Become a personal trainer and start making people feel good

Is the gym is your second home and your dream is to become a personal trainer? Here are a few tips on how to reach your goal so you can start getting people fit.

You may have the toned body of a Greek god, but that’s not really what it takes to become a good personal trainer. As a matter of fact, it isn’t even necessarily helpful. Sure, you need to be a role model for your clients, but the best way to do that is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and cultivating the following people skills:

• Listening closely and analyzing individual situations. Your future clients need to feel that you care about their well-being and that they can trust you. Of course, you also have to be able to assess their fitness level and help them meet their fitness goals.
• Being patient. You’ll be dealing with people who need encouragement every step of the way. You’ll have to adjust your expectations and realize that everybody works at their own pace and deals with their own exercise demons.
• Motivating others. You’ll be helping people stick to their commitments. Your dedication could make all the difference to a client.
• Being a people person. Learn to adapt to the many different types of personalities and figure out how best to deal with each and every one; your clients will want to keep on working with you.

The role of trainer is in constant evolution; in fact, training centres for trainers are growing like mushrooms. Shop for a program carefully. All certifications are not recognized as equal.

Are you looking for a short basic course to become a personal trainer, so you can start working in the field right away? Are you ready to invest in a university program that will allow you to broaden your horizons?

• University programs. A degree in kinesiology comprises a comprehensive training program that allows you to work with a variety of clients, including cardiac patients, morbidly obese individuals, back pain sufferers and other patients with health issues. As a kinesiologist, you will be much more than a trainer and you will be able to join a professional order.
• Private programs. Career training schools sometimes offer programs for personal trainers. This kind of certificate will equip you to work with a typical fitness-centre clientele.
• Gym training centres. The most popular fitness gyms on the market often train their own personal trainers. If your goal is to work in a particular gym, your best bet would be to enquire what their certification requirements are.

Once you hold a diploma and are ready to look for a job, you may decide to broaden your CV. In addition to designing tailored programs for fitness centre clients, you could:

• Provide your services independently to individuals in their homes, for corporate clients, or at spas and resorts
• Open your own gym
• Teach group classes and develop other group specialties

As you can see, it’s not all that hard to become a personal trainer. And it’s a great way to transform a passion into your livelihood.