Hey AAP I am a personal trainer. I am Certified by ISSA, I think they are pretty good, but i think ACE and ACSM are more respected. The big thing is that the general public doesnt know what any cert is worth. If your friend is wanting to work for a gym, then he may be better off getting at least ISSA and maybe a better one. There isnt much money to be made working for most gyms however. I am an idependent trainer, you get more money for your time(dont have to give the gym a cut), but getting clients is my problem. I think it takes a while to develop clientele. I have put up flyers, handed out buisiness cards, and have called people from a list i took from a powerhouse where i used to work. I have only called about 10 people from this list(i offer them a free fitness consultation) and have had 2 people take me up on it. I can usually sale people with my knowledge of fitness and i signed up one of these, but she called back and cancelled a few days later. Said she didnt have the money right now. This kind of thing happens and you cant say BITCH! like you want to. I charge $33 per hour, and the gym in our town(with scrawny and fat trainers) charges $50 per hour....that pisses me off. Anyway he needs to do some research and have a strategy for marketing. I have found thats what this thing is about....not fitness...if you are into fitness and knowledgable then u will have no prob once you get the client. It is great to walk into the gym and train someone and walk out an hour later with $33 dollars though, talk about a job u enjoy! He should go for it while he has a chance....i have just started and refuse to give up on this thing...i am going to try to write articles for the town newspaper, and maybe have a seminar....sorry to ramble so much, hope this helped.-WULF
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