How to Become a Personal Trainer

Personal trainers help clients on a one-to-one or group basis to increase their personal fitness and reach their body goals by using their expert knowledge of the body, health, and fitness. Trainers can either be self-employed, take on clients when they wish, begin their own business or fitness bootcamp, or work for another personal training business as a gym instructor. They can also work elsewhere in the fitness industry, such as for specialist health clubs.

Personal trainers will first need to get the client’s health and fitness history, see what level of fitness the client is currently at, and plan realistic long and short-term goals alongside them. Throughout the process, the trainer will then help the client with workouts, help them with general health and diet, keep track of progress and motivate them to continue their journey.

Most personal trainers have some experience as fitness instructors, having spent time doing fitness instructing in a gym or within a healthcare company. However, whether you have experience or not, you can gain expert knowledge and practical skills through certified personal trainer courses, which are available both part-time and full-time to fit around your schedule. These courses are run by expert fitness professionals and training providers and will help kick start your new career. With most of these courses having no entry requirements, you can gain your personal trainer qualification regardless of whether you have previous experience or are entirely new to this career path.

One of the best PT courses which will help you become a qualified personal trainer is the Level 3 Personal Trainer Practitioner Diploma. You can enrol on the Personal Trainer Practitioner Diploma here at CoursesOnline, which is suitable for any fitness enthusiasts wanting to get into the industry and gain a personal training qualification. You can study either online and by attending college or purely via online learning, meaning you can gain your personal trainer certification flexibly and affordably. 

The key to getting into personal training as a career is by building up a solid client base. Therefore having excellent people skills is essential. There are a range of skills needed to be a personal trainer, including: 

Personal trainers use their skills and expertise to aid people in their health and fitness goals. Usually, this consists of making up a diet and exercise plan specifically tailored to a client’s specific set of needs, goals, and existing fitness levels.

PTs can choose to set up solo and work for themselves or partner up with a gym and work as part of their gym instructing and personal training staff. Depending on their level of expertise and specialisation, they may also be able to work for specialist health clubs or as physiotherapists for the NHS or a private practice.

The roles and responsibilities of a personal trainer go beyond doing plenty of exercise and creating meal plans. Some other duties involve:

The best way to ensure continuous career progression as a PT is by regularly updating your skills and knowledge with personal training courses. CPD (Continuous Professional Development) is essential if you want to become a successful personal trainer. Not only will it reassure potential clients that you are up to date in terms of the fitness training you provide, but it also demonstrates your hard work ethic. 

The above will help your personal trainer salary expectancy to soar and help you obtain a solid client base, which will eventually allow you to succeed as an independent personal trainer.