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johnyc · 04-01-2009, 03:59 PM

Hi folks, so I've recently become registered as a personal trainer here in Vancouver, BC, Canada with BCRPA. Most of you have probably never heard of it, but it's really well known here and is required, from what I understand, to work at any public establishment, such as a community centre. I think most gyms and studios here ask for it as well, though I don't think it's required.

The fitness theory courses I took were in class and the PT was based on the ACE Personal Trainer Manual. Overall I feel I have a decent amount of knowledge to get started, but am really lacking the hands on experience. BCRPA registration requires you to understand some basic theory, have competancy with instructing some common exercise, demonstate some programming, produce client forms and some marketing material. Maybe it's just me but I feel there is so much more I need to learn before I can even get started in this industry - my background is not in exercise either, I took this cert as a way to get into the industry.

From reading parts of the NASM CPT manual, I feel the BCRPA does not really provide a system you can implement right away. You sort of have to develop your own or implement it from elsewhere..

Could be my job hunting skills, experience, resume, and/or state of the economy but I'm having troubles finding employment in this field. I've applied for entry level jobs at gyms and studios, and even places like health/ fitness product deals but have had little response.

What would you all suggest for improving my credibility and employability?

I should probably be practicing on friends and family.

Should I hire some trainers and see what it's like since i've never even worked with one before?

Should I try to contact a gym and ask to do some shadowing?

I was also thinking about going the self-employed route, but still have a bunch of stuff I'd need to prepare for that scenario, business planning, marketing, etc. And I still wouldn't have the hands on experience..

Are there any products you'd recommend?

Thanks for any help!

04-01-2009, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
johnyc Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 10	Help me start a career in PT Hi folks, so I've recently become registered as a personal trainer here in Vancouver, BC, Canada with BCRPA. Most of you have probably never heard of it, but it's really well known here and is required, from what I understand, to work at any public establishment, such as a community centre. I think most gyms and studios here ask for it as well, though I don't think it's required. The fitness theory courses I took were in class and the PT was based on the ACE Personal Trainer Manual. Overall I feel I have a decent amount of knowledge to get started, but am really lacking the hands on experience. BCRPA registration requires you to understand some basic theory, have competancy with instructing some common exercise, demonstate some programming, produce client forms and some marketing material. Maybe it's just me but I feel there is so much more I need to learn before I can even get started in this industry - my background is not in exercise either, I took this cert as a way to get into the industry. From reading parts of the NASM CPT manual, I feel the BCRPA does not really provide a system you can implement right away. You sort of have to develop your own or implement it from elsewhere.. Could be my job hunting skills, experience, resume, and/or state of the economy but I'm having troubles finding employment in this field. I've applied for entry level jobs at gyms and studios, and even places like health/ fitness product deals but have had little response. What would you all suggest for improving my credibility and employability? I should probably be practicing on friends and family. Should I hire some trainers and see what it's like since i've never even worked with one before? Should I try to contact a gym and ask to do some shadowing? I was also thinking about going the self-employed route, but still have a bunch of stuff I'd need to prepare for that scenario, business planning, marketing, etc. And I still wouldn't have the hands on experience.. Are there any products you'd recommend? Thanks for any help!