5 Signs That You Should Be a Personal Trainer
The fitness industry and personal training, in general, has seen explosive growth over the last five years and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. More than 50 million Americans hold gym memberships and at least 12-13% of those gym members work with personal trainers, so the demand is there.
Personal trainers experience many benefits not seen in other positions, and you probably wouldn't be reading this if you haven't at least thought about what it would be like to get certified and coach others. However, you probably have no idea if it's the right career for you.
Don't worry, we got you! We have seen and developed a lot of amazing personal trainers and want to share with you our top 5 signs that usually indicate whether someone is cut out for the gig. If you're ready to see if you're a great fit (see what we did there) for a career in fitness, read on.
Sign #1 - You Love Helping Others
It's important to know the inner workings of the human body, but the best personal trainers love helping people live better lives. Personal trainers get to play the role that so many people are missing in their lives. Motivator, confidant, and even mentor, trainers wear many hats that help them guide others to a better quality of life. This job isn't all squats and lunges, clients need someone who believes in them and will hold them accountable to reaching their goals.
Building these types of relationships is key to encouraging massive life changes and it just so happens to be an essential skill for getting and keeping clients long term. So if you love serving others and seeing them achieve things they never thought possible, then chances are you would make a great personal trainer.
Sign #2 - You Geek Out On The Human Body
If you enjoy learning about things like the impact of hormones on fat loss or how split squats can be great for targeting your glutes, then **NERD ALERT** personal training could be for you.
The best trainers in the fitness industry love to learn more about the human body, read the research that's out there, and would happily spend most of their day teaching others how to maximize their workouts. They have a drive to understand the intricacies of how to optimize performance or get their clients results.
Learning isn't always fun, but it sure makes a difference If you enjoy the subject matter. Trainers need to know some tough anatomy and physiology facts to pass their certification and having a keen interest makes the process much easier.
Sign #3 - You Live For The Gym
The gym serves as a haven for many people and it can often be the best part of their day. In a world where so much happens that we feel like we can't control, the gym is a place where you can see and measure the results of your hard work. Not to mention, you get that awesome feeling of accomplishment when you make it to the gym and complete a good workout.
Being a great personal trainer doesn't mean you need to spend 2-3 hours in the gym working out every day, but if spending your day there sounds like a lot more fun than an office job (or whatever you are doing now) then you're on the right path. The gym can be a fun high-energy atmosphere and it sure makes coming to work every day a lot more motivating.
Sign #4 - You Have Plenty of Energy To Spare
Has anyone every told you that you're like the Energizer bunny? Does being around others bring out the best in you? Good personal trainers know how to control the atmosphere and when to turn it on or tone it down. Many clients are attracted to those who can help to exude the level of energy and zest for life that they aspire to.
Energy is contagious and they feed off of the energy of their personal trainer. This could mean for some that they need a high energy coach who is going to get them pumped about the workout after a long day with the kids or in the office.
Other clients might be turned off by a rah-rah coach and are just in need of someone who can balance them out and make them feel a little less stressed when they get into the gym. This type a client would be a better fit for those trainers that have a comfortable demeanor and relaxed energy on most days.
The best personal trainers can play both roles and pick-up on when it's time to turn up the volume or shut-up and mellow out the energy of a training session. Either way, you'll need plenty of energy in the tank to play whichever role is necessary.
Sign #5 - You Love Wearing Spandex
Somewhat joking here, but if you like wearing gym clothes to work every day then you are in luck! There probably aren't too many situations where looking great in spandex is a bad thing, but looking the part is an important piece of gaining traction in the fitness industry.
Thankfully, this doesn't mean you need to look like you are about to enter a bikini competition, but rather that you serve as an example for others to living a healthy and active lifestyle. If you already get asked by friends, family, and even strangers, "What do you do to workout? You look amazing!" then you are already on the right track.
Walking the walk and serving as a model for clients is important in gaining their trust, respect, and buy-in to your training program and process. They are often looking to work with someone who they aspire to be more like; which is great, because clients of all shapes, sizes, and lifestyles will all aspire to different things. This means that there is great opportunity for trainers who fit all of those different molds.
For all of the clients who might want to train with someone who is ultra-fit or looks like a competitive athlete, there are just as many who would be intimidated by that because it's too far from where they are at right now. The takeaway is that as a trainer your lifestyle and your body are your business cards and clients of all types are out there looking for someone just like you.
Have you ever thought about becoming a Personal Trainer? It's not always clear how to go about getting started, but you can learn more about how to get certified and what the path to success looks like by downloading our free Personal Training Career Guide here.
Rather have someone answer your questions via phone? Click here to jump on a 15 minute call with us and find out how! Love to hear more about where you're at and how we can help take the first step.
Joe Drake is co-owner of the Axiom Fitness Academy and lead instructor for hands-on and online course offerings. He's coached and certified hundreds of new and aspiring personal trainers and serves as an educator in the global fitness market.
Click the link above to connect directly with Joe and talk more about how you can get on the right path as a personal trainer and turn you passion for helping people into a lucrative and long-term career.
