24 Hour Fitness and ISSA Partner to Certify Club General Managers as Personal Trainers
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
24 Hour Fitness has announced a new education partnership with the International Sports Sciences Association that will see nearly 250 General Managers across its clubs certified as personal trainers. The initiative is being described as an industry first, designed to elevate leadership expertise and strengthen member support at the club level.
Enrollment in the certification program began on August 8, with all participating General Managers expected to complete the course by the end of November. The curriculum, delivered by ISSA, covers exercise science, program design, and client motivation. According to both organizations, the goal is for managers to apply this knowledge in leading staff, mentoring trainers, and improving the overall member experience.
"Our General Managers are the heartbeat of our clubs," said Chris Schmidt, SVP Club Operations at 24 Hour Fitness. "By equipping them with the industry's gold-standard personal training certification, we're raising the bar for leadership in fitness. This initiative ensures every GM can lead by example, speak the language of health and fitness fluently, and foster an environment where both our team members and our members thrive."
ISSA will provide enrollment support, progress tracking, and ongoing assistance for the General Managers through its learning management system. Warren Heffelfinger, CEO of ISSA, emphasized the broader intent of the program. "Certifying 24 Hour Fitness' General Managers is about more than adding credentials, it's about strengthening the connection between leadership and club members," he said. "When leaders understand the science and art of coaching, they can inspire teams to deliver an exceptional, consistent experience in every club."
The partnership also extends beyond certification. Both organizations plan to collaborate on social media activations, influencer partnerships, and career events aimed at attracting new fitness professionals. A 24 Hour Fitness hiring event is scheduled for late September on ISSA’s Career Connect platform, where ISSA-certified coaches will have the opportunity to pursue roles at 24 Hour Fitness locations nationwide.
