Baseball, college football, hiking, canoeing, and more – Mississippi enjoys many outdoor and athletic activities. However, it’s also consistently taken one of the bottom three spots on the United Health Foundation’s health rankings reports since 1990.
Help your community improve its overall health and fitness by becoming a personal trainer in Mississippi today!
To work as a personal trainer in Mississippi, 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, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful fitness career.
Age Requirements for Mississippi Personal Trainers
You must be at least 18 years old to become a personal trainer in Mississippi. This is primarily because being 18 with a high school diploma or GED is a prerequisite for taking the certifying exams.
Learn the CPR and AED Certification Requirements in Mississippi
Personal trainers in Mississippi typically need an adult CPR/AED certification. Most certification programs require this certification before taking 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
While a four-year degree isn’t required to start as a personal trainer, higher education in fields like kinesiology and exercise science can help advance your career, especially if you want to pursue leadership roles or other specialized positions.
Some higher education programs in Mississippi include:
- Exercise Science, University of Mississippi
- Kinesiology: Strength and Conditioning, Mississippi State University
- Sports Medicine & Exercise Science, Belhaven University
Explore Personal Trainer Certifications in Mississippi
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 common personal trainer certifications in Mississippi 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 Mississippi Personal Trainer Liability Insurance
Like in most states, you’re responsible for carrying your own liability insurance in Mississippi.
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.
Fast Facts About Personal Training in Mississippi
- Average cost Mississippi personal trainers pay with Insurance Canopy: $15.76/month
- Personal trainer pay in Mississippi averages $27.78 per hour. Some of the best areas for personal trainers include Gulfport ($29.19), Tupelo ($27.93), and Southaven ($26.43)*
- Mississippi ranked 49th overall on the 2024 America’s Health Rankings report, and hasn’t been higher than 48 in the report’s history
- If you have five or more employees, you may be required to carry workers compensation insurance in Mississippi**
*From ZipRecruiter
**Insurance Canopy offers workers’ compensation insurance as a separate coverage! Get a free quote.
FAQs About Personal Trainer Certification in Mississippi
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer in Mississippi?
To get certified in Mississippi, it costs between $400 and $1,000 (depending on the organization) 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.
How Can I Gain Experience as a Personal Trainer?
- Sub for classes at local gyms
- Volunteer to lead groups at local events
- Ask if you can shadow other established trainers
- Work some hours behind the desk or on the floor at fitness centers
- Conduct small group or 1:1 sessions with friends and family
Where Can I Find Personal Trainer Jobs in Mississippi?
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:
- Fitness Depot, Multiple Locations
- Portside Fitness, Gulfport
- The FIT-ING Room, Diamondhead
- Fondren Fitness, Jackson
Resources for Personal Trainers in Mississippi
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)
