Interested in venturing away from your desk into a more active career? Would you enjoy helping others escape the sedentary confinement of their offices as well? If so, a career in fitness where you can help other Delaware residents be their healthiest selves might be for you!
To work as a personal trainer in Delaware, you need:
To work as a personal trainer in Deleware, 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. Equip yourself with these credentials to increase your trustworthiness and appeal to clients and gyms in Delaware.
Age Requirements for Personal Trainers
You must be at least 18 years old to become a personal trainer in Delaware. This is mainly because you need to be at least 18 (with a high school diploma or GED) to qualify for the personal trainer certifying exam.
Understand the CPR and AED Certification Requirements in Delaware
Personal trainers in Delaware 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 further 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
Bachelor’s degrees and higher are not required for most entry-level personal trainer jobs. However, if you want to pursue advanced or specialized positions (such as director, administrator, or medically-adjacent roles), you may need a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or other degree.
Higher education programs in Delaware for exercise science to consider include:
Explore Personal Trainer Certifications in Delaware
Most fitness centers prefer hiring personal trainers with certifications from an NCCA-accredited training program. Many recognized certified personal trainer (CPT) programs offer 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 popular personal trainer certifications in Delaware include:
- 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 Delaware Personal Trainer Liability Insurance
Like in most states, individual trainers are typically responsible for getting liability insurance in Delaware.
Some larger gyms may cover your work under their insurance if you’re a W2 employee. However, the company might still require you to have your own liability policy.
Suppose you’re self-employed or hired as an independent contractor. In that case, you need your own personal trainer liability insurance to protect you from expensive claims involving accidents, injuries, and other claims like these.
Fast Facts About Personal Training in Delaware
Average cost Delaware personal trainers pay with Insurance Canopy: $15.98/month
Personal trainer pay in Delaware averages $32.11 per hour. Some of the best areas for personal trainers include:
Wilmington: $29.37 per hour
Middletown: $28.53 per hour
Georgetown: $27.95 per hour*
In 2023, 26% of adults in Delaware reported that they had done no physical activity outside their regular job in the previous 30 days.
If you have full- or part-time employees, you may be required to carry workers compensation insurance in Delaware**
*Source: Indeed
**Insurance Canopy offers workers’ compensation insurance as a separate coverage! Get a free quote here.
FAQs About Personal Trainer Certification in Delaware
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer in Delaware?
It will likely cost between $400 and $1000 (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.
Where Can I Work After Getting Certified?
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:
- Bayside Fitness, Millsboro
- Steel City Fitness, Middletown
- Pure Family Fitness, Millsboro
Resources for Personal Trainers in Delaware
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)
