Does anyone here make a living as a personal trainer?

[RayL]

Does anyone on this board make a living as a personal trainer or other occupation in the fitness industry?

[Steele]

bump. i am thiking about it, would like to discuss

[majorpecs]

Not much of a living to make that way...there are some that live lucrative lives off of being personal trainers...but you gotta have the right clientelle. I'd be so happy to make a living as a personal trainer, but there is no way I could match the money I make working in computers......

[BlocRoc]

MajorPecs

Here in CA I am about to give up on the IT market. How is the market for Sr. Sys Admins with Fortune 500 Management experience?

CA is getting unbearable.

L8 and thanks for the info!

[RayL]

I've seen job postings for personal trainers at gyms for $20-$45/hr.

[rob35145]

I'm a personal trainer and I also work in corporate fitness. What do you want to know. By the way, I do make a decent living. You can't work at the local gym and make a decent living though. You have to find a country club or do in home training. Be your own boss. Just let me know what you want to know and I'll do my best to help ya out.

[BIG R]

I've done it for 3 years and the money is good. Make your people look good and your reputation will get you new clients. I really like my job....not to many people can say that they are doing what they love. And it fits well with my competitive schedual.

R

[RayL]

I have several questions. What are the most important credentials to have if one wants to be a personal trainer? Are the NSCA-CPT and the CSCS the best credentials? If yes, does the CSCS supercede (sp?) the NSCA-CPT or is it important to have both? I am eligible for the CSCS since I have a B.S. degree. What is the best way to study for these exams? What are the most common clients? How important is your physique in order to be successful and what type of physique are most clients searching for in a trainer (massive body builder, power lifter, overall good athletic build)? Should a new personal trainer get started at a local gym? How do you make yourself more marketable? What kind of income should one expect? I have more...........

[RayL]

I started this thread and I am asking these questions because I am recently unemployed and I am thinking about making a career change to something that I enjoy. I am not looking to get rich, just make a respectable living. However, I don't want to be poor either.

[rob35145]

RayL,

Since you have a B.S. I would go after the CSCS. I have it and I believe it’s the best out there. Then go for the NSCA-CPT, if you want. It’s not necessary but people like trainers that have a few certifications. If you want to work with older clients (recommended) look at the ACSM because it’s more along the lines of testing and prescribing that population. The best way to study for the exam is the same way you did for your classes in college, read, take notes and study from them. You can buy a practice test so you can get familiar with the way the questions will be worded. Clients can be anyone. Most people that are into bodybuilding won’t need the average trainer. Most people on this board know what they are doing so this population wouldn’t be a good target. Special populations and baby boomers will need a trainer. You are better to go after that market. Older people with health problems, hip replacements, spinal stenosis, referral from doctors to get into shape and so on. Physique is important in training. You don’t have to look like a bodybuilder but you do have to be in shape. It helps. Since you are currently unemployed a local gym might be a good start. The only problem with the local gym is they give you 40% of the split and most want you to work the floor for like $8 an hour. Crap. If you can communicate what you want the client to do, have patience, train like it is a business, you can easily get 60% - 70% of the split with no floor time. I would recommend going to a country club or a private studio. You’ll make more money, work fewer hours and be happier. You can easily make $30 - $50 per hour depending on your location. If you are in a good location you could also look into in-home training. That’s where you go to the client’s home and train them. You can charge as much as $200 per hour. I personally know trainer who make six figure incomes. Of course they own studio but it is possible. You won’t make a lot of money working at your local gym. They just don’t pay. They don’t have to. They can easily get someone off the street, have them take a personal training exam over the Internet and pay them $8 per hour and the trainer is happy. That guy is an idiot but it happens. If you have any more questions PM me. I’ve been doing this for ten years and won’t change careers for anything.

[RayL]

rob35145 or anyone else,

Is there a study guide or textbook for the CSCS or should I just do my own research based upon the various portions of the exam? Any advice regarding study materials would be greatly appreciated.

[philldo31337]

im in school right now (high school) and i was thinking about this as my future career and maybe getting a back-up degree in computers or something (im really good with computers) but i dont know if i should go into it now by the way you guys are talking about it you are making it sound like something horrible. oh well i might just stick with it through high school and college.

[rob35145]

http://www.nsca-cc.org/
You can do everything from this web site. Buy study materials, sign-up, etc. Check it out.

[RayL]

rob35145,

I have been to that site. I was just wondering if these are the best study materials to prepare for the CSCS. In college I took what are called CLEP tests for some college elective credits. It was supposed to be for those who gained knowledge through life experience. What a joke. They were the easiest credits I ever earned and I tested in subjects in which I had no familiarity.

Anyway, I found that the institution resposible for the development of the CLEP test actually had the worst study materials. Other institutions had study materials that were almost fool-proof. It was like cheating. Just curious if there was some piece of literature out there (cheaters guide) for the CSCS.

[SwoleDiesel662]

what does CSCS stand for?

[RayL]

CSCS stands for Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Someone correct me if I am wrong

[Lostsoul]

Well i'm in Australia and also looking to get out of the IT industry, definetely not worth the hassle anymore, money is shit and the work sucks, anyways i'm going to get into this career aswell, not expecting to make mega $$ but from what people i've spoken to tell me that i can get about $50 an hour or so, not hard to get certified, only about $4500 all up, i only make $30-35 an hour in computers, but more than that the lifestyle is what i'm after... but i'm gunna try it out for 12 months and see if i like it. plus i can do both at the same time if i need to (IT and PT)

[rob35145]

RayL,

Yeah, the books and practice test on that site is all you really need. If I where you I would buy the package deal for $250. You will need to look at the video of exercises. I know you probably know the exercises but they have certain cue words they are looking for. It's just a way for them to make you buy the study materials or have to re-take the test. I know people who have a degree in the field and didn't buy the video because they knew the exercises. They didn't pass because that is a big part of the exam. You have a written part and a practical. The practical is watching the video and then answering the questions about the exercises. They only give you a few seconds to watch the person doing the exercise and then you have to answer. It will just help you know what they are looking for. It's a good investment, plus it's tax deductible once you get into the field.

[RayL]

rob35145,

Thanks for the input

[majorpecs]

Originally posted by BlocRoc
MajorPecs

Here in CA I am about to give up on the IT market. How is the market for Sr. Sys Admins with Fortune 500 Management experience?

CA is getting unbearable.

L8 and thanks for the info!

Hey bro..the IT market in Houston is DRY right now. With all the big energy companies Enron, Dynegy, El Paso....all taking HUGE hits...the economy is sucking ass right now. Everyone is moving out of Houston to find IT jobs.....