What does it take to call yourself a "personal trainer?"

[shoichi]

I worked at 24hr and eventually switched to this small family oriented "gym" closer by my house. Some of the trainers at 24hr and Bally's are really good - some of them suck. 24hr has you take a basic anatomy and physiology pre cert, followed by a week long Apex cert. Both are garbage, the Apex (the company that sells supps through 24hr) cert is laughable, they mainly focus on selling stuff. I've met some some really good people at 24hr, and even more that I'd rather not talk to at all...except they were my coworkers.

The Bally's near my house has all certified trainers in some nationally recognized cert (ACE,NASM, etc) - but your right, just because someone has a cert doesn't make them a good trainer. It just allows your employer to say, if a client is injured, that hey, my guy is certified, he does know what he's doing, etc.

At most gyms, you have to keep in mind that alot (or at least where I've worked) of building and retaining clientele is simply getting in good with your clients. Most people I've trained needed to lose massive amounts of BF, and I can't just say - get on the elipticals and do cardio for 45min 5x a week and break down their meals for them, although that's what they really need. They would rather come in half ass, talk to me, and think that's enough. It's frustrating....that's a story in itself though.

There are alot of people that take certs so they can get pay raises - it is a business and people are there to make money. The majority (if not all the places) will pay you more with the number of certs you get.

 

[Heffe]

I have 34 clients that I train on a one-on-one basis three times per week. Thirty of them own their own businesses (there's a marketing plan for ya!). Every one of them tells me the only reason they keep coming (some for as long as four years) is because they have an appointment with me. They know how to do the exercises, they know how to eat and most have gotten great results. They would rather pay me to take them through their workouts than try to do it on their own. I hold them accountable and that is why they pay me. They also feel I'm somebody they can talk to. I hear everything, infidelity, financial problems, you name it - they just don't have anybody else to talk to. I don't judge them or give out advice (thats for the shrinks), I just listen and take them through an effective/safe workout.

Don't get rid of long term clients before you get them. They can be your bread-and-butter. If you won't train them, they will find somebody else to give their money to. They want somebody to listen to them and hold them accountable, a good workout is just a bonus for them.

 

[liftsiron]

Don't get rid of long term clients before you get them. They can be your bread-and-butter. If you won't train them, they will find somebody else to give their money to. They want somebody to listen to them and hold them accountable, a good workout is just a bonus for them.

You know what your talking about.

 

[wartime100]

I am getting my NSCA-cpt next month. I have been wondering how hard it is to find a job as a pt in NJ.

 

[rj420]

if it isn't

NSCA, ACSM or maybe a couple of the other well-known organizations, then you don't have to know shit.

I'm getting NSCA certified for CPT in a month and then CSCS certified next year once I get my BS. You can't even take the CSCS without having your degree, which shows you have to be somewhat intelligent.

For anyone to train around where I live you must be certified and have minimum of $1million of liability coverage.

Its also good to know different areas in relevance to training, i.e. athletic/BBing/endurance etc... It allows you to cater to a wide array of clients.

Another good program type to learn is the "Weekend Warrior" style training. Lots of rich people that can only workout on the weekends like this one.

 

[Baby Gorilla]

Thanks....

A lot of it will depend on if the LAW requires it. I just figured as often as people as me for training advice (because I look like I must know something about what I'm doing) it should be something I can offer. I just HATE shelling out $$$ for some piece of BS paper that doesn't prove squat about my ability to do the job. After all, this would be MY GYM, not a chain I'd work for if I followed through with the idea.