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Personal trainer certification in Minnesota

14 personal trainer programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

10 schools offer these personal trainer programs, and Minnesota has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Personal trainers lead and motivate individual clients or small groups through exercise. A high school diploma is the usual starting point, but personal trainers usually must be certified before they work with clients or gym members, and most also need CPR and first aid certification.1

In Minnesota, 1 of the 14 programs takes students without a high school diploma and 13 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 14 programs here are personal trainer certification course (7 programs), fitness or exercise science (associate degree, 3 programs), group fitness and yoga instructor course (3 programs) and fitness specialty or nutrition add-on (1 program).

See the 14 programs

How much does personal trainer certification cost in Minnesota?

$2,784 to $6,422 is what most personal trainer programs in Minnesota cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $1,996 to $10,440

In the typical program

Finished the program
27%
Working 6 months later
66%
Earned a year, estimated
about $20,800
Length
30 to 60 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Minnesota may also offer personal trainer certification. How these figures are made

Is there free personal trainer certification in Minnesota?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 14 personal trainer programs in Minnesota approved for WIOA funding

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14 programs

  • Fitness or exercise science (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Exercise Science

    Alexandria Technical and Community College

    Alexandria

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Alexandria Technical and Community College, AlexandriaFitness or exercise science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,800
    Price if you pay yourself$9,925
    Program website, Exercise Science at Alexandria Technical and Community College
    More details about Exercise Science at Alexandria Technical and Community College
    Finished
    74%
    Working at 6 months
    66%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,209
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    108
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,925
    Program website, Exercise Science at Alexandria Technical and Community College

  • Fitness or exercise science (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Exercise and Sport Science

    Dakota County Technical College

    Rosemount

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dakota County Technical College, RosemountFitness or exercise science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,500
    Price if you pay yourself$10,440
    Program website, Exercise and Sport Science at Dakota County Technical College
    More details about Exercise and Sport Science at Dakota County Technical College
    Finished
    27%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,368
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    97
    Earned a year, estimated
    $25,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,440
    Program website, Exercise and Sport Science at Dakota County Technical College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Exercise Specialist

    Normandale Community College

    Bloomington

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Normandale Community College, BloomingtonPersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,400
    Price if you pay yourself$1,996
    Program website, Exercise Specialist at Normandale Community College
    More details about Exercise Specialist at Normandale Community College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,104
    Length
    30 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    80
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,996
    Program website, Exercise Specialist at Normandale Community College

  • Group fitness and yoga instructor courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Group Fitness Instructor

    Rochester Community and Technical College

    Rochester

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rochester Community and Technical College, RochesterGroup fitness and yoga instructor course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$14,600
    Price if you pay yourself$4,563
    Program website, Group Fitness Instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College
    More details about Group Fitness Instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College
    Finished
    16%
    Working at 6 months
    48%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,662
    Length
    30 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    80
    Earned a year, estimated
    $14,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,563
    Program website, Group Fitness Instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Personal Trainer

    Rochester Community and Technical College

    Rochester

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rochester Community and Technical College, RochesterPersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$14,600
    Price if you pay yourself$6,422
    Program website, Personal Trainer at Rochester Community and Technical College
    More details about Personal Trainer at Rochester Community and Technical College
    Finished
    16%
    Working at 6 months
    48%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,662
    Length
    60 weeks, 38 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    80
    Earned a year, estimated
    $14,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,422
    Program website, Personal Trainer at Rochester Community and Technical College

  • Group fitness and yoga instructor courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Yoga Teacher Training

    Minneapolis Community and Technical College

    Minneapolis

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minneapolis Community and Technical College, MinneapolisGroup fitness and yoga instructor course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,100
    Price if you pay yourself$2,558
    Program website, Yoga Teacher Training at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
    More details about Yoga Teacher Training at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    70%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,037
    Length
    30 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    77
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,558
    Program website, Yoga Teacher Training at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Fitness Specialist

    Anoka-Ramsey Community College

    Cambridge

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Anoka-Ramsey Community College, CambridgePersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$27,900
    Price if you pay yourself$4,479
    Program website, Fitness Specialist at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
    More details about Fitness Specialist at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
    Finished
    19%
    Working at 6 months
    62%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,967
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    64
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,479
    Program website, Fitness Specialist at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Fitness Specialist

    Anoka-Ramsey Community College

    Coon Rapids

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon RapidsPersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$27,900
    Price if you pay yourself$4,479
    Program website, Fitness Specialist at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
    More details about Fitness Specialist at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
    Finished
    19%
    Working at 6 months
    62%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,967
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    64
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,479
    Program website, Fitness Specialist at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Personal Training

    Dakota County Technical College

    Rosemount

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dakota County Technical College, RosemountPersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$18,100
    Price if you pay yourself$2,784
    Program website, Personal Training at Dakota County Technical College
    More details about Personal Training at Dakota County Technical College
    Finished
    38%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,521
    Length
    30 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    20
    Earned a year, estimated
    $18,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,784
    Program website, Personal Training at Dakota County Technical College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Athletic Coaching

    Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

    Cloquet

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, CloquetPersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,619
    Program website, Athletic Coaching at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
    More details about Athletic Coaching at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,619
    Program website, Athletic Coaching at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

  • Group fitness and yoga instructor courseHybridNo diploma needed

    230-hour Yoga Training

    The Yoga Center Retreat

    St. Louis Park

    No diploma needed

    The Yoga Center Retreat, St. Louis ParkGroup fitness and yoga instructor courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,200
    Program website, 230-hour Yoga Training at The Yoga Center Retreat
    More details about 230-hour Yoga Training at The Yoga Center Retreat
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $127
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,200
    Program website, 230-hour Yoga Training at The Yoga Center Retreat

  • Fitness specialty or nutrition add-onIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Strength and Conditioning

    Southwest Minnesota State University

    Marshall

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southwest Minnesota State University, MarshallFitness specialty or nutrition add-on · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,535
    Program website, Strength and Conditioning at Southwest Minnesota State University
    More details about Strength and Conditioning at Southwest Minnesota State University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,535
    Program website, Strength and Conditioning at Southwest Minnesota State University

  • Fitness or exercise science (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Fitness and Health

    Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

    Cloquet

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, CloquetFitness or exercise science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$9,820
    Program website, Fitness and Health at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
    More details about Fitness and Health at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,820
    Program website, Fitness and Health at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

  • Personal trainer certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Fitness Specialist

    Minnesota North College

    International Falls

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota North College, International FallsPersonal trainer certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Fitness Specialist at Minnesota North College
    More details about Fitness Specialist at Minnesota North College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Fitness Specialist at Minnesota North College

How to pay for personal trainer certification in Minnesota

WIOA funding can pay for personal trainer certification in Minnesota

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for personal trainer certification

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for personal trainer certification

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Personal trainer certification in Minnesota

programs with a price cost under $3,000
4 of 13
most personal trainer programs of any state, after Ohio
2nd

State comparisons use the same figures as the personal trainer certification by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Personal trainer certification in Minneapolis, Rochester, Duluth and other Minnesota cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Minnesota

How personal trainer certification compares with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Minnesota

Where the Minnesota personal trainer program numbers come from

Which Minnesota personal trainer programs are on this list?

These are the personal trainer programs Minnesota approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Minnesota offers.

How the prices and results of Minnesota personal trainer programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about personal trainer certification in Minnesota

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fitness Trainers and Instructors
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List