certification

[ramon25]

Hello im new to the forum and had a few questions. By the way thanks to all for your time. I want to get certified and be a personal trainer. But im at odds here. I am 19 and have a passion for fitness. I would like to know the pros and cons of a gym job vs. opening my own biz. Also what do you guys think of this place to get a cert. http://www.ncsf.org/. also what do you think of this program http://pennfoster.com/fitness/index.html
I do know that a cert is just for show. I do my own learning into Crossfit, steve maxwell, scott sonnon and t-nation. I train a few friends and my wife. So far they have all had great results. So its motivated me to be a trainer.
Thanks again

[R. Nova]

I think the pros of working in gym are that you're well insulated by the environment. Meaning, I think it's a great way for a new trainer to cut his/her teeth. It seems like most gyms these days aren't allowing outside trainers anyway (they want a cut of the action). Also, there are usually other trainers there that you can learn from. There also seems to be a lot of these personal training studios opening up, which would probably be a good gig to check out, but may be a little harder to get into.

[ramon25]

Yeah i was considering going to a gym jsut to see how it all works and get my feet wet but im not sure yet. I was reading around and most people here seem knowledgable. But im sure you are aware that many trainers dont know squat, i have seen trainers give me and others horrible advice and do horrible things to cleints. So i am always going to have a little bit suspect with alot of trainers in gyms. I like learning from the big people in fitness. Mark rip, Crossfit, Polquin, Steve maxwell, Mike boyle, eric cressey and a few others. I trust them alot more than i would trust just any random trainer. Inless of course they do appear to have a strong knowledge base.

[johnyc]

Yes you'll be way ahead knowing what you know from those big names. Opening you own biz isn't that difficult and if you're training ppl on the side and they are seeing results that is great. Try to branch out to ppl you don't know so well, like friends of friends.

Working in a gym usually exposes you to a broader group from which you can find clients and working in one can be very different than one-on-one in your own personal space.. At a gym you are out in the open, basically on display for all to see. While you should always present a professional image and attitude I think it will be even more important in a gym. The gym may also present situations where you have be more creative if eqipt is in use, or things aren't available. Crossfit uses very few machinces and most gyms are machine based so you shouldn't be totally opposed to them. They have their benefits, and great for certain clients..

Why not experience the best of both worlds? Get a job at a gym, continue to do stuff on the side. See where you are successful. If the gym isn't cutting it for you, break away (take the experience and clients with you).

[ramon25]

Thanks for the response. I will probably do something like that I was considering buying portable equipment and going to people's home's as a personal trainer. What other option would i have in starting my own business without opening a facility?

[johnyc]

Depends where you live and what kind of demand there would be, but you could look into group training of some sort. Bootcamps and such outdoors. If you're going to start a business you'll want to do some kind of analysis and market research. Scope out what other trainers are doing. What niches they are filling. Evaluate your strengths and go after an area that you would compete well in. Strive to offer more value to your customers over that of your competitors. There are a lot of trainers out there, be different (in a good way) or do it better than them but most of all focus on your clients and make sure they are more than satisfied.

Fitness is everywhere, who doesn't want to fit. Try to think of groups of people you'd think you'd enjoy working with, but at the same time be open in case opportunities come along. Perhaps you'd relate well to younger folks, maybe the elderly? You'd definitely have to sit down and flesh out a business plan of some sort, but there are many opportunities out there. Maybe you could pitch something to a school, a college, a business, a community center, a retirement center.. Whatever you do make sure you can offer whatever it is you say you can.