Becoming a personal trainer

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 06:25 AM

Hey guys / gals. I really want to become a certified personal trainer. I'm pretty sure there are some that hang around here. Can someone point me in the right direction to get started? There seems to be multiple paths and I would prefer to avoid learning the wrong path(s) by trial, error, and spending mad money. Also, can someone provide some insight into the business aspects of personal training?

There are multiple personal trainers in my gym and I feel so sorry for the people they train. I'm certainly not an expert by any means, but I know enough to realize they shouldn't be personal trainers. It's kinda like going into GNC and listening to the sales clerk "teach" people about supplements and such.

I already work full time as a programmer and I don't have any interest in giving us my career. Is it feasible to be successful at both?

Thanks in advance.

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 06:36 AM

anyone? hhheeellloooo?

**w_rballs** · 10-04-2004, 07:37 AM

nsca CPT. one of the ebst certifiacation to have. then if u have a degree u can become a CSCS from them (certified stregnth and conditiong specialist).

im working on mine right now. but im curretnyl cooper institute certified, nsca-cpt,and sprots nutrition certified.

alot of places offer online certifications but the good ones u have to go somewhere to take a test and the practical

**SwoleCat** · 10-04-2004, 07:39 AM

Love it inside/out and love helping people succeed.

If you are doing it as a "side thing", it's never going to be fruitful.

~SC~

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by SwoleCat

Love it inside/out and love helping people succeed.
If you are doing it as a "side thing", it's never going to be fruitful.
~SC~

I kind of supsected as much, but I there would have to be some kind of transition period or me. I currently have a pretty substantial income, so that would need to be replaced. Especially since I have 2 children and other major responsibilities. I was hoping to start off doing it on the side until I got to a point where I could afford to change careers.

**DevilsDeity** · 10-04-2004, 08:13 AM

are you looking for a class or online study?

**SwoleCat** · 10-04-2004, 08:29 AM

Just take your time and go slowly and don't expect miracles. (You have another gig, so it's all good there) It takes many years to build clientele and a solid reputation, but it's totally worth it!

~SC~

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by DevilsDeity

are you looking for a class or online study?

Honestly, I would just assume read a book and take a test. I really don't care to pay someone way too much money for information I can extract from the books myself.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

**Hypertrophy** · 10-04-2004, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by w_rballs

nsca CPT. one of the ebst certifiacation to have. then if u have a degree u can become a CSCS from them (certified stregnth and conditiong specialist).

im working on mine right now. but im curretnyl cooper institute certified, nsca-cpt,and sprots nutrition certified.

alot of places offer online certifications but the good ones u have to go somewhere to take a test and the practical

I agree. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is the way to go. I have both the NSCA-CPT and the CSCS. If you are just looking to personal train the general population, then the NSCA-CPT would be the one, however, the CSCS is more advanced and more respectable.
http://nsca-cc.org/exam_info/
Everything is on here!

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 12:29 PM

Right on, thanks guys

**nathanw21** · 10-04-2004, 12:46 PM

i am getting ready to take my test in november. i am taking the ISSA personal trainer test. i am look forward to being a personal trainer. any tips for the test? and how does ISSA stack up with NSCA
thanks

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by nathanw21

i am getting ready to take my test in november. i am taking the ISSA personal trainer test. i am look forward to being a personal trainer. any tips for the test? and how does ISSA stack up with NSCA
thanks

That's a good question. I got a flyer in the mail from them and was going to ask about them

**TexasFitnessGirl** · 10-04-2004, 01:11 PM

I am taking the Ace Exam for group and personal trainer this month.

The best thing happened with doing the competitions. A guy called that has seen me around town and wanted to get a gift for his wife, she had been complaining about her weight and such. So he asked me to train her and he would pay the first month upfront. He came by today gave me the money and I trained her for the first time today. He also said if I can help her get to her desired goal he will give me a $500 bonus!! Great Huh!

**co2boi** · 10-04-2004, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by TexasFitnessGirl

I am taking the Ace Exam for group and personal trainer this month.

The best thing happened with doing the competitions. A guy called that has seen me around town and wanted to get a gift for his wife, she had been complaining about her weight and such. So he asked me to train her and he would pay the first month upfront. He came by today gave me the money and I trained her for the first time today. He also said if I can help her get to her desired goal he will give me a $500 bonus!! Great Huh!

Sweet. Now that's what I'm talking about, not only do you get those "feel good feelings" from helping people reach their goals and live a healthy, happier life...YOU GET PAID FOR IT!!

**TexasFitnessGirl** · 10-04-2004, 01:46 PM

I know I just am in a transition now, I made great money in the corporate world, but I DONT want to go back to that. I want to work with people and help them. The money is not that great and the benefits suck. IMO The rewards are so much better helping people than working for a corporation.

**w_rballs** · 10-04-2004, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by TexasFitnessGirl

I know I just am in a transition now, I made great money in the corporate world, but I DONT want to go back to that. I want to work with people and help them. The money is not that great and the benefits suck. IMO The rewards are so much better helping people than working for a corporation.

i get paid to be in a gym... so how great is my life? i get paid to be in a gym, doing what i love to do, all while becoming healthier and in incredible shape. the chicks are a bonus too!

some of my clients, want me to workout with them as well. so basically im getting paid to workout. I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

**TexasFitnessGirl** · 10-04-2004, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by w_rballs

i get paid to be in a gym... so how great is my life? i get paid to be in a gym, doing what i love to do, all while becoming healthier and in incredible shape. the chicks are a bonus too!

some of my clients, want me to workout with them as well. so basically im getting paid to workout. I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

I am jealous, I have an interview manana at a gym. Wish me luck!

**w_rballs** · 10-04-2004, 01:55 PM

good luck texas. im sure u will get the job.

u guys have some good gyms down in texas. i was very impressed with dallas' fitness level. gym on every corner basically. i was gonna move there, but its too **** hot for me

**Hypertrophy** · 10-04-2004, 02:08 PM

I would recommed NSCA over ISSA. NSCA produces scientific journals in the feild of exercise physiology. Strength and Conditioning Journal and The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Do you take the ISSA over the internet??

**Soldier of Misfortune** · 10-04-2004, 02:13 PM

We had some guest speakers come to my exercise science class talkin about becoming a trainer, they had all kinds of letters behind thier names. ACE was the most popular, its cheap and credible and can be completed in a short time.

**nathanw21** · 10-04-2004, 02:17 PM

you can take it on the internet but i am taking it in person. i did quit a bit of research on the net about it and the best i could find that fit into my schedule was ISSA. the are also endorsed by the olympics.

**Hypertrophy** · 10-04-2004, 02:42 PM

I would question the Validity of a test via internet.

**co2boi** · 10-05-2004, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by TexasFitnessGirl

I know I just am in a transition now, I made great money in the corporate world, but I DONT want to go back to that. I want to work with people and help them. The money is not that great and the benefits suck. IMO The rewards are so much better helping people than working for a corporation.

I hope I am able to have that outlook, if I find myself in that situation. As my income has increased, my lifestyle has increased along with it, so it's more than a matter of simply not making as much money. Either I scale down, sell my house, my bike, my cars, etc and replace them with cheaper ones, or I find a job making more money...or stay where I am.

Are you required to renew certifications annually? (or periodically at all)??

**TexasFitnessGirl** · 10-05-2004, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by co2boi

I hope I am able to have that outlook, if I find myself in that situation. As my income has increased, my lifestyle has increased along with it, so it's more than a matter of simply not making as much money. Either I scale down, sell my house, my bike, my cars, etc and replace them with cheaper ones, or I find a job making more money...or stay where I am.

Are you required to renew certifications annually? (or periodically at all)??

Some are annually but I think ACE is every two years. I always say do something you love and you will be successful and you will not fail.

**co2boi** · 10-05-2004, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by TexasFitnessGirl

Some are annually but I think ACE is every two years. I always say do something you love and you will be successful and you will not fail.

Cool, but who's gonna pay me to masturbate?

**w_rballs** · 10-05-2004, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by co2boi

I hope I am able to have that outlook, if I find myself in that situation. As my income has increased, my lifestyle has increased along with it, so it's more than a matter of simply not making as much money. Either I scale down, sell my house, my bike, my cars, etc and replace them with cheaper ones, or I find a job making more money...or stay where I am.

Are you required to renew certifications annually? (or periodically at all)??

like texas said most are one year but some are every two years.
during the time that u are certiifed u can either take addition classes or seminars or read books that count for CEU( continuing education units)

**TexasFitnessGirl** · 10-05-2004, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by co2boi

Cool, but who's gonna pay me to masturbate?

FUNNY!!!
If you find someone to do that let me know

**decadbal** · 10-05-2004, 09:15 AM

the tiny penis ppl who have athiung for that..haha

**bigol'legs** · 10-05-2004, 04:54 PM

Im planning on moving pretty soon, my wife got a good job offer in a different town. So good, my income will be a supplement. I have already contacted a couple of gyms in the town (same state- MT) and they know who I am... its pretty cool. So I can choose what gym i want to train at .. and who I want to train.

Its been a dream of mine to get paid to workout and train people. So... im going to be living my dream.