1. Do you have the qualities of a successful trainer?
The first step on the road to becoming a successful personal trainer is determining whether or not you have what it takes. A personal trainer needs to be patient, persistent, organized, motivating and, most of all, a good listener. You should be able to work with a wide variety of people and get them to listen to and follow your instructions. It is important that you can convey your knowledge in a way that is easy to understand for a beginner client.
2. Choose a certification
All personal trainers must be certified. But, there are a number of organizations that provide certifications for personal trainers. It is always a smart move to go with the best certification, even if it costs a little extra. One of the most well-respected certifications is through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). The exam is comprehensive and will prepare you train a wide variety of clients. You should visit their website to learn more about the exam as well as ask the gym that you want to work for which certifications they prefer.
3. Choose a specialty
This step is not required, but it is always good to set yourself apart from other personal trainers. The fitness industry is extremely competitive and any edge can go a long way towards making you a successful personal trainer. Plus, becoming specialized will allow you to boost your resume, market yourself better and increase your pay. One example of a specialty certification is the ACE Clinical Exercise Specialist certification. This certification will allow you to work with special populations such as people with chronic diseases or injuries.
4. Get a job
After you get certified, it's imperative you get experience training clients. The best way to do this is by getting a job at a local gym. They will provide you with a consistent stream of clients that will help you get the experience you need before starting out on your own.
5. Set up your own business
Once you have gained experience training a wide variety of people, it is a good idea to venture out on your own. Independent personal trainers make significantly more money and have much more freedom with their day-to-day schedule. You should begin by choosing a business name, registering your business and getting liability insurance.
Another important step with starting your own business is finding a place to train your clients. Since starting your own gym is extremely cost intensive, it is a good idea to contact local gyms to see whether they will allow you to train clients at their facility. Usually they will agree as long as you pay a small fee (around $10-$15) per hour.
6. Market Yourself
Once you have set up your business, it's time market yourself and establish a client base. Different marketing methods working in different areas, but you should look into making flyers, newsletters, business cards or a website. This may seem difficult at first, but once you get the ball rolling it will get easier and easier to acquire clients.
7. Improve Your Skills
The path to becoming a successful personal trainer is about always learning as much as you can. If you want to be a good trainer, you need to know the latest research and keep acquiring new certifications. At this point, it's probably a good idea to attend personal trainer summits, workshops and seminars in order to further your education.
8. Beyond Personal Training
Once you are an established personal trainer and small business owner there are a number of opportunities available to you. You can consider consulting, fitness writing, athletic coaching or group fitness instruction. The path to becoming a successful personal trainer is long and arduous, but the benefits are limitless if you put in the time and effort.
If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, my personal recommendation for a personal training certification is the NASM exam. You can learn more about NASM and how to study for the exam at NASM Study Guide.
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