Physical Therapy VS Personal Training: $250k Debt VS $1.5k Certification

What if the “safe” healthcare career isn’t actually the smarter financial move?

In this episode, we break down the real numbers behind becoming a physical therapist versus a personal trainer. Tuition costs, certification timelines, starting salaries, raises, student loan interest, income caps, and long term take home pay.

We compare a $250,000 Doctor of Physical Therapy path (with 6.8% interest and $3,000 monthly loan payments) against a $1,500 personal training certification, and examine what happens over a ten year window when one career starts earning immediately and the other spends seven years in school.

This isn’t about bashing physical therapy. If you’re called to clinical rehab inside the healthcare system, PT can be the right choice. But if you care about speed to income, lower debt risk, transferable skills, and scalable opportunity, personal training deserves a serious look.

We also unpack:
• how raises actually work (not just on paper)
• why early income compounds harder than higher starting salaries
• realistic salary caps in both careers
• ownership, management, and online coaching paths
• the myth that personal training “isn’t a real career”

If this breakdown helped clarify your path, subscribe, share it with someone weighing these careers, and drop a comment telling us which route you’re choosing, and why.

Welcome to The Anthony Amen Show, where fitness, health, and mindset come together to help you become the strongest version of yourself. Hosted by Anthony Amen, founder of Redefine Fitness, the show features real conversations with experts, athletes, doctors, and everyday people overcoming adversity.

Each episode covers evidence-based fitness, nutrition, injury prevention, strength training, mental resilience, and lifestyle habits that support long-term change. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real education, honest discussion, and practical insights to help you take control of your health.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical or physical therapy advice. Any exercises or techniques discussed are general examples and not a substitute for care from a licensed professional. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health or fitness routine.