Personal Trainer

**Boom55** · 10-24-2012, 10:28 PM

Hey guys, I'm thinking about becoming a personal trainer (already talked to a manager at golds gym). I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions or pointers that will help.

**cherrydrpepper** · 10-24-2012, 10:37 PM

Ironically I have the same question. If I can add on to Boom55's thread, how do you differentiate yourself from the competition. This seems like a saturated market or am I imagining that?

**spywizard** · 10-24-2012, 10:58 PM

how much money do you need to earn?? working for a big box gym might get you by, but unless you are running a studio, or private classes the money's not there..

I taught and I've trained.. training is more rewarding... teaching is more $$$ valuable..

selling is where the real money is at...

**Lunk1** · 10-24-2012, 11:24 PM

Hate to be an aas but there have been like 6 of these threads in the last month here. We ALL tend to forget the search function

**austinite** · 10-24-2012, 11:41 PM

I've never done it but I hear from lots of folks that it gets old VERY fast...

**MuscleInk** · 10-24-2012, 11:56 PM

I've worked with four trainers: 3 from corporate owned/franchised organizations and one a private trainer. The 3 franchise trainers couldn't hold a candle to the private trainer. In my experience, the certified trainers in franchised organizations train inside a "box". They work from a limited set of training repertoires to "bulk or cut" rather than tailoring a program to specific needs of the individual. Franchise trainers also tend to be poorly trained on corrective form leading to more injuries or limited success.

I'm fortunate, my current trainer is not only certified but is completing a masters in biomechanics and kinesiology and is far more skilled at corrective movements, opposing and synergistic muscles groups as well customizing programs to individual needs. He trains clients aged from 21-86 and clearly a 30 year old male wouldn't train the same as an 80 year old male. One of his clients, an 86 yr old female was supposed to have a total hip replacement - 6 years ago and his training has postponed that surgery an her mobility has improved substantially.

This current trainer is by far the best investment I've made in my fitness.

**songdog** · 10-25-2012, 02:20 AM

Just from wat I have read on here.There must be a lot of trainers out there that are poorly trained.Beacuse some of the things guys have said their trainers have advised them to do is really crazy.

**Boom55** · 10-25-2012, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by spywizard

how much money do you need to earn?? working for a big box gym might get you by, but unless you are running a studio, or private classes the money's not there..

I taught and I've trained.. training is more rewarding... teaching is more $$$ valuable..

selling is where the real money is at...

I don't really need to earn much... House is paid off , cars are paid off , and the wife's a Doc so just looking to make decent money in a rewarding field with flexible hours. What do you mean by selling is where the real money's at ?

**Boom55** · 10-25-2012, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

I've worked with four trainers: 3 from corporate owned/franchised organizations and one a private trainer. The 3 franchise trainers couldn't hold a candle to the private trainer. In my experience, the certified trainers in franchised organizations train inside a "box". They work from a limited set of training repertoires to "bulk or cut" rather than tailoring a program to specific needs of the individual. Franchise trainers also tend to be poorly trained on corrective form leading to more injuries or limited success.

I'm fortunate, my current trainer is not only certified but is completing a masters in biomechanics and kinesiology and is far more skilled at corrective movements, opposing and synergistic muscles groups as well customizing programs to individual needs. He trains clients aged from 21-86 and clearly a 30 year old male wouldn't train the same as an 80 year old male. One of his clients, an 86 yr old female was supposed to have a total hip replacement - 6 years ago and his training has postponed that surgery an her mobility has improved substantially.

This current trainer is by far the best investment I've made in my fitness.

Thanks for the info man this will really help

**SEOINAGE** · 10-25-2012, 04:29 PM

Couple things that I think of first hand. Selling, well obviously you need to sell your clients on your ability. You have to be a good salesman, you could be a crappy trainer but make up for it, or be an awesome trainer and sell nothing.

Second, if money isn't the problem than I would still do whichever was most appealing, but personally being a globo gym trainer wouldn't be appealing to me.

third, I would probably be seriously annoyed with people if I trained. People don't listen and it would piss me off, plus they have all these things they have heard or learned from everyone around them that are false, but yet they hold them as truths, and you will have to break through that.

I mean I think it would be cool to legitimately work with people and be a part of creating them, but most people aren't as dedicated as needed. That's probably why I would charge an arm and a leg for my services, to make sure they are into it, but then you might get people like my dads wife who would use his money thinking it will work, but never put her own effort into it.