Becoming a personal trainer

kristanvdub

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to be become a personal trainer. I've done some research and I think I'm going to go through the ACE certification. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience as a trainer. My main worries are money, and work schedule. I currently have a job where I make good money but I never have time for my family and I don't get weekends off so I need to make a change. I enjoy fitness so I figured this would be a good fit but I'm just wondering if I'll make enough money to support myself and what kind of schedule I would end up with.

Thanks for any advice

Pinkranger626

I'm an ACSM Health Fitness Specialist. I know many trainers that do very well for themselves, although it tends to depend on your client base and how many clients you have etc. As for your schedule, typical personal training schedules revolve around your client's and thier needs/schedules.

Most trainers find that they are up super early (5am and sometimes earlier) for clients before their clients go to work. Usually the day time is pretty open unless you tend to have clients that are able to workout at lunch time or are not emplyed with a typical 9-5 job. Your evenings are also typically busy. The nice thing about the field is that you set your own schedule, meaning you can set up boundaries on days off, cut off times for appointments etc. BUT, if you're not flexible enough then you may have a hard time finding clients to sustain your income needs.

Your schedule can also be varied based on where you work, some commercial gyms require certain shifts, if you rent a space you get more control over it. If you're looking for something with a set schedule I would very much suggest corporate fitness (gym companies that are inside another business, usually insurance companies etc.). I currently work in corporate fitness and I have set hours, I'm limited to 40 hours a week, and I'm not not paid for things. A lot of commercial gyms will make you do "fitness orientations" for free.

Many trainers also supplement thier income with teaching group exercise classes. You may want to think about looking into AFAA Group Exercise Instructor training as well. Just a suggestion.

As a trainer you most likely will be working weekends and some holidays unless you are in corporate fitness or you block them off. But again, if you're too unavailable clients will find someone who will fit their schedule better.

Hope this helps, feel free to add me!

kristanvdub

Thank you so much for all the info!! I will for sure look into ACSM.