If you’re landing on this comparison between an athletic trainer vs personal trainer, you may be wondering what each title means (or perhaps which one you’re qualified to do). This comparison will help you debunk and distinguish between these two closely named roles. 

Trust me, these titles are confusing—both roles are in the health and wellness industry and work to help people with physical activity. However, personal trainers are more like a guide to help you on your fitness or weight loss journey, whereas an athletic trainer evaluates and treats pain in work-related or athletic injuries. 

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Personal trainers are typically employed by health clubs and commercial gyms, while athletic trainers are employed by professional sports teams, schools, clinics, hospitals, or the military. 

In this comparison, I will use my experience as a certified personal trainer to help outline what a personal trainer does, including performing fitness assessments, developing workout programs, and teaching you training principles such as how to squat and what muscles the squats work. 

For this athletic trainer vs personal trainer comparison, I also called on an industry expert and former classmate, David Enos, Certified Athletic Trainer at Saint Dominic Academy. He works with athletes and sports teams and offers insights into athletic training and his scope of practice working at a secondary school. 

Athletic Trainer vs Personal Trainer Comparison Chart

Quick Look: Athletic Trainer vs Personal Trainer

The main difference between the personal trainer and the athletic trainer is that one will help you achieve long-term goals with exercise programs, and the other will help you in the short-term with injury prevention and treatment, ensuring that you can return to your activities and sports pain-free.

But which one is which? Keep reading fit-minded peers, and I’ll outline the differences between both.