Think you have what it takes to become a gym personal trainer?
One of the best things about becoming a fitness professional is that you don’t have to worry if it’s too late to be one. There’s no age limit.
Wendy Ida, the world’s oldest fitness instructor, is 65. Demarjay Smith was only 8 when Ellen Degeneres featured him in her show as the “cutest and youngest personal trainer in the world.”
Of course, other than a passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, you also have to take on sales, marketing, and other aspects that will help establish your name in the field. This is still business, after all. And you have to keep such things in mind if you want to be successful.
That said, read on for our tried and true tips that will help you start a career in fitness.
Earn a Certification
The thing is, we can’t all be Instagram fitness gurus. Most fitness professionals do it the usual way – earning a certification from an accredited organization.
And that’s okay. It’s a solid way to start your career as a gym personal trainer. With a certification, you can learn how to properly guide your clients through safe and effective workouts.
Plus if you pursue higher education, for example, a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can enhance your marketability. It’s a sure way to distinguish yourself from other personal trainers.
Determine Your Goals
Wanting to be a gym personal trainer takes care of one important concern which is, “Where do you want to work?” But there are also other things you need to map out before you start sending out resumes.
These include the type of clients you want to work with. Do you want to be a trainer to athletes? How about the elderly or those who have a disability?
You’ll also want to sit down and think about your financial goals. Is this what you want to be doing 5, 10 years from now? Perhaps, after this, you’ll want to branch into selling supplements, something like America Vitaminas, which offers Vitamins and Supplements from the United States to Brazil.
Think about your goals before you go full bore with the job hunting.
Apply as a Gym Personal Trainer
When you’ve earned your certification (or certifications) and you know your goals, there’s nothing left for you to do but to find a gym that will employ you. Of course, you have to go through the usual steps – send out resumes, show up for interviews, and get the job.
Don’t feel too bad if you don’t get offers right away. Be persistent and in the meantime, learn how to market yourself. Remember, the competition may be stiff, but there are tons of opportunities waiting for you in the field of personal training.
Keep at it and soon, you’ll find a personal training job that meets your career goals.
Want More Career Advice? If so, don’t forget to check out 5 Insights into Advancing In Your First Career and Tips On How To Fit Into A New Job.