1. Are you up for it?
To be a personal trainer, you need more than just the ability to demonstrate an exercise or put together a programme, you need lots of people skills too. Throughout your career you’ll be working with a range of individuals, each with different goals and capabilities. You’ll therefore need to be organised, rational, patient, and above all an excellent motivator, not to mention an inspiring example.
2. Get qualified
To get qualified, it’s important that you choose an organisation that is nationally recognised. With so many personal training courses to choose from, it’s worth taking time to do your research: find out costs, timescales, locations, and study and examination methods. Some companies offer fast-track personal training courses, which can help you get to work quicker. Check out The Training Room who offer intensive six week courses.
3. What’s your specialty?
Although not essential, specialising in one or even two areas can give you great advantage and increase your income, especially if you’re working in a competitive market. There are a number of further certifications you can do which can add to your REPs Continuing Professional Development, such as Studio Cycling (Spinning), Circuit Training, Sports Nutrition and Gym Based Boxing.
4. Get to work
Get your CV up together and get yourself out there. Search the internet, register with any relevant recruitment agencies, and contact all the gyms and clubs within your area and ask about opportunities. Some training organisations offer career advice and The Training Room even line up interviews for you with some of the top UK gyms, which is definitely worth taking advantage of.
5. Why not set up on your own?
It’s a lot of hard work, but setting up your own personal training business can offer so much more opportunity for better income, and freedom to run your programmes as you wish. You might have room at home to set up your own gym area, or access to other facilities which you could make work for you. Before you do anything however, you’ll need a clear business and marketing plan, and know all the ins and outs of working for yourself such as tax implications.
6. Market yourself
Whether you work for a club or yourself, it’s important to make yourself known, and build up a good list of clients. A good reputation in itself can be all you need, but in order to keep building on it, and to get new clients, you might want to consider some marketing. From business cards and flyers, to your own website, all these things can help to put your name out to potential new clients.
7. Never stop learning
It’s important that you keep up-to-date with all the latest in fitness and personal training, and update your techniques where necessary. Further qualifications are a great way to enhance your knowledge and skills. Look at what your training scheme offers in terms of further learning.
8. Stay popular
To keep clients, and gain new ones, you must stay at the top of your game. Subscribe to specialist magazines and keep up-to-date with news and developments. Take advantage of the Register for Exercise Professionals (REPs), who offer seminars and further training opportunities.
9. Keep your options open
You might find you don’t need to be at the gym all the time, so make sure you’ve thought of some other options like corporate fitness and resort work.
10. Don’t just stop there
Once you’ve established your personal training career, why not look at other avenues such as coaching or writing – or setting up your own business?
The Training Room – personal training specialists. Become a personal trainer at one of 17 academies throughout the UK.
