12 Things Holding You Back from Becoming a Personal Trainer | ISSA (2023)

Becoming a personal trainer can be a fulfilling and rewarding career path for those who have a passion for fitness and helping others reach their goals. However, despite the numerous benefits of pursuing this profession, many people are held back from becoming personal trainers.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to this hesitation, ranging from a lack of confidence and knowledge to financial concerns and limited time. In this article, we will explore some of the most common obstacles that prevent people from pursuing a career as a personal trainer and offer guidance on how to overcome them.

Top Things Holding You Back from Becoming a Personal Trainer

While becoming a personal trainer can be a great career choice for many, it may not be the right fit for everyone who loves fitness. Here are some reasons why someone who loves fitness might not want to become a personal trainer:

It’s a Crowded Space

One thought that enters the minds of many aspiring fitness trainers is that there is already an abundance of trainers and instructors out there, many of whom bounce from job to job or sit around and wait for the next new gym to open so they can submit another application.

They think the industry is too crowded for another trainer, particularly one with no experience. There are two things to do in that situation: work harder and find a niche. Don't be afraid to get started at the bottom rung, whether teaching Zumba at a seniors-only club or working part-time at a small gym.

Over time, you'll discover what sets you apart from others and know how to market yourself and where to find the highest volume of customers. I've met trainers who specialize in helping people train for rowing tournaments. There are others who are good at teaching weight training to novices who have never touched a dumbbell. Get to work and find out what will make you break apart from the pack.

Rachel Blank, Founder & CEO, Allara

Not Knowing How to Start a Business

One thing that holds many people back from taking the next step and becoming instructors or trainers is not having knowledge about starting a business. While in reality, that's something that can be easily learned, it's something that overwhelms most people and prevents them from moving forward with becoming certified trainers.

They might worry that they'll become certified trainers but not be able to get clients, or not know how to properly run their business. Getting advice from lawyers or other business experts is often costly, and for someone just starting out might be completely unaffordable, so this further prevents them from taking the next steps.

Michael Nemeroff, CEO & Co-Founder, Rush Order Tees

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome impacts people's success in many industries, including health and wellness. It's the feeling you have when you doubt your own experience and ability to perform a job, and fear being called a fraud.

Nobody is in perfect health, and nobody is a perfect human being. Perfection is too high a standard against which to measure yourself. If you're an aspiring fitness trainer or instructor, then don't let imposter syndrome get in the way. You will naturally attract clients who want an instructor that is exactly like you.

Some people will choose trainers who have well-defined abs and big muscles because that is what they aspire to become. Others may find that intimidating, and they'll instead choose trainers who are healthy yet have a softer outward appearance. Don't let imposter syndrome impede your success or your ability to help others. Know that you are the right fit for someone, and if you help them, they'll tell others how great you are.

Dennis Consorte, Digital Marketing & Leadership Consultant for Startups, Snackable Solutions

Financial Risk and Lack of Job Security

One thing that may hold someone passionate about health and fitness back from becoming a fitness trainer/instructor is the perceived financial risk and lack of job security. While the fitness industry is growing and there is a high demand for qualified trainers‌, it can be a competitive field, and it may be difficult to consistently find steady work.

Additionally, many people who enter the field do so as independent contractors or small business owners, so they may have to invest in marketing, insurance, and other expenses upfront without a guaranteed income. This financial risk can intimidate and may discourage some from pursuing a career as a fitness trainer/instructor.

Will Gill, Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill

Fear of Failure

This paralyzes people. Fear can keep an intelligent person in the same place for years and years, never growing or making any kind of progress, just because they are afraid of failure.

People are afraid to take such an enormous risk and then fail, and ‌have to deal with the aftermath of it all. Fear is one of the biggest killers of dreams. Fear keeps people from success because they are afraid to take risks. They only realize their dreams in their imagination, but never in reality.

Lydia Mwangi, Content Writer, Barbell Jobs

Career Snuffing Out Passion

I love lifting heavy weights and spending a lot of time in the gym. It is where I clear my head, burn off extra calories from my mixology career, and keep myself mobile after years on my feet in kitchens and bars. With nutrition, I am meticulous about my fitness program, and I can truly call it a passion. But that passion can easily be snuffed out by transitioning it to a career.

Being passionate about something as a hobby means it is just for you. You don't have the pressure of getting paid, performing well, or gaining clients. Conversely, I think a calling or career is something you are passionate about and want to share with the world.

I love fitness and what it brings to my life, but I don't have the same passion for bringing it to others. Mixology and cocktails, however? I love teaching people, and the best personal trainers are the same!

Paul Kushner, CEO, My Bartender

Lack of Interpersonal Skills

Genuine passion for health and fitness may not go hand in hand with psychological skills. Working as a fitness trainer/instructor requires frequent interactions with people. Most clients need constant encouragement, support, and motivation.

Some clients may go beyond a professional relationship by sharing their private life problems, hoping to be listened to and understood. Also, trainers are often asked about their fitness journey and personal issues, which may be inconvenient at times.

To be successful in this profession, you need to bond with your clients, at least to some extent. Decent interpersonal and psychological skills are a must for fitness trainers/instructors, as you can see. Not everyone has them.

Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer

Lack of Appetite for Teaching

I have been working out five days a week for the past four years, and I am very passionate about health and fitness. However, my lack of appetite for teaching has acted as a roadblock for me to take the next step toward working in this field professionally.

Teaching is an art, and not everyone may be comfortable taking on that responsibility. Sadly, this lack of interest in teaching has hindered some passionate individuals from pursuing their dream of becoming reliable fitness instructors.

Benjamin Okyere, Data Engineer, Stress Reliever

Moving from Personal to Public

Many people's fitness journeys can be intensely personal, which can make it hard to translate their enthusiasm and success into something palatable to share with others.

A fitness trainer or instructor needs to have a certain level of connection with a client to help keep them motivated and chasing their own goals. They'll need to be inspiring and charismatic to a degree in order to effectively communicate with those they instruct. These skills don't come naturally to everyone. It's entirely possible to have a passion for fitness and not have the people skills necessary to turn it into your business.

While this can be something that holds you back from taking that next big step, it's not a dead end. Like many life skills, with practice, you can gain proficiency. You may have to take some of your fitness efforts and gear them towards improving your social skills, but it will be entirely worth it if you're truly interested in sharing your passion for fitness with others.

Max Ade, CEO, Pickleheads

Worry Over Getting Your First Client

I think one of the most common things that hold people back from becoming a fitness trainer or instructor is worrying about how they can market themselves to net clients.

If you are good at your job and can market yourself well, you can succeed in almost anything. Rather than worrying about how to get a dozen clients lined up before you finish your certification, focus on getting one client, even if that client is free!

Becoming a successful fitness instructor or trainer happens largely by word of mouth and how you can boost that with your own marketing efforts. If you can convince one person who wants to lose weight, get in shape, or train for an event, to work with you, you are setting yourself up for success.

Brian Clark, CEO & Marketing Director, United Medical Education

Improper Strategy and Planning

The thing that holds people back in all situations is the knowledge of the situation they are in and an organized plan they can follow one step at a time. If you sit down and realize that you want to become a successful fitness trainer who runs their own company, that can become overwhelming and unrealistic because you haven't done your research and organized a plan of action. I see the same thing happen to people who want to start their own businesses.

Here's what you must do:

• Study the industry you'd like to break into. Talk to people and learn about how others did it.

• Sit down and create a detailed plan that would allow you to progress toward your goal. Things happen one step at a time, so figure out each step. The more detailed your plan is, the better, but understand that it can also change on the fly.

Once you've put in the appropriate time for the research and planning, you'll be able to see regular progress as you move toward your goals.

Shaun Connell, Founder & CEO, Credit Building Tips

Lack of Proper Certification

One potential barrier for someone passionate about health and fitness to become a fitness trainer/instructor is the lack of proper certification

Getting a certification from a reputable institution takes time, effort, dedication, and money that some individuals may not have access to or are unwilling to invest in. Therefore, it is important for individuals who are serious about becoming fitness trainers/instructors to research and understand the requirements needed to obtain certification.

Be aware of any legal or licensing regulations in the state where the individual will conduct their business as a certified fitness trainer/instructor. The process for obtaining certification can vary from place to place, so you should be informed and understand the requirements prior to taking the plunge. With proper research, dedication, and hard work, anyone passionate about health and fitness can become a certified fitness trainer/instructor.

Erik Pham, CEO, Health Canal

How to Overcome Obstacles to Becoming a Personal Trainer

If you are interested in becoming a personal trainer but are facing obstacles, you still have options. there are several steps they can take to overcome these challenges:

• Build confidence and knowledge: If you feel unsure of your skills or knowledge in certain areas, you can take steps to build your confidence and expertise. This might include taking relevant courses or certifications, practicing teaching or coaching skills with friends or family, or seeking mentorship from a more experienced personal trainer.

• Address financial concerns: Starting a personal training career can require some initial investment, but there are ways to minimize costs and manage finances. Create a budget to determine how much you need to earn to cover expenses; consider working part-time while building your personal training business; or seek out low-cost marketing and business tools.

• Manage time effectively: Time management is crucial for success in any career, but especially in personal training where client schedules can vary widely. Learn how to prioritize your tasks, create a schedule that allows for flexibility, and use tools like calendar apps or scheduling software to help manage your time effectively.

• Consider alternative career paths: If you are interested in fitness but do not feel that personal training is the right fit for you, there are other careers within the fitness industry that you might consider. For example, you might pursue a career in nutrition or health coaching, developing workouts, or writing about fitness for a blog or magazine.

By taking these steps and addressing obstacles head-on, someone can overcome the challenges of becoming a personal trainer and build a successful and fulfilling career in the fitness industry.

How to Become a Personal Trainer

Ready to learn more about what it takes to get certified and become a personal trainer? Check out ISSA’s Certified Personal Trainer course. You'll learn exactly what you need to know, from how to motivate anyone to make their fitness goals a reality to how to assess and build custom training programs.