Should I become a trainer?

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  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
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    If you're good at motivating people, do it, why not, for the reasons people said. Many people just starting with fitness will appreciate your position. I mean if the Curves chain can make a profit, so can you.

    I agree though that you'll have more to offer your clients once you a) reach goal weight b) have maintained that weight for 1-2 years and c) have experienced some kind of injury, rehabbed from it, and returned to fitness. If you know what those things feel like, experientially, you'll be in a better position to help people from the psychological angle, imo. You'll be able to help them set their expectations, etc.

  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
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    A quick update... This morning I passed my NASM exam :) I'm going to let it sink in a little before I start applying for trainer positions. Possibly train friends (for a low rate) to gain experience and confidence.
  • terar21
    terar21 Posts: 523 Member
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    sarahrbraun wrote: »
    A quick update... This morning I passed my NASM exam :) I'm going to let it sink in a little before I start applying for trainer positions. Possibly train friends (for a low rate) to gain experience and confidence.

    Good for you! Wish you success!

    It sounds like you've done a good job at preparing yourself and achieving your goals.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,716 Member
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    sarahrbraun wrote: »
    A quick update... This morning I passed my NASM exam :) I'm going to let it sink in a little before I start applying for trainer positions. Possibly train friends (for a low rate) to gain experience and confidence.
    Congrats on passing! I would encourage you to continue (you're required to anyway to recertify every 2 years) education and to possibly target training the obese (there's programs for them specifically).
    As DavPul stated it's going to be a sales job first and foremost. People would love help, but many don't see the reason to fork out the money.
    My whole intention with a client is to get rid of them. That indicates that I have shown them the correct way to carry on with their life. Then it's on to the next. Even as a seasoned trainer, it takes me about 2 months or so to get about 10 clients if I start cold.
    So brush up on being strong and understanding rejection because most new trainers have a 1of 5 closing average when first starting.
    Good luck and good job.

    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
    9285851.png

  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
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    auntrhon66 wrote: »
    sarahrbraun wrote: »
    A quick update... This morning I passed my NASM exam :) I'm going to let it sink in a little before I start applying for trainer positions. Possibly train friends (for a low rate) to gain experience and confidence.

    Read this whole thread...still don't think I'd hire you

    You know what? That's OK. We might not click. I have 3 other trainers I'd be more than happy to refer you to...

    And that has always been the plan. If I find a potential client that I think is beyond my capabilities, I'm gonna give one of my mentors a shot. And one of them might come across a client who *needs* my story to encourage them and let them know they CAN do it....
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
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    ninerbuff wrote: »
    sarahrbraun wrote: »
    A quick update... This morning I passed my NASM exam :) I'm going to let it sink in a little before I start applying for trainer positions. Possibly train friends (for a low rate) to gain experience and confidence.
    Congrats on passing! I would encourage you to continue (you're required to anyway to recertify every 2 years) education and to possibly target training the obese (there's programs for them specifically).
    As DavPul stated it's going to be a sales job first and foremost. People would love help, but many don't see the reason to fork out the money.
    My whole intention with a client is to get rid of them. That indicates that I have shown them the correct way to carry on with their life. Then it's on to the next. Even as a seasoned trainer, it takes me about 2 months or so to get about 10 clients if I start cold.
    So brush up on being strong and understanding rejection because most new trainers have a 1of 5 closing average when first starting.
    Good luck and good job.

    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
    9285851.png

    :smile: I actually decided a week or so ago that my CEU stuff is going to be the "weight loss specialist" coursework.

    I have a coworker who is 20 years old and about 150lbs overweight. She's been on an 800 calorie optifast diet for the last month :( she hates it, but she doesn't want her weight to kill her. I'd love to be able to help people like her do things the healthy way (I think she could easily eat 2000 calories a day and lose weight) and get the body she wants.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    edited December 2014
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    I am training to be a trainer. And it's true - there are a lot of really bad trainers out there. And getting certified doesn't ensure someone will be good or even make a career at it. I spent 30 years in the design field and there are the same issues there. I was also a teacher for 15 years and everyone knows there are some awful teachers. Any field has the same issues.

    The key is a lot of *ing work. I've spent the last year working on my skills. I started out teaching Zumba, then getting certified as a GFI, now I'm teaching aqua fitness as well. I've experienced awful instructors and a few really good ones. I use them as mentors to help me critique and build my abilities.

    Unfortunately, there's no law that says you must be certified, but I'm taking a PT certification in February with an organization that also has a practical component because, not only do I thing anyone can pass a test, but I believe it's important to have a bit of hands-on experience to spur you on.

    I know I will be a good trainer - I have had positive feedback already. I'm doing it because I'm passionately involved with being healthy and believe I will be a good role model for people in my age range as well as those dealing with weight issues.

    My absolute belief is that a trainer should be in shape - that doesn't mean a body builder, but if you're helping someone achieve a fitness goal, it should look as if you know what you're talking about and how you look is the first impression someone has of that. I don't really care if people disagree with me on this. (And I have read the story of the trainer who had cancer, gained 100 lb due to medications and was still a successful trainer, so don't judge a person by their outsides.)

    I think if you want to do this, you should. Just be aware of the work involved. I think every trainer starts out by thinking "I could do this." That's how I started teaching Zumba.
  • Delilahhhhhh
    Delilahhhhhh Posts: 477 Member
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    Congratulations on passing your exams. Having read through the post, I think you would be an excellent champion for inspiring and motivating. The only person who can stop you will be you, so stay strong, stay focused and forge ahead!
  • feralkitten1010
    feralkitten1010 Posts: 219 Member
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    If becoming a personal trainer is something that would make you happy, I say go for it! I would recommend getting a proper degree in the area. I'm an "ex"-athlete, and have spent a lot of time around trainers. Most of the ones I've ever given any merit to could diagnose and treat any minor injuries I had, as well as teach me proper technique and create routines. That sort of degree may take a little more time and a bit more investment than studying for whatever tests you'll need to take, but I think it would be well worth the effort!
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
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    47Jacqueline wrote: »
    I am training to be a trainer. And it's true - there are a lot of really bad trainers out there. And getting certified doesn't ensure someone will be good or even make a career at it. I spent 30 years in the design field and there are the same issues there. I was also a teacher for 15 years and everyone knows there are some awful teachers. Any field has the same issues.

    The key is a lot of *ing work. I've spent the last year working on my skills. I started out teaching Zumba, then getting certified as a GFI, now I'm teaching aqua fitness as well. I've experienced awful instructors and a few really good ones. I use them as mentors to help me critique and build my abilities.

    Unfortunately, there's no law that says you must be certified, but I'm taking a PT certification in February with an organization that also has a practical component because, not only do I thing anyone can pass a test, but I believe it's important to have a bit of hands-on experience to spur you on.

    I know I will be a good trainer - I have had positive feedback already. I'm doing it because I'm passionately involved with being healthy and believe I will be a good role model for people in my age range as well as those dealing with weight issues.

    My absolute belief is that a trainer should be in shape - that doesn't mean a body builder, but if you're helping someone achieve a fitness goal, it should look as if you know what you're talking about and how you look is the first impression someone has of that. I don't really care if people disagree with me on this. (And I have read the story of the trainer who had cancer, gained 100 lb due to medications and was still a successful trainer, so don't judge a person by their outsides.)

    I think if you want to do this, you should. Just be aware of the work involved. I think every trainer starts out by thinking "I could do this." That's how I started teaching Zumba.

    I actually never thought about being a trainer, but several MFP friends suggested it. Then a dear friend (who was actually my first trainer, when I was 100lbs overweight, and has been with me the last 3 years) told me HE thought I should look into certification. I thought about it for about a year before I took the leap.

    My NASM certification does not require a practical component, but I'm sort of doing one anyway. My current trainer (a competition bodybuilder) teaches a group class once a week. For the last 9 months, I have been his assistant. I demonstrate whatever view of an exercise that he doesn't (usually side view), help the students with form, partner with him on exercises that require a partner. I've also occasionally helped one of his clients who had a question about a routine and couldn't locate him.
  • mrsKOrtiz
    mrsKOrtiz Posts: 949 Member
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    In all honesty, I would not be too confident in a trainer that's overweight. Now, I am not saying what you are or not are. But I would be so happy to meet a trainer that has been through what I have been (am going through, lol) and perhaps they are still making their story. I believe that you can become a PT now just the way you are. And I know you'll do great PLUS it'll motivate you to be greater! So go for it... Do something that you want to do to be happy and helping others along the way is always a plus! :)<3
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
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    If you enjoy it, then you stand more chance of being good at it. As a potential client, then id prefer to hire a trainer who already had the body I wanted, because they can prove it can be done. Id be more reluctant to hire one who was overweight, although ofc BMI isnt perfect, then you will have to rely on other skills and knowledge to find your niche. Just curious as to why your weight loss has stalled over the past two years? Is it because you have out on muscle, have you stopped being at a deficit? If you are going to specialise on helping the obese or people lose weight, then you need to show them you can do it yourself. Its the whole package, knowledge and shared experience has its place, but being a bit of a role model is also going to make you sought after as well. Good luck though and I hope you enjoy it.

    Ninerbuff and other pts thanks for the interesting insight.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
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    Congrats on passing your exam! Please do not let anyone discourage you from doing this because of your weight. A lot of people do want fit, athletic looking trainers, but a lot of people want someone who can identify with their challenges and help them with the mental aspect.

    I know some really great trainers, but they've never been overweight, and so they can't identify with how it feels to go to a store to buy clothes to workout in so you can lose the weight, and not find anything that fits or only have the option of something that looks like a misshapen tent. Or to be self-conscious because all sorts of things are jiggling on basic movements, or to feel humiliated and angry at yourself because you can only do a few minutes of cardio and you know it's your own fault that you let yourself get this way.

    I'm not saying people who haven't been there can't empathize, be supportive, and be great trainers, but you definitely have something they don't in having had that firsthand experience and being able to talk about it with your clients. And being able show them that you do the same exercises, even when you yourself are overweight, helps them get rid of the excuses they make in their head that it's ok to give up because they are overweight, that particular exercise or movement is only for thinner people and it's too hard for anyone who doesn't have the body of a figure competitor.

    Good luck, it's sounds like you've got a lot of support and that people already see you as someone with knowledge and skills. Don't think that you need to look perfect to inspire people.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    edited December 2014
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    @sarahrbraun‌ What would you do to resolve a chronic medial rotation of the shoulders? Something that seems pretty common with overweight office staff.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
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    999tigger wrote: »
    If you enjoy it, then you stand more chance of being good at it. As a potential client, then id prefer to hire a trainer who already had the body I wanted, because they can prove it can be done. Id be more reluctant to hire one who was overweight, although ofc BMI isnt perfect, then you will have to rely on other skills and knowledge to find your niche. Just curious as to why your weight loss has stalled over the past two years? Is it because you have out on muscle, have you stopped being at a deficit? If you are going to specialise on helping the obese or people lose weight, then you need to show them you can do it yourself. Its the whole package, knowledge and shared experience has its place, but being a bit of a role model is also going to make you sought after as well. Good luck though and I hope you enjoy it.

    Ninerbuff and other pts thanks for the interesting insight.

    My weight loss has slowed/stalled for a variety of reasons.
    1) the first year I was primarily focused on losing scale weight...and I lost a decent amount. The second year I switched to focus more on strength and body recomp. I was a size 16 2years ago. I'm now a 10/12 in most things, and an 8/10 in others.

    2) my diet is my weak point. I know I should be eating like 2200 calories a day, but I stopped tracking. I also have a tendency toward emotional eating.

    That being said, I am well known around my gym. Other members have taken notice of how I've changed, and how hard I work when I weight train.

    I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, but apparently members think I'm quite a beast. Probably once a month I get a comment related to my workout. Recently I had a lady approach me and tell me how tough I am, and how watching me keeps her motivated when she wants to quit. A few days later I had some guy watching me do stiff leg deads (with my trainer) and later he approached me to ask me if quit is in my vocabulary (very rarely).
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    Knowing how to work out- and knowing that YOU can workout aren't enough.

    As Niner pointed out- you're getting older people- unfit over weight people with chronic pains and injuries.

    You're not just there to give a workout. You're a physical therapist- you're a counselor- you're a therapist to a parent- a wife- a husband.

    You fill a lot of rolls. Knowing just "how to workout" isn't enough. You have to be REALLY hungry and willing to educate yourself. It goes way beyond knowing proper form of a push up.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
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    There are three over weight female trainers at my gym, who I would never use. I understand you can be "fit" without being skinny, but I want to work with someone who understands and who has the results to be the best they can be. Maybe those girls ARE the best they can be, but they don't lift, so that already disqualifies them for me.

    I also think it's strange because there seems to be a double standard-it's okay for the female trainers to be overweight but not the men. But I've only been to a couple gyms so that is most likely a generalization I'm making.

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