Is it worth being A Personal Trainer?

[gabe522k3]

IM thinking about doing a career change for the IT, to Personal Training. I got laid off in May and Im having a hard time getting work, so I thinking about fellowing my passion. any input and insight would be greatfull.

 

[Irish Cannon]

No it sucks.

 

[Zero V]

No it sucks.

lol!

Following your passion can make a rewarding career. I plan to get certified here within a year once I got a normal job stabilized. Even then I plan to only do it around my normal job, which means very few clients. Just until I am stable enough, or sure enough, or led by my personal belief of a higher power, to take a step into it full time.

But it can be a rough life. Just bring something to the table that is not a dime a dozen among other personal trainers.

 

[gabe522k3]

No it sucks.

ok so how is the pay?

 

[Zero V]

ok so how is the pay?

thats probably the part that sucks ^.^

 

[gabe522k3]

thats probably the part that sucks ^.^

so wait personaltrainers can't get a salary form a gym or fitness club? everything is base off of your clients? what's the benfits from it?

 

[Steveoph]

If you do something you love, and do it well, you would be surprised at what you can accomplish. If you work your way up to some pretty dedicated clients, or even rich soccer moms, you can make a decent living. Plus getting by decently while enjoying life vs. a boring job that you don't enjoy, the choice would be easy for me. I've known what I've wanted to do since I was a little kid, and I've pursued it and will (hopefullly) enjoy every minute of it lol.

 

[Zero V]

If you do something you love, and do it well, you would be surprised at what you can accomplish. If you work your way up to some pretty dedicated clients, or even rich soccer moms, you can make a decent living. Plus getting by decently while enjoying life vs. a boring job that you don't enjoy, the choice would be easy for me. I've known what I've wanted to do since I was a little kid, and I've pursued it and will (hopefullly) enjoy every minute of it lol.

Indeed. I plan to, once I am debt free, to spend 5-10 years doing missions work in other countries! Pay? very little, life rewards for knowing you have actually helped people? I can cry right now remembering some of the children from Mexico. Man....you want to see pure love, pure trust, pure need. Leave America. Screw big paychecks and shiny cars. Its about love.

so wait personaltrainers can't get a salary form a gym or fitness club? everything is base off of your clients? what's the benfits from it?

You can actually. But if you are salary for a club, the money can be pretty low compared to work ratio, because the club takes its cut first. Depends on club, depends on clientele, etc,etc,etc. Like Steve said, you find the right clients, you are set. Go to a nice upperclass part of town, with a bunch of stay at home rich soccer moms, and advertise a fitness course or two for getting in amazing shape ^.^ They eat it up for some reason. Just uh....be careful, there are some mighty fine soccer moms, and you wouldnt want your personal training career ending early because her not so mighty fine husband pumped you full of lead because you were doing some exuberant cardio with her off the clock....:laugh2:

There are some more experienced trainers who will chime in. I am simply going off what I see around here, and research.

 

[crader]

It depends on what you put into it and your personal dedication in your own training.

My trainer is a pro figure competitor, her own body is why I chose to train with her at all. She makes a good living and has put 3 kids through college as a single mom. Just depends on what you put into it.

 

[Jayhawkk]

What you put in to it, and how far within that area you want to go will determine a lot of what you get out of it. As long as you work for someone else you will probably make a decent living but nothing great. Probably 20-25 dollars a session but sessions can vary by a lot. Go out on your own and you have a better chance of making more money but you really have to be good at what you do in order to keep clients and get more.

 

[Irish Cannon]

It's not even the money, it's the client base. Most clients you'll get suck and you're nothing more than a cheerleader. See if you still enjoy it when you see them walking in the gym eating a Snickers bar and then blaming your for not seeing any progress.

I was so much happier when I dropped it. I was so sick of those worthless piles of crap.

 

[Zero V]

It's not even the money, it's the client base. Most clients you'll get suck and you're nothing more than a cheerleader. See if you still enjoy it when you see them walking in the gym eating a Snickers bar and then blaming your for not seeing any progress.

I would straight condemn and and tear them down right there(physical progress wise lol)...I accept no blame for a anyone's candy fetish...

Personal Trainers are a tool to HELP one progress, and gain knowledge, and improve habits. They are not some kinda magic person who look at you and BAM you lose 30 lbs, have abs, and guys/girls stare at you...

I have done personal training for 3 people for free, within a month, all though they were all seeing great results, they got lazy, and bailed. Too long without their deep fried artery cloggers....

 

[gabe522k3]

So its mostly the clients that am dealing with, seeing how if I go all out to help them, and they spit in my face then its all for nothing! wow

 

[Zero V]

So its mostly the clients that am dealing with, seeing how if I go all out to help them, and they spit in my face then its all for nothing! wow

You live in a world where everyone wants shortcuts mate. I mean, they are trying to find a magic diet pill to help with the over weight and obesity issue. Finding a dedicated person is hard. BUT anyone can change, and that is the true job of a personal trainer IMO.

To instill in a person the courage, the desire, the hope, to change their ways, and become a better person, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a personal trainer you will also end up being a cheap psychologist

Its like any leadership or counseling position. It is your job to help a person better themselves. But they must first be willing to help themselves, if you are to be able to help them.

Do it for the joy of seeing those ones who really latch on, and transform their lives. A few of those, and you just might be hooked. have complete faith in each client, even if they are waning. Never give up and it just might be that little bit of faith and encouragement they needed to push through.

Once you have some successful clients who get to the point of being able to even step away from needing a personal trainer, you are successful as one. though you may need to find a new client, you can look at a person who has changed thier life, how they life it, and for the better, and know that your hand played a role in changing their life, and it will always mean something to them. And they usually recommend you to others, and are a walking sales ad for your work!

 

[gabe522k3]

I would straight condemn and and tear them down right there(physical progress wise lol)...I accept no blame for a anyone's candy fetish...

Personal Trainers are a tool to HELP one progress, and gain knowledge, and improve habits. They are not some kinda magic person who look at you and BAM you lose 30 lbs, have abs, and guys/girls stare at you...

I have done personal training for 3 people for free, within a month, all though they were all seeing great results, they got lazy, and bailed. Too long without their deep fried artery cloggers....

You live in a world where everyone wants shortcuts mate. I mean, they are trying to find a magic diet pill to help with the over weight and obesity issue. Finding a dedicated person is hard. BUT anyone can change, and that is the true job of a personal trainer IMO.

To instill in a person the courage, the desire, the hope, to change their ways, and become a better person, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a personal trainer you will also end up being a cheap psychologist

Its like any leadership or counseling position. It is your job to help a person better themselves. But they must first be willing to help themselves, if you are to be able to help them.

Do it for the joy of seeing those ones who really latch on, and transform their lives. A few of those, and you just might be hooked. have complete faith in each client, even if they are waning. Never give up and it just might be that little bit of faith and encouragement they needed to push through.

Once you have some successful clients who get to the point of being able to even step away from needing a personal trainer, you are successful as one. though you may need to find a new client, you can look at a person who has changed thier life, how they life it, and for the better, and know that your hand played a role in changing their life, and it will always mean something to them. And they usually recommend you to others, and are a walking sales ad for your work!

your point........ taken!

 

[Caferacer]

It's not even the money, it's the client base. Most clients you'll get suck and you're nothing more than a cheerleader. See if you still enjoy it when you see them walking in the gym eating a Snickers bar and then blaming your for not seeing any progress.

I was so much happier when I dropped it. I was so sick of those worthless piles of crap.

+1

The majority of your clients will not have the same drive and motivation as someone who really loves to lift. Some just want a reason to feel like they HAVE to workout because they paid for it.

Especially when the majority of it is diet. I can show them everything they need and tell them how to eat, but they don't have the drive to get their diet together and then see no results.

It's good money though, only because those that see no results and have no drive will keep coming back and wasting their money because of their own stupidity.

I like my setup now though.... friends will come and lift with me, buy me a meal afterwards (Or beer later on :18 in exchange for what I have to say, and I just tell them to shut up, lift, and listen. I don't care if they show up, but if they show up and show interest in learning I'll tell them everything I know. One of my fraternity brothers started that last year and went moved up a LOT of weight, actually got to love doing deads and bench.

But my brother wanted to learn. The majority of clients (in my experience) don't have that drive, and no amount of cheerleading and talking can change that.

 

[crader]

Or you can step up and make something of yourself and step on stage and win. Then you can train fitness and bodybuilding competitors that do have the drive and discipline. The ones that just want an outsiders objective viewpoint on a stage ready body.

Here half my trainers clients compete.

 

[Jayhawkk]

Or you can step up and make something of yourself and step on stage and win.

Ouch...

 

[crader]

Ouch...

Well I see the people complaining about training the average person. So if you don't want that then you need to figure out what it takes to train the best. To be that and attract those people you need to be the best, its the only way to differentiate yourself.

 

[cmc]

Crader, I can agree and not agree with your statement-"My trainer is a pro figure competitor, her own body is why I chose to train with her at all.

Many people often can make mistakes in this area. When choosing a trainer, one would think that if they are buff or ripped that they must be the "know all" of fitness. However, the cookie doesnt always crumble that way. The trainer may just have great genetics and not know much about in depth training at all.

Here is a small example. Ive been coached for slalom skateboard racing which I do competitively around the country, most often at a pretty high level of competition. Some of the coaches that have trained me really were not that spectacular at all in the race course so one would think that as a coach they would suck. BUT....they were often the best coaches I have ever worked with in all aspects.

As far as being a PT, go for it if that is your passion but like anything, do the research. I have noticed that since I moved to the Boston area that many are into fitness which explains the plethora of gyms in just a few mile radius. If I were back home, I certainly would not consider being a trainer as its just the opposite. So go to a location that has plenty of gyms in the area with a wealthy clientele. Rich soccer moms are the best.

 

[Irish Cannon]

Or you can step up and make something of yourself and step on stage and win. Then you can train fitness and bodybuilding competitors that do have the drive and discipline. The ones that just want an outsiders objective viewpoint on a stage ready body.

Here half my trainers clients compete.

Not everyone is a bodybuilder. I could care less about competitive bodybuilding. It means nothing to me. If I was looking for a trainer, the last person I'd look to is who won the title on stage. That may come with it, but it wouldn't at all be the reason I chose them. I'd want someone who was trained in exercise science, physiology, anatomy, and implemented it in their own training.

 

[crazyfool405]

a lot of it comes from word of mouth,

you get that with experience

With experience comes regular clients. also with experience you could charge more if you have your own business. Its tough to get started and really get it rolling

a steady regular client base is great but may not be enough,

you may need to do online stuff as well with clients as consulting ect. maybe house calls (traveling trainer type stuff)

the more you put in the more you get out.

 

[crader]

Not everyone is a bodybuilder. I could care less about competitive bodybuilding. It means nothing to me. If I was looking for a trainer, the last person I'd look to is who won the title on stage. That may come with it, but it wouldn't at all be the reason I chose them. I'd want someone who was trained in exercise science, physiology, anatomy, and implemented it in their own training.

Well even if you don't care about the competitive part it still means they put in their time in the gym and out of the gym.

I want someone with a passion for what they do. Someone that lives the life and does it well. I don't compete nor do I have any desire to do so. But I have the drive to make my body the best I can. That extends all the way to dieting when I choose to for a cut. Someone that trains for competitions has done all of that.

 

[Zero V]

Well even if you don't care about the competitive part it still means they put in their time in the gym and out of the gym.

I want someone with a passion for what they do. Someone that lives the life and does it well. I don't compete nor do I have any desire to do so. But I have the drive to make my body the best I can. That extends all the way to dieting when I choose to for a cut. Someone that trains for competitions has done all of that.

well thats like a soldier....then a soldier of fortune. Both are equal in terms.

Thats a lifter/home body builder...and a competitor.

Though all lifting is done with a small amount of unavoidable vanity, competition is because you want it to be something more. Just as a soldier of fortune does with his/her career.

I plan to bring my goals and stats into a great shape in the next couple years, reaching each goal and becoming happy with myself, my dedication, and my body. But I will never compete in my life. Its something for me, and I guess technically my future wife, to enjoy.

 

[crader]

Well with me going to shows to represent RPN I choose to represent as a competitor would and bring my body in the best that I can.

Afterall who would buy a fatburner off someone that did not look like they knew what they were talking about.

This is a competitive industry and I feel that if I'm going to go to meetings and be seen by people as an RPN rep/ co-owner then I need to step up.

 

[slacker86]

Heres a few things about being a trainer as i am one right now. If you wanna make good money 1) u cant work for a gym cause they will cut almost everything out of the session charge 2) u have to be able to market something other than weight loss and muscle gain... everyone says that.

Is it a rewarding career (not including money)- Its fun to change peoples lives into something you believe is better and better for them. Not everyone will change but a few will and this is the reward you will recieve (along with recomendations, and walking poster boards for your expertise). you will meet a variety of people from many facets of life and will make connections in many industries if you can talk correctly to these people. Which in turn will again help you.

Now lets talk money- when u start its going to suck. U have no reputation, u have no clients, and generally u have no money to start up ur own buisness due to the whole no client thing. U have to pay ur dues at first and work at a gym or club and estabilish ur client base then LEAVE and take ur clients with u, generally u can offer the same rate at which they where paying or less and sometimes increase what u where earning by 4x, and keep that as a "client that leaves with me only charge" and start to up ur rates conservatively to those who will want your services after you leave ur gym (the special rate will also almost cement your current clients because they think they are getting a better deal for being with u the longest, and everyone loves to feel they are special lol).

Next is what you NEED to do to make money is specialize. What is it about training that you like? Sport specific movements? Dieting? Bulking/strength?? even just training the every day guy who doesnt wanna make BBing his career? U HAVE TO FIND WHAT U WANNA TRAIN IN and make it known so that u are not just a personal trainer u are a specialist in a specific area that can help people with a specific desire. That is where u will start making good money. Anyone can put up an add and say "i can make u lose 5 lbs in 10 days!". But if you put up, "I have worked with some athletes and believe i can enhance performance thru sport specific movements and work outs to help u achieve a higher level of success in sports". You will automatically know that u are going to get driven people to apply to ur ad. Almost everyone has a hobby weather its golf to racing to fishing to anything really. And all sports people are generally motivated to improve their game. You have cornered a market and you can capitalize on it.

Now i have a kinesiology degree and i am a certified personal trainer and a certified strength and conditioning coach. I would suggest if u wanna do the same you get certified in as much as you can. Now i have worked with athletes in sports settings and thats why i chose that example becuase thats what i do. Dont ever lie you will be called out in a minute. And the money will come steadily, word of mouth only takes about a month or two before new clients start coming in (assuming ur good at what u do).

 

[slacker86]

oh and one more thing you have to love it... idk how anyone would make it in any health/fitness field if they didnt love what they did

 

[VolcomX311]

Depends on your location, gym, demographic... some gyms do have a pay scale that's certification based.

In Orange County I have earned $29/hour as a CSCS (working "FOR" a gym). In L.A. County I get $15/hr aranoid:

 

[Flaw]

Depends on your passion and dedication. If you have a extremely high level of both you can succeed anywhere, even in a bad demographic. That being said.. if you have a decent passion and dedication you can do very well in a good demographic. I wouldn't choose it as a career choice. It is not a secure, reliable job. How much you make varies all the time. With the economy issues last year I realized I needed to find another career.. so that's where i'm at. It's no 9-5 job where you do work and come home. With personal training you are always working in some way.. think about your job all the time and because it's "personal" you can't just be a business person. If you are you won't succeed long run but A lot of issues can develop being one on one with a person for awhile.. drama that you may not want.