Do you love training and have a real passion for health and fitness?
Could you pass on your knowledge, enthusiasm and motivation to others?
Then maybe you have what is needed to become a Personal Trainer.
What Is A Personal Trainer?
A Personal Trainer (PT) is there to provide support and guidance to clients. They work with their clients to help identify realistic, achievable targets.
The PT then plans individual fitness regimes that enable the client to meet their goals.
Key duties include:
- Working with clients to set personal goals
- Carrying out fitness assessments of clients
- Motivating clients to achieve and adapting to their individual needs
- Monitoring equipment and ensuring it is used correctly
- Running one-on-one sessions with clients, or supervising group exercises when required
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest fitness developments and innovations
- Ensuring that clients are always given the best advice and guidance
What Does It Take To Become A Personal Trainer?
The most obvious things you need to become a Personal Trainer is the love of personal fitness combined with a motivational personality.
However there are other qualities and skills that you should be aware of.
Here are 5 Great Tips
Be Confident
Your role as a trainer requires a confident, outgoing and enthusiastic personality.
But just as important are great communication and motivational skills.
Use your listening skills to adapt to the needs of the clients at all times, and handle any objections during training.
Know Your Client
You need to engage with your client. Not surprisingly, most successful trainers are those who get on with their clients.
They are relying on your knowledge of physiology and the human body, fitness, diet and nutrition.
You will need a great deal of tact. There are going to be times when your client is not in the best frame of mind.
No two clients are the same. One client may respond well to a strict regime. Another will be better served by a more gentle approach.
It is up to you and your knowledge of your client to decide how best to deal with their personality and moods.
Keep your training schedules exciting and tailored to the client.
Be Patient and Supportive
A Personal Trainer should remain patient and supportive at all times, encouraging clients to succeed.
Not every client is going to make the progress either you or they expecting.
If you can demonstrate your patience and understanding, you are likely to be more successful.
Be Organised
You must be well organised. Your client is investing both their finances and time in you.
Make sure that you are punctual and attend agreed appointments.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Become A Personal Trainer?
Personal trainer certification, is dependent on where you live. For example in the UK it is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Personal Trainer.
However, in the USA certification may vary from state to state.
Which Personal Training Certification Is Best?
There are many courses that you can take to gain the necessary to become a PT. We have listed some links with further information below.
Personal Trainer Certification UK
Best Personal Training Certifications in USA
How to Become a Certified Fitness Instructor in Canada
Personal Trainer Qualification in Australia
PT Certificate in South Africa
You can also gain personal trainer certification online.
Personal Trainer Salary
There are 3 main salary scales:
- Personal Trainer
- Specialist Fitness Coach
- Gym/Club Manager
You can use this great tool to check your expected PT salary in your chosen country.
Personal Trainer Insurance
Most gyms and sports centres require proof of insurance before a PT can start working in their organisation.
As a PT you have a duty of care to your clients. so you should consider taking out specialist insurance.
There are many companies that offer Personal Trainer insurance deals.
So what insurance will you need? Here are some of the most important.
Public Liability
Public liability provides protection if you, or one of your clients causes damage to property or a client injures themselves during a session.
Professional Indemnity Cover
Part of being a successful personal trainer is providing your clients with professional advice. However, even the most experienced personal trainers may provide incorrect advice, leading to potential accidents.
For example, if a client was to suffer an injury as a result of an exercise you’ve instructed and claimed it was due to your negligence or simply bad advice; you could be held responsible.
Professional Indemnity cover protects you against such claims.
Personal Accident Cover
Accidents can happen to even the most experienced personal trainers. This can range from relatively minor injuries which require physio, or more severe accidents which cause broken bones or permanent disablement.
You need to protect yourself in case anything should happen.
Personal Accident protection can help cover the cost of physiotherapy or any medical treatment required.
It can also provide compensation if you suffer accidental death, permanent disablement, loss of limbs or loss of sight as a result of an accident which happens during one of your sessions.
Applying For Personal Trainer Jobs
When you are ready to apply for Personal Trainer jobs, make sure that you have a Personal Trainer CV that sells you.
Before you send out your CV you should create a great cover letter that highlights your skills.
The hours can be pretty long, but seeing someone reach their goals after a well-planned fitness regime makes it all worth it.
