Becoming a personal trainer, any ideas?

[simplyq]

Hi Everyone

I have been on the net with affiliate marketing for years but now need to build a proper business.

I absolutly love fitness from weight training, boxercise to running and circuit training. Started helping friends to lose weight and really enjoy it.

My aim is to become a personal trainer, but cannot afford the course until I have paid off a debt to my brother so a little frustrating.

Any have any ideas how I can use my knowledge I have to start a business helping people within Sussex?

I expect I am not allowed to help train the public unless I have a qualification.

Many Thanks everyone

Rob

 

[Talay]

Go to the top gym sites and they will sometimes list the qualifications of their trainers, if they employ them directly. I know some have multiple degrees and then specialist training courses afterwards, over many years. It isn't as simple as being good lifting weights any more.

I'm actually looking for a trainer but the skills I want are a specialism in nutrition and a key understanding of why the programme I undertake will achieve the results I want, not just some vague "I'm good at this" idea.

 

[tony84]

You want to become a trainer without the qualifications?
That means you wont be able to get insurance.

I think your wasting your time.

 

[Stugull]

Hi Everyone

I have been on the net with affiliate marketing for years but now need to build a proper business.

I absolutly love fitness from weight training, boxercise to running and circuit training. Started helping friends to lose weight and really enjoy it.

My aim is to become a personal trainer, but cannot afford the course until I have paid off a debt to my brother so a little frustrating.

Any have any ideas how I can use my knowledge I have to start a business helping people within Sussex?

I expect I am not allowed to help train the public unless I have a qualification.

Many Thanks everyone

Rob

You NEED to get trained i'm afraid. You also need insurance to cover yourself if someone has a problem while you are training them! The best training companies are Personal Training International, YMCA and ACE.

 

[FitForLife]

When you're ready with your license and have met all the necessary requirements drop me a line. We can supply you with all your eqipment needs

 

[jonny123]

You need to get qualified. I am in a similar boat - I am considering doing the qualifications next year.

Some gyms (like Fitness First) will pay for your training if you work for them. Pay is rubbish though. A friend did this. He got is qualifications as a personal trainer and is now doing a Strength and Conditioning Degree at Uni.

Remember, a personal training cert is just the beginning really.

In the meantime start reading, and make sure you are fit too!

The key is to be on the REPS books. More advice on UK fitness instructor qualifications here: UK Fitness Instructor Qualifications for Health and Fitness Professionals.

 

[jonny123]

May be worth giving Fitness First a call: http://www.fitnessfirst.co.uk/Recruitment/

Also, you will need a First Aid certificate to teach, or should. As tony84 points out, you must have insurance (public liability at least, I guess) and nobody will insure you without qualification. That would be like ensuring someone to drive a car who has not passed their driving test.

 

[jonny123]

One final point - grab a book, such as this (there may be others, I have not looked too deeply into it):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Fitness-Instructors-Handbook-Professionals/dp/0713682256

This will give you a good foundation on the theory. Also, I would recommend getting some Olympic lifting training from a weight lifting coach, so that you learn more about correct form in lifting - vital if a client asked to get stronger.

 

[TrainWithMatt]

I've searched Personal Trainer and found your topic....

In 2007 I was in the same position as you. The course I wanted to do was a diploma in personal Training at £3,500.

I raised the funds by working abroad and eventually started in 2008. However I have heard from other trainers that there are cheaper courses than this.

For me it's all about constant knowledge. You may find a course for a thousand pounds however it never stops here. As a personal trainer you need to keep on top of your knowledge which includes attending courses and spending a lot of time researching fitness methods and nutrition strategies so be ready to invest.

If you can get in and have a passion for health and fitness, go for it. Unfortunately the industry has too many people here for the £40-60 an hour rate who aren't passionate about what they do, and they don't last long and share stories about PT being an unstable job.

I have experience that this is the best job/lifestyle possible!!

 

[dolphinformations]

I think puregym were recruiting PT's to do a min amount of hours unpaid but any clients you pick up you keep all profits for yourself


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[Carl Daley Fitnes]

Hi Rob,

You need a REPs accredited level 2 gym instructing and level 3 personal training course. Look out for governing bodies like Active IQ or YMCA awards, these are the biggest two for the UK. I got my personal trainer course through Origym who were pretty good, pretty cheap too, they were Active IQ I think.....

In relation to building a business that depends on where you see yourself....in a gym or solo....I am solo for instance so i advertise on google ads, Facebook ads , do some leafleting etc. If its with a gym you just need to work the members in that gym, if you can't sell market and promote as a PT, you need to reconsider your career options but you can complete CPD courses in business to help you.

All the best!.....being a PT is the best decision I ever made.

 

[The Byre]

If more people did a good deal of physical work every day, ate fresh food only and drank real beer and lots of it, we would not need personal trainers.

 

[johndon68]

This thread was 4 years old until the reply by Carl...

John

 

[Pish_Pash]

If more people did a good deal of physical work every day, ate fresh food only and drank real beer and lots of it, we would not need personal trainers.

Personal trainers are for lazy people & oh so very nineties! (today we have the internet - & it's all you need if you want to learn how to lose a belly & become healthier/fitter, it's what I've been upto in my spare time for the past two months...research then implement)

This thread was 4 years old until the reply by Carl...

And for 4 years I've been eating doughnuts.

 

[Nord20]

Personal trainers are for lazy people & oh so very nineties! (today we have the internet - & it's all you need if you want to learn how to lose a belly & become healthier/fitter

Very true. But then again, given that the internet is the sum of all human knowledge, the same applies to virtually any job you can think of. People, however, are lazy, so PTs (amongst others) continue to do very well.

People don't go to PTs because they lack the ability to find out how to exercise, they go to them to force themselves to exercise.

 

[Pish_Pash]

People don't go to PTs because they lack the ability to find out how to exercise, they go to them to force themselves to exercise.

Then not only are they lazy, they lack self discipline & motivation (the latter in particular, can be found in spades on the internet too!)- therefore, IMHO there's little hope for anyone who hires a PT