How to Become a Personal Trainer

A personal trainer works with clients to improve their fitness. They will go through various exercises and lifestyle choices and have an active role in the client’s progress.

Personal trainers work in gyms and clients’ homes to help them become fitter and healthier. They will work with clients on a one to one basis. Initially, they meet with clients and assess their needs before creating personalised fitness plans. They will then be in constant contact with their client while they use the fitness plan. They may even work actively with their clients as they exercise.

Personal trainers will work with the goals that a client has. These are often to lose weight or gain muscle, but some clients have other particular goals that they will want assistance with. A personal trainer has a more advanced role than a gym instructor, and they will have a stronger knowledge of the benefits of specific exercises.

The duties of being a personal trainer include: 

• Working with clients to find both short and long term goals related to their fitness.
• Assessing their current fitness level and evaluating how long it will take them to reach their goals. 
• Coaching clients on a one on one basis to help them achieve their fitness goals. 
• Offering expert advice regarding health and nutrition. 
• Going through workouts with clients. 
• Recording the progress of clients. 
• If self-employed, marketing their business.

Personal trainers don’t necessarily need a degree, but some relevant personal training degrees can boost a job application. Non-graduates should have a college qualification, preferably one that is accredited. 

Entering the field by taking an apprenticeship is also an option. Candidates applying for apprenticeships should have secondary level qualifications in physical education and a good knowledge of the human body. Furthermore, some candidates enter the profession as a fitness coach or gym instructor and develop their skills to become a personal trainer. 

Even candidates with qualifications would benefit from work experience. Casual jobs are easy to acquire at leisure centres or gyms – the candidate could work as a receptionist or lifeguard at first, and then express interest in moving into personal training. 

Personal trainers should have undertaken a first aid course and may be expected to have a CPR certificate. While this is not a legal requirement, it will be insisted upon by some employees. If they are working on a self-employed basis, having extra qualifications will increase their chances of employment.

There are several necessary critical skills that personal trainers should demonstrate. As this is a client-focused role, they should be friendly and personable. Their job requires them to be inspiring and motivating, so they should naturally exhibit these characteristics. 

Personal trainers must be patient and able to deal with demanding clients who may be frustrated if they are do not get the results that they desire. They should also be able to accept criticism, particularly at the start of their career. 

Teaching abilities are also highly important, as this is a coaching role. They should be able to act with the responsibility of a mentor, but in a friendly manner. Organisation and punctuality is crucial. Furthermore, as personal trainers will be seen as an inspirational figure by their clients, they must maintain their own health and wellbeing.

Personal trainers work in a variety of places. They may operate in a gym, their client’s home, a park, or a resort. They could be employed by a range of industries – from the armed forces to large organisations with health programmes – but many personal trainers are self-employed. 

Some personal trainers embark on self-employment initially, working with an agreement with a gym or visiting clients in their homes. Candidates doing so may need to put in a lot of hours while they build up their client base.

Most personal trainers work irregular hours, as they work around their clients’ schedules. Their working week will typically include evenings and weekends. 

Personal training is an increasingly popular industry, and its popularity is set to rise as people continue to take their health more seriously.