Career Personal Training

Now more then ever it’s time to be bold and break away from the rest of your competitors in order to capture and keep more business. The honey moon is over. As personal trainers and fitness professionals we have to work much harder to attract new business and bedazzle the clients we already have. Most fitness businesses haven’t taken the time to discover what sets them apart from the rest and suffer because of it. They end up looking, sounding and feeling like everyone else. In the midst of all this sameness, the customer has no choice but to evaluate service on price alone. This is a dangerous road to travel because the consumer will likely choose based on lower cost.

So do your customers a favour and make it easy for them to get a clear understanding of how you differ from everyone else. To start, think about what is special and unique about you. Now before you answer, really take the time to think about it. What is different about what you do or the service you provide that would make a customer notice and want to spend their hard earned money with you? What could you shout from the roof tops to let customers know you are unique? Your first step is to uncover what this is. To assist you in this task finish the statement below. It’s not an easy activity and it may take some time to figure it out but when you do you will know what sets you apart from the rest.

I am the only one that…

Here’s an example to help you along.

At On The Edge Fitness we are the only fitness education provider that can take students from earning their personal training certification right into business start-up.

If you position yourself uniquely in the marketplace you will be able to carve out a special place in the customer’s mind so that loyalty is not only created but also has a long life. As one of only a handful of fitness businesses coaches in Canada I can attest to the value of being different and how it’s helped me grow my own business. When you clearly know where you are positioned in the market, and what unique talents you have to offer, it makes it easy for customers to make the decision to do business with you. That’s the power of differentiation.

As a personal trainer one way to differentiate yourself is to be clear about what target market you serve. Being a generalist doesn’t have the D-factor needed to stand-out. Decide what market you want to go after and then become the expert in serving that market.

Discover as much as you can about the people within that market by becoming a market detective. Get to know every intimate detail of the wants, needs and desires of the customer. Then and only then can you start to create some strategies around serving these customers. How do you find out their needs? It’s simple. Talk to your customers. Take every opportunity to learn as much as you can about them and what they value.

Here’s an example of how a trainer talked to me about a client named Bob.

Bob is a 35 year old account executive. He is married with two children, a dog, a cat and a bird. Bob spends ninety minutes a day commuting to work everyday. He travels a few times a month for business and on weekends and plays hockey with the boys. He enjoys the camaraderie of the boys as they drink beer and eat fried foods. He often talks to this trainer about his games during the session. He complains of being tired from his multitude of responsibilities. The trainer has been with Bob for six months.

Based on the case study above, does it sound like this trainer knows a lot about the client? If you answered yes, then you are incorrect. There is so much more the trainer could know about Bob after six months of training. What is his wife’s name, how about the names of the children and pets? What does he do while he drives to work? What kind of beer does he drink? What does he like to eat? Why is he so tired? What type of house does Bob live in? What kind of car does he drive?

Now you might be thinking, "Do I really need to know all this to train him?" No, but if you want to differentiate yourself you may want to use customer service as a way of standing out from the crowd. How can you use the information you learn about Bob to do that? Since his commute is so long maybe you can make him a mixed CD of his favourite music or suggest he listen to podcasts while he drives. You could offer a package of pet grooming services with training so he can get his workout done while the pets get cleaned up saving him time in his day. There are many mobile pet spaws available. You could create a workout for the family where everyone gets to play together. I’m sure he doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with his family so this would be a bonus to him and his wife. Be creative and step outside of what is traditionally done into the unconventional.

In order to be different you have to think differently. If you go down the same road where everyone else travels you have less chance of getting noticed. The secret to differentiate or die is to grab people’s attention, be different and take a risk. Otherwise you are just the same.

In the movie Madagascar 2, Escape from Africa the eclectic group of New York zoo animals find themselves crash landed in Africa. They roam the plains of Africa and soon stumble upon herds of other animals just like them. Marty, the zebra sees hundreds of other zebras. He discovers that once he was among the crowd he was no different from everyone else. Even his best friend Alex the Lion couldn’t pick him out from the other zebras. Obviously, Marty was extremely distraught by this because he thought he was special and unlike everyone else. However, as the movie progresses we learn that Marty really is special because he was willing to do something the others in the herd wouldn’t do which was take a risk, break away from the herd in order to be brave and help others. The other zebras were content to remain where they were.

Which zebra do you want to be, the one that steps out, takes a risk and dares to be different or just another member of the herd?

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Becoming a personal trainer is fairly easy, but becoming the best personal trainer takes time, efforts, dedication and most important of all, to think out of the box, about how you can be different from the others and attract more clients.

Become a Personal Trainer in 1-2-3

The Fitness Industry is booming y’all. No longer is being a trainer a part-time job for a college student…it’s become a $40k-$80k+ for many, many people.

If you are interested in becoming a trainer then it really is as simple as 1-2-3.

1: Decide that you want to become a trainer

2: Talk to the fitness manager of your gym

3: Complete the minimum requirements

AND Then get started!

When I first became a personal trainer, I didn’t know ANYTHING about weight training. I took the random weight training class and sometimes performed crunches on the gym floor, but I never knew ‘what it took’ to become a personal trainer. In my case, the fitness manager approached me (after I won a push up contest amongst friends) and asked if I had ever thought about entering the fitness industry. The next day I interviewed with him and proved that I not only had a passion to help people, but I had a minimum amount of fitness knowledge and ability to learn. He then gave me a book to study so I can pass the prerequisite fitness test in 2 weeks. (I passed it in one!) Soon after, I became hired despite having no experience and no education.

I took a 5 day course provided by the company and coupled that education with my personal studies and daily workouts with my manager. In as little as one month I became a personal trainer and started training clients for $50+ /per session. (of course, I only received a cut of that)

My 1-2-3 approach sounds too simple, but it really, really is. Keep in mind that if you want to get hired at exclusive health clubs, then having a degree or a national certification is required. Of course, I highly recommend having a national certification like NASM, ACE, AFAA and ACSM, but I encourage you to first talk to your potential fitness manager to see what their minimal requirements are first. For me, I received my NASM certification many years after first becoming a personal trainer.

The 1-2-3 lesson is good life lesson for all y’all because what I’m really saying is that you: Have to embody passion then direct it towards the person in charge (not someone on a website who can give you advice but not real direction) and then follow through by taking the first, simple steps to get started. Of course, you won’t be a superstar trainer in your first few months, but you have to start somewhere so do whatever you can to get started and push!

Here’s some extra tips:

- Research local gyms

- Befriend your gym’s fitness manager

- Research when a national fitness certification will be hosting workshops in your area

- Talk to your favorite group instructor

- Learn the basics of anatomy and physiology

- Create a plan and follow through

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For information about personal trainers and about becoming a personal trainer, please visit our website.

What is a common personal trainer salary? This simple question is one of the most popular, and also the most misunderstood.

Many people believe when they start their personal training business money will quickly fall from the sky. Fitness
enthusiasts, such as yourself, always hear stories of fitness trainers making $100 plus per hour, and over $100,000 per year. I am the first to tell you; it is definitely possible. When it comes to a personal trainer salary the possibilities are endless, especially with the aging baby boomer obesity rate, and people wanting to live longer, better quality lives.

Before you get too fired up, here is the complete truth about personal training. Most personal trainers
don’t make $100 per hour, nor $100,000 per year. Why? Simply because they do not have a clue how to. Just by printing up a personal trainer business card does not necessarily guarantee you will immediately generate a six figure fitness income. Just as building any other business, it takes specialized knowledge, time, and a bit of patience.

The fact is the average salary of a personal trainer is around $30,000 dollars. That is if you combine personal training business owners with club hired trainer employees.

If you look closely at the last paragraph, you will notice the word “average.” Average fitness trainer business knowledge, and work ethic will generally yield you an average $30,000 a year career. However, ask yourself one question. Do you want to generate an average personal trainer salary, or an above average one?

So what separates an average personal fitness trainer from an above average $100,000 per year fitness pro?

Marketing, and sales are the most responsible for the generation of a six figure personal fitness trainer income. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist in Exercise
Physiology to generate a nice fitness trainer salary, Therefore, it is best to not only master exercise physiology, but to sharpen up on personal trainer marketing, and sales.

Secondly, high income earning fitness trainers understand the power of leverage, as well as fitness business planning. Upper income earning trainers know the value of time, and how to ultimately leverage that time. Some may run their own personal trainer business, while others offer value added products, and services for significant residual income.

The highly successful personal fitness trainers carefully plan their businesses by setting goals. They continue to monitor, and change their course of action until they ultimately reach their desired income bracket. They are all about building their fitness trainer business.

Another variable that separates average income earners from elite trainers is total dedication towards continuing education. Even the trainers who generate the highest fitness trainer wages continue to educate themselves by investing their time, and money on personal training education.

I am not just referring to the latest exercise physiology research, but continuing personal trainer courses on fitness marketing, and sales. Success minded fitness pros’ are constantly trying to learn more so they can ultimately earn more.

Please understand, it is definitely possible to generate a significant personal trainer salary if you have the proper knowledge, and mindset in place. Model the success principles, and characteristics that other six figure trainers possess in order for you to build your ultimate personal trainer business.

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For information about the personal trainer education, please visit our website.

Personal trainers: Get certified and coach celebs

20th century has seen rapid development of technology which made our life comfortable but the flip side hasn’t been so good. We recognise the comfort which we are getting by efficient use of technology in our everyday life but we fail to understand the efficient usage of technology in shaping our bodies and making us fit. Personal trainers are trained professionals who know about training equipment and the appropriate way to perform physical exercise without straining or stressing our bodies.

Personal trainers work in fitness centres, studios, health clubs, local fitness centres, freelance, etc. These trainers provide advice and guide their clients to perform exercise appropriately in a defined manner. To certain high profile clients these certified personal trainers assist them personally usually at the clients place. Personal trainers need to often speak to their clients about different practises and techniques. A personal trainer needs to have good communication skills and strong knowledge about his profession.

It is also important to know the machines thoroughly in case of any breakdown a personal trainer needs to repair the machine rather than waiting for the company person. Personal trainers may be allowed to repair minor problems but for higher complex repairs one needs professional help. Some clients have their own personal trainer throughout their life who helps them in planning diet and exercise routine to achieve their desire target and to stay in shape. Recreation parks, amusement parks, old age homes, etc employ personal trainers and definitely they require experienced and certified professionals. Certification is very important because this certification course deals with exercise routine which should be provided to old people, people with disabilities and disease, etc. These certifications prove your capacity and talent to your employer.

Material for reference and study may be provided when you get registered to the certification exam. Certification test may deal with your knowledge about human body, muscles, nerves, type of exercise, weights, etc. Certification exams are generally easy if you are prepared. If you fail in these certification exams you may be allowed to take the test again for a specified number of times. A small fee will be charged for retest. A physical therapy background could be an ideal match for a personal trainer. A physical therapist should also get certified if he/she likes to work in United States of America.

Some countries require personal trainers to get certified. Generally a personal trainer needs to get certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic external defibrillator (AED). In United States of America a personal trainer needs to get certified but in countries such as United Kingdom a personal trainer need not get certified but there may be restrictions. Personal trainers generally get themselves certified by reputed agencies so that their chance of obtaining a job becomes much easier. Many fitness centres and health clubs often like to employ trainers those who are qualified in providing CPR and AED. It is strongly recommended to get certified in CPR and AED, additionally physiotherapy background can get you into places.

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For information on how to become a personal trainer, please visit our website.

Celebrity Personal Trainers

Who are these amazing personal trainers that work with movie stars, professional athletes, musicians, and the rest of the rich and famous? Research into exactly how one becomes a celebrity personal trainer reveals that, like the rest of the personal training industry, no formal requirements exist to become one of these trainers to the stars who charge $300+ per hour. Most celebrity trainers simply happened to be in the right place at the right time.

An unknown trainer visited a chiropractor following a car accident. During the first few visits, he and the chiropractor hit it off and got to be buddies. The chiropractor happened to know some celebrities, and just by knowing him, this trainer got a gig working with a star. Fortunately for his new celebrity client, this particular trainer had a good knowledge base and great people skills. And there was something in it for the chiropractor, too, in that he got a cut for recommending this trainer to the celebrity.

Celebrity managers would help their star clients hugely if they used more caution when recommending personal trainers. As with any referral, a thorough background screening is in order before simply hiring a trainer on another celebrity’s recommendation. The endorsement by another famous person is often all it takes for an unqualified musclehead to get in the door.

Just Because They’re Famous Doesn’t Mean They’re Knowledgeable

Although you always want to hire the trainer with the best education, experience, and certifications, the people with the best qualifications are not necessarily those with the best marketing skills or the biggest mouths. However, just because someone is good at getting attention does NOT mean they know the first thing about training. In this unregulated field, people don’t have to be well-qualified to work in the industry. Anyone who is good at conveying confidence about their abilities as a trainer will succeed in the business, whether or not they can actually deliver on their promise.

A quick look at the training industry indicates that anyone who even smells like a celebrity now has a celebrity trainer. All the biggest stars – Britney Spears, P-Diddy, J-Lo, Oprah, Madonna, Tom Cruise – have personal trainers. And the trainers themselves are now riding their clients’ fame into their own spotlights. Two of the most celebrated personal trainers are Bob Green, who works with Oprah, and Gunter, trainer to many celebrities.

Many celebrity trainers are featured on news and entertainment programs, offering diet and nutrition advice. Turns out their biggest gift is their ability sell their products in front of a camera, because their advice is questionable, at best. Still, no one can argue with their ability to generate millions of dollars because of their proximity to the rich and famous. Sadly, though, they’re making a lot of that money by exploiting uneducated people, playing on their unrealistic desires to look like the next big-screen celebrity.

We’re Not All Going to Look Like Supermodels or Professional Athletes

Say you’re in the best shape of your life, but you still don’t look like your idealized image of the perfect man or woman. That’s just reality, folks. Not everyone is going to look like Pamela Anderson or Brad Pitt, regardless of how hard they work. Genetics play a big role in our looks, not to mention the cosmetic enhancements, air brushing, and camera tricks. Being healthy and fit doesn’t mean you will never have a little fat on your body. Looking great and feeling great without using drugs, cosmetics, and surgery will make you happier than any amount of fame ever will.

Before you decide you want to look like a covergirl or a superjock, you must be comfortable with yourself exactly as you are. You are going to feel better as you lose weight and build muscle, but the you inside will still be the same. Your shapely new build may inspire confidence, but the raw materials of your personality will remain exactly the same. Are you fundamentally happy with your life and who you are now – or are you waiting for external improvements to make you feel better? They won’t, because they can’t. Just as the roots of a plant determine the quality of its fruit, the invisible, internal stuff determines your happiness in life.

The Results of Quick-Fix Shape-Up Programs Never Last

It’s often scary to hear celebrities and their personal trainers promoting new diets and/or nutritional products. If these alleged “professionals” don’t really know how the body functions (and far too many of them don’t), it’s no wonder our nation just keeps getting fatter. Two significant problems exist with quick-fix training and nutrition programs. First, these extreme exercise/diet regimens that quickly get stars in great shape are terrible for the body. Yet many celebrities follow them because they know their jobs could be on the line. Secondly, regular people who try to follow the celebrities’ exercise/diet programs often wind up failing because they cannot keep up the extreme regimens and because the programs are impossible to sustain for any length of time.

Remaining super-lean all year is challenging, especially if you used a program that slimmed you down in just 8 to 12 weeks, like a bodybuilder’s exercise/diet regimen. This process can get you looking phenomenal for a day or two, but the effects won’t last much beyond that because our bodies simply cannot function at that level for any sustained period. However, you can achieve these results and stay super-lean year-round with a lifestyle change that incorporates healthy meals and regular exercise. A quality program can burn fat, as opposed to primarily building muscle, unlike the regimens the stars often follow with their celebrity trainers.

Short-term training programs to get in shape for a one- or two-day event (like a bodybuilding contest) do work, but because they proceed at an unnaturally rapid pace, they cannot be sustained for any real length of time without seriously harming your body. However, many celebrity training programs utilize this quick-fix process because so few personal trainers really understand anatomy and human kinetics, the physical sciences related to human body function. Well-educated trainers exist – they just happen to be unfortunately rare. Few trainers have degrees or quality certifications, let alone do they continue their education or expand their knowledge about human function and performance. In this unregulated industry, no one is checking to see if personal trainers are pursuing any education updates – and most of them are not.

This does not mean you should not hire a personal trainer. Hell, even personal trainers with very little training about how to create a quality exercise or nutrition program can still provide an environment where you can get fit. They also can motivate you to achieve better health and make much quicker progress than you would likely ever achieve on your own. Almost any personal trainer is better than no personal trainer. Almost.

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Get your basics right at a personal trainer school, if you are considering a career in personal training.