How to Become a Personal Trainer

If you’re passionate about fitness and helping others, becoming a personal trainer can be a rewarding and flexible career. I’m Stephen Barry, co-founder and Director of Max International Fitness College, and one of the most common questions I get is: “How do I become a personal trainer?”

The good news is, it’s not as hard or time-consuming as you might think. In just a few months, you could be qualified, registered, and ready to start training clients.

In this guide, I’ll cover:

• The fastest way to become a personal trainer
• What qualifications you need in New Zealand and Australia
• How long it takes
• Career opportunities, earning potential, and common challenges
• Tips for choosing the best personal trainer course

By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to launching your fitness career.

Why Become a Personal Trainer?

Personal training is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle career that gives you freedom and impact.

Benefits of becoming a personal trainer include:

• Flexible hours (full-time, part-time, or side hustle).
• The ability to work anywhere: gym, home studio, outdoors, or online.
• Real purpose: helping clients improve their health and confidence.
• Strong earning potential: many NZ trainers charge $50-$100 per hour.

In New Zealand, around 28% of adults already pay for personal training.
Demand is growing in Australia too, so the market is strong.

Is It Hard to Become a Personal Trainer?

No. Unlike careers that require years of university study, you can get certified as a personal trainer in just a few months.

You don’t need to be an elite athlete or a science whizz, you just need a genuine interest in fitness and the willingness to learn. Trainers come from all backgrounds, ages, and body types. The average age of a trainer is 40, and many start in their 50s or later.

Steps to become a personal trainer:

1. Choose an accredited NZQA or ASQA approved course.
2. Complete study (4–6 months full-time or self-paced online).
3. Register with reps.org.nz or AUSactive.
4. Start training clients and building your career.

 

What Qualifications Do You Need?

New Zealand

• NZ Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) - entry-level PT qualification.
• NZ Certificate in Exercise (Level 5) - advanced knowledge.
• REPs registration is required for most gyms.

Australia

• Certificate III in Fitness - qualifies you as a gym or group instructor.
• Certificate IV in Fitness - qualifies you as a personal trainer.
• Regulated by ASQA; registration available through Fitness Australia.

International recognition:

Max International delivers training programs for both New Zealand and Australian qualifications, accredited by NZQA and ASQA, and recognised worldwide.

What's The Best Way To Become A Personal Trainer

You need to get certified as a personal trainer, but not all PT courses are equal. Here’s what to look for when choosing the best personal trainer course:

• Accreditation & Recognition - must be NZQA or ASQA approved and REPs or AUSactive recognised.
• Comprehensive Curriculum - covers exercise science, program design, nutrition, and client skills.
• Experienced Instructors - trainers with real industry experience, not just theory.
• Business & Career Skills - marketing, client retention, finance (vital for long-term success).
• Flexible Study Options - online, part-time, or self-paced if needed.
  Strong Reputation & Reviews - proven outcomes from past students.
• Red flags - cheap courses with no accreditation, or promises of “guaranteed income” overnight.

How Long Does It Take to Get Qualified?

Most people complete their personal trainer course in 4–6 months of full-time study.

• Fastest path: on-campus or intensive programs (about 16 weeks).
• Flexible path: online or part-time, spread over 8–12 months.

At Max, our students often qualify within 8 -12 months, but we also support those who need longer. The key is flexibility,  you can go as fast or as steady as your lifestyle allows.

 

Is It Hard Being A Personal Trainer?

Being a personal trainer is rewarding but not without challenges.

The upsides:

• You’ll have a varied, active, and social career.
• Seeing clients achieve results is hugely motivating.
• Freedom to build your own business or specialise in a niche.

The challenges:

• Early mornings and late evenings (until you set boundaries).
• Building a client base takes marketing and persistence.
• Many new trainers struggle with the business side (sales, pricing, retention).

Pro Tip: Choose a course that includes business training because most new trainers fail not on the gym floor but in running their own business.

Am I Too Old to Become a Personal Trainer?

Absolutely not. There’s no age limit and many trainers start in their 40s, 50s, or even older.

Why older age can be an advantage:

• Older trainers can connect better with mature clients.
• Life experience equals empathy, patience, and relatability.
• The fitness industry values diversity.

If you’re passionate, healthy, and able to demonstrate exercises safely, you can thrive as a personal trainer at any age.

What’s The Fastest Way To Become A Personal Trainer?

Becoming a personal trainer is achievable in months, not years. With the right course and experienced mentors, you’ll gain the knowledge, confidence, and credentials to succeed.

Ready to Start Your Fitness Career?

We’ll help you go from passion to profession, with mentoring, flexibility, and business support every step of the way.

Contact Max International Fitness College to explore our Certificate and Diploma programs in NZ and Australia.