With a culture built around outdoor adventure — hiking, hunting, and rodeo! — Montana is no stranger to strength and endurance. If you’re passionate about helping others reach their fitness goals, a personal trainer career in Big Sky Country could be a great fit.
To work as an MT personal trainer, you need:
- To be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED
- A current CPR/AED* certification
- A recognized personal trainer certification
- Liability insurance
*Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
While these are not all official legal requirements, they are the accepted industry standards. Meet these minimums to get hired and start seeing career gains in the fitness world.
Age Requirements for MT Personal Trainers
You must be at least 18 years old to become a personal trainer in Montana, as most certifying exams require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED.
Learn the CPR and AED Certification Requirements in Montana
Personal trainers in Montana typically need to have an adult CPR/AED certification to work in most fitness facilities. Plus, personal trainer certification programs usually require you to have this certification before you can take the final exam.*
Depending on individual gyms ‘ policies, you may also need to have child and infant CPR and/or first aid credentials. These are often combined with and/or provided by the same organizations as the standard adult CPR class, like The American Red Cross.
CPR training is typically offered online, in a classroom, or hybrid settings. However, the trainer certification agencies typically require a hands-on evaluation via an in-person or blended course.
For more information about CPR/AED training and where to find a class, check out:
*The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) states that all personal trainer certifying bodies accredited by the NCCA must require CPR/AED certification.
Additional Education
Most entry-level personal trainer jobs don’t require a college degree — but it’s a nice-to-have addition on your resume. Higher degrees in fields like exercise science or kinesiology give you an edge if you pursue a more specialized or leadership role.
Earning additional certificates through continuing education also helps you stand out in the health and fitness job market.
Some higher education programs in Montana include:
Explore Personal Trainer Certifications in Montana
Many gyms, studios, and other fitness centers prefer to hire personal trainers with certifications from an NCCA-accredited program. Most recognized certified personal trainer (CPT) programs have this accreditation.
Pro Tip: Some CPT programs have an open-book or remote exam option. These exams are typically not NCCA-accredited, and therefore may not be accepted at all fitness facilities.
Some of the most common personal trainer certifications in Montana are offered by:
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
To find the best course for you, check out our review of popular CPT programs.
Get Montana Personal Trainer Liability Insurance
Like in most states, you’re responsible for carrying your own liability insurance in Montana.
Some larger gyms may cover your work under their liability policy, if you’ve been hired as an actual W2 employee. However, the company could still want you to have your own liability policy regardless of the facility itself’s coverage.
If you’re self-employed or hired as an independent contractor, you will need your own personal trainer liability insurance to protect you from expensive claims stemming from — real or perceived — client accidents, injuries, and other damages.
You’ve learned how to become a personal trainer in Montana — now take the next step toward a rewarding fitness career!
Fast Facts About Personal Training in Montana
- If you have any full or part-time employees, you may be required to carry workers compensation insurance in Montana*
- Only 32.2% of adults in Montana met the federal physical activity guidelines when surveyed over a 30-day period in 2023 — that’s ample opportunity to help clients get moving!
- Average cost Montana personal trainers pay with Insurance Canopy: $15.43/month
*Insurance Canopy offers workers’ compensation insurance as a separate coverage! Get a free quote.
FAQs About Personal Trainer Certification in Montana
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer in Montana?
It will likely cost between $400 and $1,000 (depending on the course) for the course itself, study materials, the final exam, and CPR/AED classes.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Certified Personal Trainer?
Anywhere between one and eight months, depending on how much time you have to study each day. Most programs range from 3 to 6 months.
What Is the Typical Personal Trainer Salary in Montana?
Personal trainer pay in Montana averages $26.92 per hour. Some of the best areas for personal trainers include:
- Big Sky: $32.47 per hour
- Sidney: $31.89 per hour
- Belgrade: $31.38 per hour
From ZipRecruiter
Where Can I Find MT Personal Trainer Jobs?
Beyond applying to jobs online, leverage your network and talk to local studios, gyms, community centers, and other fitness facilities.
Chain or big box gyms:
Local and/or municipal locations:
- Senior centers
- Community centers
- Retirement communities
- Corporate wellness programs
Boutique studios, independent gyms, and others like:
- Montana Athletic Club, Bigfork
- Access Fitness, Kalispell
- Yellowstone Fitness, Billings
- Montana Fit, Missoula
- Iron Horse Athletic Club, Hamilton
Resources for Personal Trainers in Montana
Personal Trainer Certification Reviews
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
- National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
- National Aerobics and Fitness Trainers Association (NAFTA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
