How to become a Personal Trainer in Singapore
Planning to expand your passion for health and fitness into a career in Personal Training? This is a fulfilling and rewarding job if you’re someone who is passionate about helping others reach their fitness goals and feel good in their bodies. The fitness industry is vibrant and booming, with the adoption of personal fitness trainer services likely to rise at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2032. Becoming a personal trainer can definitely be a promising career, but before you dive in, here are 3 basic steps you can take to launch your PT career.
Get CertifiedThe first order of business would be to obtain a form of personal training certification.Some well-known certifications include:
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- Federation of International Sports, Aerobics and Fitness (FISAF)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)Keep an eye out for the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation. This board accredits personal trainer programmes to ensure they are of a certain standard. Many reputable certifications such as ACE are accredited by NCCA.Where to get certifiedInstituteDurationCostSubsidiesNCSF SingaporeCourse Duration: 2 days12.00 pm - 5.30 pmExam: ACE ExamExam is a 150-question MCQ examination that is done online at your own convenience.Participants have 6 months from registration to complete the exam. Passing rate is high for participants in Singapore.NCSF is also one of the more budget-friendly certifications.
- Exam: S$299
- Home Study + Exam/ Home Study + Package: S$549
- Workshop Course + Exam: S$549
- Workshop + package: S$599SkillsFutureFee Claimable: $700 | Claim Period: Expires 21 Jan 2025All Singaporeans aged 25 and above can claim up to $700 SkillsFuture Credit from the government to pay for this approved skills-related course.NTUC UTAPAll NTUC Members are able to claim up to 50% of unfunded fees (up to $250 for <40 years old, up to $500 for >40 years old).PSB AcademyACE CPT CourseCourse Duration: 4 daysIntakes: March, June, SeptemberTotal Course Fee: S$1,296.00
- Application Fee: S$130.00
- ACE Exam Fee: S$600.00
- CPR-AED Fee: S$65.00**CPR-AED Fee is only applicable for students who do not have a valid CPR-AED CertificationEligible for NTUC UTAP claimsInternational Sports AcademyCourse Duration: 50 hours over 3+ months/ 29 hours over 4 months (Independent Online)
- 11 x Lessons Theory and Practical), delivered Live
- 3 x Tutorials, delivered via Zoom
- 10 hours of Essentials of Exercise Science for Fitness Instructors (Complimentary), delivered via ZoomNext Intake: 15 Dec 2022 - 17 March 2023Exams:
- ISA Theory Exam (150 questions), delivered via ISA Online Portal & Zoom (to prepare for ACE Examination and for practice)
- ACE Examination for Personal Trainers, to be taken at External Examination Site (150 MCQs in 3 hours, score of 500/800 to pass and be a Certified Personal Trainer)Total Course Fee: S$ 2198.85/ S$1,500 course and exam fees (Independent Online)Eligible for SkillsFuture & UTAP claimsSpecial ISA discounts:
- Register with a friend and receive a discount of S$53.50 per person
- Register in a group of 4 or more and receive a discount of S$107.00 per personFitAsia – Personal Trainer Development Program(ACE Education Partner)Course Duration: 9 days over 2 months 9 am - 5/6 pmNext Intake: January - February 2023Exam: ACE ExamOne of the highest passing rate among local academies with a 90% success (first attempt) in 2022
- S$2750 Super Early Bird (until 13 November 2022)
- S$2850 Early Bird (until 11 December 2022)
- S$2950 RegularEligible for SkillsFuture & UTAP claimsACECourse Duration: 80 - 100 hours (3 - 4 months)US$649 (S$893) course and exam feesNoISSA (Online)Course Duration: 12 months or less (approx 41 hours) (Online self-paced content)Exam:
- Submission of all course quizzes
- A score of 75% or better on all sections of the final examinationUS$688 - 888No
Getting started – Locations
Choosing the right location for your PT business is essential for its success. Fortunately, as a freelance trainer, you can afford more luxury of deciding where you would like to hold training sessions. Explore different gyms and studio rental options while considering their accessibility, price and amenities available.Private gymThe Gym Pod
- Pay-per-use or monthly plan
- 42 pods$7.50 - $9.50 (per pax) per 30 min sessionGyms that allow access to their facilities for freelance PT sessionsiGym
- Booking required
- 2 locations$6 per entry per paxMAX OUT Fitness$15-$30 per hour slotHybrid FitnessEnquire for priceUnstoppable Fitness$15-$20 per sessionPlatinum FitnessEnquire for priceCore Collective
- 4 locationsFrom $30 per hourPublic GymsActiveSG
- 28 locations$2.50 - $3.30 per entryOther public spaces
- Void Decks
- Parks
- Botanic GardensFree
How much should you be charging?According to a survey done byStringsSgon the market rate of PTs in Singapore (2022), the current personal training market rate can start as low as $50 to $180 per hour or session.Ideally, for most fitness businesses, a healthy profit margin needs to be over 60%.
Profit Margin = Profit (Revenue - COGS) ÷ Revenue x 100% When deciding on your PT rates, it is important to keep in mind:
- Target Market
Who is your target market? Age and other demographics play a role in how your clients are willing to spend
According to the same survey by StringsSg, the amount each age group is willing to pay differs drastically. - Who is your target market? Age and other demographics play a role in how your clients are willing to spend
- According to the same survey by StringsSg, the amount each age group is willing to pay differs drastically.
- Location
Depending on your location and rent, you will need to adjust your prices accordingly - Depending on your location and rent, you will need to adjust your prices accordingly
- Experience Level – According to SalaryExplorer
Personal Trainers with less than two years of experience make approximately S$3,480 per month
Someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn S$4,480 per month
An experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of S$6,180 per month - Personal Trainers with less than two years of experience make approximately S$3,480 per month
- Someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn S$4,480 per month
- An experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of S$6,180 per month