PT Prep Course: Step One to Becoming a Personal Trainer
Through hands-on training and in-person lectures, students receive guidance to get their NSCA certification
For many students — from kinesiology majors to gym rats — becoming a personal trainer begins with figuring out where to start. Between finding the right course, paying for both the program and the exam, and reading through the fine print of exercise science with Google as a study buddy, much of it becomes trial and error.
“We looked at the options that were available,” Strength & Conditioning Assistant Director DJ Scott said. “Most of them were very short and primarily online or they cost a pain to go out to some place [and] learn from other people. So, we wanted something that was local, in person and a little bit longer than a three-day [or a] weekend course.”
This spring, Strength & Conditioning hosted a Personal Training Prep course that began on Feb. 1. The 11-week course is designed to prepare participants for the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) personal trainer exam, the first step in becoming a certified personal trainer.
“We utilize [the course] as a feeder program to our personal training program itself,” Scott said. “If you wanted to be a personal trainer here, [but] didn’t have the background and the certification, this is our first step to interviewing you.”
It’s a testament to Strength & Conditioning’s commitment to its patrons, offering both the education and the work experience needed for life after school. The course is held on Sundays from 4pm to 7pm, following a hybrid model of asynchronous modules and in person instruction.
Still, fitting in a Sunday class on top of spring coursework leaves little room for a weekend break.
“In terms of school, it was very manageable for me,” Personal Training and Small Group Manager Sydney Austin ‘26 said. “I think a lot of people might hesitate to approach the course because it’s Sunday night [and] nobody wants to do school on Sunday nights. But I don’t think it was too much at any point.”
Beyond the lectures, the course also offers practical application opportunities such as training clients, learning to check blood pressure and heart rate and other assessment pieces pertaining to the exam. But it doesn’t stop with science; the course also explores the client-trainer dynamic.
Hands-on training in action as PT Prep course participant learn about plyometrics.
“They gave us study guides and told us what to know, what not to know, which I wouldn’t know if I didn’t do it,” personal trainer Christian Cook ‘26 said. “A whole day was set for one-on-one [with] clients. I’m kind of an awkward guy, so they gave me a rundown on what to say and what not to say [and] how to speak the language of clients.”
Students also had the opportunity to hear from peers who have already taken the class and the exam, sharing tips and insights from their own experience. The course is beneficial for those who prefer in-person learning as opposed to an entirely online module.
“I found it super beneficial to have somebody explain it to me rather than just like reading through a textbook, because the alternative to this class is doing it online by yourself, through another program,” Austin said.
Strength & Conditioning is hiring personal trainers starting Wednesday, March 4. If you’ve got your certification locked in, then this is your chance to lead, coach and build a rapport with your clients. Applications close on Wednesday, March 18, so apply early and kick start your fitness career under Rec Sports.
