Anyone here a successfull personal trainer?

[superrooster1]

I drove by the college the other day and saw it on the sign. Personal Trainer certification. I just keep thinking that you get certified and you still don't know crap about bodybuilding. What could they teach you in 8 weeks to get you ready. So my question to someone that has done it, is what credentials do you look for in a certificate. Can you recommend one over another. I used to read an article by a guy in Cali that went by doggcrapp and seriously thought about fluing out there and just going thru his training, but I don't know if this would qualify me to work in the field. Any thoughts??

 

[HERPECIN]

you could be the most knowledgable trainer ever, but the most crucial aspect about the business is being a salesman. You gotta be able to sell it, whatever it is.

 

[Bikini Mod]

you could be the most knowledgable trainer ever, but the most crucial aspect about the business is being a salesman. You gotta be able to sell it, whatever it is.

Very true... Whether you work for a gym or yourself if people dont buy your services you wont make a dime. If you are self-employed this should go without say.

Sad part of this aspect of the job when working for a gym is that the gyms really dont give a shit how good you are as a PT. ALL they care about is sales.

 

[superrooster1]

I hear ya on the saleman side of things. That makes a lot of sense. Some of the good, popular trainers I have run by in the past were busy because they had the body all the guys wanted. It was obvious that person could get you results because he had already achieved it.. To me that has to be a crucial part. If you know what you are talking about then it should show, from your own experience. I don't exactly see myself as a salesperson but get told often that I do it well?? I know I want in though.

 

[KIAN]

If you have a genuine interest in becoming a Personal Trainer then you realy need to know your stuff or you will end up being lumped together with all those other people who went into it for all the wrong reasons. As you have said, looking the part goes a long way. It is the best form of salesmanship. But there also has to be a great deal of knowledge underneath all that muscle. Although your future clients will be coming to you to learn how to get into shape ... they are not idiots ... they can spot a fake. So it is important to take it seriously.

As to credentials, there are so many available from genuinely recognised certifications, right on down to send me $49 and I'll print you up a nice cerificate on my printer type of credential. The following lists just some of the more well known fitness certification agencies. Within each of these agencies, there are differenct types of certifications (ie: Personal Trainers, Nutritional Specialists, etc.) so you will have to see which one is more inline with what you wish to pursue.

ISSA International Sports Sciences Association
ACSM The American College of Sports Medicine
NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association Certification Commission
NCSF National Council of Strength & Fitness Certifying Agency
NESTA National Endurance Sports Trainers Association

ACE American Council on Excercise
NFPT National Federation of Professional Trainers
NSPA National Strength Professionals Association


Also, have a look on the fitness job boards in your area to see what experience and credentials prospective employers are looking for so it will give you an idea of where you should be heading. Just a bit of caution though: The fact that an employer is asking for a type of certification does not mean it carries more weight than others. I know a couple gyms who continually ask for the same type of certification simply because it is the cheapest and quickest for employees to obtain.

You will also have to have CPR and First Aid training. The CPR is usually a necessity before you sit your final exam.

Back to the salesman issue again ... That really depends on the type of work and the environment you are in. If you are self-employed then it plays a huge part. If you are working in a gym franchise setting then it may only play a small part depending on how much initial contact you have with clients. Some gyms have people who take care of all the selling and paperwork side of things and then pass the new member over to the trainers. Other gyms though will have you doing the whole thing. So it is important at your interview to ask alot of questions with regards to your role in the gym. When I first started, I did the selling side of it but now, thankfully, I just concentrate on training.



If you want to test your current knowledge on fitness to see if you are ready to take the next step, then try the Pretest at the following link:

NSCA CSCS Certification Preparation Test


Hope this helps you with your career mate.


_________________________

KP -- Fitness Basics

 

[tzaroff123]

kian, thats very good advice.

i just want to add one more thing.....if possible get a sports degree. will help alot in marketing yourself.

 

[tulsasbest]

I drove by the college the other day and saw it on the sign. Personal Trainer certification. I just keep thinking that you get certified and you still don't know crap about bodybuilding. What could they teach you in 8 weeks to get you ready. So my question to someone that has done it, is what credentials do you look for in a certificate. Can you recommend one over another. I used to read an article by a guy in Cali that went by doggcrapp and seriously thought about fluing out there and just going thru his training, but I don't know if this would qualify me to work in the field. Any thoughts??

ACSM OR ISSA

 

[superrooster1]

Thanks to all for the great info. I will be researching this thoroughly. Great help and insight here.

 

[marshallmadman]

ISSA's test is extremely difficult. If you think you already know your shit, you are in for a big surprise. The textbook was written by Fred "Dr. Squat" Hatfield. A good portion of it reads like a college level Anatomy/Physiology textbook. You know...the class everyone drops because they had no idea it would be that hard.

 

[theleanest]

NSCA is a REAL good one to have, it's naionaly known, plus only 60% of the people pass the test, so you need to be knowlegeable.

This industry is getting flooded with uneducated trainers, that will come and go quickly, if you want to suceed and make this your career, I would agree with tzaroff123 you should have a degree in the field.

 

[jstrick2]

Can you still get certified through NCSA without a sports/medicinal degree?

I am looking at being a PT as a part time thing...

 

[habitualhealth]

Unfortunately PT's are a dime a dozen. Like a few have said, it's about setting yourself apart from the rest. What makes you different from the other 1000 in your city? Marketing, reputation, companies you get in with, clients, your appearance...etc. Obviously, key is selling yourself. From my experience so far, the passion for the industry and lifestyle is what sells. It's an emotional sale so you have to find out what that emotion is that's driving a person in the door...and focus on it.

I'd definitely do your research on the certifications. You want something that is nationally recognized. There are a buttload of certs you can get online but many reputable gyms/companies won't recognize and allow in the door. Just do your research. You might want to call around to some of the gyms in your area and ask about their trainers...what their certs are and what they require.

Too, figure out who your target market is....what's your specialty? For example, let's take me....feb of this year i was 50+ lbs heavier and a helluva lot of inches wider. I'm a 25yro single mother....I lost the weight with few supps. Just clean eating and strict workout regimen. Who do you think I would sell the BEST to? Relate more to? Grant it, I'm not going to rule out anyone...but so far.....i've been on the job for about 2 months....i've sold ever stay at home mother, single mom, divorced woman, married woman w/children, single/married father who's walked through the doors. When you can relate to what you're selling....you'll be successful. If you have a story to tell...and you can back it up....IMO, PT sales is a breeze. What's cool is, you become the specialist.

Dang, i'm a rambler. Hope this helps a little and good luck!

 

[Arniceous]

Not training the pros yet but it's a partime thing for me. I'm an electrical worker by trade would love to open my own gym however wife would too...
A lot of BB's are certified as PFT as well I thought that was interesting when I discovered how many of the top guys are now trainers getting out of competition. Smart Move cause nothings forever.

 

[SDHW]

Can you still get certified through NCSA without a sports/medicinal degree?

I am looking at being a PT as a part time thing...

yes, but you need a degree to sit for the CSCS exam.