Questions for those who work in the fitness/nutrition field

KimberlyDCZ
KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have been interested in helping others overcome self esteem issues and being healthy and fit for quite some time. However, I didn't feel that I could effectively do that until I was able to help myself. In the past 8 or 9 months, I have lost over 50 lbs through diet and exercise and I now feel that I am ready to be an example to others. I would like to somehow get networked into the health/fitness/nutrition field so that I can help others achieve their goals as I continue to get closer to mine. Now... on to my questions...

What is the best way to get into the fitness industry? I have looked into several options to get me started quickly and affordably. I am a single mother who doesn't have a lot of spare time for schooling or funds to pay for it. I have been practicing Zumba with hopes of getting Zumba certified when I can afford the $200 plus fees associated with it. I have also looked into becoming ACE certified which has 3 options costing between $500 and $700. I'm not sure which to choose. I'm leaning towards Health Coach because it involves fitness AND nutrition as well as behavior modification. The other options are Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer, both of which I'm also interested in. Another path I'm exploring is Les Mills. I don't know much about this yet, and I live in a small town, but I do see that 2 gyms in a nearby city are participants and I understand that I can possibly get training there. Is anyone else part of the Les Mills group? What advice do you have to offer concerning this?

Are there any other options that anyone would advise? I'm open to any opinions or suggestions that you have to offer...

Thank you in advance! Also, feel free to add me.

Replies

  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Anyone? :-/
  • pniana
    pniana Posts: 254 Member
    Darn. I was super interested in seeing the response myself. I am very interested in obtaining my license and have read the NASM book but have not STUDIED it as I am still deciding which program is best to sign up through. I think NASM is quite expensive but maybe it is worth the cost? Just not sure. Anyone??
  • martinh78
    martinh78 Posts: 601
    Without being critical, you say that you don't have a lot of time for schooling, so where will you find teh time to run classes/help others? Just a thought. I've returned to study and am studying sports science. I have also started volunteering as part of my local councils sports program. Maybe this is an option for you, as you put in the time as a volunteer and they help fund your qualificaions?
  • darbobo
    darbobo Posts: 53
    Hello. I did the ACE personal trainer course along with the Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist and Health Coach for my 2nd and 3rd certifications. They were awesome, I learned a lot. I did it mainly to teach me something and second the military paid for it since I am active duty military. I have been offered several jobs since then, but i just volunteer at my local gym.



    [links removed by mod]
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    Hey there!
    To answer your question... there is no cheap OR easy way to get in to the fitness industry. And no offense to BeachBody coaches (because I've been one), but that's NOT the way to do it. Everyone I know who is one..... is really in it to make a paycheck. Sell Sell Sell, and little support. And I know a lot of them, and I'VE BEEN ONE IN THE PAST! Not my style.

    You've got options, and it sounds like you have a good idea there by getting certified... that's the only real way to do it, unless you want to just work at a gym front desk or something.

    This past summer I started getting my certifications. I've got 2 of them from Les Mills: BODYCOMBAT and BODYPUMP. I'm going to go for my personal training certification later this year, too I think. Here's the deal. 1 - You'll have to pay for your own certs. It can get expensive. 2 - The real reward in doing this IS helping people... and maybe a free gym membership.

    I can honestly say, I don't do it for the money. I do it to help people. Get in to a gym, get to know the instructors, get to know the Group fitness manager... and let them know you're interested.... Then show them you're serious by getting the certification and be patient in the process!

    Good Luck! It's the best thing I've done in the last year :-)
    When I'm up there, instructing... It's the most amazing thing. I can't imagine a better hobby (because I work full-time, too!)
  • jonesin_am
    jonesin_am Posts: 404 Member
    Hello. I did the ACE personal trainer course along with the Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist and Health Coach for my 2nd and 3rd certifications. They were awesome, I learned a lot. I did it mainly to teach me something and second the military paid for it since I am active duty military. I have been offered several jobs since then, but i just volunteer at my local gym.

    LOVE ACE fitness and know a couple people who have obtained their certifications from them. Would highly recommend them!
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Without being critical, you say that you don't have a lot of time for schooling, so where will you find teh time to run classes/help others? Just a thought. I've returned to study and am studying sports science. I have also started volunteering as part of my local councils sports program. Maybe this is an option for you, as you put in the time as a volunteer and they help fund your qualificaions?

    I want to eventually work in fitness therefore I will not be working my regular job but getting paid to do something I love instead. I already make time to attend fitness classes so that time would be used go teach. I just don't have time or funds to go back to college. I'd rather just get certified and start working asap.
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Hello. I did the ACE personal trainer course along with the Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist and Health Coach for my 2nd and 3rd certifications. They were awesome, I learned a lot. I did it mainly to teach me something and second the military paid for it since I am active duty military. I have been offered several jobs since then, but i just volunteer at my local gym.



    [links removed by mod]

    Would Health Coach be a good place to start? Nutrition is a big deal to me so I would love to get involved from that aspect as well.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Start here:
    http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2009/11/12/directions-toward-a-career-in-fitness-part-1/


    I would also very highly recommend the above person and website for legitimate and current research based information in fitness and nutrition.
  • tamerita48
    tamerita48 Posts: 28 Member
    If you are interested in Nutrition, I would recommend getting your bachelor's in Nutrition and Dietetics. It's an awesome field to work in, and there are many options of where you can go with your degree. I have been in the field now for 4 years and it's fun, motivating and challenging!
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    I, for one, think that becoming a Zumba instructor is a good way to start! Sounds like it is the cheapest and quickest route, there always seems to be a demand for more, and you can cut back on "exercise" time since your job will be a work-out. You can always use the extra income from Zumba classes to fund the other options being discussed.
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Start here:
    http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2009/11/12/directions-toward-a-career-in-fitness-part-1/


    I would also very highly recommend the above person and website for legitimate and current research based information in fitness and nutrition.
    Thanks! I'll check it out! :-)
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    I, for one, think that becoming a Zumba instructor is a good way to start! Sounds like it is the cheapest and quickest route, there always seems to be a demand for more, and you can cut back on "exercise" time since your job will be a work-out. You can always use the extra income from Zumba classes to fund the other options being discussed.
    This is what I was thinking but there are already several Zumba instructors in my town. That's why I was interested in Les Mills bc it's new and different. I'm planning to relocate eventually so I'm open to more options. I'm still working towards getting that Zumba cert. asap
  • babygu24
    babygu24 Posts: 10
    I started out by getting my Group Fitness Certification from AFAA during their Apex weekend...it's $99.00. Normally the certification costs around 300.00. Check out this link to see if there are any of these going on in your area:
    http://www.afaaapex.com/

    It's a good place to start and then you can also use that same weekend, and for another 99 bucks on a seperate day get a different certification for a more specific kind of fitness such as kickboxing or step.

    :happy:
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    If you are interested in Nutrition, I would recommend getting your bachelor's in Nutrition and Dietetics. It's an awesome field to work in, and there are many options of where you can go with your degree. I have been in the field now for 4 years and it's fun, motivating and challenging!
    This was my original plan but being a single mother and working full time, I can't spend four years of night classes and missing my son growing up. :-/
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    I started out by getting my Group Fitness Certification from AFAA during their Apex weekend...it's $99.00. Normally the certification costs around 300.00. Check out this link to see if there are any of these going on in your area:
    http://www.afaaapex.com/

    It's a good place to start and then you can also use that same weekend, and for another 99 bucks on a seperate day get a different certification for a more specific kind of fitness such as kickboxing or step.

    :happy:

    Sounds great! Thanks! I'll look into it!
  • bgelliott
    bgelliott Posts: 610 Member
    Depends what part of it (or all aspects) you are interested in. NASM and ACE are the top two to get your CPT from. They are both highly regarded in the industry. If you want to work in a gym they require that you are certified. Once you have your CPT you can get into more specialized certs as well like CES (corrective exercise specialist) FNS (fitness nutrition specialist) PES (performance enhancement specialist) WLS (weight loss specialist)...the list goes on and on. Getting in with a commercial gym is probably the easiest way to get started since starting your own business can be very time consuming and expensive. The base pay sucks at the commercial gyms but you get hours under your belt. There are usually smaller gyms in most areas as well.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    bump :smile:
  • bgelliott
    bgelliott Posts: 610 Member
    Another less expensive but effective option would be to become a beach body coach. Check out my friends site, he has been really successful with it and it's how he got his start. They offer all the support you need and it's a great way to get contacts and earn money without a huge investment.

    michaelevansfitness.com
  • daphnemoon
    daphnemoon Posts: 216 Member
    I, for one, think that becoming a Zumba instructor is a good way to start! Sounds like it is the cheapest and quickest route, there always seems to be a demand for more, and you can cut back on "exercise" time since your job will be a work-out. You can always use the extra income from Zumba classes to fund the other options being discussed.
    This is what I was thinking but there are already several Zumba instructors in my town. That's why I was interested in Les Mills bc it's new and different. I'm planning to relocate eventually so I'm open to more options. I'm still working towards getting that Zumba cert. asap

    You mean Les Mills is 'new and different' just in your town right? Obviously Les Mills is an incredibly well established international brand, I'm sure some people think they're new just because they have only recently started collaborating with Beachbody. :) However, LMI instructor training is very highly respected and thorough, and their classes are offered throughout the world so there will always be places you can go teach. Good luck!
  • Calantorntain
    Calantorntain Posts: 172 Member
    Groupon often has discounts for online Certified Professional Trainer Certifications.

    Here is one that is current right now: http://www.groupon.com/deals/national-council-personal-trainers-january-los-angeles?pt=aUPcjZTAAAAB-2XQgPPqSSbpOLvwmcUw3

    Normally it is $500, it's on sale for $150. I only know this because my roommate is studying to be a personal trainer; she bought her ACE materials, then found out there's things available cheaper on Groupon. Oops.

    (if you do end up buying this, you should message me and use my referral code :p)
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Thanks for the advice so far everyone. I'm learning a lot!

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