Personal training is an exciting career path for those interested in fitness and nutrition. Personal trainers provide customized one-to-one exercise sessions to their clients based on the client’s individual health and physical needs.
They can also advise clients on nutrition and help them develop a proper diet plan and lifestyle changes consistent with their long-term fitness goals.
However, personal training is more than just helping people lose weight or get a six-pack. There’s a lot more involved in the making of a successful personal trainer. In addition to the usual knowledge of optimum fitness regimes, personal trainers are also expected to provide first aid and should know the basics of CPR.
Here, we have compiled a list of six things that every aspiring personal trainer should know.
1. Marketing Is Crucial
As a budding new personal trainer, you might believe that being good at what you do should be enough to garner you a large client base. This couldn’t be further from the truth. If nobody knows about your services, the chances are you wouldn’t get hired even if you’re the best in town. Having the ability to present your skills in the best light possible with efficient marketing can immensely help your personal training business.
There are a number of ways through which you can attract potential clients. You can utilize the traditional method of referrals which can help you establish a strong loyal client base. However, as a modern saying goes, if you don’t exist on Google, then you might as well not exist. An online presence and clever social media marketing can immensely help your business by boosting your online visibility.
2. Know Business Basics
Having a sound knowledge of finances and business is especially important if you plan on running your own personal training business. You may not have to deal with taxation or personal trainer insurance as an employee at your local gym as these aspects would be taken care of by your employer. However, understanding basic business concepts will help you leverage your personal training skills for a successful business.
3. Be a Life-long Learner
You might have this vague notion that your personal training certification will mean that this is the end of your learning. Discard this idea from your mind because that is not true at all. Committing yourself to life-long learning is a key ingredient for success. Being adaptable and keeping your knowledge up-to-date will set you apart from other competitors in the industry. Be open to learning from all sources, be it books, podcasts, other personal trainers, or conferences. There are always new developments going on in the field of fitness and nutrition, so by being open to learning, you can provide better service to your clients.
4. Learn How to Handle Stress
Every job comes with its own set of stress and personal training is no different. As a personal trainer, you have to deal with many people on a daily basis and as with any public dealings, there is always a potential of getting frustrated. You will be spending a considerable amount of time without your clients, and this can allow piled-up tension to the surface. Moreover, running a successful business can be sometimes difficult to cope with, so it’s good to have a de-stressing strategy. This will help you better deal with the challenges that come with personal training.
5. Be a Good Listener
Never underestimate the power of listening. As a personal trainer, you’re expected to provide your client with a customized exercise and nutrition plan and you can only do this job effectively if you listen to your client. It’s your job to make the client feel comfortable. Good listening and interpersonal skills are valuable assets to your personal training business.
6. Don’t Expect Overnight Success
Personal training is a growing business and is expected to rise more in the coming years as more people are now aware of the importance of fitness and good nutrition. However, if you want to get into personal training just for the money then you’re in for a tough time. While personal trainers are estimated to earn a decent amount – $40,000 per year – take this with a grain of salt. Expect fluctuations in your monthly income as you might find yourself either overbooked or underbooked, so it’s better to plan your finances accordingly.
Moreover, as a new personal trainer, it will take time for you to establish your business presence. Success comes with time and the right strategy, so don’t give up hope when you feel like you’re not getting any success. Just be consistent and try to change your strategy to see if it helps you find clients.
Personal training can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career if you have a passion for fitness. By keeping these tips in mind, you can better prepare yourself for the challenges of personal training and can launch your own business. With the right mindset, passion, and determination, you can be a successful personal t
