Education · 1 of 4

The path

A certification, not a degree. Weeks, not years, if you want it that way.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Physical education, biology and any business course. Get your CPR and first aid.

2. 2

   Pick a route

   Weeks to 4 years

   Fast route: a certification course such as canfitpro's Personal Training Specialist, about 20 hours of self-study plus a class, a theory exam and a live practical exam, both needing 80%. Longer route: a 2-year college diploma in fitness and health promotion, or a kinesiology degree.

3. 3

   Certify

   1 to 3 months

   canfitpro is the most common gym certification. CSEP (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) is the most respected and requires 2 years of related post-secondary study to sit the exam.

4. 4

   Get hired and build clients

   6 to 18 months

   Start at a gym: they hand you leads. Expect a year of hustle before your calendar is full.