HOT JOB MARKETS FOR PTs

[CDEI]

HELLO, ALL! HAPPY 2008! I've been reading this forum for a couple weeks now, but this is my first post. Here it goes.

I'll be 32 on the 15th of this month! Have a BA in Business, majoring in Sports Management, and have hardly used my degree -- that is, until now! Two months ago, I was laid-off by a major national bank, a job which I detested day in and out, and I've spent the last few weeks realizing what it is I want out of my life. I want to follow my original goal out of college, train people -- everyday Joes, die-hards, and overweight kids -- and use fitness to make a difference in their lives like it's done for me.

I'm waiting to receive my study guides for the ASCM-PT certification (should be here in a couple days), then want to end the year with the NSCA-CSCS. Couple questions for all you knowledgeable souls:

***1. Leaving Ohio by April, any good or great "HOT" spots I should consider as a newbie personal trainer? (I've considered Charlotte, Raleigh, Las Vegas, LA or SD, Albuquerque, Atlanta, and DC. As you can tell, I'm open to change.) Being in the industry, any destinations I should consider to help get my career rolling?
2. Also, as a newbie, would you suggest working for Globo-Gym or Average Joe's? (I was a sales manager for Bally's for almost 2 yrs. Loved the industry, but hated Bally's extremely impersonal training strategies: sell, sell, workout a little, sell more. Don't get me wrong, I've been in sales since I left college and their are plenty of eskimos with ice cubes 'cause of me, but I want a more rewarding experience in life now. And yes, I know I'll need to sell my butt off in the PT world, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Do what you love, right?)
3. Anything I should know, learn, be prepared for, etc...? I value everyone's opinion, so please don't hesitate.

Just wanted some suggestions from my peers, those out there doing what I will be doing -- especially, in today's national economy and market. I've read threads and have grown to respect Jean-Paul, John Izzo and many more of you, so I appreciate your answers and opinions dearly.

Trust me, you're going to see lots of my name on this forum. I'm not afraid to ask questions and learn!

Thanks in advance for your time.

Carl D.

[Jean-Paul]

Welcome Carl!

This is a tough industry. I won't candy coat it. It's not the kind of industry where you can pick a city and write your own ticket.

I have had trainers who worked for me do really well ($50K+ annually), and I have had many who just made okay money off of it ($30K). The ones who do well don't come to my facility expecting me to set them up with all of their clients... They get out there and drum up business, the keep most of their clients (hugely important), and they generally only stick around long enough to learn the trade so they can go off on their own and take away all the clients I gave them. I used to get really bitter about this fact, but I now recognize it as just part of the industry that I can't control. At best I just try to reduce it.

The certs are good ones, and will certainly not hurt. You might do well in a hostpital setting where you can get bennies as well as a living wage.

I don't know if you have a family or not, so this advice may not even be valid. I would work for a year for next to nothing in a really reputable club where you can apprentice with someone like Mike Boyle, JC Santana, Eric Cressey, or Alwyn Cosgrove. If you have a family to take care of obviously this isn't feasible, but I think of it as college. Borrow money if you have to, but get that experience in if you want to advance in the industry quickly.

You're young, but you're not real young, so you need to make up for lost time if you are going to get to a good living standard in a few years. Honestly the fastest way to do that is just know on the front end that the next year is going to be pretty rough, and you may have to make some sacrifices. Not in any way trying to dissuade you from this career path... Just making sure you understand what it is going to take so you can answer for yourself if you are willing to suffer like that or not.

Don't get me wrong, some people have done well rather quickly, but those are few and far between. Not everyone gets to train celebs (most of the actual good ones don't even want to... This industry is fraught with sycophants).

If you can get through it, I can tell you that this is the most rewarding and exciting career choice there is. You aren't just making a living... You are changing peoples lives! As long as you keep that in focus as you develop you should keep your head on straight and do well. Having real passion for this, coupled with decent training skills, and you can really do well.

At any rate, you can always get some good info from here. You've got a lot of support in here too, so take advantage of it. Welcome again to the forums, and I look forward to your questions.

[John Izzo]

CDEI:

Thanks for the kind words and respect. At 34, respect is always a work in progress. I appreciate it greatly...and humbled.

I agree 110% with everything JP has highlighted in his post, so I won't waste your time saying it again in different words. E-mail me at john@standapartfitness.com, and I can send you some material that is perfect for someone like you that may address your questions.

JOhn

[CDEI]

Thanks, JP and John! I'm glad both of you responded. I have no kids or wife, just a helluva car payment (that I can't get rid of), plus some other bills. I'm already prepared to work as a bartender or something else on the side to help pay my way as I move forward in the business.

JP, thanks for calling me young! LOL! I know what you mean, that's why the choice is a steady one. I know how rewarded PT can be; that's why I'm ready for the long-haul. And John, I'll be shooting you an email asap!

Hopefully, some more folks will reply. : )

Thanks, again.

[kuri]

Gotta agree with JP that relocating to a place you have ready access to knowledgable and successful trainers is key, be it L.A. or Little Rock.

You can make a good living in just about any city and you can also really struggle, even in the "hottest" markets (I've seen it many times).

Now, read what JP wrote again