Have a question? To qualify as a personal trainer in Texas, you have to:
- You should be 18 years old at the minimum
- Hold a GED or the equivalent
- Have a current adult CPR/AED Certification
- Become certified through a nationally accredited personal training organization
Personal Trainer Certification Texas
Some of the personal trainer certification options in Texas include:
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA-CPT)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
- National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF-CPT)
- National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)
I recommend you take the quiz to find out which certification will be most helpful for your specific Texas personal trainer career goals.
Personal Trainer Certification Texas Cost
Your choice of certification will largely determine how much you spend to become a personal trainer in Texas, but it can range from $448 to $998. Having a discount or coupon code can further fluctuate the price.
Do you need a license to be a personal trainer in Texas?
Becoming a personal trainer in Texas requires that you hold a nationally accredited certification while having a degree will increase your opportunities.
Personal Trainer Schools in Texas
Your academic and professional qualifications are critical when it comes to personal trainer opportunities in texas. Here are some of the exercise science schools I came across in my research that you might want to consider.
- Abilene Christian University Kinesiology & Nutrition
- Angelo State University Kinesiology
- Austin College Exercise and Sport Science
- Baylor University Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
- Dallas Baptist University Kinesiology
- East Texas Baptist University Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Hardin-Simmons University Athletic Training
- Houston Baptist University Kinesiology
- Houston-Tillotson University Kinesiology Department
- Howard Payne University Department of Kinesiology
- Lamar University Health and Kinesiology
- LeTourneau University Kinesiology
- Lubbock Christian University Exercise and Sport Sciences
- McMurry University Kinesiology
- Midwestern State University Kinesiology
- Our Lady of the Lake University Kinesiology
- Prairie View A&M University Health and Human Performance
- Rice University Kinesiology
- Sam Houston State University Health and Kinesiology
- Schreiner University Exercise Science
- Southwestern Adventist University Kinesiology
- Southwestern University Kinesiology
- St. Edwards University Kinesiology
- St. Mary’s University Exercise and Sport Science
- Stephen F. Austin State University Kinesiology and Health Sciences
- Tarleton State University Kinesiology
- Texas A&M University Department of Health and Kinesiology
- Texas A&M University Commerce Health and Human Performance
- Texas A&M University –Corpus Christi Kinesiology
- Texas A&M University Kingsville Health and Kinesiology
- Texas Christian University Kinesiology
- Texas Lutheran University Kinesiology
- Texas Southern University Health and Kinesiology
- Texas State University – San Marcos Health and Human Performance
- Texas Tech University Kinesiology and Sport Management
- Texas Wesleyan University Kinesiology
- Texas Women’s University Department of Kinesiology
- University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Exercise and Sport Science
- University of North Texas Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation
- University of Texas – Arlington Kinesiology
- University of Texas – Austin Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
- University of Texas at El Paso Kinesiology
- University of Texas at Tyler Health and Kinesiology
- University of Texas of the Permian Basin Kinesiology
- University of Texas-Brownsville Health and Human Performance
- University of Texas-Pan America Health and Kinesiology
- University of Texas-San Antonio Kinesiology, Health, and Nutrition
- University of the Incarnate Word Kinesiology
- Wayland Baptist University Exercise and Sports Science
- West Texas A&M University Sports and Exercise Sciences
If you haven’t yet, be sure to take the quiz and find out the best personal trainer certification for your career.
How Much Do Personal Trainers Make in Texas?
Personal trainers in Texas typically make $65,434 annually, which can vary from $47,203 to $80,383 depending on experience, overall educational and academic qualifications, and other skills that might be helpful to the business. You can see the salary report here.
Make sure to check out the general guide on how to become a personal trainer.
State Fitness Rating
Before we discuss becoming a personal trainer in Houston or any other city in Texas, I’d like us to look at the overall state fitness rating.
This ranking compiled by exercise.com allows us to peer into America’s health status on a state-by-state basis.
How healthy the local population of a state is linked to how healthy and viable the fitness industry is.
The fitness industry’s viability clearly indicates the opportunities and potential success you can expect as a wellness or fitness instructor.
Two key categories are considered when it comes to the state fitness rating.
Those are obesity prevalence and top gyms per capita.
Obesity and overweight are reliable indications of how healthy or health-conscious a population group is.
In the case of a high obesity prevalence, we can conclude that a relatively large portion of the population is not health-conscious. This doesn’t buy into the fitness industry, the same industry you’re a part of.
Texas has such a prevalence, with 33.7% of all Texans being dangerously overweight.
This puts the state in 44th place out of 51, making it one of America’s most obese states.
They did say everything is big in Texas, after all.
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Jokes aside, Texas’s obesity problem means a less than ideal portion of the population invested their money into the same industry that ultimately pays your bills.
However, Texas is one of the biggest states in America.
You would probably have as many prospects as you’d with a healthy state with a far smaller population by sheer numbers.
Now let’s look at top gym access.
Top gyms are identified as popular, mainstream commercial fitness centers.
The type you would typically find dotted around the country.
These facilities are more accessible, easier to use, have a larger capacity, and are the most affordable.
Top gyms include facilities such as:
- Gold’s Gym
- 24 Hour Fitness
- Anytime Fitness
- Crunch Fitness
- LA Fitness
- Orange OrangeTheory Fitness
- Planet Fitness
- Snap Fitness
- YMCA
Texas has 1,409 of these top gyms to a population of 27,862,596.
That means every 100 thousand residents have access to 5.06 gyms.
That’s Texas’s gyms per capita ratio, which ranks 36 out of 51.
With stats like that, Texas might not seem like a great place to work as a fitness instructor, but two things that may change your outlook stand out.
Firstly, Texas is huge when it comes to population size.
Even if the general impression is that people aren’t buying into fitness based on percentage, the sheer number probably eclipses many healthier states.
Another thing is the number of gyms.
While this low ratio might make for a tight squeeze for local Texans, having 1409 gyms really brings your odds up tremendously.
Overall, Texas is ranked 44 out of 51.
Fitness Market Makeup
Personal trainer jobs in Dallas and other cities depend on the size and demand of the market.
With a high obesity prevalence rate, your fitness market will consist of many overweight, sedentary individuals who might not have specific fitness goals rather than lose some weight.
These types of clients require just the fundamentals, including an excellent lead to nutritional coaching.
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Personal Trainer Certifications in Texas
Personal trainer certification in San Antonio and other cities is needed to get a job as a personal trainer in Texas.
Use this as a guide to becoming a certified personal trainer in Texas.
Overall here are my top 2 best personal trainer certificates in Texas.
Ensure all of them when you decide to become a personal trainer in San Antonio and other areas.
Personal Trainer Jobs in Texas
Before you become a personal trainer in Dallas and other cities, a job market review is in order.
With over 1400 commercial gyms around the state, job opportunities won’t be hard to come by, especially if you have a fitness license.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CPR/AED certifications are in high demand in almost every state.
Starting in a gym while offering a relatively low income provides you with security and experience as you begin your career.
As you take on the role of running your own fitness business, your time in one of the large gyms will pay off.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to take the quiz and find out the best personal trainer certification for your career.
Best Cities to Be a Personal Trainer in Texas
Personal trainer jobs in Houston and other cities are all about the numbers.
Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin should be your go-to locations.
All but one has a population of over 1 million residents, with Houston sitting in the 2 million range.
Austin is just shy of 1 million residents.
Fort Worth, El Paso, and Arlington are actually pretty decent despite being eclipsed by the big 3.
| City In Texas | Population |
|---|---|
| Houston | 2,310,432 |
| San Antonio | 1,508,083 |
| Dallas | 1,330,612 |
| Austin | 950,807 |
| Fort Worth | 874,401 |
| El Paso | 679,813 |
| Arlington | 395,477 |
Personal Trainer Salary in Texas
The average annual salary for trainers in Texas is $56,237.
That’s considerably lower than the national average of $61,802, according to salary.com.
Income can only really be measured based on the cost of living.
So let’s take a look at that.
Make sure to check out the full guide on personal trainer salary.
Quality of Life Rating
On your way to becoming a personal trainer in Austin, you’ll also want to consider what living in Texas would be like.
Texas often ranks around the lower half out of all states regarding the quality of life; while it has a vast economy, Texas struggles with crime and health care.
However, Texas has the cost of living below the national average.
Overall, I’ll give Texas a 7 out of 10 quality of life rating.
Methodology
I approached this review based on carefully curated facts and figures and my final verdict was based on the following:
- The population of the state and its major cities.
- The obesity figures as compared with other states.
- Personal trainer certifications are obtainable.
- Availability of personal training schools & colleges.
- Career prospects for personal trainers.
- Earning potential for certified PTs.
- Quality of Life (QoL).
Final Words on How to Become a Personal Trainer in Texas
While Texas indicates a health and fitness industry with limited engagement, this is based on proportions.
The overall numbers show a viable market and great potential for opportunities.
Getting your qualifications and personal trainer certification in Austin and other cities also presents numerous opportunities.
However, you may require a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite to enroll in most NCCA accredited personal trainer programs.
FAQs on How to Become a Personal Trainer in Texas
Do you have to be certified to be a personal trainer?
There is nothing set in stone about personal trainer education requirements.
But if you wish to be one of the best personal trainers in Houston, you should have at least a fitness trainer certification to stand out.
How long does it take to become a certified personal trainer?
Some personal training certifications can take as little as 3 months to complete, while others will take up to 2 years.
Generally, the time it takes to obtain your certified personal trainer certification online depends on the program design.
What is the best certification for a personal trainer?
Most gyms accept NASM, the American Council on Education(ACE), ISSA, the American college of sports medicine (ACSM), the national strength and conditioning association (NSCA), NCPT, and NCSF.
All these fitness certificate programs are nationally recognized and accredited by either the NCCA or the DEAC.
How much do personal trainers make in Texas?
Texas fitness trainer salary is $56,237 on average.
Salaries of personal trainers may differ from city to city and from specialty to specialty.
For example, according to payscale.com, the kinesiology average salary in Houston is $51,456, which is lower than the state average for PTs.
Can you get a personal trainer certification online?
Yes, and it will most likely reduce your personal trainer certification cost.
In fact, you can earn an online personal trainer certificate from most of the top certification providers and become a full-fledged Texas fitness instructor in no time.
Which online personal trainer certification is best?
I would say the best online personal training certification is ISSA.
ISSA offers everything online, including the curriculum as well as taking the certification exam online.
The other certifications only offer an online personal trainer course curriculum but you need to go into a facility to take their test.
References
https://www.exercise.com/learn/ten-fittest-states-in-the-us/
https://www.americankinesiology.org/SubPages/Pages/Kinesiology%20Institution%20Database
Tyler Read
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