844.520.6993

How to Become a Personal Trainer in Virginia

Table of Contents
Two women wearing black activewear doing push-ups on a wooden box in a gym.
Virginia Silhouette

Heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Virginia and across the U.S., and physical activity continues to be one of the best ways to prevent it! If you’re interested in a more active career or one where you help your community become more active, personal training could be for you!

To work as a personal trainer in Virginia, you need:

  • To be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED
  • A current CPR/AED* certification
  • A recognized personal trainer certification
  • Liability insurance

*Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

While these are not all official legal requirements, they are the accepted industry standards. Equipping yourself with these credentials increases your trustworthiness and appeal to clients and gyms in Virginia.

Age Requirements for Personal Trainers

You need to be at least 18 years old to become a personal trainer in Virginia. This is mostly because you need to be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for the certifying exam.

A personal trainer in a gray sweatshirt working with a client wearing black athletic clothes and a long braid, exercising in an outdoor field with a light blue sky.

Learn CPR and AED Certification Requirements in Virginia

Personal trainers in Virginia typically need an adult CPR/AED certification. Most programs require this certification before you can take the final exam.*

Depending on individual gyms’ policies, you may also need child and infant CPR and/or first aid credentials. These are often provided by the same organizations as the standard adult CPR class, like The American Red Cross.

CPR training is offered online, in a classroom, or in hybrid settings. However, trainer certification agencies usually require a hands-on evaluation via an in-person or blended course.

For further information about CPR/AED training and where to find a class, check out:

*The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) states that all personal trainer certifying bodies accredited by the NCCA must require CPR/AED certification.

Additional Education

College degrees are not required for most entry-level personal trainer jobs. However, higher education in fields like exercise science or kinesiology may help qualify you for advanced management, directory, or specialty positions.

You can also pursue additional certificates and niches through continuing education courses to help you stand out in Virginia’s health and fitness job market.

Some higher education programs in Virginia include:

Explore Personal Trainer Certifications in Virginia

Many gyms, studios, and other fitness centers prefer to hire personal trainers with certifications from an NCCA-accredited program. Most recognized certified personal trainer (CPT) programs have this accreditation.

Pro Tip: Some CPT programs have an open-book or remote exam option. These exams are typically not NCCA-accredited, and therefore may not be accepted at all fitness facilities.

Some of the most common personal trainer certifications in Virginia include:

  • National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
  • American Council on Exercise (ACE)
  • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

To find the best course for you, check out our review of popular CPT programs.

An athletic woman in a blue shirt flips a large tire while her trainer cheers her on in the background.

Get Virginia Personal Trainer Liability Insurance

Like in most states, individual trainers are typically responsible for obtaining liability insurance in Virginia.

Some larger gyms may cover your work under their insurance if you’re a W2 employee. However, the company often still requires you to have your own liability policy.

Suppose you’re self-employed or hired as an independent contractor. In that case, you’ll need your own personal trainer liability insurance to help protect you from expensive claims involving accidents, injuries, and other claims like these.

Get Covered Today
For as low as

$15/Month

Fast Facts About Personal Training in Virginia

  • Personal trainer pay in Virginia averages $29.08 per hour. Some of the highest-paying areas include*:

    • Arlington: $33 per hour

    • Fairfax: $29.98 per hour

    • Richmond: $29 per hour

  • Average cost Virginia personal trainers pay with Insurance Canopy: $16.02/month

  • If you have three or more full or part-time employees, you may be required to carry workers compensation insurance**

*From ZipRecruiter
**Insurance Canopy offers workers’ compensation insurance as separate coverage! Get a free quote here.

FAQs About Personal Trainer Certification in Virginia

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer in Virginia?

It will likely cost between $400 and $1,000 (depending on the course) for the course itself, study materials, the final exam, and CPR/AED classes.

Anywhere between one and eight months, depending on how much time you have to study each day. Most programs range from 3 to 6 months.

 

Beyond applying to jobs online, leverage your network and talk with local studios, gyms, community centers, and other fitness facilities.

Chain or big box gyms:

Local and/or municipal locations:

  • Senior centers
  • Community centers
  • Retirement communities
  • Corporate wellness programs

Boutique studios, independent gyms, and others like:

Get Covered With

Personal Trainer Insurance

Policies Starting at

$15

per month

About the Author

Get Covered With

Personal Trainer Insurance

Policies Starting at

$15

per month

Related Articles