Definition: Becoming a Personal Trainer

Personal training is one of the fastest growing careers today with very high job satisfaction levels. The U.S. Department of Labor is forecasting a 50% growth rate for the industry through the next decade.nnStepsnn1. Determine if personal training is right for you. Before you job into a new career, make sure that you are a good match. Do you like helping others, do you mind working nights and weekends, are you a good listener? And most important, are you patient? And if you are planning on starting your own personal training business, you are going to need to have exceptional communication and motivation skills.nn2. Get certified! Choosing the right certification is important because most of your personal training education will come from the certification course you choose. Make sure you choose a program that covers the areas you are interested in. For example, if you want to work with kids, make sure your certification will qualify you to work with this special group. Plan on spending $400-800 dollars on completing the program including materials. Many certifications have self-study online options which can save you money.nn3. Choose a specialty. In order to grow your client base, it is helpful to specialize in an area. You can choose to work with special groups like athletes, children, senior citizens, and people with injuries. Each of these groups requires special handling so make sure you know what you are doing.nn4. Get the job! Working at a gym is a great way to get experience. Finding clients is easy, you get a steady paycheck, and your liability insurance is provided by your employer. But work hard to prepare yourself to start your own business. That is where the money is.nn5. Start your own business. Once you develop a loyal following of clients, you are ready to venture out on your own. Make sure you understand all the complexities of running a business like insurance, payroll and taxes.nnTipsnn• Remember to schedule time off for yourself when starting your business. Burnout is a real risk when you are just starting out.n• Create and follow a business plan prior to, and during your business year.nnWarningsnn• Be careful to avoid disreputable certifications. A proper certification should require several months of preparation and a proctored exam. Avoid sites that offer quick certification for under $100.n• Working with special needs groups can increase your liability. Make sure you know what you are doing and have the proper insurance coverage.nnSource: WikiHow