If you always feel a lot more alive and energetic in a gym, compared to any other place, love cheering people on as they push themselves through the final rep, or have ever imagined yourself leading someone toward a better, stronger version of themselves, you’re in the right place!
Becoming a personal trainer might require a lot of hard work, but it should feel easy to someone who is passionate about the career choice. You must know a lot more than a couple of exercises on your fingertips. Sure, workouts are a big part of it, but so is science and psychology.
It is truly an art to recognize the kind of person you are working with and tweak your suggestions as well as teaching methods to meet their needs. Anyone can scream instructions, but it takes a lot more skill to “motivate” or make someone feel positive about themselves.
Step 1: Start Understanding What a Personal Trainer Really Does
Before you begin training, figure out whether the job is a good fit for you. Understand what it involves and what are the most challenging aspects of the career.
A fitness trainer isn’t someone who counts reps or yells “one more!” They’re mostly coaches, sometimes a personal therapist, often a teacher, and, when it gets really hard, a shoulder to cry on. You’ll need to learn anatomy and exercise science, but also how to fit client personalities.
Throughout your career, you are going to encounter athletes, elderly clients, busy professionals, and complete beginners. You might work within a gym, choose to freelance, train your clients online, or even specialize in a specific kind of clientele and exercise type (for example, pre/postnatal fitness, corrective exercise, or strength conditioning).
The point is, you need to be able to clearly define “why” you want to choose this career path and which aspect motivates you to stick through it, even when things get hard.
Step 2: The Necessary Checklist
Yes, there’s a checklist you must tick off before you begin training people. The more certified you are, the more clients would be willing to trust you.
Most certifications require you to be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent. They may also ask you for a current CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) certification. This is so you can respond to critical situations timely.
CPR courses can be easily accessed through the Red Cross, American Heart Association, or local training centers. You can even complete them in a day or two.
Step 3: Choosing the Right Certifications
A certification might not be right or wrong in of itself. The question is whether it is right for you. There are so many options you can choose from. Here are just a few reputable organizations;
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
Each of these certifications has its upside and drawbacks. NASM would primarily be for people who want to specialize in corrective exercise or spend most of the time in the gym training people in person. ACE is more for people who want to build a stronger base in behavior change and coaching, ideal for trainers who are more people focused and like a challenge. On the other hand, NSCA is excellent if you’re heading toward athletic performance.
You must also consider costing, course format (online vs. in-person), duration, and post-certification support, just so you know exactly what’s feasible for you. The good news is that most programs can be easily completed in around 3-6 months if you are consistent.
Step 4: Studying Hard and Passing
Memorizing terms isn’t the main purpose of becoming a trainer. The reason you need to study to be able to train people in the gym is because you need solid knowledge of the way the human body moves, and what can be hurtful if the wrong form is adopted. Channel your passion into studying for these terms and really feel the importance of acquiring this knowledge.
Certifications test you on everything, from anatomy to exercise techniques and client dealing. What helps are flashcards and study materials which are usually offered by all these certifications. To make it easier on yourself, consider shadowing a trainer. Absorb as much as you can. Once you pass, your journey begins.
Step 5: The Final (And Most Important) Decisions
Now for the most important part, the part where you start bringing all those plans into the real world. What kind of environment do you want to train in?
Consider this: some trainers like starting out in commercial gyms because it is a really efficient way to start learning the ropes, gaining sufficient experience, and building a good client base. You don’t need to worry about marketing or managing your schedule yet. However, gyms pay less per session and you might have to invest longer hours as well as work with sales quotas.
A trainer who may want to take a risk would dive right into independent training or freelancing. There might not be a lot of income flowing in at first until your marketing reaches the right kind of customer. However, once you do, you can pick your prices, clients, and mode of training.
No matter the path you choose, don’t forget to get insured. If you are training clients outside of a gym, you need liability insurance just in case a client ends up getting injured. Make sure you also invest sufficient time in doing your research on the local regulations. Some countries or states require business licenses, contracts, or specific legal structures (like registering as an LLC).
Personal Training: More Than Muscles
Looking for clients? Consider starting with a basic website or profile page and show testimonials if you have any. Here, you’re going to need much more than muscles to sell your expertise. You could also rely on word of mouth by focusing on helping your existing clients succeed and asking them to leave good reviews or recommend you.
Alternatively, you could also keep a lookout on websites like Higher Hire where you can search 1000s of local job openings and find a client that is looking for a trainer like you!
So, keep those muscles flexed and the spirits high! Put your heart and soul into it, and go beyond the physical movements. The best thing you can do for someone is to show them their potential!
