personal trainer?

antennachick

I am curious about becoming a certified personal trainer. I love working out, crossfit and wieght lifting. Any suggestions where to start? I was planning on asking the gyms in my town what certificate they accept ect. I really dont want to be in school for years to get a bachelor so I am looking into an online certificate. Also with two kids under two years my time is limited so I need to be able to study at home.
Also I was wondering about hiring a personal trainer myself to get the feel for what they do...if you know what I mean?
Any tips would be appreciated!

arditarose

You want to be a personal trainer but want to hire one because you don't know what they do?

boomshakalaka911

NASM. Best in the buis I think. And just talk to some of the PTs at your gym. No need to pay for one. Most will answer your questions

DavPul

arditarose wrote: »

You want to be a personal trainer but want to hire one because you don't know what they do?

Yeeeeaaaah.....

ninerbuff

Being a personal trainer isn't just about instructing. A lot of your time will be prospecting because without sales, you have no clients. There have been lots and lots of new trainers I've met who got their certs, but had no skills in attaining clients. If you have no experience in presentation of selling a program or sessions, realize this is something you have to learn. Selling a 12 session package at $50 a session ($600) is a lot of extra money for many, so how do you justify that to the consumer? As a trainer, your whole goal should be to get rid of your client. That shows that you helped them understand how to exercise and keep a healthy lifestyle. Which means attaining new clientele and again, that's based on how you do in sales.
Another big mistake is many new trainers usually design programs for clients based on the workouts they personally do. And many times, that's NOT what the client actually needs. Lack of understanding issues like rehabbing a frozen shoulder, training someone with a knee or hip replacement, someone with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, etc. will only limit you to training people who need to just get in better shape and their sessions are usually 5 or less whereas the ones that need attention because of a health or physical issue will usually require more than triple the sessions or more.
Online certs are easy to attain because you just learn the basics. Passing the test to get a cert isn't that difficult which is why there are so many new trainers who really lack in understanding correct instruction on form, execution, breathing technique, etc.
Not trying to dissuade you. Just letting you know it's NOT just about attaining a cert to be a trainer that makes a profit in the endeavor.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

boomshakalaka911

Notice how it says curious? Gewd lawd....

DavPul wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

You want to be a personal trainer but want to hire one because you don't know what they do?

Yeeeeaaaah.....

It helps to be observant as a PT.... So obviously don't listen to anything they say....

arditarose

boomshakalaka911 wrote: »

Notice how it says curious? Gewd lawd....

DavPul wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

You want to be a personal trainer but want to hire one because you don't know what they do?

Yeeeeaaaah.....

It helps to be observant as a PT.... So obviously don't listen to anything they say....

wat? who is they?

boomshakalaka911

You were in the quote.... So.....

arditarose

boomshakalaka911 wrote: »

You were in the quote.... So.....

I didn't say anything to listen to. I typed a question.

boomshakalaka911

ninerbuff wrote: »

Being a personal trainer isn't just about instructing. A lot of your time will be prospecting because without sales, you have no clients.

This.... This is good info

antennachick

arditarose wrote: »

You want to be a personal trainer but want to hire one because you don't know what they do?

I know what they do lol I should of worded that differently haha I know alot of trainers and actually have worked out with trainers ect. But I am curious what its like to be an actually client

antennachick

ninerbuff wrote: »

Being a personal trainer isn't just about instructing. A lot of your time will be prospecting because without sales, you have no clients. There have been lots and lots of new trainers I've met who got their certs, but had no skills in attaining clients. If you have no experience in presentation of selling a program or sessions, realize this is something you have to learn. Selling a 12 session package at $50 a session ($600) is a lot of extra money for many, so how do you justify that to the consumer? As a trainer, your whole goal should be to get rid of your client. That shows that you helped them understand how to exercise and keep a healthy lifestyle. Which means attaining new clientele and again, that's based on how you do in sales.
Another big mistake is many new trainers usually design programs for clients based on the workouts they personally do. And many times, that's NOT what the client actually needs. Lack of understanding issues like rehabbing a frozen shoulder, training someone with a knee or hip replacement, someone with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, etc. will only limit you to training people who need to just get in better shape and their sessions are usually 5 or less whereas the ones that need attention because of a health or physical issue will usually require more than triple the sessions or more.
Online certs are easy to attain because you just learn the basics. Passing the test to get a cert isn't that difficult which is why there are so many new trainers who really lack in understanding correct instruction on form, execution, breathing technique, etc.
Not trying to dissuade you. Just letting you know it's NOT just about attaining a cert to be a trainer that makes a profit in the endeavor.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Very good information! Thank you! I have actually alot of experience in sales and management in the past . I have always been into nutrition but havent obtained a degree.
I have to admit when I saw how easy it was for people to get an online certificate I was shocked so that why I am asking for more information.
Thanks again

rybo

antennachick wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

You want to be a personal trainer but want to hire one because you don't know what they do?

I know what they do lol I should of worded that differently haha I know alot of trainers and actually have worked out with trainers ect. But I am curious what its like to be an actually client

A very legit concern/question.

Also I second that you will need to promote & market yourself as much or more than you actually train people.

Sam_I_Am77

antennachick wrote: »

I am curious about becoming a certified personal trainer. I love working out, crossfit and wieght lifting. Any suggestions where to start? I was planning on asking the gyms in my town what certificate they accept ect. I really dont want to be in school for years to get a bachelor so I am looking into an online certificate. Also with two kids under two years my time is limited so I need to be able to study at home.
Also I was wondering about hiring a personal trainer myself to get the feel for what they do...if you know what I mean?
Any tips would be appreciated!

@ninerbuff 's post is excellent and right on the money. I'm not familiar with all the different groups but the NSCA and NASM are very good and you'll learn how to design a program for the individual. This may take some time but if you want to gain the knowledge you'll need that time. I got my NASM PES while in school and it took me about four-months, but again I was also in-school and working at the time. You may be able to do it in less time.

lorrpb

I urge you to think about what you're asking...As a client, would you hire a trainer who bought an online certificate that could be obtained as quickly as possible?

antennachick

lorrpb wrote: »

I urge you to think about what you're asking...As a client, would you hire a trainer who bought an online certificate that could be obtained as quickly as possible?

I never said that I wanted it as fast as possible. Thats why I am asking on here about it. And honestly I was surprised to hear about how many trainers get certified online in a few months...I always assumed trainers had a degree.

andysport1

A degree to grunt = I think not