How to be a successful personal trainer

Have you ever thought about pursuing a career as a certified personal trainer? If the answer is yes, you most definitely are not alone. With fitness as one of the fastest growing industries in the country, opportunities to work as a personal trainer or group exercise instructor seem endless. While you might be super passionate about health and fitness, consider the following before making the plunge.

It takes a while to make a decent living

A typical salary for a personal trainer falls somewhere between $42 – 73K, but it ranges across the board. As a trainer who does the majority of his work in a membership (big-box) gym, it can be difficult to make a lot of money (Check out this post from Fitness Mentors to learn which gyms pay the most). Depending on the gym, you can certainly live comfortably on a decent salary with desirable benefits. With that said, the majority of the trainers I know go off on their own and work independently. The independent personal training world can be scary and competitive, but the opportunities are there. Depending on the market, an independent personal trainer can charge anywhere from $50/HR to well over $100/HR for one-on-one sessions. Partner and small group sessions are becoming more popular nowadays, which offer an even higher payout to the trainer. It likely takes at least two years for a trainer to build a strong book of business and live more than comfortably.

Working as a Personal Trainer can be rewarding in a multitude of ways

Let’s list these off, as there are several:

You get to MOVE throughout the day – We live in a country where the majority of working American’s sit for 9 hours a day in front of a computer screen. It is well known that leading a sedentary lifestyle leads to a plethora of health issues. As a personal trainer, you are always on your feet and physically engaged with your clients. By day’s end, you are exhausted, but you feel a real sense of accomplishment.

Client Success – There is no better feeling in the world for personal trainers than when their clients reach and surpass their goals.

Personal Interaction – Living in a world filled with email, text messaging, and social media, it is becoming more difficult to build real relationships. As a personal trainer, you have the opportunity to actually work face to face with your clients. Spending 30-60 uninterrupted minutes with another individual or group of people helps build interpersonal skills. You really feel alive when working with clients.

Entrepreneurial – Working independently of a big-box gym, you get to be your own boss. There is no limit on how much money you can make, and you set your own hours.

Do what you LOVE – Let’s face it. If working out isn’t a part of your life, then you probably won’t become a personal trainer. All the trainers that I know became trainers because they were passionate about health and fitness. They became trainers because they understand the benefits associated with exercise and living a healthy lifestyle.

It takes effort to build a stable client base

I tell all trainers that if they want to build their clientele, they have to network and meet as many people as possible. Partnering with local companies and meeting other health and wellness practitioners in the area is extremely valuable to any trainer looking to build business. I can’t tell you how beneficial it can be for trainers to establish working relationships with chiropractors, dietitians, massage therapists, and others. It is also essential to have a strong online presence. Any aspiring trainer should create a website and be active on social media. RightFit Personal Training is a great resource for an independent personal trainer looking to build his or her client base. RightFit is a free service that brings in quality clients for its trainers.

The following attributes are essential to make it in fitness

Professional – Don’t be a schmuck (excuse my language). As a personal trainer, you are in client services. This means that things like showing up late, unresponsiveness, and texting during a session (HUGE no-no) are all unacceptable behaviors. If you are a client and your trainer acts this way, do yourself a favor and fire your trainer. You should have done it weeks ago.

Hard-working – It’s not easy. Since most clients want to train before work (5-8am) or after work (5-8pm), trainers work unconventional, and difficult hours. Waking up early and going to bed late can make things difficult, but if you love being a fitness professional, you’ll figure out a system that works for you. Also, building a consistent client base can be a GRIND. It’s not easy to find clients, and many of them can be seasonal. You need to market yourself and network as much as possible to become a successful and busy personal trainer.

Personable – Show up to work every day with a smile on your face and a positive attitude. Most clients are dreading the workout, so don’t make it worse by having a bad attitude.

Physically Fit – I don’t care what anyone says… if you’re not in shape, I don’t trust you as a personal trainer. You have to practice what you preach, and if you’re trying to tell your clients how to get fit, you damn well better set a good example

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So do you think you have what it takes to lead a successful career as a personal trainer? If so, it’s smart to shadow a seasoned trainer, and make sure to get your certification. NASM or ACE are two great nationally recognized certification organizations, so check those out. After receiving your certification, create a profile with RightFit Personal Training and we will help you find and retain quality clients.