I'm 23 years old, been studying fitness related stuff since I was 18. I've been working out for six years and have decided I am interested and dedicated enough to make a career doing this.
Here's a few questions, I'm becoming certified through American Council on Exercise.
I plan on moving to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and working at one of their gyms. The salary isn't something I'm too worried about, as long as I can start at $10 per hour I'll be satisfied. Do you think that's too much to ask for just starting out? It's pretty much required before you can afford an apartment there is why I ask. The cheapest apartment I found was $650.
I plan on working for a gym, NOT freelance (if that's what it means).
Can you do that? Apply at a gym and them give you an hourly salary?
How do you know which gyms to look for?
Is work consistent? Meaning will you go six months without getting paid?
I'm 23 years old, been studying fitness related stuff since I was 18. I've been working out for six years and have decided I am interested and dedicated enough to make a career doing this.
Here's a few questions, I'm becoming certified through American Council on Exercise.
I plan on moving to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and working at one of their gyms. The salary isn't something I'm too worried about, as long as I can start at $10 per hour I'll be satisfied. Do you think that's too much to ask for just starting out? It's pretty much required before you can afford an apartment there is why I ask. The cheapest apartment I found was $650.
I plan on working for a gym, NOT freelance (if that's what it means).
Can you do that? Apply at a gym and them give you an hourly salary?
How do you know which gyms to look for?
Is work consistent? Meaning will you go six months without getting paid?
Damn $650 is the cheapest? are you kidding me? Is Pigeon Forge the Beverly Hills of Tennessee?
How much you will start off making depends on your gym and duties. Many gyms will start you off working the floor or even the front desk which never pays well, but is usually a stable hourly salary. Tell them your predicament and they will let you know what to expect.
You should try to find a gym with disposable clients (Largest Corporate Gym in Area) which they can give you so you can be training and be making more per hour. Ask yourself, would you rather make $600 for 10 hours of work or $600 for 60 hours of work?
Do NOT get hired at a gym without visiting every single one and talking to managers and employees. Don't let a sour grapes shit gym cause you to lose your passion for the fitness industry.
Gather as much information as you can about the options you have and ask whether the gym has clients to give you. Some gyms give out personal training sessions with their memberships which is gold for up-and-coming trainers.
Keeping clients and getting new ones is easy compared to starting off with none so again, ask the gyms if they give out personal training with their memberships, trust me it will make your job a whole lot easier and profitable to start out.
I think taking the fitness center route is the best move RIGHT NOW in your career. You are new to the profession. In a gym, you will learn what its like to sit across from a potential client and make a sale. A gym will teach you marketing tactics--mailers, seminars, brochures, tours, etc, etc. ---everything that will help you in the long run. On top of that, you will gain experience designing exercise programs for a multitude of people. I know its cliché to say 'go on your own", but if you "shine" at your gym among st other staff, you are sure to make an impact that will lead to bigger and better things.
So the only gym I found nearby is the National Fitness (if that's even a gym), chances are probably slim to none they'll be hiring when I get my certification.
So the only gym I found nearby is the National Fitness (if that's even a gym), chances are probably slim to none they'll be hiring when I get my certification.
If you're thinking of only working in this field then I would fly down there and try to get a job before I moved. Maybe it's just me. No way would i move and then apply. What will happen to your career as a CPT if no gyms are hiring? What's your backup plan?
And ACE isn't exactly a sure fire bet. It's the lowest rung of the ladder for certs. Getting the best cert you can insures you have more and better info starting out. That knowledge base can give you something solid to start clients with.
No experience, low quality cert, few gyms in town....hmmm. Maybe rethink your strategy?
If you're thinking of only working in this field then I would fly down there and try to get a job before I moved. Maybe it's just me. No way would i move and then apply. What will happen to your career as a CPT if no gyms are hiring? What's your backup plan?
I'm familiar with the area and have family down there. Once I get my certification I'll come visit them for a week or so and apply at nearby gyms.
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And ACE isn't exactly a sure fire bet. It's the lowest rung of the ladder for certs. Getting the best cert you can insures you have more and better info starting out. That knowledge base can give you something solid to start clients with.
That's something that confuses me. One forum tells me ACE is the best way to go, then another tells me it's low, then another guy that runs his own business says ACE is one of the highest recognized.
I'm without of doubt going to eventually continue my education, with this said meaning after a year or two I'm going to get a certification through another highly recognized organization. I plan on running my own business in about ten years or so.
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No experience, low quality cert, few gyms in town....hmmm. Maybe rethink your strategy?
Ah, you have a point. But I mean I can't help that I have no zero experience so far, I mean weren't we all now experienced at one point? I'll check nearby gyms - running from the place I mentioned all the way to Knoxville which is a 25 mile radius.
National fitness is a gym chain in the area. Look at Seiverville (hard to tell where one ends and the other starts) and don't rule out Knoxville as possiblities as well. Larger and less touristy and more gym options - the RUSH is a big chain in the area. Good Luck
That's something that confuses me. One forum tells me ACE is the best way to go, then another tells me it's low, then another guy that runs his own business says ACE is one of the highest recognized.
What forum? I've NEVER been on a forum where I read that.
NASM/NSCA/ACSM or pretty widely considered to be "the best" of the imperfect certifications.
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Ah, you have a point. But I mean I can't help that I have no zero experience so far, I mean weren't we all now experienced at one point? I'll check nearby gyms - running from the place I mentioned all the way to Knoxville which is a 25 mile radius.
I would consider pursuing an internship somewhere if I was in your position or hoping to potentially own my own business. Certifications will get you in the door, but QUALITY experience and mentoring by a QUALITY experienced trainer will do MUCH more for you and your future clients.
That question is a little like saying: I want to get a business degree and I've found three colleges, Boise College, Denver College and Iowa State? Which is the best choice?
Nothing wrong with Iowa State as the best of the three (which I made up) - but the missing factor is why Harvard, Yale, Princeton aren't even in the choice list.
I've also heard there that BCAAs get you jacked, that the traditional body part split is the way to a ripped body, and that I will get fat if I eat carbs & fat in the same meal.
Not trying to hate on you, just making a point about the quality of the majority of the posters in the personal training section there (and the rest of the forum).
I've also heard there that BCAAs get you jacked, that the traditional body part split is the way to a ripped body, and that I will get fat if I eat carbs & fat in the same meal.
Not trying to hate on you, just making a point about the quality of the majority of the posters in the personal training section there (and the rest of the forum).
Though, ultimately, I agree with LisaS.
LOL... I'm aware of the terrible advice on BB.com, I'm not a newbie with training though... you'd be surprised on just how much I know, which I why I chose this path, I know I'm good at this and feel I can really make it in big... not just doing it to avoid working or so I can watch people workout all day.
I'll figure something out, right now I'll just focus on passing the test.
Likewise, has anyone taken the ACE exam? What should I pay extra close attention to? I mean surely I won't have to memorize that whole book?
LOL... I'm aware of the terrible advice on BB.com, I'm not a newbie with training though... you'd be surprised on just how much I know, which I why I chose this path, I know I'm good at this and feel I can really make it in big... not just doing it to avoid working or so I can watch people workout all day.
I'll figure something out, right now I'll just focus on passing the test.
Likewise, has anyone taken the ACE exam? What should I pay extra close attention to? I mean surely I won't have to memorize that whole book?
Ok, just checking
I took the ACE GroupX test eons ago... the final test tends to mirror their online practice test. I'd definitely take that and then refresh on what you found to be challenging.
EDIT: quick search on another forum got me:
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The ACE exam I took in November had maybe *3* total anatomy questions. No origins or
insertions, long heads or short heads, not even a diagram of the body with muscles with
arrows pointing to them. Not many questions about joint actions either. What I did
notice was quite a few questions about postural deviations. This person has rounded
shoulders, hands turned to the back, one shoulder elevated etc. Answers related to
position of the shoulders and position of the spine.
I took the ACE GroupX test eons ago... the final test tends to mirror their online practice test. I'd definitely take that and then refresh on what you found to be challenging.
EDIT: quick search on another forum got me:
I honestly don't know if I want to buy the practice course, I have to pay for this myself and I still have to buy the CPR course and then the actual course.
ACE Trainer
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