New York is a great place to get your Senior Fitness Instructor certification. New York has a large percentage of the population in the New York, Buffalo and Rochester metro areas. We are frequently asked, "How do I get my Senior Fitness Instructor certification in New York?" - or "How do I get my Senior Fitness Instructor certification in New York?" - or, Yonkers, Syracuse, etc. The answer is much the same as it is in the rest of the United States. Of course, there is becoming a Senior Fitness Instructor, and then, there is becoming a successful Senior Fitness Instructor. In this article, we will discuss not only what it takes to become a Senior Fitness Instructor, but what it takes to make a career out of it in New York.
Becoming a Senior Fitness Instructor in New York
Most employers and insurance companies require that you have a nationally accepted certification, an educational background in an exercise-related field or both. Of course, we are biased towards the American Sports & Fitness Association (ASFA) certifications! We do recommend going into your new career choice with a game plan. Check with employers that you might want to work for and ask what they require. Make sure that you meet all the requirements of the certification agency that you have selected (usually age and/or educational, keeping an active CPR certification, passing the certification exam, etc.).
Once you have done your homework on what it takes to be a Senior Fitness Instructor in New York, there might still be some items to consider. First, will you need your own insurance? If so, you need to be sure that you have selected a certification that is partnered with reputable & national insurance companies. For example, ASFA is partnered with multiple insurance companies, including Berxi - a Berkshire Hathaway company. You can find those companies on our Insurance Page. You might also consider your target audience. If you want to train professional athletes in New York, you might need different qualifications than if you are looking to train at an indoor cycling studio or community center in Albany, New Rochelle or Mount Vernon. Either way, you will need to determine the type of training that you excel at, and match it with the niche in your area.
Education and Training Experience
Another path is through formal education. Many colleges offer degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, exercise physiology, human performance, etc. Many employers do require a certification with your degree; however, some employers will not hire you without a degree. Also, your training experience should be relevant and pertinent to your niche market. For example, if you have completed an internship or worked as a Senior Fitness Instructor for a youth community center, you might not have enough relevant experience to work in senior fitness at a senior home. Luckily, there are always pathways for advancement in the fitness industry. We offer certifications from broad to niche and from basic to master level to help accommodate your qualification needs.
Niche Specialties
One of the hardest aspects of starting a successful fitness career in New York is picking the right location and niche market. Many will dream of working with celebrities or professional athletes. While that is possible, it is not how most make their career. What is important is to become the best Senior Fitness Instructor that you can. If you view your job as positively changing people's lives through fitness, you can be a success - no matter who you train. In New York, your options for niche markets are plentiful. You can choose your specialty. And there is a market for each specialty. As a Senior Fitness Instructor, it is important to set realistic goals for both your clients and yourself. Know your audience; and excel in your abilities.
Finding the right niche is about finding both what you are best at and what the community around you needs. Find your niche. Become the best that you can. Then, expand your knowledge.
What to Expect as a Senior Fitness Instructor in New York
You need to know that fitness is a hot industry in New York. You will have competition! You should have a game plan from the start. It's not just about becoming a Senior Fitness Instructor; it's about becoming a successful Senior Fitness Instructor.
After all the above steps about certification, education, and insurance - you will need to know where you want to start your career and how you will plan on specializing in it. One aspect that is rarely mentioned in articles is sales. In an ideal world, clients would always be matched with the right trainers and coaches who specialize in their needs. But, in many gyms - clients are matched with trainers who can sell their services. Sometimes, this creates a competition with your peers. In a place like New York, where the population of fitness professionals is high - you need a strategy to stick out from your peer group. We recommend a basic qualification and then niche, specialty qualifications to differentiate yourself.
Once you have started your career and have some name recognition as a successful Senior Fitness Instructor, you can consider expansion. Whether expanding means working for yourself, starting your own company or gym, or trying to get promoted in your current company - you have numerous opportunities for advancement. To summarize: plan right, choose your location, choose your specialties, do your best and make a name for yourself, then grow your potential! To check out our certifying exam and see if it is right for you, just click the banner below!
