How to Become a PT

Do you have what it takes to Become a skilled Personal Trainer?

Yes! I want to Become a Certified Personal Trainer?

  • Well done! You have made a great decision. Personal Training (PT) is one of the most rewarding and satisfying careers available. Now that you are going to move forward to achieve your professional objective, there are a few important things that you really need to research, prepare, and plan prior to embarking on your education journey. 

  • Before a deeper dive into this PT education outline, the main priority to ensure is that the course you register for is independently accredited. A course that is accredited has passed through a detailed review of its learning content, materials, teaching methodology, and assessment structure. Therefore, accreditation provides a professional stamp of approval that you will be taught and assessed to a widely recognised, high-quality fitness industry standard. The recognised standard for PT's in Europe is a Level 4 personal trainer certification that has been accredited through EuropeActive. Graduates of a Level 4 PT course will be eligible for registration with the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPs) or with the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs). Make no exceptions, be 100% certain that your personal trainer certification is fully accredited at level 4.

  • Nordic Fitness Education (NFE) was the first training organisation in Europe to successfully develop a 100% online Level 4 Personal Trainer certification that was awarded full EuropeActive accreditation. NFE has maintained this accredited education status since March 2020. This groundbreaking online PT course is called the Nordic Personal Trainer Certificate.

  • So, if online education is your preferred choice of learning, then NFE offers a highly-rated Level 4 PT course and will serve as a perfect solution. NFE has been the top 100% online learning choice for PT students around Europe and beyond since January 2018. Our many positive 5-star rated reviews on NFE TrustPilot are a testament to our quality.

EA_STANDARDS_LOGO-2c.png
EREPS_APPROVED_stamp_200
EREPS-logo-fc.png
EREPS_Professional_2022_ 200
ICREPs logo

EuropeActive and/or ICREPs provide a framework for training providers to follow when developing education. This sets the required competence levels certified personal trainers.

All respected and professional personal training courses across the European region will be accredited by EuropeActive and within other continents by ICREPs.

Training providers that comply with the stringent quality assurance checks will be eligible for their personal training graduates to be listed as Level 4 professionals on EREPs or ICREPs.

Enroll Now

Getting started is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

Step 1: Create a financial and Time management plan

A personal trainer certification will require both time and financial investment. Personal training courses range from €700-800 at the low end of the European market, up to €3000-3500 at the higher end of the market. Set a financial budget that you are willing to invest in a personal trainer certification. Look ahead and determine an appropriate time in your calendar when you may be able to devote sufficient time in addition to other priorities to learn, study, and develop the required practical skills.

Note: a EuropeActive accredited personal trainer course must be at least 4 months long and is required to contain hundreds of hours of learning and assessment. Becoming Level 4 certified is a significant educational undertaking. de

Step 2: Research Your Options

There are many fitness courses available around the globe making research into appropriate certification a daunting prospect. However, the options becomes less mind-boggling when accredited training is set as a necessary requirement. Click on either of the two accreditation options below to visit their websites. 

European recognition through EREPs

The European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPs) is a fully independent register of personal trainers, fitness instructors, and other fitness professionals working within the European fitness and physical activity sector.

Inter-continental recognition through ICREPs

The International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs) is an international partnership between different national exercise registers from around the world that increases the portability of recognised fitness certifications.

Step 3: Select Your Personal Trainer Course

Once you have weighed up all the options carefully, you will need to make a decision on which course you intend to enroll on. If you do choose NFE and the Nordic Personal Trainer Certificate (NPTC), then, in our opinion you can look forward to an excellent learning experience and a great start to your fitness career. 

There are 2 possible options you can choose from when enrolling in the NPTC; the gold or the platinum course options. 

What are the NFE study options?

  • Gold NPTC

    This is a competitively priced, self-study course where students benefit from full access to the online content and the flexibility to learn and progress at their own pace. This may be a great choice for those who are confident in their ability to learn and study without the need for much additional support or motivation. Get the same great course content, but at a lower overall price.

  • Platinum NPTC

    This option offers the same quality course content as the Gold course, but also provides regular, expert tutor support through a range of digital means. Students are also granted access to our advanced nutrition course, the Nordic Fitness Nutrition Coach, to take their knowledge and skills in this area to a higher level and get a significant diet-coaching edge over the competition.

Personal Trainer Certification FAQs

How much does it cost to get certified as a personal trainer?

The cost of personal training courses vary considerably around the world. Even within Europe course fees range between €1000 to €3500. There are many reasons for such a wide price variation. The price of our online PT course is purposely positioned in the lower end of that price range (€1000-€1500), but we still deliver 100% high-quality education at affordable prices. 

How long do personal training certifications remains valid?

Typically, a European personal trainer certification is valid for life. However, to maintain a recognised, registered professional status it is important to engage in continuing education throughout your career. A certain amount of education must be obtained every 2 years to keep continuous professional registration with EREPs. 

Personal trainer courses outside of Europe may have different requirements to maintain valid PT status. 

What is the quickest/easiest personal trainer education?

In the personal trainer education market, there may be some training providers who promise a quick or easy solution to getting certified. Be warned of such promises because good quality education will take time and hard work to achieve. More importantly, professionally accredited PT education in Europe must include over 200 required learning standards, therefore, a quick shortcut to teach these important topics and skills would be unwise and could leave the student without the skills to succeed in a competitive PT market.

NFE has thoroughly planned and developed its PT education to ensure we teach all necessary professional standards and to ensure our graduates have all the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a competitive market. 

How long does it take to become a personal trainer?

Personal trainer courses vary in length. Be warned of short courses promising quality education. The European standards require that a personal trainer course must be at least 4 months duration. Our online Nordic PT Certificate is a total of 24 weeks education spread across 4 x 6 week terms. There is almost 300 hours of learning to complete. It will take most learners approximately 6 months to complete all the requirements and become a fully certified personal trainer. 

What personal trainer certificate is most respected?

This depends on the region of the world that the certification will be utilised. Within the European continent, courses that have been accredited by the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPs) are highly respected in the health and fitness industry. EREPs accredited courses are recognised in more than 35 countries. Our Level 4 Nordic PT certification is professionally accredited with EREPs and gives the bearer all the knowledge and skills they need to work as a certified personal trainer. 

In the USA, the NCCA is the gold standard for third-party personal training certifications. 

Is a personal trainer certification worth the investment?

The relatively small financial investment in a quality personal trainer course is most definitely worth it! The average income of personal trainers in Europe in 2018 was between  €1400-2200 per month (*this average figure includes both part time and full time PTs), so the cost of the course will quickly be repaid. Full time PTs will likely earn much more than this monthly average. In addition, the quality PT education you receive will also ensure a lifetime of health-promoting knowledge and skills that will benefit your own health, wellbeing, and fitness too.

Do you have to be fit to be a personal trainer?

Personal trainers need not be elite, nor have advanced fitness levels, but they will be expected to have a fitness level sufficient enough to demonstrate the exercises they are recommending to clients. While there are no physical fitness tests to become a personal trainer, having a foundation of fitness will certainly help you to attract clients by being a practicing example of the things you will be coaching others to do. 

Enroll Now