Why A Career In Personal Training?
Every prospective personal trainer will have their own reason for wishing to pursue a personal training career in the fitness industry. And those reasons are usually more to do with their own personality and interests rather than traditional career motivators such as money.
Let's face it, as a freelance personal trainer, the income can be okay, but it's far from great, and if you choose to work for a gym it's awful.
Furthermore, it's hard physical work. Not
only does your body have to cope with your own training regime (which
has to be tough because you need to be fit enough to set an example),
but a successful personal trainer will often train right alongside
their client. A freelance trainer will also be working very unsociable
hours, visiting clients at times convenient to them which most commonly
will be before and after work and at the weekends. It is not uncommon
for clients to ask for 6.00am or 9.00pm appointments,
which when added to travelling time can make for a long day.
You may think that being a personal trainer for a gym, if the money side doesn't concern you, is an easier option. Well it is, if you don't mind spending 50% of your time doing anything but personal training. You may find yourself cleaning the pool filters one day, cleaning the changing rooms or toilets another, or helping your supervisor with gym membership paperwork.
But at least you are working with attractive, like-minded people right? Well sometimes, but most of the time you are working with clients who are overweight, unmotivated, hate exercise, have low self esteem and will mess you around by cancelling appointments at the last minute because their lives are more important than yours...or they can't be bothered.
So why on Earth would anyone want to be a personal trainer?
Well despite the above, if you have a passionate interest in health and fitness, in helping people, and in making a difference, it is in my opinion one of the most mentally, emotionally and physically rewarding jobs you can do.
So if I haven't put you off yet and you can say that you have most, if not all, of the following qualities, then read on.
- a passionate interest in health and fitness
- a positive mental attitude
- a strong desire to help others
- great people skills
- a good sense of humour
- lots of patience
- a high level of physical fitness
- good time management
- good organisational skills
- confidence in 1-2-1 and group situations