What Do Strength Trainers Do?

Key takeaways

A strength trainer tailors goal-oriented exercises that support improvements in athletic performance, fitness, or health while promoting safety.

• Fitness trainers and instructors, such as strength trainers, earn a median annual wage of $46,180, with the top 10 percent earning more than $82,050 [1, 2].

• Skilled in anatomy, kinesiology, and performance science, strength trainers help athletes and clients safely maximize their strength and endurance.

• You can begin a career as a strength trainer by actively looking for learning opportunities, mentorships, or hands-on experience in the fitness field.

Gain the expertise you need to help clients make long-lasting lifestyle adjustments with the NASM Personal Fitness Trainer Professional Certificate. In as little as two months, you can learn exercise science principles and their impact on fitness goals, while developing personalized programs for clients and inspiring healthy change.

What is a strength coach? Job description of a strength trainer 

A strength trainer works with individuals or groups on strength training techniques, like proper form, and creates fitness or exercise plans and programs to help a person reach specific athletic or sports goals. In essence, the role of a strength trainer is to support a person in whatever their fitness and movement goals may be while avoiding injury. As an overall approach to health and fitness, strength trainers often provide workout tips and lifestyle advice to help people reach their goals. 

Strength trainers may work one-on-one with a client out of a gym or at home, lead group fitness classes, or work as part of an athletic team or a school’s strength and conditioning program. Some strength trainers are called fitness instructors, fitness trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, or strength and conditioning trainers. These titles are often used interchangeably, with slight variations in the duties and responsibilities of each job title. 

What does a strength and conditioning coach do?

A few duties and responsibilities of a strength trainer can include:

• Monitoring the progress of a client or athlete and tracking changes

• Making fitness and lifestyle suggestions to help clients reach goals

• Assisting in goal setting

• Offering motivation when needed

• Providing nutrition and lifestyle advice

• Providing basic first aid care if needed, or knowing when to call for emergency help

• Referring clients to specialists who can help with sports-related injuries, such as chiropractors or physical therapists

• Creating specific workout plans that are evidence-based and effective

• Teaching group fitness or weight training classes

• Working one-on-one with individuals to assist in weight training routines

• Teaching individuals how to use specific gym/exercise equipment

• Making suggestions to athletes to improve performance

• Modeling workout techniques for injury prevention

• Leading athletes in training exercises

Depending upon where you work as a strength trainer, you may also be in charge of a strength and conditioning program for a school or other organization. If you work at a school or for an athletic team, you will likely work with athletic directors or support staff within an athletic program, along with athletes. Your day-to-day duties may look different than if you worked for a gym or out of a home gym. 

What skills does a strength trainer need? 

Effective communication skills are essential for strength trainers since you may work closely with clients. You’ll need to be able to both listen to your clients and offer supportive and helpful responses to their needs. A few other personal skills that can be very beneficial to someone working as a strength trainer are:

• Empathy

• Motivation

• Customer service skills

• Public speaking when working with groups

• Enthusiasm

• Problem-solving

• Creativity

• Multitasking

• Ability to take initiative

The technical skills of an effective strength trainer are equally important to help your clients prevent injury. This requires an understanding of human anatomy, how muscles grow and change, and the overall dynamics of strength training. A few technical skills you’ll need are:

• AED/CPR training

• First aid training

• Knowledge of current trends in the fitness industry

• The ability to compose and create effective workout routines

• Knowledge of exercise physiology and kinesiology 

What qualifications are needed to work as a strength trainer?

You will likely need training and certification to work as a strength trainer. You may need educational requirements like a bachelor’s or master’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field. CPR and AED training certification is a requirement of most employers.

Many certifications specifically for strength and conditioning coaches require a bachelor’s degree or a current bachelor’s degree program to be eligible for national certifications. Personal training certifications typically only require a high school diploma or GED.

What is a CSCS certification? Certification options for strength trainers

To become a registered strength and conditioning coach, which is a requirement by most colleges and sports teams, you can earn your Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). The Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) also offers other certification options. These are the Strength and Conditioning Certified Certification (SCCC) and the Master Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification (MSCC).

Strength trainers have other certification options if you want to focus more on fitness training, which would involve teaching group classes or working one-on-one in a gym or home setting. A few options include the National Strength and Conditioning Association-Certified Personal Trainers (NSCA-CPT) certification, the ACE personal trainer or group fitness instructor certification, and the ISSA-certified personal trainer certification. These certifications are specifically designed for personal trainers, which may or may not be a good choice for strength trainers depending on where they want to work.

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) offers certifications for strength coaches, personal trainers, sports nutritionists, and master trainers. Earning one of these certifications can qualify you as a registered personal trainer, a certified strength trainer or master trainer, or a sports nutrition specialist. This organization would be a good choice for someone who may want to work in various environments as a trainer. 

What is the difference between a personal trainer and a strength coach?

While personal trainers typically support general fitness clients in settings like gyms and private studios, strength coaches tend to focus on athletic performance in universities or a professional athletic environment. They also differ in other key areas, including:

• Program design: Strength coaches employ structured, sport-specific programming to improve athletic performance, whereas trainers develop general fitness regimens to help with weight management and overall health.

• Education and certification: Personal trainers can be certified by NASM, ACE, or ISSA, while strength coaches typically hold degrees in exercise science and certifications like CSCS.

• Training pathways: Before completing the necessary training hours, personal trainers usually start out working under supervision. Strength trainers, meanwhile, often start their careers as assistants or interns to gain practical experience in athletic environments.

Where can a strength trainer work? 

A strength trainer can work in many different settings, from the sidelines of a football field to a private gym. It depends on factors like your specific job title, credentials, education, and the overall role the organization or business hires you for. 

Gym 

Gyms may hire strength trainers to work more as personal trainers, working one-on-one with clients or teaching conditioning classes in a small group setting. Depending on the gym, your role as a strength trainer will vary. You may work with a team of other strength trainers, personal trainers, or conditioning coaches to create classes, workout plans, and other resources. Alternatively, you may create workout plans for individuals based on their goals and work with them to monitor their progress. Part of your job at a gym would also involve onboarding clients new to the gym and helping them set goals based on their needs. You will likely need certification in personal training or strength and conditioning to work at a gym. Experience is a perk, but some gyms hire trainers right out of school or after gaining certification. 

Client homes

Strength trainers may train clients out of home gyms. In this work environment, strength trainers can work one-on-one with clients, training them on the proper use of equipment, guiding them through workout programs, and offering tips on form and technique. Freelance strength trainers or trainer entrepreneurs will typically provide this service. This option requires some traveling, and the equipment may limit you at a client’s home, but it’s a great way to work closely with clients or even athletes to help them meet goals. 

Group fitness facilities 

Group fitness facilities typically offer boot camp-style classes that combine cardio and strength training. Strength trainers at group fitness facilities may work more as group fitness instructors. You will likely be offering form cues and monitoring your client's progress, providing alternative exercises based on need, and training individuals on the proper use of various equipment.

Schools or athletic organizations

Schools and athletic organizations rely on strength trainers to help athletes prevent injury, improve performance, and boost endurance. In this role, strength trainers are typically called strength and conditioning coaches. Certification is required for this position, as is a bachelor’s degree. You may work one-on-one with athletes, an entire team, or other coaches and trainers to develop workout routines and programs.

As a trainer, you may work with a specific population, like children or the elderly. If you want to specialize in a particular population, such as young athletes, consider enrolling in an online course or specialization. The Science of Training Young Athletes and The Science of Training Young Athletes Part 2 are courses you can take on Coursera. These courses can provide helpful tips for anyone who wants to work in schools, summer camps, or rec centers as a trainer for young children.

Freelance training 

As a strength trainer, you also have the option to work as a freelance trainer or run your own training business. Social media sites like Instagram and TikTok have made it possible to gain an online following where you can provide strength training programming tips and services to gain clients or build a reputation as an effective trainer. 

Strength coach and trainers' salary and job outlook information 

Fitness trainers and instructors earn a median wage of $46,180 a year, or about $22.20 an hour, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. The lowest 10 percent of all earners make $27,580 or less annually, while the top 10 percent earn $82,050 or more as of May 2024 [2]. Of the most common employers of fitness trainers and instructors, the top-paying are the government, fitness and recreational sports centers, and civil or social organizations [2].

The BLS projects an impressive 12 percent growth rate for strength trainers between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than average for most careers [3]. In the upcoming decade, the BLS estimates that an average of 74,200 jobs will be open each year in the fitness training and instruction field [1]. A few reasons for this high growth rate include the need to replace those who shift to other careers or retire.

Read more: What Do Health Care Jobs Pay? Salaries, Job List, and More

Other career paths a strength trainer may pursue 

You may also have opportunities to move into other careers within the fitness industry if you have a degree in exercise science or certification in a related field.

Consider these possible career paths:

• Work as a personal trainer at a gym, take on more leadership roles, and gain experience, then apply for a position as a gym manager.

• Work as a personal trainer or strength trainer, either as a freelancer or in a gym, gain clients and experience, earn your certified nutrition coach certification (NASM-CNC), and work as a nutrition coach. If you want to work as a dietician, you’ll also need to earn your bachelor’s degree.

• Work as a strength and conditioning coach for a school or athletic organization, earn your master’s degree in kinesiology, and become an exercise physiologist.

Some trainers may also move industries entirely and work as professors or in the sales or marketing department for an exercise equipment company or a gym. 

Personal trainer 

A personal trainer designs safe and effective workout programming for individuals and groups, typically in a fitness center or gym setting. Some personal trainers may work out of clients' homes or their own. Personal trainers help people reach fitness goals, which may include changes in weight, body composition, or improved endurance in everyday tasks. Like similar careers in health and fitness, personal trainers should be AED and CPR certified. Most personal trainers only need a certification, not a degree. A few popular personal training certifications are the ACE personal trainer certification, ISSA’s personal trainer certification, and NASM’s certification for personal trainers. 

Bodybuilding trainer 

Are you wondering what the difference is between a strength trainer and a bodybuilder? Bodybuilder trainers work one-on-one with individuals who want to gain strength and cut fat, sometimes in preparation for a bodybuilding competition. A few duties of a bodybuilding trainer include:

• Designing research-based, evidence-based workout programming to gain muscle and build the physique

• Providing muscle-building nutrition plans

• Providing accountability and motivation

• Creating goal-based timelines to monitor progress and help clients reach their goals

These coaches are usually certified or receive specialist certifications. A few certification options include the certified bodybuilding specialist offered by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) or the competitive bodybuilding training certification offered by the American Sports and Fitness Association (ASFA).

Read more: What Is a Health Coach? Benefits, Salary, and How to Become One

Stay in the loop on career trends and tips with our free resources

If you’re considering a career in the field of fitness or another area, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to learn more about trending topics across industries. Or, explore our free digital resources to guide you on your journey.

• Watch on YouTube: AI Quick Tip: Optimizing Your Workout Routine

• Take a career quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Read later: How to upskill for professional growth

Drive your future career forward with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll gain access to over 10,000 courses—just check the course page to make sure your selection is included.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial