- As a certified personal trainer, you have the opportunity to work in many fitness-related sectors.
- As a freelance trainer, you can set your own hours and work in a variety of places.
- If you earn additional certification, you can find work in medical settings.
Congratulations! You’ve finally decided to transform your passion for fitness into a full-time career. And once you’ve met the prerequisites and earned your certification, it’s time to find a job. But where?
As a certified personal trainer, you have the opportunity to work in many different sectors, which come with their own unique conditions.
No matter the sector, you’ll need a business management platform to run your business and manage your clients smoothly. Request a demo of our All-in-One Fitness Business Management Software to grow and manage your business better.
Places of Employment
Personal trainers can find employment in many different locations. Some places where trainers work include:
- Local gyms
- Pilates studios
- Holiday resorts
- Country clubs
- Apartment complexes
- Corporate wellness programs
- In the homes of clients
- In their own home studio
In addition, personal trainers can also find employment in a variety of medical settings, such as hospitals, physical therapy centers, convalescence centers, and in medical offices. Keep in mind that to be eligible to work in a medical setting, you must also complete the appropriate certification, which typically includes certification as a medical fitness specialist.
Work Hours
As a personal trainer, you need to adapt to working a variety of hours and in different types of working conditions. For example, if you work in a gym, you may work early in the morning and then have the afternoon free. Since most people go to the gym before or after work, an open afternoon gives you the freedom you need to run errands, tend to family matters, or promote your business.
If you are an independent trainer, you set your own hours. Although most trainers will admit they love being able to set their own hours, being available when your clients are should be your top priority.
It’s not until you’ve filled your appointment book that you can truly call the shots on your schedule. Building your business is vital, so if you aren’t available when your clients need you, working a fixed schedule in a gym may be the better choice.
In addition to working different shifts, a personal trainer must be adaptable to their clientele. Depending on where and who a trainer is working with, different skill sets are usually required. For instance, if a trainer works in a hospital, they need the skills to deal with individuals who may be both physically and emotionally challenged.
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As an experienced trainer knows, work doesn’t stop once they leave the gym or their client’s home. Even when the day is done, most trainers have a thousand things to do before the next day. Since most trainers start off working part-time, they usually work another job. And even if they don’t, they still spend a lot of time writing invoices, creating exercise plans, and finding ways to drum up new business.
Some personal trainers will divide their day in order to train as many clients as possible. Independent trainers travel to various locations throughout the day and take small breaks in between. Some trainers may see most of their clients in the evening, whereas others see more in the morning.
Whether they work in a public or private setting, a personal trainer’s schedule will change depending on the season. Typically, personal trainers are busier on the weekend, after Christmas, and during the summer when everyone wants to look their best on the beach.
Work Environment
Since a personal trainer’s work environment can change from day to day, they may be at higher risk for injury. Whether it’s training clients or demonstrating proper technique, the nature of the job is physically demanding. A trainer should always carve out time to maintain their own physical well-being.
Since their work environment is flexible, a trainer has the freedom to create different workout routines and then implement them as they see fit. While developing new training programs, a trainer must keep the ability of their clients in mind. Some clients don’t mind noise when they are working out, while others do better in a calmer, more tranquil environment.
In terms of benefits and steady pay, working for a gym or other type of fitness facility does offer more stability.
However, a trainer’s salary will be limited to what the organization wants to pay, which all depends on the pay scale of where the trainer works and how the pay rate is determined. Trainers who work in medical facilities tend to earn more than trainers who work at a local fitness facility.
Those who own their own business may eventually want to hire other trainers or assistants to work for them. In doing so, trainers are able to offer a wider range of services to more clients, which can substantially increase their annual income.
Career Path of a Personal Trainer
As a certified personal trainer, you can choose to work in many places, depending on your goals and where you feel most comfortable. By transforming your passion for fitness into a career, you can help others live a healthier lifestyle while doing what you love!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which personal training certification is the best one?
All of the various personal training certifications have different requirements, costs, study materials, exam details, recertification requirements, and continuing education credits (CECs) or units (CEUs). It’s important to do your homework and review all of the details before deciding on which one is best for you. The certifications that have been NCCA-accredited are more reputable than others that are not accredited because they have met a certain level of standards for the certification.
How long should I study for a personal training certification exam?
It varies among individuals. If you recently finished a degree with courses covering most of the content in the exam, you might be able to take it more quickly than someone who does not have that background. With NESTA, once you register for the exam, you have 90 days to complete the exam. Other organizations will vary on their timelines.
How much money do personal trainers make?
This varies depending on location, experience, and how many clients you are training.
Where can I train my personal training clients?
There are a number of places where you could train your clients like a gym, a park, your home, their home, or your own studio.
To manage your clients better, request a demo of our All-in-One Fitness Business Management Software.