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Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/20/2010 7:02:36 PM

barelynangel

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The fitness kind ya pervs.

I tried to look this up and didn't see anything like this. I am interested in becoming a personal trainer (the fitness/nutrition type), hindsight is well blah blah and i wish i would have utilized my minor in college lol more and done this then instead of physics rather than now.

But outside of going back to college, what do i need to do and what should look into to become a personal trainer/fitness instructor. I know there are tons of certifications out there but its a concept of too much, if that makes sense. Most of these certifications also want $500-1000 up front.

So anyone with knowledge and information and intelligent advice in doing this? I have asked the trainers i know but i am not getting any real concrete advice on how to begin or where to go to read up on some "not an attempt to sell you something" informtion.

Thanks, angel

< Message edited by barelynangel -- 4/20/2010 7:03:47 PM >

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/20/2010 8:25:05 PM

TreasureKY

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From: Kentucky
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Rather than ask trainers, you might try asking the businesses who hire trainers. Find out what they look for in the way of certifications.

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/20/2010 8:54:47 PM

popeye1250

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From: New Hampshire
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quote:

ORIGINAL: TreasureKY

Rather than ask trainers, you might try asking the businesses who hire trainers. Find out what they look for in the way of certifications.

Ditto. Why would you want to shell out $50k for some "degree" to be a trainer when you can just get certified?
All the trainers I talk to at my gym got certified locally. One was a basketball player in Europe before.
And that "degree" will get you the same pay as the other trainers you'd be working with so it's really not worth it. A gym isn't going to pay you more just because you have a degree in excercise...whatever.
Like KY said go around to a few gyms and ask them what they require and how to get certified as a trainer.
Or, you could start your own training business with a long rope and a fast pick-up truck.

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/21/2010 5:08:43 AM

DarkSteven

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Go to craigslist, For Sale/Beauty and Health.

Google "fitness trainers" or "personal trainers" and your location.

See what others charge. See what they offer.

Believe it or not, if you have a convincing spiel and simply know your stuff, most won't ask for certifications. When I began doing a resume service, I had two years of experience and knew way more than the certifying folks did.

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/21/2010 5:30:15 AM

barelynangel

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Hi all thanks, I have asked a the few clubs we have here but most require the basic certs that the trainers speak about etc and i have researched those. I am not sure what local training is. And most of the trainers around here i have watched at these clubs and worked with a few aren't what i want to be - while they have knowledge, they don't appear to be knowledgeable beyond the basic machines -- which i can do already but i want to be knowledgeable in all areas -- i.e., fitness and nutrition but also creativity, understanding of different fitness levels, etc. because my specialty i want to be weight loss. I want to go beyond the machines, which is what it seems most trainers in the gyms i am a part of "The Y and Golds" do.

I would rather get certified as i don't really "know" my stuff lol. I can wing it for myself but winging it for money and results of others who i have to rely on their telling me things rather than me feeling it, to me is not what i want to do.

I will maybe call some of the other gyms to see and yes i believe maybe talking to some freelancers may be good also.

THANKS! Any other advice is still appreciated.

angel

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/21/2010 5:55:43 AM

perfectflaw00

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quote:

angel

If you looking to get certified go the NASM route it is looked upon the best in most circles and gyms around the country. I was ISSA certified for two years and did some training in addition to my regular job and while the money was good I ultimately did not have the patients to work with people who didn't really want to improve themselves. My best advice to you is once you get certified and begin the process choose your clients carefully

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/21/2010 5:58:58 AM

perfectflaw00

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Another thing is make sure you look the part I started pt right after I did my first bodybuilding competition in college and almost everyday I would get someone coming up to me asking if I was a trainer in the gym. I know a lot of trainers who while they know there stuff in regards to training and nutrition they simply don't look like they take their own advice. Hope that helps.

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RE: Becoming a Personal Trainer - 4/21/2010 7:04:46 AM

littlebitxxx

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http://www.afpafitness.com/about/

If you go to a good gym and talk to one of the managers, they should be able to steer you in the right direction. Basically, all you need is a course and certification. Beyond that, decide if you want to work in a gym or be on your own. If on your own, you can always contract with gyms to train clientele they provide.

Or......talking with the manager, hire on with their gym. They will either pay for your course or reimburse you in most cases. And you'll be working during everything, which also helps. At the very least, the course is tax deductible (along with all the expenses incurred taking it).

The market is crying here for trainers, don't know about where you're at. Feel free to message on the other side, one will give you all the help she can.

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