Personal Training Start-Up 101

Is personal training my cup of tea?

Honestly answer the following questions:
Are you a people person?
Are you a leader or a follower?
Are you comfortable speaking in front of people?
Are you an AM or PM person?
Do you have lots of initiative?
If you answered ‘yes’ to all or many of the questions, then you have
the right attributes or are willing to develop them. You must definitely be
a people-person if you wish to be a successful personal trainer. Personal
trainers must enjoy being leaders and most training takes place before or
after work, and over the weekends too and so a great deal of sacrifice is
in order. Personal trainers must be confident speaking in front of people
and have ample initiative to get things going for the client.

 

Get certifie

Experience is important but getting the appropriate certifications for
personal training professionalises your service and helps you to stay
current in the field. There are many certification bodies, but most are
based overseas and on other contexts. The Singapore Sports Council,
together with the National Institute of Education provides certification
programmes for personal training. Getting a diploma or degree in
exercise science or physical education together with a personal training
certification will increase your confidence and help to bolster
competence in knowledge and practice. Mainly clients are well-educated
and would wish to work with trainers who are equivalent in intellect and
with excellent people-skills.

 

Make sure you have a current CPR certification

CPR certification is a basic requirement as a personal trainer. Though
you expect to work with healthy clients, exercise training may trigger off
an emergency situation where you may need to perform CPR on your
client. CPR can save lives on and off the job so do acquire a CPR
certification and continue to keep it current and valid.

 

Get the job by writing a good resume

Like all jobs, writing a good resume and cover letter requires practice to
get it right. Consider including the following headings:
Goals – specify what motivates you as a personal trainer.
Experience – number of clients, years of associated experience or
practice.
Certifications – list them clearly. Include the adult CPR
certification.
Training and Workshops – especially if they are specialist
workshops on the latest training trends.
Education – highest levels attained, special relevant professional
qualifications.
Achievements – were you employee of the month, a sports
winner, completed a triathlon.
Special Skills – know sign language, are bilingual, good with
computers.
Get the order right and lead with your strengths first – what is
different and outstanding about you compared to others. Let honesty
drive your resume.

 

Best part of being a personal trainer

Inspire clients.
Transform bodies and minds.
Keep own hours.

Be your own boss.
Change lives.
Doing what you love.
Earning more.

 

Worst part of being a personal trainer

Clients missing appointments.
Unmotivated clients with the same excuses.
Irregular income.
Pressure to sell gym memberships and meeting sales quotas.
Clients wanting a magic pill not sound nutritional advice.
Waking up early and getting home late.
Missed weekends with family.
Gossip partner, not trainer.
Sexual harassment.