choose. You will need to pass an exam to become certified. Please remember that exam fees and study materials will be an out-of-pocket expense for you; this may influence your decision on a certification program, as well.
3. While you are studying for the exam, it is a good idea to create personal workout programs for yourself, as well as your friends and family, for practice.
4. Before you take the exam, you will need to obtain an adult CPR certification. This can be found at the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, although you will want to make sure that the certification that you choose will be approved by your preferred branch of the military.
5. Make sure that you look into the possibility of any continuing education requirements for personal trainers within your state. You will want to make sure that your personal trainer certification license is valid when you apply for the position within the U.S. Armed Forces.