Career change...gulp...wondering if to take the plunge...

S

stigga

0
Hi all,

I am new to the forum, so if I am writing this in the wrong section sorry.

I have considered become a personnel trainer for many years and am finally giving it some serious thought. I am trying to research, what I would need to do, to be able to live of it.......

As background I have worked in a gym when I was 18 as a study, but other than that I dont have any expereince or qualifications. I have a Master's in engineering, not really going to help I know...

I am a fitness freak as they say and love training and competiting in triathlons.

If any can tell me the following it would be a great help,

1) Which certifcates should I aim for!?
2) How long would it take to be qualified!?
3) Honestly what can I expect to earn!? ( I am not expect millions)
4) Are most gyms open to trainers doing 1-2-1, when they don't work there!? I could imagine them wanting a percent of the money....
5) I have tried to see what most people charge for a session. It seem to be between 25 pounds up 50!? Am I correct?
6) Would it help boost my income if I did the session in my superman suit....ok scrap that point.
7) Is there anything else I should be considering......

As i said thanks for any and all info.

Steve
 
I'm not a fitness trainer myself, but as far as money earned, you can expect somewhere in the range of 28K ~ 40K depending on how big the gym is. The smaller shops will probably pay you the lowest, but offer flexibility as far as hours and the amount of people on your list which allows you to develop a more one-on-one training and develop respect for you which can by word-of-mouth allow you to get more people thus more money; larger shops, such as rec centers will probably offer you more money but at the same time, you can expect to work more frequently and fitting schedules at odd hours (like 7-9pm or something) and you can probably expect to have less people depending on you since your schedule will be tight and you need to move people along in the 30 minutes to an hour and thus you'll probably develop less of a reputation and seen more as a "just another trainer."

As for education, you can expect somewhere in the range of 2 to 4 years. At colleges you can earn Health Science, Sports/Exercise Science, or Sports Medicine, I believe although I could have the names wrong. These will offer you a wide range of possible fields. However, one thing you don't do is take a class at the gym and get a "balony" degree. Most small shops - and especially large shops - offer their trainer "education" so they can hang it up on their wall and people respect that but in reality you don't know jack squat and eventually someone will know.

Remember, it's all about word of mouth. If you can get just one person to train under you and you do well with them (i.e. make them get to their goal), they'll spread the word and you can expect more customers to come to you.
 
Hi

and thanks for the feedback. I kind of guessed there would be no quick fix for the studies.
I would need to do the study long distance, as the job at the minute gets me about and I dont want to give me job up before I can earn...

thanks again.
 
What type of people do you want to train? That will have an outcome on how you focus your studies and how much money you make.

If you want to just work in a gym and be a personal trainer, then find out what certifications your local gyms want you to have.

If you want to train athletes, look into the NSCAs CSCS certification. Then you could do your personal training and work with college or high school athletes as a strength and conditioning coach.

If you like the sports side a bit more and don't want to exactly do personal training but work with athletes, look into Certified Athletic Trainer.
 
thanks again for the advice,

I have enough cash to open a small gym, just for 1 on 1 stuff. Was hopeing to get some second hand kit, treadmill, stepper and row. Then a bench, pull bar, dumbells and mats etc.

I hope that would be enough to attract people to come.

That said I need to get some certifcats first. I am checking them out now, I hope in 6 months I can start, if only part time.

Can some say if I have teh basic equipment right or wrong!?

Thanks
Steve
 
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