10 Steps You Should Take to Becoming a Personal Trainer.
For many people, health and fitness are a getaway to a better life; we all endeavor to become stronger, more fit, and live a better lifestyle. For gym enthusiasts and newbies, a personal trainer offers guidance and personalized exercises tailored to the client’s needs and goals. Personal trainers also assist with nutrition in terms of diet and presenting accurate information on food macros.
A career as a personal trainer is enriching, especially if you are into fitness. The field is very flexible as you can determine your working hours and where you work. To a degree, you have some control over the clients you choose to take on. According to indeed.com, the average national hourly rate for a personal trainer is $23.69. Although, the possibilities are limitless for trainers who develop niche exercise classes, online training, and partner with supplement/apparel companies.
If this is an area of interest for you, here are steps to get you to the goal of being a personal trainer:
1. Have A Diploma or GED
To qualify as a personal trainer, you need to have completed your high school diploma. Alternatively, you can get your GED in three months and apply for a trainer’s course.
2. Get a Degree Program
While this is not an essential requirement, it offers you an edge over your competitors. Additionally, you can specialize in specific areas and get your niche.
These areas include kinesiology, physical education, health and nutrition, and exercise science.
3. Certification
As a trainer, you need more than enthusiasm for fitness. You need to be equipped with knowledge that will help you and your future clients in the long run. Therefore, it is essential to sign up for such certification programs.
These programs include:
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- American Council on Exercise certification (ACE)
- Automated External Defibrillator certification (AED)
CPR and AED certifications focus on teaching trainers how to handle medical emergencies during a fitness session. ACE certification costs about 500 to 700 dollars and lasts 3 to 6 months.
Another additional certification that could prove beneficial is the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine certification (NASM).
4. Take The Certification Exams
Once you complete your certification training, you must take the certification exams. Most exams cover a wide range of areas you will be training on, such as safety, exercise techniques, client relations, and planning.
5. Acquire Experience
It is essential that you acquire some experience working with clients. You can do this by volunteering at a local gym or starting a fitness group online.
Doing so will acquire valuable experience that will help you in your career.
6. Insurance
As a business person offering consultancy services, you must invest in professional liability insurance tailored to your needs. This policy protects you if a civil lawsuit is filed against you by one of your clients.
The policy covers malpractice and negligence, among others. Such a policy protects you from paying the total cost of defending against the suit and damages awarded at the end of the proceedings. With this policy, you can run your enterprise without fear of going bankrupt should a claim be raised.
7. Apply For Jobs
Now that you have all the qualifications and some experience apply for jobs in various gyms and corporate organizations and even pitch directly to clients.
Building your client base ensures you attain maximum profit and get all the credit.
8. Create A Portfolio
A great trainer needs to show that they offer excellent results. An easy way to prove this is by having a portfolio.
With consent, please take photos of your clients showing their gains and progress. Shots of before and after are a sure way to attract more clients. Include some of your images too!
Also, consider having a website and social media accounts. Digital presence is critical in getting more clientele to book you. Investing in a website shows your work to more people and is a great marketing strategy.
9. Develop Your Skills
Learning never stops. As you continue as a trainer, you need to keep increasing your knowledge and skill set. The more you know, the easier it becomes to handle a wide range of people with different body types across all ages and body goals.
Often you will need to demonstrate exercise drills to your clients. Therefore, you also need to build endurance and increase your stamina. After all, you can only correctly train others if you are at peak first.
Other soft skills you need to develop are effective communication, empathy, problem-solving, and customer service skills. You will need to employ these skills daily to attract and maintain clients.
10. Build A Client Base
While working at a gym, develop a good rapport with your trainees. This goes a long way in creating a meaningful partnership and could prove beneficial when you venture out independently.
If you are entrepreneurial and are actively working on running your fitness center, you must actively work at building a client base. You do so by pitching to people, creating content for your online platforms, and advertising.
Also, focus on finding your niche. A niche can be any specific area often overlooked by other trainers. These include endurance training, physiotherapy, and training people with disability, adolescents, or the elderly. These are lucrative areas; you only need to specialize in one in which you are passionate or want to make a difference.
Get Some Space And Get Going
If you have made it this far, you are ready to conquer the fitness world, but one more thing, you need a studio. A dedicated space to hold your training sessions is crucial. In addition, such a space inspires confidence and offers stability to your trainees. It is also easier to commit to a six-month extended membership when you know a physical facility exists.
Airy spaces are always a win. Also, consider getting a space close to the town center or close to other amenities. While online lessons are profitable and encouraged, you also need to be able to host physical classes.
