Certified personal trainers in the house?

[Biggerarms22]

What's going on guys,

I'm in the process of a career change. Going towards personal training. Any personal trainers on the forum? What certification did you choose. Any advice for what its worth?
I'm looking at doing the NASM, (self study) and plan to get into a major box gym. Perhaps at some point building my presence through social media.

 

[malfeasance]

What do trainers at a major box gym make?

 

[Biggerarms22]

Median is around 40K, with upper 10% in the 70K area. It would definitely be a passion pursuit over financial. I'm recently leaving a square higher paying job, in order to really prioritize happiness and stay true to myself.
Financially I can make it on that. I belive if I can build an online presence through IG or YouTube I might be able to have both a in person and online client base. Financially I'd be pretty happy at 85K yearly. But because fitness is my passion, I could see myself content even at first at around 40K. I've got some money in the bank, where as finances aren't as much of an immediate issue.

 

[Test_Subject]

What's going on guys,

I'm in the process of a career change. Going towards personal training. Any personal trainers on the forum? What certification did you choose. Any advice for what its worth?
I'm looking at doing the NASM, (self study) and plan to get into a major box gym. Perhaps at some point building my presence through social media.

Just be wary of which big box gym you decide to work at. Many of them treat PTs as essentially sales positions.

*cough* GoodLife *cough*

 

[Mac11wildcat]

You’re 100% better off getting just enough certs to pass a normie smell test and then doing online as your primary focus with in-person as a side gig.

 

[malfeasance]

Can't you stay at your higher paying job and start developing your business now, make a run at it and see how you do, perhaps transitioning over when you have replaced your income or it looks like you will have replaced your income and then some.

I am all for pursuing your dreams, but do that and make $$$ at the same time.

 

[Eman]

I don't really have anything to add to the questions in your OP but, just some things to keep in mind for a job like this... Keep health insurance and retirement in mind. Your current job likely provides at least a portion of both whereas I would be surprised if either are even an option as a personal trainer at a big box unless you find something truly unique. I'm not saying they definitely don't, just to keep that in mind when you're looking.

Going out of pocket on either of those is going to make a serious dent in the perceived income you're expecting to get. Health insurance is expensive for an employer, and so are retirement contributions.

 

[Brandaddy]

I've trained a few people just because they asked me to and offered to pay. Comparing that experience to my friends personal experience working at gym, I would definitely recommend trying to build up an independent business potentially even while working your job yet. With good systems in place you can have a lot of flexibility to manage a large number of clients and not have to invest every waking hour into it. Working for a gym you'll most likely have to get most of your own clients anyways but now the gym is getting a nice cut and you might only be able to train clients a specific way depending on the gym. Doing things online you can spend less time managing clients and more time finding clients, but until it gets too much to handle, you can still grow your social media presence and get new clients without even leaving your job.

 

[Demondosage]

Don't do it, it's NOT a good career choice at all!!! Get ready to live in the gym, destroy something that you're passionate abt by doing it all day long with half assed ppl that signed up on a whim.

You are abt to spend all day at the gym for about 5 clients, the way they're staggered out and the fact that many won't show up! You'll be there all damn day for little money if you are getting paid through the gym. A cert? Fuck, waste of time going for nasm or ISSA, get whatever cheap, ghetto one they'll take, it doesn't matter! You won't be showing ppl a fraction of what you know, get ready to be a rep counter and plate loader for these lazy fucks!

Also, remember that your income is based on their "extra play money" which many ppl don't spend or have when the nation is going through a crisis or economic downfall.

Trust me, it's not a good career path....like AT ALL!!

 

[Biggerarms22]

Just be wary of which big box gym you decide to work at. Many of them treat PTs as essentially sales positions.

*cough* GoodLife *cough*

Noted. Thanks @Test_Subject

You’re 100% better off getting just enough certs to pass a normie smell test and then doing online as your primary focus with in-person as a side gig.

Will do! I think the National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer+certified nutrition coach, will probably do the trick. Your post encouraged me to look at adding other certs like the "certified nutrition coach."

I'll start in the gym, make $$ and than work to build myself with the goal of being mostly online. Thanks Mac.

Can't you stay at your higher paying job and start developing your business now, make a run at it and see how you do, perhaps transitioning over when you have replaced your income or it looks like you will have replaced your income and then some.

I am all for pursuing your dreams, but do that and make $$$ at the same time.

I would, but the kind of job I was in was somthing you couldn't not be 100% in on. I'll leave it at that. Good advice still for nearly all people planning a career change.

Don't do it, it's NOT a good career choice at all!!! Get ready to live in the gym, destroy something that you're passionate abt by doing it all day long with half assed ppl that signed up on a whim.

You are abt to spend all day at the gym for about 5 clients, the way they're staggered out and the fact that many won't show up! You'll be there all damn day for little money if you are getting paid through the gym. A cert? Fuck, waste of time going for nasm or ISSA, get whatever cheap, ghetto one they'll take, it doesn't matter! You won't be showing ppl a fraction of what you know, get ready to be a rep counter and plate loader for these lazy fucks!

Also, remember that your income is based on their "extra play money" which many ppl don't spend or have when the nation is going through a crisis or economic downfall.

Trust me, it's not a good career path....like AT ALL!!

Your concerns are valid. I'm going to still make an attempt to make a career in the fitness industry but I'll be wary of what you mentioned. Thank you.

 

[MindlessWork]

Why not make this as a side gig for now and which may even come in handy should there ever be another downturn.

 

[Demondosage]

No offense, but you're using the word "career" in place of JOB. A career takes care of you, has things like benefits, retirement, paid vacations and sick leave. Training ppl doesn't offer shit

 

[Biggerarms22]

No offense, but you're using the word "career" in place of JOB. A career takes care of you, has things like benefits, retirement, paid vacations and sick leave. Training ppl doesn't offer shit

This is true. I think I would rather have a job doing what I love, than a career which doesn't hold personal value for me. That's just me.

In the right environment, and in the right method of application I think personal training will offer me more personally than just about anything else.

 

[Demondosage]

This is true. I think I would rather have a job doing what I love, than a career which doesn't hold personal value for me. That's just me.

In the right environment, and in the right method of application I think personal training will offer me more personally than just about anything else.

A career can help take care of your future, health, and retirement, a job can hang you out to dry. I'm not trying to knock what you want to do, but I've been a trainer for commercial gyms several years ago, it's not what you think it is

 

[Gixjon22]

I haven’t been the biggest fan of being a trainer. I won’t work at a commercial gym because you’re basically a sales guy who gets a shit commission. Some gyms will feed you clients but most require you to walk the floor and ask people. Make cold calls and emails etc etc. even when you get a client the pay is shit. You might get 6 bucks or so as a regular trainer for a 40 min session while the gym collects 10x that. There’s also the hours. You’ll basically need to live there. Be there for the busy times when people are working out before work. After work and on their lunch. I do my own thing as I have a studio at my house but the people I mostly deal with if I ever find anyone are, well. Kind of morons. Not to be a dick but yeah lol. They say there no such thing as a dumb question but I disagree.

 

[Biggerarms22]

I haven’t been the biggest fan of being a trainer. I won’t work at a commercial gym because you’re basically a sales guy who gets a shit commission. Some gyms will feed you clients but most require you to walk the floor and ask people. Make cold calls and emails etc etc. even when you get a client the pay is shit. You might get 6 bucks or so as a regular trainer for a 40 min session while the gym collects 10x that. There’s also the hours. You’ll basically need to live there. Be there for the busy times when people are working out before work. After work and on their lunch. I do my own thing as I have a studio at my house but the people I mostly deal with if I ever find anyone are, well. Kind of morons. Not to be a dick but yeah lol. They say there no such thing as a dumb question but I disagree.

This is true man. I'm just going through the process now but as I'm collecting knowledge I'm seeing just that. Personal training is essentially sales first.

I'm so drawn to it because health, fitness, and aesthetics are my obsession. I'm willing to do it and make less to just be around it, to make my hobby a career.

There's definitely ways to make it more lucrative and more "sensible" if you will.
Think the key like some of the guys mentioned here is getting a social media presence and establishing clients on your own, whether online or in person.

Its a competitive industry. If I "make it" it will be because its my passion, and well I love that. Money and status isn't the greatest motivator in my life. I'll be okay if I'm not a president or CEO of a company.

 

[MindlessWork]

There are private trainers that run their own facilities and not affiliated with any gym.

 

[Jet Labs]

A lot of PT's I've encountered were slinging gear as well just to make a decent living. The money ain't worth it especially in this bullshit covid world we live in now.

 

[Biggerarms22]

A lot of PT's I've encountered were slinging gear as well just to make a decent living. The money ain't worth it especially in this bullshit covid world we live in now.

Hahaha wow. I feel bad laughing reading this one but I can't help it. Kinda hit like an unexpected uppercut lmao. I never imagined/imagine myself selling gear, and for liability purposes just wouldn't do so. Would rather be broke and change careers, if I can't make it on my own training/influencing. The criminal penalties for being a sauzolie salesman, and that would be like hitting rock bottom having to sell drugs to earn a living. I'd definitely career change if that were the case lol. Not that you were saying that was my likely outcome going into this, but I put myself mentally into that place upon reading.

So definitely, you gotta be able to sell yourself first. You've gotta get it as a sales professional. Nextly, you've got to get right into a hot market, and you've got to turn up the heat by occupying the right spaces. I'm shooting for working in a premium gym out of the gates, working in of course a hot market. Planning to sell the shit out of myself, and have fun doing it. Have fun living the life. Than building social media platforms along the way to combine that in the gym and out of the gym clientele. I honestly in my heart belive I'm gonna get it.
First year might be a little rough. (Eg. 35K)
But by year 3 I'm expecting 65K+. I'll be okay. I know I will. Than there's always the wife lol your guy married up thats for sure lmao. Gotta dual income in life baby.

 

[Jet Labs]

Hahaha wow. I feel bad laughing reading this one but I can't help it. Kinda hit like an unexpected uppercut lmao. I never imagined/imagine myself selling gear, and for liability purposes just wouldn't do so. Would rather be broke and change careers, if I can't make it on my own training/influencing. The criminal penalties for being a sauzolie salesman, and that would be like hitting rock bottom having to sell drugs to earn a living. I'd definitely career change if that were the case lol. Not that you were saying that was my likely outcome going into this, but I put myself mentally into that place upon reading.

So definitely, you gotta be able to sell yourself first. You've gotta get it as a sales professional. Nextly, you've got to get right into a hot market, and you've got to turn up the heat by occupying the right spaces. I'm shooting for working in a premium gym out of the gates, working in of course a hot market. Planning to sell the shit out of myself, and have fun doing it. Have fun living the life. Than building social media platforms along the way to combine that in the gym and out of the gym clientele. I honestly in my heart belive I'm gonna get it.
First year might be a little rough. (Eg. 35K)
But by year 3 I'm expecting 65K+. I'll be okay. I know I will. Than there's always the wife lol your guy married up thats for sure lmao. Gotta dual income in life baby.

Well obviously not all pt's sling gear, but a good amount do. Not saying anything against you broski