MFP users who are fitness professionals?

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Squamation
Squamation Posts: 522 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking into making a career change and I've always loved nutrition.

Who hear is an actual fitness professional/personal trainer/nutritionist? How did you get started?

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  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
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    There are a few on here, but most of us just stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
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    I'm not, but I play one on TV.
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
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    Eat more bacon.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
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    I'm not, but I play one on MFP.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
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    Your best bet is to do a search on Indeed.com, Monster.com, etc for "fitness professional/personal trainer/nutritionist" in your area and look at the qualifications that jobs in your area require. Often times, gyms will run personal training courses. Taking these courses will cost money, as will renting non-gym spaces for your classes.

    On nutritionists "In some states, virtually anyone can declare themselves a nutritionist regardless of education or training. A certified nutrition specialist (CNS) is a nutrition practitioner or a person who uses nutrition therapy to address health needs, according to clinical nutritionist and CNS Corinne Bush. CNSs have an advanced degree (master's level or above) in nutrition or a related field from an accredited university. CNSs must pass the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) examination on science-based nutrition therapy.

    A registered dietitian (RD) is a nutritionist who has been credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), formerly known as the American Dietetic Association. RDs must have at least an undergraduate degree — usually in nutrition — and often work in community education or food service management settings, including nursing homes or hospitals. Most RDs go on to get advanced degrees, and some work in private practice, according to the AND. They must also complete continuing education requirements to maintain registration."
  • jason_adams
    jason_adams Posts: 187 Member
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    There are a few on here, but most of us just stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
    ROTLFMAO!!!!
  • Squamation
    Squamation Posts: 522 Member
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    Your best bet is to do a search on Indeed.com, Monster.com, etc for "fitness professional/personal trainer/nutritionist" in your area and look at the qualifications that jobs in your area require. Often times, gyms will run personal training courses. Taking these courses will cost money, as will renting non-gym spaces for your classes.

    I have, just looking for some real world stories about how other got started and what obstacles they came across, or advice they might have on what clients are looking for.
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
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    Your best bet is to do a search on Indeed.com, Monster.com, etc for "fitness professional/personal trainer/nutritionist" in your area and look at the qualifications that jobs in your area require. Often times, gyms will run personal training courses. Taking these courses will cost money, as will renting non-gym spaces for your classes.

    I have, just looking for some real world stories about how other got started and what obstacles they came across, or advice they might have on what clients are looking for.

    Not me, but one of my coworker became a Zumba instructor through her gym. She attended a bunch of classes and got certified through her gym. Once she had her certification, she became an instructor at 2 other gyms. She recently also got her spin certification. Her biggest challenge, in her words, is that she has to teach class even when she feels crummy and wants to take a rest day. She does have a sub, but she loses her paycheck when that happens. Most people at her gyms have day jobs and are only doing instruction to supplement their income. Some married instructors (female) are stay at home moms who teach class in the evening when their kids get home. The few instructors who do live on their class income are younger with no dependents.

    She says she also had a knee injury that meant she didn't get to work for about 4 months and she was glad she had a day job. Also she is recently pregnant and she won't be able to teach starting next month when she's 6 months pregnant, doctor's orders.
  • gloriaeffe
    gloriaeffe Posts: 75 Member
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    I'm half way through becoming a Personal Trainer.
    I am 3 weeks away from finishing my Certificate III in Fitness which will make me a Fitness Trainer and Group Exercise Trainer.
    Next July I will start Certificate IV to become a Personal Trainer (can train one on one with that too).

    I am almost 30yo and come from a totally different background: I graduated in Marketing and worked as project manager for 4 years. Then realized money wasn't what was making me happy and, in fact, I was a pretty miserable person at a desk job I didn't like.
    I had the possibility to take some time off and think about my future.
    In those months my passion for fitness only grew stronger and I decided to give this a go.

    I have never been happier in my life.
    I am studying something I love and that is preparing me to do a profession I can't wait to master.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
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    I take one certification test in 2 weeks and then I'm going to a weekend course in July. Right now the plan is to just try and find some part time stuff because quitting my day job is WAY too scary even though I don't like it. Ideally I'd like to get to a point where having enough clients makes the move to a full time trainer much easier.
  • Squamation
    Squamation Posts: 522 Member
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    rybo & gloriaeffe - What certification courses are you taking?

    I'm nervous to leave my day job as well. It pays well but does not make me happy at all, and now the hours keep me from my family.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    I spent a year as a personal trainer- I loved it and took my job very seriously (for someone part time I hysterically took it more seriously and professionally than all the people who were doing it 'full time')

    I loved doing it- because I loved helping people who really wanted to change - but it was hard because a lot of people don't care and they really will use you as an expendable doormat when things need to go.
  • CookNLift
    CookNLift Posts: 3,660 Member
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    Eat more bacon.
  • gloriaeffe
    gloriaeffe Posts: 75 Member
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    I live in Australia and I'm taking Certificate III in Fitness offered by Tafe (quality of teaching is great).
    Not sure if it is recognized anywhere else in the world and not sure what other certifications are offered in the US, sorry.

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