Should you do a trainer certification?

Should you get certified as a trainer?
 
Reasons for becoming certified.

Reason #1 - You want to  get a job at a commercial gym.  If you want to work at LA Fitness or a higher end gym like Equinox you will 100% need to be certified.    The NASM certification is the gold standard for personal trainers in private gyms.  ACE is less expensive and is enough for some gyms to hire you.

Reason #2 - To insure your own gym business.  If you want to insure/bond your personal training business you will be required to prove that you did some sort of certification in the past year or are planning to do one in the next 30 days.

Reason #3 - Meet experienced role model teachers.  This is specific to in-person niche certifications like kettlebell, olympic lifting or crossfit certifications.  You can often meet the best in the field at these certs because niche modalities have small followings and easy-to-access leaders.

Reason #4  - Personal satisfaction  Some people like collecting certifications for whatever personal reason.  You do not necessarily have to be a full-time professional trainer to get certified.  As a matter of fact I am convinced that most of the people I know with a long list of certifications are often hobbyist trainers and have not booked any significant amounts of money training clients.

Reasons to NOT get certified?

Prospective students NEVER (95%+)  ask you about your certification.

When you sign up a client at a commercial/group-class gym they are joining because they like the teachers personality and the atmosphere of the gym.

When it comes to private training people sign up with you because they like your references, personality and whether or not you inspire them.   You get people in the door by being a living example of what you teach and whether or not you are certified makes little difference to them.  

You can demonstrate your competence as a teacher through social media 
Post a few years of videos different types of students succeeding at your gym in your modality and you have basically proven yourself as a teacher.