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.
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FAQs
What are the disadvantages of being a personal trainer? ›
- Inconsistent income. Whether you work for yourself or for an employer, income can be inconsistent as a personal trainer because your earnings depend on how many clients you work with each week. ...
- Challenging clients. ...
- Risk of injury. ...
- Inconvenient work hours.
Many personal trainers quit because they don't see much potential for career progression. It can be tough to figure out how you'll move forward. You might even have that voice in the back of your mind saying 'personal training is not a real job'.
What is the greatest challenge facing a personal trainer? ›The greatest challenge facing a personal trainer is designing a safe and effective program.
What is the biggest problem in the fitness industry? ›- Choosing the right location for fitness business. ...
- Finding clients/members. ...
- Securing finances. ...
- Managing finances/costs. ...
- Building a team of experts.
- Con: No guarantees about a trainer's real level of knowledge. ...
- Pro: Motivate yourself to push harder and develop more. ...
- Con: You might not enjoy the experience of a trainer workout.
During the past few decades, personal training has become the biggest internal revenue generator in the fitness industry. Unfortunately, the industry has an annual personal trainer turnover rate of 80 percent, according to numbers cited by many people in the fitness industry.
Can you live off being a personal trainer? ›Yes, you can good make money as a personal trainer is the short answer. The longer answer is that, as most things are, if you are fantastic at your job and if you market and sell yourself well, you can make good money.
Can you be a personal trainer and not be fit? ›While there is no requirement that personal trainers be fit, studies show that those who are personal trainers are more likely to be fit than those who are not personal trainers. Qualified personal trainers have a good understanding of fitness and nutrition which they gain while studying on accredited courses.
What is the average age of a personal trainer? ›The average age of a personal trainer is 40. On average, a trainer has been working in the industry for 13 years. 16% of trainers work with clients as a part-time job and have another source of income. Nearly 90% of trainers are certified.
How long do people keep a personal trainer? ›Here's How Long You Should Have a Personal Trainer:
Three to six months - if your goals are within reach. A year or longer - if your goal is to completely change the way you look (think Adele).
When should I end my personal trainer? ›
You should change your trainer when you feel like the relationship has grown stale. Personal Training can be pretty expensive, especially if you want to spend the money on something else. You might want a new trainer because you'd like to try a different approach.
Is a career as a personal trainer worth it? ›If you want a rewarding career, personal training delivers. There's something incredibly satisfying about helping clients achieve their fitness goals. That's in addition to seeing firsthand the health benefits they receive by boosting their physical activity.
What are three to five main tasks of being a personal trainer? ›- Evaluate clients' fitness levels and health conditions.
- Build individualized exercise programs.
- Explain exercises in detail and suggest alternatives if needed.
- Monitor progress of clients' fitness levels.
- Explain safe and proper use of gym equipment.
- Lead both individual and group training sessions.
- Find a niche. ...
- Listen to your clients. ...
- Get plenty of experience. ...
- Learn how to be a coach. ...
- Be a leader and a teacher. ...
- Train the client based on what works for them. ...
- Train on movement first. ...
- Use intensely wisely.
Lack of time is one the most common reasons for quitting a fitness program. The modern work schedule doesn't leave much time for self care, but with the help of a personal trainer, you can develop a program that is both effective and efficient.
What is one of the most neglected aspects of a fitness program? ›For whatever reason Flexibility is one of the most often neglected aspects of a fitness program. We need to remember that muscles that lack flexibility do not move as well, which can restrict the movement of our joints and increase the risk of injury.
What is the weaknesses of fitness industry? ›The most common examples of personal complaints by customers are a lack of staff, maintenance issues, and outdated types of equipment. In addition, a poor marketing strategy can also be a weakness for a gym business.
What are 3 benefits of working with a personal trainer? ›They can help you learn proper form, how to use specific equipment, and what exercises will be most effective for you. Beyond that, they can teach you about greater health and fitness topics that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What is important as a personal trainer? ›A personal trainer will ensure clients are performing exercises correctly and efficiently, in order to maximise results. Good form when performing exercises is also essential in reducing the risk of injury.
Is it better to be a personal trainer or fitness instructor? ›Whilst both roles hold their own unique benefits and drawbacks, it's ultimately better to pursue personal training for a variety of reasons. The most obvious being, that as a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer you can still fulfil the roles and responsibilities associated with the fitness instructor position.
What are the biggest mistakes trainers make? ›
- Not knowing that the body is the most important tool in your toolbox. ...
- Thinking that it's the clients fault. ...
- Not knowing the difference between "Feel & Real." ...
- Thinking that experiences don't matter. ...
- Not questioning everything.
They have poor people skills
Somehow related to communication, “people skills” are crucial for every personal trainer. Natural charm, ability to understand your current and potential clients and good small talk skills can go a long way. If you can't retain your clients it is very likely you lack these skills.
It's common for personal trainers and their clients to develop close relationships. A trainer often transitions from a coach and role model to a confidant and friend.
Where do personal trainers make the most money? ›According to the BLS, the state that pays the highest personal trainer salary is New York. The annual mean wage for an instructor in this state is $61,840 per year or $29.73 an hour. New York also has one of the highest employment levels for fitness professionals.
How hard is it to make good money as a personal trainer? ›Yes, making good money as a personal trainer is very viable. Even entry-level personal trainers can make upwards of $25 an hour, and easily up to $100 an hour if they are experienced.
How to make 6 figures as a PT? ›- Start a fitness coaching business.
- Become a fitness-focused marketing consultancy ($13K/month)
- Start a teaching business.
- Start a freelance writing business ($61.3K/month)
- Start an online fitness business ($15.8K/month)
- Become a social media influencer.
A combination of attitude, education and personal attributes, including fitness level and empathy is the recipe for an amazing PT. At the end of the day, you don't need to be extremely fit and/or muscular to be a personal trainer, so long as you're helping clients to reach their own personal goals.
Do you need REPs to be a personal trainer? ›The minimum level of qualification that any personal trainer is a level 3 certificate in personal training, These days most fitness professionals are registered with REPs also, and so you can always look up trainers in your local area through the REPs website to make sure that you are getting a fully qualified trainer.
What is the difference between a fitness coach and a personal trainer? ›A fitness coach works with people who want to lose weight or maintain weight while getting fit. A personal trainer focuses more on performance goals like building strength, speed, agility, power, etc. Personal trainers may also work with those who need help recovering from an injury.
Who is the oldest personal trainer? ›The crazy part? He's 80 years old. Since 2020, Leander-based Minnick has held the Guinness World Record title of the oldest active fitness trainer in the world. He's currently a trainer at the Gold's Gym in Cedar Park whose main clientele includes those 60 years old and up.
Is 40 too old to be a personal trainer? ›
The quick answer to this is no — you are not too old to be a personal trainer. Whether you're 18 or 80, the fact is that there are no age limits when it comes to becoming a personal trainer.
Who uses personal trainers the most? ›Adults ages 25 to 34, along with youth 6 to 12, were the most likely to engage in personal training, according to the IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report.
How many sessions is good with a personal trainer? ›You should aim to have 1-3 personal training sessions per week, for 6 consecutive weeks to begin with. This helps to establish a fitness routine and ensures that you perform exercises with good form to avoid injury. Read on to learn more about personal training and how often you should have it.
Is PT once a week enough? ›You realistically should have at least 2 sessions at your gym getting your personal training in. Going to do a workout only once per week is going to get you very little results. It will help, but the real answer to how many PT sessions do you need per week is at least two.
How many times a week do you meet with a personal trainer? ›As a beginner, you should see a personal trainer two to three times a week for six weeks to start. This helps you establish a consistent fitness routine, which is important in the beginning. It is also a good opportunity to learn new workouts and techniques and ensure you perform exercises in the safest way possible.
How do I get rid of my personal trainer? ›- Tell your trainer why you're leaving. Don't leave them guessing. ...
- Accentuate the positive. Tell your trainer the good things you learned and how his or her program helped you.
- Treat the trainer like an employee. ...
- Let the manager do the dirty work.
How often you should replace your running trainers will depend on a variety of factors, such as the quality of the shoe, your running style and your body weight (lighter runners are likely to get more miles out of their shoe than heavy runners), but a good rule of thumb is to upgrade your running shoes every 300 – 400 ...
How do I get rid of a personal training client? ›You can cite personal reasons, lack of time, business restructuring, travel, or any type of reason that necessitates the end of the relationship. The reason can't be argued away, i.e. “If you no longer want to see clients at night, that's fine, I can switch to days.”
What is the disadvantage of a personal trainer? ›Personal trainers often don't have long-term job security. Often, clients only work with a personal trainer for a short time until they reach their fitness goals. Personal trainers regularly end relationships with their current clients and begin new ones with other clients.
Why do personal trainers charge so much? ›Personal trainers are expensive because you're paying them to give you their undivided attention for 30-60 minutes. Many trainers also have advanced degrees and additional certifications, which allows them to charge more money. Other trainers charge a lot of money simply because they know they're good at what they do.
What are 5 critical qualities of a great trainer? ›
- Trainers are Strategic Thinkers and Partners. A trainer is a strategic thinker. ...
- Trainers are well-versed in Instructional Design. ...
- Trainers are Project Managers. ...
- Trainers are Facilitators of Change and Learning. ...
- Trainers are Evaluators.
- Problem-Solving Skills. ...
- Communication Skills. ...
- Management Skills. ...
- Active Listening Skills. ...
- Time Management Skills. ...
- Design Thinking Skills. ...
- Emotional Intelligence Skills.
Presentation Skills | 1 |
---|---|
Facilitation | 2 |
Communication Skills | 3 |
Creativity | 4 |
Measuring Results from Training | 5 |
- Emotional Intelligence and Empathy. First, we start with the big one… ...
- Communication Skills. Linked closely with EI, communication is one of the most important skills a personal trainer can possess. ...
- Motivation. ...
- Patience. ...
- Technical Knowledge.
You should feel fitter, have more energy, be sleeping better, and generally be feeling good about yourself. A good PT will take responsibility for your goals – it is their job – and if they are unable to meet your goals, they are not doing their job properly and may not be the trainer for you.
Is it stressful to be a personal trainer? ›Stress and Frustration. You would think that personal training would be a relatively stress-free job, but you would be VERY wrong. First off, if you are a trainer in a big box gym (like most trainers are) then you will have sales and performance goals.
How hard is it to work as a personal trainer? ›Becoming a personal trainer isn't hard, but serious work and study are required. Look at both entry-level and advanced certification programs. Personal trainers need to spend a lot of time experimenting in the gym to gain knowledge. Personal trainers must put the necessary effort into marketing.
Is it hard to make money as a personal trainer? ›The highest-paid personal trainers are making thousands per day. But that often isn't from training alone. To make good money as a trainer, you need expertise, experience, and a solid business plan. You need to think about how you can expand your career as a trainer beyond typical training hours.
How can I stand out as a personal trainer? ›- Do what you love. ...
- Be authentic. ...
- Practice what you preach. ...
- If you want to be more, do more. ...
- The customer isn't always right [for you] ...
- Have values, beliefs and standards. ...
- Find your niche. ...
- Get results.
- Advanced research skills.
- Strong communication skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Adaptability skills.
- Enthusiasm for lifelong learning.
What percentage of personal trainers quit? ›
Unfortunately, the industry has an annual personal trainer turnover rate of 80 percent, according to numbers cited by many people in the fitness industry. Imagine a chain of clubs hiring 4,000 trainers in a year and then having to rehire another 3,000 personal trainers again the following year.
What is the age of most personal trainers? ›...
Personal Trainer Age.
You should understand human behavior and know how to leverage a client's learning style to maximize their exercise needs. Trainers should know exercise in and out, including proper warm-up, cool-down, session length, equipment, physical limitations, and exercise monitoring to provide safe training plans for clients.
Can you make a decent living as a personal trainer? ›Can I make good money as a personal trainer? Yes, making good money as a personal trainer is very viable. Even entry-level personal trainers can make upwards of $25 an hour, and easily up to $100 an hour if they are experienced.
How long does it take to become a good personal trainer? ›Becoming a personal trainer can involve education, certifications and other training. Getting a bachelor's degree typically takes around four years. Personal trainer certification courses, however, can often be completed in less than a year.
Who pays personal trainers the most? ›According to the BLS, the state that pays the highest personal trainer salary is New York. The annual mean wage for an instructor in this state is $61,840 per year or $29.73 an hour. New York also has one of the highest employment levels for fitness professionals.
Is it hard to get clients as a personal trainer? ›You'll find it incredibly difficult to get personal training clients if no one knows about you or the services you're trying to provide. It's likely you would want your business to be on a busy high street where people actually know where you are and what you're offering.
Who is the highest paid personal trainer? ›Ross Dickerson, personal trainer to The Rock, is both the highest earning per post and most active fitness influencer on this list.