How I Got Started As A Personal Trainer...

by Brent
(Michigan)

Just Me :)

For me, becoming a personal trainer was a decision I made when I was in college as a Public Relations major. I decided one day that I wanted to switch to Kinesiology.

I made the switch because I knew I wanted to be a personal trainer. I loved training for myself, and I have a strong desire to help people and truly make differences in people's lives. I thought being a personal trainer would be easy, fun, and profitable work.

Out of college, I began to realize just how little personal trainers got paid as employees of fitness centers. They work weird hours, weekends a lot of times, and make maybe 30K per year.

I knew going into business for myself was the only way to go if I wanted to make money, be my own boss, and not have to deal with workplace politics. Of course, the start up cost of a studio (rent, utilities, equipment, etc.) makes it tough. So I went into In-Home Personal Training.

I go to people's homes and train them there with their equipment, or portable equipment of my own (bands, dumbbells, balls, etc.). Any trainer knows that it is possible to give clients effective workouts with minimal equipment. With In-Home training you take all the profit of your clients without having to give a percentage to the gym. And you can charge about 15% higher than what gyms charge because of the convenience factor for the clients. The only drawback is that you will be driving more because of transport from client to client.

To do In-Home training it is smart to live in a bigger residential area where there is money. Personal training doesn't have to be for the rich anymore as some fitness centers advertise, but if you are going to run your own in-home training business, you will be catering towards the white-collar mainly.

So after going through the disadvantages and advantages I knew In-Home training was right for me.

As far as certifications are concerned, I personally have mine through ISSA. There are about 300 certifications out there, but only about 10 that are respected. There are probably better recongnized certifications than ISSA (ex. NASM, ACE, ACSM, NSCA), but ISSA is still very respectable and in the top 10 best certifications a trainer can get.

I liked ISSA because the on-going support after you get certified is AMAZING. They will help you start your own business and be there to answer any questions you may have! Also, their book "Fitness- A Complete Guide" is extremely comprehensive and is a great reference. ISSA also has great Continuing Education Credit Courses with the latest research on gaining more clients, supplements, research, etc.

As a trainer, I am always looking for more ways to expand my income because you never know when you may lose a client or two. But for me, getting a college degree, getting ISSA certified, and going into business for myself has been great so far.