What does it take to call yourself a "personal trainer?"

[Baby Gorilla]

Not that I'm making too many plans yet, but I've been thinking....

I know an area that could use a gym. If I opened one, it might be worth it as while there are gyms in the region, they are not serving the rural area in between them. Lots of people working in the small town there (most all county employees including the county sheriff office) but all gyms in neighboring cities. Those living in town can only go to a gym if it's near work in town or go out of their way. Need to do some research....anyhow.

On personal trainers. I see lots of people saying they are certified. Is that important? In my experience I've only seen 2-3 personal trainers I'd even hire. All were "certified." I'm sure they all knew something about personal training, but they really didn't know that much.

I figured if I opened a gym, I could always offer services as a personal trainer. I wouldn't represent myself as having "certification", and I have no intention in pouring good money into some bogus certification program that cranks out a bunch a people who (as far as I can tell) know next-to-nothing about effective training.

As far as I'm concerned, you hire me so you can someday fire me. I'll get you straight on a routine that gets results, show you what you need to be doing with diet. Help you learn the exercises. Once you grow enough to keep yourself motivated, you shouldn't need me anymore unless you want to try something new. Most all PT people I've seen keep their suckers (err....clients) coming back by teaching them poor technique, or poor discipline, give them a bunch of warm fuzzies, and keep taking their money. I'll meet you in a black hood and battle axe in hand and demand to know if you're serious about changing your body or not (only kidding....and no, VG didn't help me compose this).

Anyone know if there's a legal requirement to be "certified" or "licensed" to offers services as a personal trainer?

 

[gsxr1000]

I think most places would tend to take a certified personal trainer over someone who just walking in off the street and say "Yeah, I know what I'm doin"

 

[Egomaniac247]

I know for fact that many of the "kids" I see as trainers at the American Family Fitness I lift at aren't certified....they look like college kids with an after class job.

 

[powerhouse972]

i would say in some cases that if you are big enough people will believe you and pay you for advice. On the other hand some people might want to see a certificate. Also you might also want to think about getting insurance for training because most gyms require it. The class i took was $700 and 5 days long.

 

[HighIntensity]

without certification, your clients can sue you for injury

 

[The Almighty]

Places like 24 hour and Bally's dont require a cert to be hired as a trainer, hence the reason 99% of them are pussies.

If you think you can past the test, shell out the $300 or so for a reputable certification.

 

[liftsiron]

HighIntensity without certification, your clients can sue you for injury

With or without certifaction your clients can sue for injury. Many certifaction programs offer group rates on liability insurence. If you are going to work as a independent PT you need liability ins. I reccomend 1mil coverage per incident, that amount of liability is affordable. Have each of your clients sign a waiver of liability, this greatly reduces the risk of law suit if an injury were to occur. Most board members realize that most certification programs just rehash the basic old shit, but the bottom line is certified trainers get more clients and make more bucks. Certification is just one tool you will need to use to atrack potential clients, there not going to be beating on your door. To keep clients you need to be professional, knowledgeable and personable. Also you may want to study pychcology as well, because many clients will use you as their personal shrink.

 

[Cro Magnon]

No names, but I know of at least one national chain that likes to hire UN-certified trainers . . . so they can pay them less.

CM

 

[Greek Freak]

NYSC...and they pay shit, half the time the floor boys(guys that clean up weights) make the same because the trainers are just on salary.

 

[Axe]

My wife is a certified trainer and it is a joke. It is not ACE but the other one (can't remember the name). She sent away and they mailed her a bunch of books and videos. She studied and took a test (at home unsupervised) sent it in and got her certification. This is why most of the trainers are a joke. If I were to "train" people I would get the piece of paper that says I know what I am doing.

 

[shoichi]

I worked at 24hr and eventually switched to this small family oriented "gym" closer by my house. Some of the trainers at 24hr and Bally's are really good - some of them suck. 24hr has you take a basic anatomy and physiology pre cert, followed by a week long Apex cert. Both are garbage, the Apex (the company that sells supps through 24hr) cert is laughable, they mainly focus on selling stuff. I've met some some really good people at 24hr, and even more that I'd rather not talk to at all...except they were my coworkers.

The Bally's near my house has all certified trainers in some nationally recognized cert (ACE,NASM, etc) - but your right, just because someone has a cert doesn't make them a good trainer. It just allows your employer to say, if a client is injured, that hey, my guy is certified, he does know what he's doing, etc.

At most gyms, you have to keep in mind that alot (or at least where I've worked) of building and retaining clientele is simply getting in good with your clients. Most people I've trained needed to lose massive amounts of BF, and I can't just say - get on the elipticals and do cardio for 45min 5x a week and break down their meals for them, although that's what they really need. They would rather come in half ass, talk to me, and think that's enough. It's frustrating....that's a story in itself though.

There are alot of people that take certs so they can get pay raises - it is a business and people are there to make money. The majority (if not all the places) will pay you more with the number of certs you get.

 

[Heffe]

I have 34 clients that I train on a one-on-one basis three times per week. Thirty of them own their own businesses (there's a marketing plan for ya!). Every one of them tells me the only reason they keep coming (some for as long as four years) is because they have an appointment with me. They know how to do the exercises, they know how to eat and most have gotten great results. They would rather pay me to take them through their workouts than try to do it on their own. I hold them accountable and that is why they pay me. They also feel I'm somebody they can talk to. I hear everything, infidelity, financial problems, you name it - they just don't have anybody else to talk to. I don't judge them or give out advice (thats for the shrinks), I just listen and take them through an effective/safe workout.

Don't get rid of long term clients before you get them. They can be your bread-and-butter. If you won't train them, they will find somebody else to give their money to. They want somebody to listen to them and hold them accountable, a good workout is just a bonus for them.

 

[liftsiron]

Don't get rid of long term clients before you get them. They can be your bread-and-butter. If you won't train them, they will find somebody else to give their money to. They want somebody to listen to them and hold them accountable, a good workout is just a bonus for them.

You know what your talking about.

 

[wartime100]

I am getting my NSCA-cpt next month. I have been wondering how hard it is to find a job as a pt in NJ.

 

[rj420]

if it isn't

NSCA, ACSM or maybe a couple of the other well-known organizations, then you don't have to know shit.

I'm getting NSCA certified for CPT in a month and then CSCS certified next year once I get my BS. You can't even take the CSCS without having your degree, which shows you have to be somewhat intelligent.

For anyone to train around where I live you must be certified and have minimum of $1million of liability coverage.

Its also good to know different areas in relevance to training, i.e. athletic/BBing/endurance etc... It allows you to cater to a wide array of clients.

Another good program type to learn is the "Weekend Warrior" style training. Lots of rich people that can only workout on the weekends like this one.

 

[Baby Gorilla]

Thanks....

A lot of it will depend on if the LAW requires it. I just figured as often as people as me for training advice (because I look like I must know something about what I'm doing) it should be something I can offer. I just HATE shelling out $$$ for some piece of BS paper that doesn't prove squat about my ability to do the job. After all, this would be MY GYM, not a chain I'd work for if I followed through with the idea.