Personal training is a rewarding profession for those who are committed to helping others lead healthier lives. Whether you want to work on a team with doctors, counselors and nurses or be a solo trainer in gyms and private settings, the path that leads to success may start with taking some advice from successful personal trainers who have already made their mark.
Being a fitness mentor is like being a pro athlete – you will always be in training. Even trainers who are fully certified or have advanced degrees must stay on top of the latest developments in the field, otherwise their clients will quickly find out that they’re behind the times and turn to someone else for guidance.
The best personal trainers are students of fitness who keep up with all the latest research and technology, as well as those who participate in fitness events as a speaker or as part of a charity team. They’re also those who have advanced degrees in kinesiology or related fields.
To be a better fitness trainer requires time and dedication. If you want to be the best trainer possible, take advice from those who have already made their mark.
Work At A Gym Before Becoming A Trainer
Working at a gym allows you to get hands-on training experience. No matter what you do, whether it’s reception or cleaning, working in a gym will teach you more than any course or certification could possibly teach you. You will learn things like anatomy, biomechanics and how to work with people; not just issues related to fitness but everyday things like opening or closing, people problems and supply orders. When you work in a gym before you become a personal trainer, you will have a better understanding of how to run a gym, including the financial and logistical side.
Conduct Research About The Certification You Need
A lot of trainers don’t know anything about what they are doing, many trainers do not have real certifications; make sure to take this seriously as personal training is a profession where your clients truly put their life in your hands. A good certification will teach you about your specialties and help you get your PT resume ready. Personal trainer’s resume is your business card, your resume is what can set you apart from other trainers. Personal trainers without resumes that advertise online may be able to get a few clients, however the lack of experience and knowledge will really show in the quality of training.
After you become certified there are many different specialties or paths you can take such as: weight loss, strength training, powerlifting, etc. Some certifications will even teach you how to compete as a bodybuilder or powerlifter if that’s the path you wish to take.
Listen To Your Clients
One of the most important things a personal trainer can do is to listen to his or her clients. A good personal trainer will typically find that he or she can figure out what a client wants and needs without even speaking about it. This takes practice, but once mastered, a personal trainer has achieved one of the biggest keys in being successful. Being a good listener is a great quality to have because it makes the client feel like their trainer is actually interested in helping them achieve their fitness goals.
Network
As a personal trainer, it’s important to keep up with the newest trends and information in order to provide the best possible service for your clients. Networking with other trainers is a great way to stay in touch with what’s going on in the world of fitness. It is also an essential tool for obtaining new clients, as well as continuing to provide the best possible service.
There are many ways to network with other trainers. The first step is joining a fitness organization that you feel passionate about. This could be your local YMCA or even an online group that you can join for free. To help you become a successful personal trainer, consider joining a fitness organization that offers continuing education opportunities, such as PTA Global. The second step is attending conferences and seminars hosted by the fitness organization of your choice to stay current on the latest information in fitness.
Being a personal trainer is a tough job, there are many factors that go into being able to say that you are truly great at it. You have to be knowledgeable about the science behind weight training and improving the bodies of your clients beyond what they thought was possible. However, that is only one side of the coin. Greatness as a personal trainer is not just about knowing what you need to do and how it has to be done, but also about being able to connect with your clients on an emotional level and understanding their needs and wants beyond just physical fitness.
