Scared Out of my MIND!

Ariberri9
Ariberri9 Posts: 206 Member
in Motivation and Support
I've decided that I want to become a personal trainer. I love exercising and being healthy; and I want to show people that working out and treating your body well is fun and exciting. I want to teach and help.

But I keep reading the same things online -- "being a personal trainer sucks"; "you have to work for a corporate gym, and you'll want to die"; "I wish I had done another career"; "you're just a buff salesperson, and it's not fulfilling and money-driven".

I'm rethinking this whole thing now! I hate the thought of sitting at a desk all day (my degree is in math, so that's essentially what I would be doing); but I'm SO SCARED of being a personal trainer.

Thoughts? Advice? Is being a personal trainer THAT BAD? I'm so scared for my future. :sad:

Replies

  • pocketmole
    pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
    I'm not a personal trainer but I can say that my boot camp instructor always talks about how much she loves her job. For one thing she enjoys the personal fitness aspect of being able to exercise along with us rather than always working out on her own. Above all she always talks about how happy it makes her to see people changing their lives and becoming healthier with her guidance. I think she finds it incredibly rewarding and she is always letting us know how much she enjoys what she does. I've seen other trainers from the same group (but different locations) rave on and on with a very similar outlook. I suspect it just depends a lot on where you decide to go with your knowledge. Maybe working at a gym isn't for you, but there are other options. Good luck! :)
  • Ariberri9
    Ariberri9 Posts: 206 Member
    I'm not a personal trainer but I can say that my boot camp instructor always talks about how much she loves her job. For one thing she enjoys the personal fitness aspect of being able to exercise along with us rather than always working out on her own. Above all she always talks about how happy it makes her to see people changing their lives and becoming healthier with her guidance. I think she finds it incredibly rewarding and she is always letting us know how much she enjoys what she does. I've seen other trainers from the same group (but different locations) rave on and on with a very similar outlook. I suspect it just depends a lot on where you decide to go with your knowledge. Maybe working at a gym isn't for you, but there are other options. Good luck! :)

    I never thought about training a boot camp or anything...maybe I can look into that. I really just want to help people find the beauty and amazement in exercise and health. But it sounds like personal training is awful...
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    Work for yourself, not a crappy gym.

    Be an online coach

    loads of options really.
  • Ariberri9
    Ariberri9 Posts: 206 Member
    Work for yourself, not a crappy gym.

    Be an online coach

    loads of options really.

    I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with "working for myself" because of the economic recession. I'll look into being an online coach, though. Thank you!
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    Work for yourself, not a crappy gym.

    Be an online coach

    loads of options really.

    I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with "working for myself" because of the economic recession. I'll look into being an online coach, though. Thank you!

    Money isn't everything in life. Enjoy yourself and reap the benefits :)
  • Ariberri9
    Ariberri9 Posts: 206 Member
    Work for yourself, not a crappy gym.

    Be an online coach

    loads of options really.

    I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with "working for myself" because of the economic recession. I'll look into being an online coach, though. Thank you!

    Money isn't everything in life. Enjoy yourself and reap the benefits :)
    I just want to be able to provide for myself; I want a simple life. I don't need anything luxurious...believe me. :-)
  • JanieJack
    JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
    I have several trainer friends and am thinking of doing it when I retire from the military. Problem is, my trainer friends tell me you don't make enough money to live unless you become a glorified sales person at some gym. Every single one of them wouldn't be able to make it on their own (they're all married). I'm hoping that with my military retirement i can do something that I love, but if you're trying to get into this to make big money you might be disappointed early on.

    The good news is this is the kind of business you can ramp up while you're still working- get trained and then take a few clients at a time. If you live near a military base or a planned community that offers free classes for residents this could get your foot in the door with a class or personal training on the weekends.

    Hope that helps!

    PS: I do know one trainer that makes big money- she's won many fitness competitions and now trains others to win. I also know someone who makes good money organizing fights so there's a couple alternatives if you find straight "fitness trainer" not to your liking
  • Ariberri9
    Ariberri9 Posts: 206 Member
    I have several trainer friends and am thinking of doing it when I retire from the military. Problem is, my trainer friends tell me you don't make enough money to live unless you become a glorified sales person at some gym. Every single one of them wouldn't be able to make it on their own (they're all married). I'm hoping that with my military retirement i can do something that I love, but if you're trying to get into this to make big money you might be disappointed early on.

    The good news is this is the kind of business you can ramp up while you're still working- get trained and then take a few clients at a time. If you live near a military base or a planned community that offers free classes for residents this could get your foot in the door with a class or personal training on the weekends.

    Hope that helps!

    PS: I do know one trainer that makes big money- she's won many fitness competitions and now trains others to win. I also know someone who makes good money organizing fights so there's a couple alternatives if you find straight "fitness trainer" not to your liking

    Thank you so much! I'm still scared...very scared. I hope I can provide for myself.

Categories