For those interested. Key points to being a good Personal Trainer

[Mike P.T.]

1) Looking the part - I don't care how much knowledge you have. Appearance in this field accounts for at least 50% of the game. Appearance definately doesn't mean you know shit but it definately helps in this field.

2) Knowledge - Of course - You better know your shit. It's good to be well rounded in all aspects of the fitness world. Do they expect you to know EVERYTHING? No, but the more you know the better off.

3) Personality - You may be smart and you may look nice but if you have a shitty personality good luck getting a lot of clients. In this field to be the best you have to be a people person. This job is not for the shy and non-outgoing. Well, if you want to do good at least.

4) Sales techniques - You have to know how to sell. What you say also along with saying and analogies all combined with your look, knowledge and personality and you are good as gold.

Take it from me. I'm 22 years old and kickin some major ass personal training. I know this game inside and out.

 

[Citruscide]

I'd like to also add... keep a training log of past clients.. take before and after pictures... clients can see their gains this way, and you can use these photos for future clients to see that you know how to help people change for the better.

Also, on selling... mention "COST" of the sessions AFTER you have pitched them on what you can do for them, given free counsel, etc.

More certifications definately helps... I'm working on a nutrition cert now... to give me more of a "bolster" in that department LOL

Of course, I limit myself to 5 clients... as it's all I have time for... but I could easily expand that to around 20.

Looking the part is definately huge...

C-ditty

 

[stonecold54]

training

mike I tried to pm this but your box is full bro

hey mike have you ever checked out the IART. it is a canadian based certification company. www.exercisecertification.com
not sure if you are interested in that but it is the most challenging I have ever seen. the exams take about 6 months to a year to complete and they are very comprehensive. videos, essays and case studies. the reading materials are also top notch. who are you certified through and what part of the country do you train out of. I want to move down south in a couple years and start training again. there is no market up in here in new york it sucks

 

[Mike P.T.]

Citruscide - Good points. I was thinking of doing the picture thing actually for some of my more motivated clients because there are some that really just do not want any part of the picture thing. I've brought it up a few times. Maybe I will really put it into place for those willing.

stonecold54 - Thx bro I will look into that. 6 months to a year though.... Hmmmm don't know if I have the time or if I would want to anyway.

Certs definately help but again they aren't everything. You can be a graduate here and there and have certs but it's not a guaruntee you will get clients but it definately helps.

 

[stonecold54]

Oh I completely agree getting clients is tough, but they also have an excellent marketing program to help you once you get certified. plus they franchise there name out to open up your own 1 on 1 training studio for only about 20000 to 25000. like I said they are very comprhensive. the 6 months to a year is basically just keeping track of a client as a case study and you are basically doing that already. the test you could probably knock off in a couple months.

 

[chronic2371]

Hey Mike,

You bring up some good points. How long have you been in the personal training business? Do you train at a club or have your own studio or do you go in home?

 

[theoak01]

anybody taken Canfitpro? how difficult is it ? I ave a good grasp of this game and they are offering a course in my area on the 28th and I can sign up but dont want to waste juice money on it if it isnt worth it,I mean Im 18 no job and need to pay for college,is it worth it?

 

[Zoomster]

Purchase a computer training/nutritian and results tracking program. Do bodyfat testing. Track the results weekly, give them nice print outs of charts and graph's showing their progress.

Offer to research supplements.

You may even strike up a deal with a supplier to buy at wholesale
costs and offer a discount to your customers. Maybe do a deal with your gym or local supplement store to offer discounts to your customers.

Offer to teach/conduct training seminars in your gym to groups of people. Do these for free and hand out all of your information afterwards.

Do free blood pressure checks, if you can't do them, hire someone for two hours on the side.

Do a drawing for one free session.

Offer referral discounts.

Write short articles on different subjects, print them, staple them and give them to your gym for freebie handouts. Put your logo and business card with them.

Just a few suggestions.

 

[Mike P.T.]

Hey Mike,

You bring up some good points. How long have you been in the personal training business? Do you train at a club or have your own studio or do you go in home?

About 2 1/2 years. Used to work for Bally's but now working for NYSC. I've always been into this even in h.s. though desighning routines for friends and family. Always studying as much as I can about it.

Zoomster - good points. But for bf testing - I don't like them because I feel they are inaccurate as well as some people really don't want them done on them. Let the mirror be your guide is my approach in that area. Same for the blood pressure tests. That's for their doctor to do.

 

[DepressiveJuice]

thanks for the advice mike and everyone else. im taking the ISSA course right now. it looks like it might have been a bad idea for me. the pay isnt as well as i thought it would be unless you are on your own, which can be difficult to do. the reason i wanted to do this is to get a better income. i love what i do now but the pay is mediocre. i get $18.63/hr. the most i can up to is $20/hr. my decision to be a PT was to make enough money so i can start my own business doing what i love to do. i suppose i can just work as a PT part time to make the extra cash. i only need around 20k....donations are acceptable

 

[Jman88]

I am pretty intersted in PT myself.

What do you guys think is the most useful or valuable PT certification?

 

[Zoomster]

Mike PT -

I understand on the bodyfat testing and the blood pressure testing.

I like adding the BF testing in as an option...if done the same way everytime, at least you will know if progress is being made. I use a disclaimer that states tests may vary. I do have clients that don't want them done.

The Blood Pressure checks are again just a way to mass market yourself as a personal trainer and health professional. More of a marketing tool than anything else. I would hire a nurse to do this for two hours and charge the gym nothing to get my name out there.