Becoming a Personal Trainer: Expectation VS Reality

Personal training is like any other career in that you don’t really know what it’s like until you do it. Will it be everything you imagine? Will you be disappointed? Will it be more difficult than you thought?

These are important questions to ask and to think about before making a choice about any career. Many trainers find great rewards in working with clients and helping them meet their goals, but it’s not always an easy job.

Learn more about what you think personal training is all about and what the reality is so you can make the best choice for your future.

Should I Become a Personal Trainer?

To be a good personal trainer, you need to be organized, a good listener, a good communicator, and able to problem solve, sometimes on the fly. Of course, you also need a passion for fitness and working with people.

Even if you meet these criteria, this career in the fitness industry may or may not be right for you. For instance, be aware that you’re not likely to get rich in the industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median personal trainer salary in 2020 was $40,510. (1)

Of course, salary isn’t everything. Many fitness professionals enjoy what they do and find it rewarding enough that the income is secondary. If you’re looking for a meaningful career doing something you love, personal training could be right up your alley. Before you start, take a look at the reality of personal training so that you can make the most informed decision.

Becoming a Personal Trainer: Expectation vs. Reality – What You Need to Know First

This can be a great career for anyone who loves to train, enjoys working with people, and doesn’t want a desk job. Know more about the career before you dive in, because it isn’t necessarily what you expect.

Expectation #1 – Every Client Is a Dream to Work With

You’re interested in this career because you have a passion for fitness and health, right? A dream career is having equally passionate clients who need your expertise and are motivated to make positive changes. They listen to what you have to say, follow your advice, never complain, do the workouts, and get real results.

Reality #1 – Clients Test Your Limits

Some clients are as described above. You’ll really enjoy these. But don’t expect everyone who comes to work with you to have the same level of dedication to fitness. You will encounter difficult clients, demanding clients, and, yes, lazy clients.

A difficult client is simply an interesting challenge. Read this guide to working with challenging clients for some tips and ideas.

Expectation #2 – You Get to Work on Your Own Fitness Goals

You love working out, so why not become a trainer? This is what many newbies assume, and you definitely get to work out a lot in this career. It’s a great choice for anyone who prefers to be active and moving all day. You can work on your client’s goals and your own at the same time.

Reality #2 – It’s About the Clients, Not You

You will be moving a lot in this career, but sessions with clients are not opportunities for you to lift or work toward a bodybuilding competition. If you’re good at this career, your focus will be solely on the clients and their needs.

And if you assume that working in a gym every day will keep you fit, think again. Sure, it’s better than sitting at a desk all day, but you still need to find time for your own training.

Expectation #3 – It’s Not a Desk Job

Sitting at a desk all day is not for you. This is why you’re after something different, a job where you can move and interact with people. As a trainer, you get to spend all day in the gym or outside, running, lifting, playing, and having fun.

Reality #3 – Sometimes, It Is a Desk Job

When you see trainers working in the gym, you’re seeing just one part of the job. Behind the scenes, they do sit down at a desk and work on training plans, social media accounts, client communication, marketing, and other tasks that keep their business running smoothly. You won’t mind having these sitting breaks after being in the gym for hours. Many trainers find it to be a nice balance.

Expectation #4 – I’ll Work When I Want to Work

A personal training career is flexible, especially if you work independently of a gym. You can set your own hours, choose which clients to take, and create a schedule that works for you. There’s no need for evening or weekend hours, right?

Reality #4 – You Work When Clients Need You

To some extent, the above is true. As a freelance or independent trainer, you can definitely set your own schedule. However, you’ll soon find that to earn a living, you must work with a clients’ schedules. And because most people work nine-to-five during the week, expect to schedule sessions early in the morning, in the evening, and definitely on weekends. This isn’t all bad. You’ll also have a lot of free daytime hours to do other things.

Expectation #5 – Once I’m Certified, I Know it All

When you look at certification requirements for trainers, it seems pretty easy. You’ll take some online courses, pass a test, and be ready to start. As a certified trainer, you will be an expert who can teach clients about everything from bodybuilding to nutrition to losing weight.

Reality #5 – Continuing Education is a Must

There is no end to learning when it comes to sports science. A general personal trainer certification is a great start. It provides the foundation you need to start working with clients, but you will need to keep taking courses, and not just keep your certification current.

Continuing education is so important in this industry because there are so many areas of specialization and also because research changes what we know year after year. With a basic certification, you’ll soon find you want to offer nutrition coaching or weight loss expertise. Maybe you want to work with athletes. All of these, and many more, require special training and education.

Specializations are so important in fitness and training. Here’s why.

Becoming a Personal Trainer: Expectation vs. Reality – Put Training to the Test

You need to complete a certification before becoming a personal trainer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little taste first. You can test your own expectations a few ways:

• Find a pro trainer willing to let you shadow for a day or two.

• Work with a fitness trainer who mentors newbies in the fitness industry.

• Find a gym that will hire you to lead a few fitness classes as a fitness instructor.

• Recruit volunteers from among friends and family to let you train them for a few weeks.

• Talk to trainers in your gym or with whom you’ve worked to find out what they like and don’t like about the job.

Working as a trainer just could be your dream career. It’s smart to do some homework first. Enjoying gym workouts is not the only prerequisite to succeeding as a trainer. Find out what it really takes so you have realistic expectations before starting a fitness career.

ISSA’s Certified Personal Trainer – Self-Guided Study Program is the perfect way to get started if you’re serious about this career. Learn the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to start a life as a successful personal trainer—get started today!

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). Fitness trainers and instructors : Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm#tab-1