Personal Trainer Business

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mc96

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I am interested in becoming a personal trainer but don't really want to work the local gym. I have been self employed for several years and don't like the idea of going back to punching a clock. I have been involved in weight training off and on for about 27 years and in martial arts for about 16 years so I have a good practical knowlage of the body and excercise. My plan is to take the course from NASM and get certified, my question is if I do the PT business on my own whats the best aproach? do I go to clients home and train them on their equipment? Bring equipment and if so what kind can I carry and still give a well rounded program? or can I simply meet clients at the club and train them there?

Thanks
 
Well there is alot involved in starting your own PT business. The first thing to do of course is to get a good certification and continue that education. The most important thing to remember is you are working for the people, for the public. There is nothing wrong with making a living from doing something you love, just always stay in check about the ultimate goal.

After you are certified you will need insurance and a business license. Whatever form of advertising is a personal choice. Research what is happening in your area for Personal Trainers. Figure out what their rates are and what kind of training they do. In the beginning focus on your clients and what they want to do...homes, gyms, be versatile.
 
It would be best to work in the gym while you do the course.

You should get a feel for the environment and start to apply what you are learning.
Personaly I would never pay a PT if they have just done the course without experience.
 
mc96 said:
I am interested in becoming a personal trainer but don't really want to work the local gym. I have been self employed for several years and don't like the idea of going back to punching a clock. I have been involved in weight training off and on for about 27 years and in martial arts for about 16 years so I have a good practical knowlage of the body and excercise. My plan is to take the course from NASM and get certified, my question is if I do the PT business on my own whats the best aproach? do I go to clients home and train them on their equipment? Bring equipment and if so what kind can I carry and still give a well rounded program? or can I simply meet clients at the club and train them there?

Thanks
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You have the right idea about not working at a gym. But unfortunately, the gym is a good place to get started. This gives you a feel for working with people, which is the biggest challenge in personal training. Some people will be great and ready to workout and achieve goals. Others will be paying you just to be a friend. Also, working at a gym gives you a name, whether your a good trainer or not. There are PT's at my gym that aren't that good, but they have a name and people want to train with them BECAUSE of that name. You will also learn skills to sell yourself as a trainer. The gym I work at has a very expensive membership rate, and personal training is just as expensive. Most do not want to spend the extra fee for personal training, so developing ways to advertise and sell yourself is very important, or else you're not going to make any money.

You could try training people at their house. I know many personal trainers at the gym that I work at do that. It works for the most part, and is good money, but once again, you really need that experience of working with people. And people ready and willing to spend money on you.

But honestly, you're best bet is to start at a local gym. This gives you the experience of designing programs and working with people of all levels and capabilities. Once you feel like you are ready, you can then decide what direction you want your business to go in :)
 
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