Becoming a Fitness Trainer in Idaho

Idaho is a perfect example of a state where personal trainers are spending a fair amount of their time working with clients outside of the gym. Personal trainers in Idaho might find themselves leading a Pilates class in Boise Municipal Park in the morning and jogging there with other clients later in the day. Your clients will have a variety of fitness needs and likewise be in varying states of physical condition. Young or old, it will be up to you to help keep them fit.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Idaho is a national leader in both personal trainer employment and salary. That combination makes it very attractive for a number of new and experienced personal trainers alike. With an average salary topping $50,000 annually, that puts Idaho squarely at second in the nation for personal trainer salaries in non-metro areas. Furthermore, regardless of where you are in Idaho, the demand for personals trainers remains very high.  

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If you need further coaxing to consider Idaho as a top destination for personal trainers, the Idaho Department of Labor lists personal trainers as one of the state’s fastest growing occupations. So in demand, that a 45% growth rate is expected between the years of 2008 and 2018. Compared to the state’s projected growth rate of 15% for all jobs, it is clear that the services of personal trainers are in very high demand.

It can be hypothesized that personal trainers in Idaho are in such high demand because the state is fighting a battle of the bulge. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 65% of all adults in Idaho are overweight or obese.  Working as a personal trainer, you can help the residents of Idaho look and feel better by guising their nutrition and exercise choices. The first step to doing this is learning what you need to do to secure employment as a personal trainer.

Preparing to Become a Personal Trainer in Idaho

Employers in the fitness industry have shown a strong preference for hiring applicants that have a degree in a field related to health and fitness as well as a national certification. For some national certifying agencies, having at least a two-year degree is required to be considered for certification.

Idaho’s Colleges and Universities for Personal Trainers

There are a number of universities and colleges throughout the state of Idaho that offer classes and/or degree programs that are designed to prepare you for a career as a personal trainer. You will also find that in many cases, you can take some of your classes online to help provide extra flexibility in your schedule.

Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs with the following majors are all relevant to becoming a personal trainer:

• Health Sciences

• Nutrition and Dietetics

• Physical Therapy

• Kinesiology

• Exercise Science

• Physical Education

• Sports Medicine

In all these majors you are likely to encounter coursework that covers these key areas of study:

• Human anatomy and physiology

• Muscular-skeletal system

• Human chemistry and biology

• Human body systems

• Recuperative therapy and healing techniques

• Muscle chemistry

• Human nutrition, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids

• Movement and posture

Earning a CPR certificate in addition to one for first aid should also be a priority. You will find that many health clubs and gyms in Idaho will require their personal trainers to have one or both certifications.

Personal Trainer Certifications for Idaho Residents

You will find that most of Idaho’s fitness clubs and gyms require their trainers to have a national certification as a personal trainer from one or more of the many agencies offering them. Each organization has its own specific requirements, with the most significant players in this field including:

• American Council of Exercise (ACE)

• The Cooper Institute

• International Sports Science Association (ISSA)

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

• National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT)

• National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)

• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)

• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

• International Fitness Association (IFA)

• Professional Personal Trainers Association (PROPTA)

• National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)

The combination of your relevant education and national certification will act as powerful advocates when you enter the Idaho job market for personal trainers.

Working in Idaho’s Health and Personal Fitness Industry

Knowing what employers are looking for is one of the best ways to ensure in advance that you are qualified to apply for their job openings for personal trainers. These ads from March of 2015 will help provide you with an idea of what qualifications Idaho employers of personal trainers are looking for.

The Idaho Athletic Club, with locations in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Caldwell, says that it considers all applicants, but gives preference and higher pay to those with prior experience and/or certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

A fitness center in Meridian was recently advertising for a personal trainer intern college student majoring in a relevant field and with CPR certification. Preference would be given to applicants with a personal trainer certification from ACE, AFPA, ISSA, or NASM.

Evolve Performance Training in Ammon was recently seeking a Personal Training Consultant who would be evaluated on: Prior experience, personal trainer certifications, CPR and AED certifications, and attitude.

The Idaho Athletic Club’s Total Women Fitness branch provides us with a solid example of what kind of classes and schedule a personal trainer in one of their facilities can expect. Total Women Fitness is noted for having exceptionally qualified personal trainers that provide solid workout plans and guidance for their clients.

• Body fusion classes that combine Pilates and yoga, also known as PiYo

• Yoga

• Kickboxing

• Turbo kickboxing

• Strength training

• Zumba

• Zumba toning

• Spinning

Personal Training in Idaho’s Natural Environment

In Idaho, personal trainers will often work outside of fitness clubs as well. Of the many choice locations to choose from, these are several of the favorites.

• Yoga classes in Boise’s Ann Morrison Park

• Wake boarding, kayaking, and canoeing along the state’s many waterways, including the Snake River, Lake Pend Oreille, and Hells Canyon

• Cross-country skiing near McCall and Ashton along Nordic ski trails

• Mountain biking along the Albert Moser Trail near Preston

• Hiking in Thousand Springs State Park near Hagerman

• Hiking in Bruneau Dunes State Park

In a park or in the gym, working as a personal trainer in Idaho will present you with an enviable salary range and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping the state’s residents get healthier and happier one workout at a time.