Personal Training: Good job or not? Your thoughts...

[Muscle_4_Hire]

Whats up bros,
I'm in the middle of deciding between getting a job as a bouncer and being a personal trainer. I'm a full time college student right now and bodybuilding is just one my hobbies. I also like MMA too. I was offered a job after I filled out an application to a Gold's gym today. All I need to do is get my certificate and they will put me on at 14$ per hour training clients. However, they want me 5 days a week and as much as possible. My #1 priority is school so I don't want the need for money to hurt my grades.

My main questions are: Any of you that have been personal trainers, how was your experience? What did you like/dislike? How demanding was it?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks bros

[DNoMac]

I'm a trainer and going through school right now. I've been doing it for over two years now with no problems. It's nice because at my gym, I pretty much make my own schedule. The only problem is, the more you train, the greater percent of money you keep. Obviously school comes first so I dont have the opportunity to make a larger commision on my training.

I think it's a great job though. I make my own hours, get paid great, and do what I love. Not to mention free gym membership and the honnies. Def worth a shot bro.

[IBdmfkr]

We pay our trainers 35$/session.. Either go work for a private gym or get certified go work for a large corporation/builder your clientel and then take them to a smaller gym so you can get paid.

[DNoMac]

Damn I**mfkr, you take care of your boys. I need to start working for you!

[Muscle_4_Hire]

We pay our trainers 35$/session.. Either go work for a private gym or get certified go work for a large corporation/builder your clientel and then take them to a smaller gym so you can get paid.

hah, thanks I**mfkr... thats good info. I can tell either you ARE a good marketer or you WOULD be a good marketer. I'm waiting tables right now and I hate that you have to answer to so many bosses... my GM is really cool but an a$$hole with the schedule. I have like 3 assistant managers and they all have a power trip... one dude even uses it to get girls but fails miserably. I almost fought him one day because he tries to boss you around in front of girls and I called him on it. Anyway, the girls who wait tables make more than me so they hook up with the assistant managers, higher on the totem pole than them. I've seen this with one of the assistant mangers... guy isn't much of a prize, but he fu#ked one of the new girls within 2 weeks of meeting her... and this girl is ultra goodie two shoes.

Yep, the #1 thing girls are attracted to is Money and Power. I'm a smart guy and I'd rather go my own way and make my own life... even if it is the harder, lonlier road - it's worth it in the long run. I am thinking personal training will be a better job than waiting tables.

Opinions, comments, shoutings, please share.

[DNoMac]

I hate that you have to answer to so many bosses... my GM is really cool but an a$$hole with the schedule. I have like 3 assistant managers

Did you finish your TPS report?

[IBdmfkr]

Well by doing so we actually attract a much better clientel because they know all our trainers are hand-picked therefore desire to train at our gym..

Let's crunch numbers really fast

Ex: I have 5 in-house trainers that train 30sessions on average/wk. Each of these trainers makes 35$/session averaging around 1000$/wk, good money IMO for training part-time.
Now we charge on average 55$/session so let's see what's left over for me with this scenario:
5trainers x 30sessions/wk = 150sessions trained/wk. 55-35 = $20/session I keep.
150sessions/week x 20$ = $3000/wk. - $12000/month. Yes I'm a very generous guy LOL
You take care of your employees and pay them what they're worth and they continue to work hard for you and you get paid. It's great for all of us.

Now imagine a gym with 10 trainers with full 40session/wk schedules. Now you know why 24hr fitness and places like that make so much damn money.

My suggestion to you would be to work for a larger gym to say 3-6months that is located next to a training facility that caters to "Contract trainers" (this is where a trainer pays 250-500$/month to train clients at their facility). After you've established your clientel and you know they will follow you wherever you go, move down the street and contract train them, you will go from making a measily 15$/session with the corporation to making say around 50$/session.
40sessions/wk x $50/session = $2000/wk much of which will be tax free because ppl will write you checks or pay cash.
How's close to $100,000 per year sound.. I've seen many trainers do this and we have a couple contract trainers who make very good cash that work out of our gym.. gotta be motivated to do this, you'll technically work for yourself and control your income.

[Muscle_4_Hire]

Money is good... however, I'm really concerned more about how much stress it will put into my life. As in, I have stress from school already and I'm getting my ass kicked as far as grades go (I'm a straight A student too.)

So, I stepped into this room full of managers yesterday who had me fill out an application right there on the spot. They then gave me a full list of certifications and what they cost to get them. Anyway, I'm talking about two huge dudes (obviously juiced), one huge girl (juiced too), and two reg sized guys all looking at me very skeptical. It was an extremely serious tone in the office and they all looked at me like they didn't think I could do it. What does that mean to you guys.

I'm feeling the pressure right now, although I love pressure, I am weighing my options right now. I have one guy at a local club offering me a position to be a bouncer for 8-9$ per hour and I have these guys pressing me to get my certification. On top of that, I have to ask my manager if I'm going to get a bartending job there, waiting position, or quit.

[IBdmfkr]

Seems like you're intimidated by guys/girls that are bigger than you lol..

[bigfish]

No matter how much money you make the old cliche of money doesn't bring happiness is true. I say you **** the swole chick, and kick the two huge guys asses (they'te probably slow as shit anyway).

[Muscle_4_Hire]

Seems like you're intimidated by guys/girls that are bigger than you lol..

Nope, didn't back down an inch via body language or eye contact. I do MMA on the side so I know the illusion of body size: they bigger they are, the harder they fall. I've seen so many guys come in my studio and get knocked out/choked out because they were too big. Haha, ever seen Joyce Gracie fight? Okay, there you go...

I'm a big guy myself, 200lbs @ 15% bodyfat. The point I was trying to make was WTF are those serious attitudes for.

[Muscle_4_Hire]

Which certification would you recommend? I heard ACE is the hardest but not sure if it is the best.

[Muscle_4_Hire]

Any reccomendations? I need to pick 1 of the 999 certifications to get on my week off upcoming.