Personal Trainers----Help me out please.

[roidog420]

I have been thinking of a career change & have a few questions concerning Personal Trainer for those who know:

1. Do you need to be certified & if so where is the best place to get certified? There is a site online called NCSF that is supposedly a natioally recognized certification course. Is that somewhere that I should be looking at? The course is $350 if you attend the workshop.

2. Is there ANY money in Personal Training for someone who doesn't have a clientelle yet?

3. What areas of the country(obviously the LA area)would a CPT be in the most demand?

Thanks for any help

4.

 

[havoc]

Answers

1. Do you need to be certified? Well hell yes.
NCSF is fine, ISSA is fine, however, check the spot or gym where you want to train at, sometimes they have certain specifications in regards to where your training certificate is from and will accept only certain ones.

2. Is there any money? Well hell yes, no personal trainer in the world started off just having huge clientele, you will have to make a name for yourself.

3. What areas of the Country? LA, you mentioned, would be by far the worse place to go to, the market is flooded over there, there is no "one" spot that is better than the other, I know PT's that make 60,000 a year training people in a city that has no more than 20,000 people in it, if the people like what they see and the results they will keep coming back. peace

 

[manny78]

I'm not sure about the certification but I heard it was pretty easy to get. Any dumbass could. Of course having a degree with anything related with training, sports... will help. But I know people without any degree or even a certification that were making the big money. Working in gym is a good start, then you'll know people which will eventually trust you....

 

[roidog420]

Answers

1. Do you need to be certified? Well hell yes.
NCSF is fine, ISSA is fine, however, check the spot or gym where you want to train at, sometimes they have certain specifications in regards to where your training certificate is from and will accept only certain ones.

2. Is there any money? Well hell yes, no personal trainer in the world started off just having huge clientele, you will have to make a name for yourself.

3. What areas of the Country? LA, you mentioned, would be by far the worse place to go to, the market is flooded over there, there is no "one" spot that is better than the other, I know PT's that make 60,000 a year training people in a city that has no more than 20,000 people in it, if the people like what they see and the results they will keep coming back. peace

Ok, so how do you go from being paid $7/hr by the gym to making $60000/year? It almost seems like you would have to build up a clientelle & then quit your job at the gym since if you work for the gym & use their facility to train, then they get the money. I dont have a friggin clue(obviously right) to how the process works.

 

[gymnpoppa]

First thing with certifications, forget the easy ones.....if you are interested in working with athletes, sports teams, NSCA is one of the best, very hard to pass the test, but worth it. So is NFPT If you're interested in finding employment in gyms, I'd suggest staying away from big chains (24HR)........I worked small gyms, or upscale neighborhood salons, country clubs for clients. Don't be caught up in the money thing....the best way to build clientele is with results. Fast results....don't milk your clients and produce mediocre results....Results=longterm money, reputation, elite client base. At one time 50% of my clients came from milkmen trainers.

You have to hustle it, RD420, it's a selfstarting, kind of business if you want to make money. If you're fortunate, you can hit the ground running....( have clients come to you ) but with so many mediocre personal trainers out there, you have to really sell yourself. The best way to sell yourself is with RESULTS. It is some work. Also you have a face to face relationship with people, so the more professional approach you have, the better clients you get.

 

[dballer]

First thing with cetifications, forget the easy ones.....if you are interested in working with athletes, sports teams, NSCA is one of the best, very hard to pass the test, but worth it. So is NFPT If you're interested in finding employment in gyms, I'd suggest staying away from big chains (24HR)........I worked small gyms, or upscale neighborhood salons, country clubs for clients. Don't be caught up in the money thing....the best way to build clientele is with results. Fast results....don't milk your clients and produce mediocre results....Results=longterm money, reputation, elite client base. At one time 50% of my clients came from milkmen trainers.

He is right. Another thing you need to keep up with is current supplements. You are going to be dealing with alot of people who want the easy way out. So you are also going to have to be up on EVERYTHING on the market.

Also... if you are not in killer shape... forget it. No matter how much you know.. you are not going to be topdog with a beer gut or pencil arms.

Good Luck.

 

[roidog420]

First thing with cetifications, forget the easy ones.....if you are interested in working with athletes, sports teams, NSCA is one of the best, very hard to pass the test, but worth it. So is NFPT If you're interested in finding employment in gyms, I'd suggest staying away from big chains (24HR)........I worked small gyms, or upscale neighborhood salons, country clubs for clients. Don't be caught up in the money thing....the best way to build clientele is with results. Fast results....don't milk your clients and produce mediocre results....Results=longterm money, reputation, elite client base. At one time 50% of my clients came from milkmen trainers.

When you say you worked those places for clients, what exactly would you do? And would you just go to the gym that they work out at & train them? If so, why would they choose you over a personal trainer that most clubs provide for free? Is it based on appearence? Meaning if you look like you know your shit, they will more than likely choose you over some gym-appointed goof?

 

[gymnpoppa]

He is right. Another thing you need to keep up with is current supplements. You are going to be dealing with alot of people who want the easy way out. So you are also going to have to be up on EVERYTHING on the market.

Also... if you are not in killer shape... forget it. No matter how much you know.. you are not going to be topdog with a beer gut or pencil arms.

Good Luck.

Thanks dballer, I was wanting to add those comments as well.
I also demand/monitor my clients diets, daily, and make them track it. I am amazed and grateful at the lack of attention most trainers exhibit toward diet.

 

[gymnpoppa]

When you say you worked those places for clients, what exactly would you do? And would you just go to the gym that they work out at & train them? If so, why would they choose you over a personal trainer that most clubs provide for free? Is it based on appearence? Meaning if you look like you know your shit, they will more than likely choose you over some gym-appointed goof?

For the first question, If I were starting off in a new place, I'd go to a hair salon, or spa, offer to train say, the owner or a highly visible, popular employee for a reduced price for a short time, (3 months), producing noticeable results.....boom you're in.....word of mouth, and vision advertising.....of course you'd have to scout the gyms in the area to see about working there...first......but that's a way to get started.....PM me for other tips. NO club offers free personal training, unless you're paying for it thru the membership, which means it really isn't free. appearance is very important....but the most important advertising is your work....RESULTS!

 

[gymnpoppa]

Appearance will get you in the door sometimes, but if you don't know what you're talking about, you'll lose every intelligent client you have to a organized, experienced trainer. And your rep will grow......the wrong way.....

 

[roidog420]

Appearance will get you in the door sometimes, but if you don't know what you're talking about, you'll lose every intelligent client you have to a organized, experienced trainer. And your rep will grow......the wrong way.....

Well I do have the appearance thing down, and I am good with people since I have been a bartender most of my life. I have been training for about 15 years now & its the only thing that I have ever really had any passion for(as it relates to a possible career)so I feel that I would be good at it. How did you get certified? I.e., over the net? Did you have to travel somewhere to do it? Just curious & thanks you've been helpfull!

 

[gymnpoppa]

Just go to the websites, and register for exams, study anatomy, and the study material for the exams. They probably list the test sites in your area on the web, Continously educate yourself, stay up to date on training techniques, but always stay with the basics, and the nutrition.

NSCA.....National Strength and Conditioning Association....located in Nebraska at the Cornhusker's school.

NFPT.....National Federation of Personal Trainers......

 

[bignate73]

go for nationally recognized certs

nsca
nasm
issa
ace
if youre in oklahoma, rts.

get on at a chain gym to learn the business and build your style. realistically it will get you in the door. you can then decide to work "on the side" at other gyms. the benefit of working a chain gym is that you will get hourly wage at least and also they will feed you some clients to get you started. if you just try to break into the business and work freelance or gym to gym, you will get eaten up by the trainers already established. gyms that let you freelance will charge you a rent fee or a per session fee to train in their gym. best to get a following or at least a name before you make the leap and to be honest, you have to learn your style and people skills first.

im at a chain gym, ive learned the ropes, could train on the side but for now i choose not to because promotions are coming quick and i could easily be over the $60,000 mark very soon. but for now, im really not in that range because the chain gyms will take a large percentage of the hourly session rate.

 

[gymnpoppa]

Bignate

How long have you been at it? Personal training?

 

[roidog420]

go for nationally recognized certs

nsca
nasm
issa
ace
if youre in oklahoma, rts.

get on at a chain gym to learn the business and build your style. realistically it will get you in the door. you can then decide to work "on the side" at other gyms. the benefit of working a chain gym is that you will get hourly wage at least and also they will feed you some clients to get you started. if you just try to break into the business and work freelance or gym to gym, you will get eaten up by the trainers already established. gyms that let you freelance will charge you a rent fee or a per session fee to train in their gym. best to get a following or at least a name before you make the leap and to be honest, you have to learn your style and people skills first.

im at a chain gym, ive learned the ropes, could train on the side but for now i choose not to because promotions are coming quick and i could easily be over the $60,000 mark very soon. but for now, im really not in that range because the chain gyms will take a large percentage of the hourly session rate.

What is a typical hourly rate & what percentage would a gym take? Thanks. You guys know your shit.

 

[gymnpoppa]

For

24Hr fitness, I think it's according to how many certs you have.....of course you have to complete their cert course, which can't be used outside their gym, or it isn't recognized outside 24Hr gyms.....like 20 per hour, but they charge 55 per hour....and it goes up in percent with the certs you have up to 65% I believe. Most small gyms take about 300-400 per month, unless you work some desk shifts as a tradeout......a good rate of picking up clients would be about 3 per month for the first 12 months......Of course you probably won't keep all of them, but if you try to reach those goals, you'll be getting off to a great start financially. I've been at this about 10 years....before it was really a big deal.

Bnate had a good suggestion, get your feet wet with a chain, I'd probably go with a small gym first, because they will work with you more, and you can make more of what you keep normally......

 

[roidog420]

Re: For

24Hr fitness, I think it's according to how many certs you have.....of course you have to complete their cert course, which can't be used outside their gym, or it isn't recognized outside 24Hr gyms.....like 20 per hour, but they charge 55 per hour....and it goes up in percent with the certs you have up to 65% I believe. Most small gyms take about 300-400 per month, unless you work some desk shifts as a tradeout......a good rate of picking up clients would be about 3 per month for the first 12 months......Of course you probably won't keep all of them, but if you try to reach those goals, you'll be getting off to a great start financially. I've been at this about 10 years....before it was really a big deal.

So basically it sounds like a good idea to work for a gym for awhile to establish a presence there, as well as a decent client base, then move on the paying the same gym rent. So if you are on your own then, you would charge the same price the gym charges?? $55/hour?

 

[gymnpoppa]

UH

It depends on the gym, and how you train your clients. Scrutinize all contracts you sign with any gym as a trainer, in case you outgrow them, and want to take your clients to another gym. as for the hourly rates, it depends on the location, clients. See what the going rate is for the elite type trainers, then the norm type trainers. People are weird, if you go too low (40 or below), they tend to think you aren't experienced. Go higher (55 is normal here), and they pay, go figure. I usually get well off referrals, or athletes, so they can afford whatever.

 

[The Shadow]

Well...

Ok, so how do you go from being paid $7/hr by the gym to making $60000/year? It almost seems like you would have to build up a clientelle & then quit your job at the gym since if you work for the gym & use their facility to train, then they get the money. I dont have a friggin clue(obviously right) to how the process works.

Make the gym a deal where they will allow you to train your clients there. In return, the clients will purchase a one-year membership. DO NOt split you profits at them. Most gyms will jump at the chance to lock someone in for a year at a time. I work in a VERY small town and I usually average about $50 an hour, depending on what the client wants.

 

[roidog420]

Re: Well...

Make the gym a deal where they will allow you to train your clients there. In return, the clients will purchase a one-year membership. DO NOt split you profits at them. Most gyms will jump at the chance to lock someone in for a year at a time. I work in a VERY small town and I usually average about $50 an hour, depending on what the client wants.

Thanks Corn. Nice to hear from you again!

 

[bignate73]

Re: For

24Hr fitness, I think it's according to how many certs you have.....of course you have to complete their cert course, which can't be used outside their gym, or it isn't recognized outside 24Hr gyms.....like 20 per hour, but they charge 55 per hour....and it goes up in percent with the certs you have up to 65% I believe. Most small gyms take about 300-400 per month, unless you work some desk shifts as a tradeout......a good rate of picking up clients would be about 3 per month for the first 12 months......Of course you probably won't keep all of them, but if you try to reach those goals, you'll be getting off to a great start financially. I've been at this about 10 years....before it was really a big deal.

Bnate had a good suggestion, get your feet wet with a chain, I'd probably go with a small gym first, because they will work with you more, and you can make more of what you keep normally......

24hr starts you out at 35% with thier certification. rates per session go from 49-69 an hour. get one certification you get another 5%, get another you get another 5%. max you can get for now is 45%. if you are really good, you charge everyone 69 an hour and get 45% of it.

its good for those who may not be the best at marketing one's self, or just looking to supplement income etc. clients are signed up for training at membership point of sale and every where in between. there are alot of contracts to service. you build your clientele with that and by prospecting also. if you make a name for yourself, people will ask for you to train them.

freelancing at a gym, you either have to get hired on by them or you pay a per session fee or flat rate. with working at a gym, you have to get your own insurance. working under a chain, its covered. unless you are booked solid, or in high demand, your insurance and gym fees will eat you up. also take into consideration that you have to pay taxes on what you make and will have to account for it. possibly hiring an accountant.

get started with a chain that will feed you some clients, its easy at first and you can hone your skills before jumping into your own personal business.

peace