Get the Skills to Become a Fitness Training Professional

A man in a gym swinging heavy ropes — Train to become a NASM Certified Personal Trainer

7 Month^* Fitness Training Certificate Program in Kansas City, MO

Transform your passion for fitness into an exciting new career as a Personal Trainer! WellSpring School of Allied Health’s focused Fitness Training Certificate Program, which offers personal training certification in Kansas City, MO, gives you the hands-on training and mentorship it takes to become a top-tier NASM Certified Personal Trainer.

Become a Qualified Personal Trainer

WellSpring’s Fitness Training Certificate Program is designed and run by industry professionals who know exactly what it takes to succeed in today’s fitness market. You’ll receive hands-on guided instruction in a wide range of fitness modalities, including:

Exercise Science Basics
Anatomy & Biomechanics
Introductory Fitness Training
Program Design & Counselling Strategies
Special Populations
Kettlebell Training
Endurance Training
Advanced Training Techniques
Business Skills/Fitness Center Operations
Corrective Exercise Training

Beyond fitness education, you’ll get extensive training in general wellness and other longevity enhancement practices to empower you to help clients across many wellness dimensions in their quest for optimal health.

Get Certified

National academy of Sports Medicine logo Certification, while not mandatory, has become the measure of a Personal Trainer’s value in the marketplace. The more training you have, the more potential you have to earn more and move ahead more quickly.

Different kinds of certifications exist. The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is recognized by most national fitness clubs as the gold standard in personal fitness training and is the chosen certification partner of WellSpring. NASM-certified personal trainers are reported to earn as much as 43% more than the average trainer.

Graduates of WellSpring’s Fitness Training Certificate Program are equipped to sit for these two NASM certifications:

The Certified Personal Trainer exam
Corrective Exercise Specialist exam

Is a Rewarding Career in Fitness Training Right for You? Take the Wellspring "Fitness Career Training Readiness Quiz"

This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Fitness Career Training Readiness score now!

Get Hands-On Training & Real World Experience

As a WellSpring personal training student, you’ll receive hands-on instruction within the interactive and supportive learning environment of our Kansas City and Lawrence branches. You’ll also develop your skills helping actual clients during a professional externship in a real fitness setting.

With a blend of technical knowledge and practical real-world experience, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to accurately assess fitness and sports performance clients and to design effective training programs to enable them to meet their goals.

Help Others Achieve Optimum Health & Fitness

At the core of the WellSpring Fitness Training Certificate Program is the exclusive evidence-based Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model developed by Dr. Michael Clark, a physical therapist for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

Dr. Clark’s model integrates the latest information available in all areas of health and wellness, including:

Exercise Program Design
Athletic Performance Consulting
Physical Assessment
Business Systems Education

And More!

Best of all, it works just as effectively for family fitness training as it does for elite professional athletes.

Convenient Daytime or Evening Classes

WellSpring’s Fitness Training Certificate Program offers both an accelerated daytime schedule and a more flexible evening and weekend schedule, so you can balance your career training with family, work, and other responsibilities. With classes just 2-3 days per week and a low student/instructor ratio, our program maximizes personal attention and success.

Daytime: The Daytime program meets two to three days a week from 8:30am to 5:30pm and some Fridays depending on the different modules. This program is completed in 7 months^*.

Evening & Weekend: The Evening & Weekend program meets two to three evenings per week and some weekends depending on the different modules. Weekend schedule and hours may vary. This program is completed in 11 months^*.

Embark on a Rewarding Career

With health club usage at an all-time high, the benefits of working with a certified personal trainer are recognized now more than ever before. Successful graduates of the Fitness Training Certificate Program are prepared for careers in top health clubs, fitness centers, YMCAs, and corporate facilities, as well as private practice.

Many graduates use this training to complement other training and certifications such as massage therapy, physical therapy, athletic training, or chiropractic.

“I realized from talking with other women that there was an opportunity for “older” trainers to work with women who might be intimidated or uncomfortable in the big gym atmosphere. I decided to attend WellSpring and so set out on a new adventure to learn how to help others enjoy the same benefits of exercise that I have experienced. After graduating with CPT and CEX (Corrective Exercise) credentials in December of 2010 I started my own business, HEAL Fitness, LLC and have been enjoying the journey ever since.”
– Teri Schrader, Personal Trainer & Corrective Exercise Specialist Graduate

Broaden Your Career Opportunities with an Associate Degree

Being able to offer a wider range of services can open up more career avenues. In addition to the Fitness Training Certificate Program, WellSpring also offers a comprehensive Fitness & Nutrition Coaching Degree (AOS) Program.

The “Total Fitness Coaching Model” taught in this program gives you the skills to incorporate fitness training, nutrition counseling and lifestyle coaching into a complete package for your clients and offer services that other trainers simply aren’t equipped to deliver. See how you can get a competitive edge and take your coaching services to the next level.

Click here for more information on the Fitness & Nutrition Coaching Degree (AOS) Program.

Continuous Career Support

At WellSpring, we know wellness training is about more than a certificate to hang on the wall—it’s about getting a career you love. We’re dedicated to supporting you throughout your career. Experienced Career Services professionals are happy to offer support and help you pursue employment opportunities.

Fitness Training

7-Month Certificate

14% Job Growth Over Next 10 Years***
Graduates hired by health clubs, spas, & private training studios
2 Certification Tracks (NASM)
Advance into Recreational Therapy, Fitness Management, Physical Therapy and much more!

***Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fitness Trainers and Instructors, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm (visited January 22, 2025).

Financial Aid

At WellSpring School of Allied Health, we offer a variety of funding options to help make training possible for students. Student aid and scholarship opportunities, including government funding, is available at our Kansas City, MO, Springfield, MO and Lawrence, KS campuses. Sit down with one of our Financial Aid advisors today.

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

Is a Rewarding Career in Fitness Training Right for You? Get More Info…

Discover whether a career as a certified Personal Trainer is the right path for you. Fill out the form on this page to receive more information. A helpful WellSpring Admissions Representative can answer all your questions and help you with everything from scheduling to financial aid.

For immediate questions, call us at 1-816-523-9140

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you get a fitness trainer certificate?

Obtaining a fitness trainer certificate involves the following steps:

Meet Basic Requirements – To begin, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements. These usually include being at least 18 years old and having a high school diploma or equivalent.
Choose a Certificate Program – Enroll in a fitness training program, such as WellSpring’s Fitness Training Certificate Program. Research each program you’re interested in to determine which one aligns best with your career goals and training philosophy.
Study for the Exam – Once you’ve chosen a program, you’ll need to prepare for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification exam. Graduates of WellSpring’s Fitness Training Certificate Program are prepared to sit for 2 NASM certifications
Take the Exam – The certification exam is typically a multiple-choice test that covers the material in the study guide. Some exams are administered online, while others are taken at a testing center.
Maintain Your Certification – After you’ve passed the exam and earned your certification, you’ll need to maintain it by completing continuing education units (CEUs) and renewing your certification every few years. The exact requirements vary by organization.

What topics are covered in WellSpring’s fitness training certificate program?

WellSpring’s fitness training certificate program covers a wide range of topics to provide a comprehensive understanding of physical fitness, health, and wellness. Topics include:

Anatomy & Biomechanics
Exercise Science
Fitness Assessment
Training Techniques
Program Design & Counselling Strategies
Business Skills/Fitness Center Operations

How does a fitness trainer certificate enhance your career opportunities?

A fitness trainer certificate can significantly enhance your career opportunities in several ways:

Credibility and Recognition – Being certified by a reputable organization demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective fitness training. It can give you credibility in the eyes of potential clients and employers.
Increased Job Opportunities – Many fitness facilities require personal trainers to have a certification. Having a certificate can open up a wider range of job opportunities in gyms, health clubs, community centers, and other fitness facilities.
Professional Development – The process of earning and maintaining a certification requires continuous learning and professional development. This can help you stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in fitness training.
Self-Employment Opportunities – If you’re interested in starting your own personal training business, having a certification can give you the credibility and knowledge you need to be successful.

: What is the career outlook for certified fitness trainers?

The career outlook for certified fitness trainers is generally positive, with growth expected in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations**.

**Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm#tab-6

: Why is WellSpring the best choice for earning your fitness trainer certificate?

As a student in WellSpring’s fitness trainer certificate program, you’ll learn hands-on in a specialized fitness training environment under the careful guidance of experienced fitness, nutrition and wellness experts. Not only will you pick up skills more quickly, but you can be certain you’ve got the proper form and expertise to keep you and your future clients safe.

*Program length when completed in normal time.