Becoming a Fitness Trainer in Kansas
Working as a personal trainer in Kansas, you will yourself working with clients of all fitness levels and ages. On a Monday you might find yourself helping a young soccer player rehab from an injury, and Tuesday you are working with a senior client performing joint friendly exercises so they can remain active and mobile enough to enjoy their favorite summer events.
One of the good things about being a personal trainer in Kansas is that it is a fairly active state. A study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation discovered that 51% of the state’s high school students meet or exceed the recommended level of physical activity. Furthermore, 46% of Kansas adults take part in at least moderate physical activity. These people form the backbone of the client list you will build and work with over your career.
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As a personal trainer in Kansas, you are going to find that your services will help a varied number of people reach their goals. Whether it is helping a new mom shed pounds working out in her backyard or leading a Pilates class in a fitness club, diversity will be a hallmark of your day. You’ll find that a number of clients will enjoy working out outdoors in some non-traditional ways such as hiking, canoeing or cycling the trails at Table Mound Park.
In the decade ending in 2020, the Kansas Department of labor has estimated an increase of 18.5% statewide in the demand for personal trainers. Compared to the 12.4% increase for all other jobs, it is clear that personal trainers can look forward to stable employment.
Becoming a Qualified Personal Trainer in Kansas
As a personal trainer, both employers and clients are going to expect that you have a strong knowledge of nutrition, body movement and physiology. As such, you are going to need a degree in a relevant field of study that is related to personal fitness. The best way to demonstrate this is to obtain a two or four-year degree and a national certification as a personal trainer.
Traditional Personal Trainer Education
With either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a field related to fitness training, you will have the knowledge necessary to build a successful career as a personal trainer. The skills you obtain through your studies will also be necessary when it comes time for you to seek your national certification as a personal trainer as well.
Kansas has several fine secondary learning institutions that offer degree programs designed to prepare you for a career as a personal trainer. Some schools will offer courses online so that you can pursue your educations without sacrificing your own schedule training in the gym.
You can find relevant Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree programs in fields like:
Kinesiology – this major will incorporate classes like:
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Biological basis of kinesiology
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Exercise and mental health
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Gender issues in exercise and sports
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Anatomy and physiology
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Research and measurement techniques
Dietetics – a degree in this subject requires the completion of courses such as:
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Food science
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Clinical nutrition
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Research in dietetics practice
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Nutritional assessment
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Human ecology
Health and Nutrition – earning this degree means you will have completed classes like:
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Energy balance
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Metabolism of nutrients
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Nutrition over the human lifespan
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Microbiology
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Nutrition for public health
Professional Certification Options
There are a number of agencies offering certification as a personal trainer, and while each has their own criteria, you will find many require a relevant two or four-year degree. Some of the most recognizable certifications are offered by:
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American Council of Exercise (ACE)
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The Cooper Institute
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American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
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National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)
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International Sports Science Association (ISSA)
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National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
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Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
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National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
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National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT)
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International Fitness Association (IFA)
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National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)
Working as a Personal Trainer in Kansas
As would be expected, the majority of the jobs for personal trainers in Kansas are offered by health clubs and fitness centers. If you would like to get an idea of what your day might look like working in one of those facilities, this class list from 24 Hour Fitness in Olathe is a perfect example. This facility has three personal trainers, all working to ensure their clients meet their fitness goals.
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Cycling
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Interval training with a high-intensity cardio workout
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Zumba
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Boot Camp strength and cardio session
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Bodypump barbell class
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Yoga
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Pilates
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Yogalates
Here are some actual openings from March of 2015 for personal trainer jobs throughout Kansas. This will help provide you with an idea of what kind of qualifications employers are looking for.
GYMGYZ in Overland Park was searching for a personal trainer who could work in clients’ homes throughout the area. To qualify for this position, you would need to hold an approved national personal trainer certification as well as a current driver’s license and CPR certification.
The Olathe Family YMCA was looking for a personal trainer who had a nationally-recognized certification as well as at least an associate’s degree in a health-related field of study. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree would be preferred.
24 Hour Fitness in Olathe was advertising for a personal trainer who held a college degree in Exercise Fitness, Kinesiology, a related field, or who had a professional certification from an approved national organization.
Life Time Fitness in Overland Park was searching for a personal trainer with professional certification from an approved organization plus CPR and AED certifications within six months of hire. Candidates who held a bachelor’s degree in fields like Sports Medicine or Kinesiology would receive preferential consideration.
Being a fitness trainer in Kansas is ultimately a rewarding way of life and can provide you with the career you’ve always dreamed of.