Personal Trainer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness (5254) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation and Sport (F154) 
• 2011 NOC: Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (5254) 
• 2016 NOC: Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (5254) 

Personal trainers work closely with each client to build a positive working relationship. They may meet daily, weekly, or monthly to suit the level of training requested. One-on-one training sessions vary depending on the client’s goals and the amount of coaching or demonstration needed. Personal trainers may work with the general public or with a specific group. For example, they may work with seniors, elite athletes, obese adults without health complications, or persons with disabilities.

Personal trainers apply their knowledge of human anatomy and exercise principles to developing and evaluating clients’ fitness programs.

In general, personal trainers:

• Perform a fitness assessment to ascertain client needs, abilities, and goals
• Measure body composition, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, joint flexibility, and postural alignment (which may include taking blood pressure, heart rate, and heart recovery rate)
• Develop personal exercise plans
• Demonstrate correct exercise techniques and proper use of equipment
• Teach proper breathing techniques
• Monitor client progress and adapt programs as needed
• Demonstrate safety in all aspects of planning and delivery of programs, with an emphasis on preventing and managing injuries
• Provide resources about nutrition, healthy living, and physical activity

Personal trainers who work for fitness facilities may also:

• Record member information
• Promote the facility through membership sales
• Teach and demonstrate correct use of equipment, such as treadmills and weight machines
• Clean and maintain equipment
• Advise clients about proper clothing and shoes
• Lead or help with workshops and information sessions

Personal trainers work in various settings. They may meet clients at fitness facilities or in the clients’ homes. Clients may provide their own fitness equipment, or the trainer may supply it.

The work is physically and mentally demanding, and requires regular cardiovascular performance. Trainers must ensure clients do exercises correctly and safely to prevent injury. They are often required to lift weights or other heavy items.

Early-morning, noon-hour, evening, and weekend work is common. Personal trainers spend considerable time preparing for client sessions and revising training plans.

Personal trainers may be self-employed or work for:

• Private fitness facilities
• Public leisure centres
• Municipal recreation centres
• YMCAs and YWCAs
• Large corporations
• Resorts and hotels
• Post-secondary schools

Personal trainers who work for fitness facilities may move into supervisory or management positions. For more information, see the Recreation Co-ordinator and Recreation and Sport Administrator occupational profiles.

Advancement for self-employed personal trainers generally takes the form of building a larger client base. Entrepreneurial and business management skills are assets.

Personal trainers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5254: Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport and fitness. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Information, Culture and Recreation [pdf]
• Educational Services [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the industries listed above
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the 5254: Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 270 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA) and Provincial Fitness Unit website: www.provincialfitnessunit.ca

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP): www.csep.ca

National Fitness Leadership Association (NFLA) of Canada website: www.nflacanada.ca

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): www.nsca.com

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