Don't become a personal trainer, it's a scam

[gymtime]

What if you're not looking at it as a career, but as a part time thing? Like in addition to a regular job.

I've also had several people tell me I'd be good at it. I'd like to be able to get a certification, and train a few clients during the week at night. In other words, I'd be going private immediately. Is that worth doing considering what the gyms would charge me to train there?

 

[stickme]

Hay I could be a PT. Lets see three sets of 10 to 15 reps will give you a nice cut look and three sets of 3 to 5 reps will give you some great builk. I think it takes 10 to 15 minuites every other day.

What are these people training for governor of California.
Because thats the poster the're looking at.
Anything sold over the counter other then aminos and protien is a scam.

To be a body builder takes a lot more then going to the Jim.
Each Body is very differant, Now a personal Doctor that knows the ins and outs of body fitness maybe could be of warrented help. Or a monster type that has more pin holes then a pin coushin defenently could help you on a road of body building but a two week class; NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS. It's the American bull market "I have been certified." It's not to say that a person that has been certified doesn't know what he's doing, it's that the certifing had nothing to do with his knowedge.

A PT on a pro foot ball teem is not the same as a PT at your chain jim.
And you say "well of cource not!" But that's what the people at these jims think their getting.
And that's what makes it a scam.

 

[glock40_1979]

If someone thinks that they are getting the same certificate as the people who are at a pro or olympic level they have no business personal training. If I ever heard someone say that I think I would just shoot myself.

 

[northfloridatrainer]

Getting access to a gym if you DON'T work there as a personal trainer is one of the biggest hurdles in the industry today. Between the gyms wanting a piece of the pie, and their lawyers screaming about insurance liability, most of the bigger gyms won't even consider letting a contract trainer in there.

If you want a part time gig training clients, your best bet is to approach every gym in your area, offer them a percentage of the fees that you charge, or offer them a monthly rental fee option, and see what turns up.

I would advise doing that before you get certified, because otherwise you may find yourself with a cert. that you can't use in your area because none of the gyms will let you train there.

On the other hand, you could offer to train clients in their homes or outside. That is what I did, and it is my entire business model now. There is a very high profile gym 3/4 of a mile from my house that has asked me repeatedly to join their staff, and I've told them to forget it every time. I'm much happier being self-employed!

Aaron M. Potts
Complete Personal Training Business
[like i said, no free advertising]
Fitness Journal: [email protected]

What if you're not looking at it as a career, but as a part time thing? Like in addition to a regular job.

I've also had several people tell me I'd be good at it. I'd like to be able to get a certification, and train a few clients during the week at night. In other words, I'd be going private immediately. Is that worth doing considering what the gyms would charge me to train there?

 

[TiedToThickGirl]

beachedwhale and northfloridatrainer make very good points. Being a personal trainer is certianly not a get rich quick scheme although many good trainers do very, very, very well.

Some areas are more difficult to work in than others. In our area where my wife is a personal trainer she works privately, not for a GYM and is very selective who she trains. she is a "people person" that motivates people to achieve their goals. If people just want someone to pat them on the butt and tell them everyting is fine she tells them to find another trainer. As a result she is sought out by people that want to progress and put forth the effort.

She enjoys helping people, making money is not the main concern. In my opinion what you get by going through an orginazation like some that were discussed here (althought required to be recognized as a certified trainer) just gives you some of the head knowledge that is involved. Although my wife has gone through the certification process just like all the other trainers and continues to take courses to expand her knowledge she also has over 20 years of weight and fitness training and gym experiance behind her and that is what makes here successfull. The certification is certinaly not a rip off but it in itself does not make you successfull.


TTTG