Personal Training - Freelance or Employed - Which Career Route is Right For You?

So you have decided that you want to be a personal trainer, and that you have the qualities required to be one.  Great!  But do you have the qualities required to be self-employed? Do you believe you could cut it as a freelance personal trainer?   

 

 

If you do genuinely believe that you can, then you are halfway there as self belief goes a long way.  However, just as in any other profession, self employment is not for everyone.

 

Being self employed has many benefits.  You gain the freedom of being able to choose how you work, when you work and with whom you work, with no line management dictating to you or muddying  the waters.  Furthermore, as a freelance personal trainer your hourly rate will be considerably higher than the employment route, and the income potential is much greater.  Also, as you have already identified yourself as someone with a passion for health and fitness, you will be doing something you are interested in and enjoy, and with noone breathing down your neck.  In fact, some days it won't seem like you are working at all.

 

However, as with all things in life there is a flipside. If you are at the top of the food chain, then the buck stops with you.  There is noone else to whom you can shift responsibility when the going gets tough.  While you may have a greater perceived freedom, you are ultimately answerable to your customers, your bank manager and yourself, and sometimes that can seem like more pressure than a line manager who you leave behind when you clock-off.

 

The bank manager in particular will become a familiar character in your life, either as your new faux best friend, or your new genuinely worst enemy.  Banks are very supportive when you first start out as they want your business, and as long as things go well everything will be fine.  But should you fall on hard times, don't expect any tea and sympathy! 

 

With this in mind, if you intend to freelance it is a good idea to become familiar with some basic budgeting skills.  The fitness industry does tend to be somewhat seasonal, and it is vital you do not spend all your profits from a very good month, only to find you have no income the following month.

 

 

As a self-employed personal trainer you will also be responsible for filling in and returning all manner of official paperwork including your own tax returns.  Sure, you may choose to use a bookkeeper or an accountant, but again these cost money.

 

You will have to provide your own equipment, including transport, and pay for all your own marketing, insurance and training.  Many of these expenses will be up front.  Do you have the capital required to start up your own personal training business?

 

If you can answer "Yes" to the following questions then you may well be a candidate for a self-employed, freelance personal trainer. 

 

• Are you self-motivated?
• Are you a quick learner?
• Are you healthy - emotionally and physically?
• Do you possess plenty of common sense?
• Do you have a high tolerance for risk?
• Do you love to learn new tasks and ideas?
• Do you enjoy selling?
• Do you like to meet new people on a regular basis?
• Are you good at multi tasking?
• Do you regularly set and accomplish personal goals?
• Are you willing to sell your product or service?
• Do you have a supportive family and/or social network?
• Can you live with high levels of uncertainty and financial insecurity?
• Are you resilient?
• Are you decisive?
• Are you good with money?
• Do you love to work?
• Do you thrive on competition?
• Do you have will-power and self-discipline?
• Do you have a track record of getting things done on time and seeing things through to the end?
• Can you live without an income until your business reaches breakeven?
• Are you resourceful?
• Are you willing and prepared to work long hours?

 

If you answered "No" to any of the above then you may wish to consider seeking a paid job with a regular salary within the fitness industry e.g. a gym, personal training agency, hotel, cruise liner. Remember, the employed route is not second best, or in any way inferior to being freelance.  It is just a different way of working and thinking which is better suited for some people.

 

 

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