Accredited or not, an online or exam certification is still just a test. There will be study guides and textbooks to read in order to prepare for the exam, but you will not get a hands-on education, opportunity to ask an instructor questions, or practical experience. AAPT offers a complete education, which includes both classroom study and practical hands-on training. Our instructors and evolving curriculum prepare and equip students with the knowledge and experience to be safe, effective, and successful personal trainers – something an online exam certification cannot and does not offer. Personal trainers who have graduated from AAPT tend to get hired quicker, build a sustaining client base faster, and have higher long-term earning potential than trainers without the educational foundation and career support provided by AAPT. Choosing to attend AAPT is an investment in a successful and lasting personal training career.

Yes. AAPT is licensed by the Massachusetts State Education Department.

Credits for completed AAPT courses are transferable at the sole discretion of the accepting institution. AAPT does not accept course credits from other institutions.

You are not too old! AAPT has enrolled students that have just turned 18 as well as students in their 70s. Students of all different backgrounds and experience enroll, as well as all different goals. The variety in age and experience makes for a great class dynamic!

AAPT enrolls students of all different experience with a wide variety of goals. Some students have worked out their whole lives, whereas others just started getting into fitness. The variety of different goals and backgrounds in the class is one of the benefits of enrolling into the program vs. self study online- you learn so much from your classmates!

We learn and perform a variety of workouts that cater to students of all fitness levels. Participation in the hands-on portion is an essential aspect to the curriculum, but by no means do you have to be physically fit to participate and thrive.

Everyone learns differently and we acknowledge and support these differences. At AAPT we implement the S.A.V.I. learning model to accommodate all learning styles and abilities. With small class sizes and experienced instructors, we provide a supportive learning environment that allows students to thrive.

Yes. As long as it is during our operating hours our private studio is open for our students to workout before or after class.

Students interested in applying to AAPT should begin the process a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior to the anticipated start date as class size is limited. That said, we enroll up until the first day of class as long as there is space available.

AAPT offers a variety of class schedules throughout the year. Full-time and part-time, day, evening, night and weekend classes are available during our winter, spring, summer and fall quarters. Please check our class schedules for more detailed and up-to-date information.

The majority of the “out of class time” work is studying and keeping up with the material.

Students are required to attend at least 90% of the program, which would leave 30 hours for emergency/time missed.

If you have a trip coming up that has been scheduled/booked before you enroll, that may be considered an excused absence.

If you are concerned with the timing and schedule of a class you want to enroll in, please call and we’ll be happy to help answer specific questions.

We do not require a Student VISA for students to attend. Most of our international students come to the U.S. with a Visitor’s or Tourist VISA. They attend our school and go back to their home country to work as Personal Trainers. Our full-time class is only 3 months, which is usually the minimum length of time given by the U.S. embassy for tourists. We can provide international students with a Letter of Enrollment written on AAPT’s stationary with the official school letterhead stating that the international student is enrolled in the Personal Training program here at AAPT including the start date, end date, and class schedule. To receive the Letter of Enrollment, the student must pay their tuition and administrative fee in full, which is $5,700. If the payment is not made in full, then we can send a letter stating their interest in attending AAPT. AAPT cannot assist in processing student visas for incoming students. For more information on foreign student enrollment, please contact an AAPT Admissions Advisor.

There is currently no formal application process. To attend AAPT you must be at least 18 years old and provide proof of high school equivalent education. Since we are a vocational school, we do not require TOFEL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language); however, you will need Proof of Foreign Education with English translation including an equivalency report that is notarized.

International/out of town students must make their own living arrangements. Our recommendations for housing options would be to find a sublet or apartment to share in Boston. Having family or friends in town or living close to town with public transportation access would work very well too. Although AAPT does not offer lodging, we are happy to provide guidance to students who are planning to relocate for class. If you are exploring housing options and would like some tips on local resources, contact your AAPT Admissions Advisor and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.

AAPT works with the top gyms, spas, clinics, and hospitals; however, it is not possible for employers to hire graduates without the proper paperwork. We can only place graduates who are American citizens, Resident Aliens, or graduates with a Work VISA who can work for any employer.

Within the core curriculum offered at AAPT, we incorporate the majority of practices, hands-on experience, and science behind group training. We also cover a baseline level of knowledge around various specialized training methodologies. Specialty techniques like yoga, spinning, Pilates, BodyPump, etc. generally require additional training and certification beyond what is covered at AAPT.

Yes. Breaks are dependent on the class schedule. Day and Weekend class will have a 15 minute morning break and a 45 minute lunch break. Night Class will have a 45 minute dinner break.

Each student’s course grade is determined by his or her performance on five multiple choice exams, fitness assessment and personal training practical exams, and written program project. On all multiple choice exams 70% is a passing grade and the option for an exam retake is allowed, per exam, within one week. A 70% is required on the final exam and personal training practical, up to two weeks are allowed for the final exam retake only.

Yes, absolutely. AAPT maintains an exceptionally high job placement rate – 86.3% in 2014-2015 – with graduates working throughout the United States and internationally. Our goal at AAPT is to send highly skilled and knowledgeable professional trainers into the industry, so we take our role in job placement assistance very seriously. Through individual career guidance, employer networking, and AAPT Job Fairs, we strive to ensure that AAPT graduates have ample opportunity for placement into fulfilling and engaging positions. Even years after graduation, we like to stay in touch with our graduates in order to provide ongoing career support whenever needed. Nothing makes us happier than seeing our graduates succeed!

Most of our graduates are employed in gyms, health clubs, group fitness facilities, athletic training facilities, private studios, corporate wellness centers, boot camps, and/or contracted independently. Geographically, we have graduates working across the globe, from New York to San Diego to Rome. As an AAPT graduate, we want you to think of the world as your oyster, and it is our job to help you discover personal training opportunities wherever you land.

Income can vary significantly based on location and whether the personal trainer is self-employed or on staff at a health club, gym, fitness center, etc. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for full-time personal trainers is $46,000 to $63,000.

Please contact Amy Ryan by email: aryan@aaptboston.com or by calling: 617-267-2278