Scared to start personal training...Help me Please

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Scared to start personal training...Help me Please

by Christopher

Hello,

I have a pretty good story behind my will to personal train. I struggled with child morbid obesity. As of 14 years old, I joined a gym with some of the most amazing people in Oklahoma to help me lose weight ( just guys around the gym, not trainers ). I soon lost weight, and my friend Ryan, ( RIP ), tried me out at weight lifting. Well between 15 and now my age of 20, am 6'1 and have been a bodybuilder for sence my 16th birthday. I pride myself in self education, I learned everything I know from the top bodybuilders, and nutritionist in northeast Oklahoma. I want to be a personal trainer for one to continue my love for health and fitness, and also to help others with their weight loss. Cause personaly, I know what its loike to be obese, and depressed and added with my knowledge of bodybuilding and supplements, and fitness. I have an entire family begging me to train others. I will be getting certified through the AFPA ( dont bother suggesting others cause this is what I want ) and plan getting my Master Level certification which includes personal training, advanced personal training, master personal training, nutrition and wellness consultant, and sports condition certifications.

I feel that 5 certifications, my body, and my will to help ALL ages, ( I really want to work with obese children ) will be a pretty damn good start for a 21 year old.

My fear is how to start out without being screwed over. I refuse to be taken for a fool just cause Im young, and I refuse to have some money hungry gym owner take my hard work and dedication to my lifestyle just so he can putt it in his pocket.

I am wanting to know WHERE is the best place to start with personal training, Im going to talk to my gym owner who is only 26 when Im certified and see if he will help me out cause hes a great guy, but I also want to eventualy have my own " In home service where I can do private training for all people young and old.

Please, if you can give me any advice on where to start, whether it be at a gym, or risking starting my own business, and some advice just in general.

Thank you, god bless, and happy holidays

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Your ahead of most
by: Anonymous

It sounds like your off to a great start and you have the background. I'm 22 so I understand where you're coming from in regards to being young. I got my certifcation but decided to intern at a sports training facility for a while. I didn't get paid at all but the experience and knowledge I gained was priceless. It caused me to rethink my whole philosophy about training.

Now you obviously know quite alot about training for bodybuilding but keep in mind that most of your clients are not going to be in that category (unless you plan on working solely in that area). Not everyone wants to be a bodybuilder or train like one.

You have more of an advantage than disadvantage by being young. People may not take you as serious at first but once you get more experience then that will all change. Having your experience with obesity as a child already gives you extra credibility.

It seems like you are extremely dedicated, here are some ideas though.
-Focus on your weak areas: You know alot about BB, start learning more about other types of training. It will give you an extra edge.

-Be careful with supplements: Suggesting the use of ANY sort of supplements can be dangerous. Research all the pros, cons, & studies before even considering suggesting the use of one.

-Make connections: Who you know can take you a long way.

-Don't get discouraged: You may not do well right of the bat, you may fail a few times before you start being succesful. The diffrence between failure and success is how many times you try again.

Good luck!

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Submitted by: Anonymous

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It sounds like your off to a great start and you have the background. I'm 22 so I understand where you're coming from in regards to being young. I got my certifcation but decided to intern at a sports training facility for a while. I didn't get paid at all but the experience and knowledge I gained was priceless. It caused me to rethink my whole philosophy about training. Now you obviously know quite alot about training for bodybuilding but keep in mind that most of your clients are not going to be in that category (unless you plan on working solely in that area). Not everyone wants to be a bodybuilder or train like one. You have more of an advantage than disadvantage by being young. People may not take you as serious at first but once you get more experience then that will all change. Having your experience with obesity as a child already gives you extra credibility. It seems like you are extremely dedicated, here are some ideas though. -Focus on your weak areas: You know alot about BB, start learning more about other types of training. It will give you an extra edge. -Be careful with supplements: Suggesting the use of ANY sort of supplements can be dangerous. Research all the pros, cons, & studies before even considering suggesting the use of one. -Make connections: Who you know can take you a long way. -Don't get discouraged: You may not do well right of the bat, you may fail a few times before you start being succesful. The diffrence between failure and success is how many times you try again. Good luck!

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Go for it!
by: IndyPT

Your personal history gives you instant credibility, inspite of your age. Especially once you get certified, if you behave in a professional manner, this will help you overcome questions about your qualifications. Several things I've really learned working for a chain gym: at 1st I felt like my hourly rate was pathetic ($13/hr when i was training a client to start); however, i focused on a niche and focused on my clients and helping them reach their goals (word of mouth is a great way to expand your business) I accepted that i wouldn't make much the 1st year, but the experience was invaluable. It is rare that I have the opportunity to train people the way I like to train (I am bodybuilding and figure competitor). I realized and accepted this: most people are starting off at a very basic level and they see you as the example of "fit" that they aspire to. A co-worker calls this the "rockstar" aspect of the job...a definite ego booster. If you're gonna be a good trainer, however, you can't let ego affect how you interact with your clients...people buy (training or anything else) from people they like. If you make the "fat" kid or person feel comfortable and that you are not there to judge them, but to help them, chances are, you will get them as a client. The more training you sell, generally the higher your training pay will be b/c you are valuable to the club. Moral of the story... you gotta love helping people as much as you love training. You also usually have to pay your dues to move on to bigger and better gigs. Good luck!

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Submitted by: IndyPT

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Comment
Your personal history gives you instant credibility, inspite of your age. Especially once you get certified, if you behave in a professional manner, this will help you overcome questions about your qualifications. Several things I've really learned working for a chain gym: at 1st I felt like my hourly rate was pathetic ($13/hr when i was training a client to start); however, i focused on a niche and focused on my clients and helping them reach their goals (word of mouth is a great way to expand your business) I accepted that i wouldn't make much the 1st year, but the experience was invaluable. It is rare that I have the opportunity to train people the way I like to train (I am bodybuilding and figure competitor). I realized and accepted this: most people are starting off at a very basic level and they see you as the example of "fit" that they aspire to. A co-worker calls this the "rockstar" aspect of the job...a definite ego booster. If you're gonna be a good trainer, however, you can't let ego affect how you interact with your clients...people buy (training or anything else) from people they like. If you make the "fat" kid or person feel comfortable and that you are not there to judge them, but to help them, chances are, you will get them as a client. The more training you sell, generally the higher your training pay will be b/c you are valuable to the club. Moral of the story... you gotta love helping people as much as you love training. You also usually have to pay your dues to move on to bigger and better gigs. Good luck!

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Find your niche
by: Anonymous

You have already stated your niche. A good way to find a niche is to remember a challenge in your life and how you overcame and go with that. Working with obese children is something close to your heart as you can feel what they feel. Children will be attracted to you because you are young and tell them your story so they can relate. Working with overweight or obese children is a very valuable and much needed service. Just go where the children are. Schools, Boys and Girls Club, hospitals, etc. Offer presentations where children are for free, let everyone know what you are doing and tell your story. You have a big job in front of you. You are young so take your time. Thank you for helping the kids and good luck. I'm routing for you.

Scared to start personal training...Help me Please

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Scared to start personal training...Help me Please