Thinking of getting personal training cert...questions

[Dickey]

This is probably going to be a little long , i tend to be a little longwinded so bear with me. A little backstory first. I've been working in construction for the last few years and slowly working my way through school toward working in a different industry. Long story short, I was working toward what I thought was my dream job but as I get closer and learn more about how the industry itself works I am realizing it might not be the dream I thought it was. I know for a fact the trade I'm in now isn't what I want to be doing, and a friend brought up becoming a personal trainer, which is something I always thought about but brushed off in favor of my other goal.

I've been thinking about it for the last few days and wanted some input from y'all, whether you are a PT or have been one or even know enough to give some good input. My main question is how viable is it as a career? Is it something you can do as a career and eventually support a family with? Is it just a stepping stone to bigger and better things, and if so what? Or is it more of a supplemental income kind of thing? Keep in mind I wouldn't be expecting the world in terms of money and I'm aware that it depends on how many clients etc., but I'd want a comfortable living that could support a family if I eventually have one. If any of you have any experience to share and give me an idea of what to expect if I were to go down this road that would be greatly appreciated. And if you feel like getting really personal, what to expect money wise

Ps. Just realized this was probably the wrong place to post this. Feel free to move it, I'm not sure how.

 

[tury694]

Wrong section. Go for it bro. Some people make good money doing freelance training.

 

[Roush]

The ones that make the most money in the "personal trainer" industry -- are the schools, and certify'ers,,, that people have to pay to get certified or take classes.

 

[DaytonLax14]

I am also curious about the same thing. Now that I'm a senior and going to grad school next year, I'm not sure if this is the industry I want to be stuck in for the long haul.

 

[Mrrippedzilla]

I've been thinking about it for the last few days and wanted some input from y'all, whether you are a PT or have been one or even know enough to give some good input.

1) My main question is how viable is it as a career? Is it something you can do as a career and eventually support a family with?

2) Is it just a stepping stone to bigger and better things, and if so what? Or is it more of a supplemental income kind of thing?

Keep in mind I wouldn't be expecting the world in terms of money and I'm aware that it depends on how many clients etc., but I'd want a comfortable living that could support a family if I eventually have one. If any of you have any experience to share and give me an idea of what to expect if I were to go down this road that would be greatly appreciated. And if you feel like getting really personal, what to expect money wise

Ps. Just realized this was probably the wrong place to post this. Feel free to move it, I'm not sure how.

I started off as a basic PT to make some extra money in my college years before moving on to "better things" so I'll give my opinion...

1) For the majority, no - you wont be making enough money to support a family or have good financial security.

IME most PTs would be lucky to make $30k per year, which is fine to start off with but certainly not enough if you wish to stay as a PT for the rest of your "career".
You should be aware that this is very much an "image" sector - your education & qualifications don't really matter and you'll be best advised to qualify as a PT through those 3 month courses, rather than longer, more expensive, degree type qualifications.

If your a big guy, then your clients will mostly be other dudes looking to get big but pretty much no else. If your more "aesthetic" in your look - then its easier to attract a wider base of clients, which is the main way of making serious money.
It helps if you've competed in bodybuilding/other sports too.

2) Most people use it to supplement their income, but I used it as a way of getting experience before becoming a professional coach (nutritionist/trainer hybrid). But obviously I had an educational background in nutrition so it was easier for me to "move up".
Some people use it to specialise in training a specific population - diabetics, powerlifters, performance training, etc. These guys certainly can make money but, again, education matters equally as much as experience here.

In general, the chances of you making a lot of money are very, very small unless you happen to have the right look & communication skills - PTs after all are basically salesmen offering themselves as the product.
But it depends on your background (competition and/or educational experience).
IMO, you should use it as a stepping stone to better things - what exactly would depend on your own personal interests, the people you network with, the clients you end up getting, etc.

 

[Roush]

^^^ this. . And to add to it that to be really successful you'll have to be a very good entrepreneur as well in this industry (like ripped said,, you gotta sale yourself , but step it up to the next level you gotta sale even more then that,, you gotta be an entrepreneur , or at least have the entrepreneur spirt).. This goes for other industries as well

 

[Teutonic]

but you ll nail some older broads ???!!! Not the beefaloes (unless your into rolling em in flour looking for wet spot) but some bored rich lady whose hubby making a mint and hitting his 25 yr old assistant...do the right thing; get it..it ll be on your resume and maybe catch you a sugar mam...Mrs T s asleep so I can type this but in college I wore it out son.....sell it as aerobic wrap up ???

 

[Charles Bronson]

but you ll nail some older broads ???!!! Not the beefaloes (unless your into rolling em in flour looking for wet spot) but some bored rich lady whose hubby making a mint and hitting his 25 yr old assistant...do the right thing; get it..it ll be on your resume and maybe catch you a sugar mam...Mrs T s asleep so I can type this but in college I wore it out son.....sell it as aerobic wrap up ???

words of wisdom son, follow your fucking dream!!!


seriously, finish up your degree and get some experience so you will always HAVE that in your back pocket.

but you're a young dude, if you want to live - go live the way you see fucking fit bro

to be a trainer - everything rippedZilla said - plus you better have a good personality

you'll have to have some charisma be positive, and funny - every time you're with a client. no bad days- you're always happy!

and you have to find ways to inspire and motivate people, push them without hurting their little feelings and losing their biz.

you have to have MAJOR people skills bruh ! and be in shape and a good looking dude on top of that.

don't kid yourself about fitness training , you are basically selling yourself, your company and camaraderie.

with broads, its sexual tension.. that can get fucked up in a real hurry. but thats the real fucking perk of PT aint it?

knock off your degree and get your feet wet in the field before you drop it to run off and become a trainer...

you're going to be able to pursue PT because of your degree and a profession you can fall back on.

if you can develop yourself into a good PT , those skills translate into EVERYTHING else you'll do in what ever you decide to go into.

have fun bud

 

[FlashRunner]

In my city, PT sessions get about 25-30 bucks for an hour. 60 miles away in a larger, college town, they draw $80-90. A lot of the gig is personality, & like the others said, a fatty trainer has no clients.
You can buy a little bit of ACSM material & do their test for a few hundred bucks, which is a great way to dip your toes without becoming an indentured servant. Don't jack with the other certifications, they have little if any industry cred.
Lastly, physical therapists have a relatively short training time, & will net you about 100ish k per year. And, it's not hard work, other than dealing with people. If I started over today, that's the route I'd take for sure.

 

[Hoss_12]

It's all about what you are going to enjoy doing. Find something you love and make it work for you if that is personal training be the best person trainer ever. I had a lot of professors that always talked about what ifs and what else they would do. I had 1 that said something that will stick with me. He said don't do something for money or for anyone else, do it because you love it and enjoy what you're doing. Personal training is a great opportunity for a lot of people if that's what you feel like you will enjoy doing. Do it and love how you're helping people.

 

[Dickey]

Haha T you bring up a good point, who cares what money I'm making if I got a rich old broad supporting me? Thanks for the input guys, it's been in the back of my head for a while watching trainers teaching people bad form or have no idea how to customize a program for people. It started as an idea to back a few extra bucks and maybe help some people while I'm at it, then I had a few "fuck it I'm moving to Mexico and living on the beach" kind of few weeks. And it went from that to replacing my current job while I'm in school(which I still think might be possible after a while) to becoming my career all together. I think ill probably get it and dip my feet in as a side job and see where it takes me. I've always been a pretty personable guy, never had much trouble attracting the older women either for some reason