If you’re ready for a change, becoming a personal trainer could be the next step in your life. However, being a professional personal trainer can be an emotionally and physically challenging career with high stakes. Do some research on the best ways to get into this field before you take on so much responsibility and make such big, lasting changes in your life like Kermit the frog.
Read on for some tips and tricks for making the transition from personal trainer student to professional personal trainer.
1. BE PREPARED FOR TRAINING ALONE
The last thing you want to do is be left at the gym all by yourself, but it is a reality of being a personal trainer that there will be times when you are alone with a client. Don’t panic! You can make your session work by using the equipment with them or by asking another client if they would like to join you in a quick workout. Remember that being an effective, confident personal trainer means facing challenges head on and never giving up!
2.HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR BODY AND ITS LIMITATIONS
If you’re new to this field and don’t know your body well, it could be very easy to make some of the biggest mistakes possible. Make sure that you are at the gym regularly and study both your body and its limits so that you can make training sessions that are effective for you.
3. BE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ALL THE TIME
You will start to notice that it is common for personal trainers to become very involved with their clients’ bodies as they become more intimate with them. It is important for you to keep your emotions in check so that you can respond appropriately when challenging situations arise. If you find yourself getting angry or upset, take a step back and move in again when you can.
4. FIND OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT YOUR CLIENT’S PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO TRAIN THEM
Knowing what you’re dealing with in advance will make sessions more effective and likely to be enjoyable for both of you. For example, if your client is pregnant, it would be inappropriate for her to do high-impact workouts. If she has not been sleeping well, and sleep is an important part of recovery from an injury or surgery, then work exercises and stretches into the session that will help her sleep better at night.
5. BE PREPARED FOR A CHANGE IN RELATIONSHIP AS YOU BECOME MORE INVOLVED WITH YOUR CLIENT
If you begin to feel yourself becoming too involved with a client, cut the session short before feelings become stronger. It is not uncommon for personal trainer students to develop feelings for clients. It is your job to maintain a professional relationship, and you can’t do that if your feelings are growing stronger by the day.
6. KEEP YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR WORK LIFE SEPARATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID GROWING DEEPLY EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH CLIENTS
During the first several weeks of becoming a personal trainer, you will probably be very involved with clients – it’s part of what you’re learning, after all. However, as you feel more confident and effective at your work, your experience as a personal trainer student will make it easier to keep your personal life and work life separate.
7. BE THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE
You started this journey because you have passion for what you’re doing and that passion is important for the success of your career. Believe in yourself and your ability to be the person you want to be and make the choices that will help you succeed. Don’t let obstacles like convenience or cost get in the way of what you want.
8. LISTEN AND BE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CLIENT’S CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS
As a personal trainer, you will always have to take your client’s health and well-being into consideration when designing a training program for her. If your client has a significant injury, concern about back pain, or dramatic changes in weight, she could become an emotional burden on you that threatens the integrity of the work relationship.
9. DEVELOP A GOAL-BASED PHYSICAL TRAINING SYSTEM
As a personal trainer, you will have to keep track of several things: your client’s goals, how she is progressing, and how you’re getting her there. It is important to set goals with your clients. Having a goal of losing 50 pounds within 6 months or training for a marathon are great examples of goals that can be achieved with consistent effort. It is also important to think about what works best for each individual and the schedule that they need in order to get the results they want.
Conclusion:
Being a fitness coach doesn’t have to be a difficult and stressful way to make a living. Take your time and work hard to enjoy the best rewards. Good luck and happy training!
