Becoming a personal trainer can be a rewarding experience. If you have a passion for fitness and enjoy helping others, then a career as a personal trainer may be right for you. However there a few things to consider before you pick up your whistle and stopwatch.
1. Do you look the part? While it’s not necessary to look like a fitness model to be a personal trainer, it is important to be in good physical shape. It can be difficult for a potential client to trust in your ability to instruct and motivate him or her to reach their health and wellness goals if they feel you aren’t willing to live by your same principles and beliefs. You have to be a role model for you clients.
2. Are you a people person? As a personal trainer you will work with people from varying back rounds and differing personalities. It is important that you are able to listen and adjust to each of your clients’ needs and emotions.
3. Do you like to teach? Most of your time as a trainer will consist of instructing most of the time you are with your clients. It’s crucial that you are able to communicate effectively and that you have the patience to do so. As you prepare to become a personal trainer, practice teaching with friends and family and ask for constructive feedback on your ability to disseminate information with clarity and ease.
4. Can you handle the hours? Personal trainers usually start working early in the morning and complete their sessions late in the evening. Since most people train before they go to work and after they get off, your schedule could vary substantially. Typically your day will start around 5 or 6 am with a few hours break around 10 or 11 am depending on how busy you are and whether or not you’re working for a gym or doing it independently, then sessions resume in the afternoon around 4pm and can last until 7 or 8 pm. Regardless of the specific schedule, as a personal trainer you will need to be flexible.
5. Will you specialize? The Health and Fitness Industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Because of this there is a lot of competition amongst personal trainers. To help yourself standout you may want to choose a specialty or niche. By focusing on a specialty, you can position yourself as the “expert” in your community and possibly charge more for your services.
6. Are you willing to pay your dues? Being a personal trainer can be a lucrative career, however the amount of money you make will depend on geographic location, your experience, and education and how well you market yourself. It may be wise to begin at a local health club or gym to gain expertise from more experienced trainers.
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