Personal Training is a very rewarding and fun career. That’s why many people are seeking to become a personal trainer. The thing is before you go spending hundreds or thousands of pounds or dollars on a course you really need to know what type of trainer you want to be.
Types of personal trainer include:
- Mobile or Home Based
- Gym or Studio Based
- Sports Specific
- Special Populations
- Group or Boot Camp Trainer
You can probably think of more but these pretty much cover it. There are many skills that are required for each type which can be very similar but different skills are also required to be a specialist and be successful in your chosen field.
Mobile or Home Based
This is where you travel to the client. It can be in their Home, Office or Local park. You need to consider the type of equipment that is easy to carry and the use of the things around you to help formulate a good session. For example, running, using elastic bands, benches in the park, stairs at home and so on. You will need to choose personal trainer courses that help hone these skills. You will also need some extra help on how to develop marketing skills too.
Gym or Studio Based
The most traditional route is working from a gym or studio where there are clients and equipment all on tap. You have to be able to use the equipment to help the client get the most out of their sessions in the time they have. Understanding how to increase intensity by manipulating the equipment is key. You will need some marketing skills but as the clients are all members it is a little easier.
Sports Specific
Being a specialist in one sport can be very good to make your self in demand. You will need to understand the unique nature of the sport and construct sessions that will enable the client to excel at their own sport. For example, soccer requires endurance and sprinting fitness as well as good flexibility. Skiing, requires different muscle groups and depending on the event can differ even for other skiing based events (downhill vs cross country) You will need to have a good grasp of group exercise and maybe even sports injuries to help with rehabilitation. Courses that cover this would help within this route.
Special Populations or GP Referral
Helping people back on the road to health from severe conditions can be very rewarding. This comes with very unique skills and needs a high physiology knowledge. You also need to know how to develop fitness from a very low level and be able to use fitness monitoring equipment. A good working knowledge of nutrition and diet is also key.
Group Class or Boot Camps
Being able to motivate a group and keep an eye on all the participants require some important skills. Personality helps with this but there are personal trainer courses that will help to develop your group presenting skills and how to formulate fun and effective classes that are also safe. First aid is very important as with other types of training but having more participants means more chance of injuries!
Hopefully this article will help you decide which personal trainer you want to be and therefore which personal trainer courses are best.
Good luck with your fun and exciting career!
Tim Tavender is a Personal Trainer with ten years experience running his own businesses. He has written for National Newspapers, Magazines and has been the BBC Radio Fitness Expert in the South of England. He recommends Personal Trainers from Personal Trainer UK – www.personaltraineruk.com
