10 Step Guide to Becoming a Successful Personal Trainer

Is personal training still a good career? How do you get started in the industry? What certifications are the best? All of that and much, much more in this 10 step guide to becoming a successful personal trainer….

First, you have to care about people, not money. If you care about people and you’re passionate about exercise, health, and nutrition, then personal training should be a great career fit for you.

However, it’s not rainbows and lollipops.

Most trainers barely eek out a living. If you already have a job, the best thing to do would be to volunteer to train a few friends at all times of the day (you’ll need to enjoy training someone at 6am and 7pm on the same day if you want to have a full time job in the industry). It’s not a 9-5 gig, but if you love it, you’ll live with that, right?

What about the economy? Will personal training remain a viable career in the new economy?

The good news is that fitness bootcamps have become more popular and that gives you the opportunity to help more people while making an equal or greater income than regular one on one training.

Other bright sides: Depending on where you live, there is likely to remain a desire for one-on-one training from upper income individuals. Obviously if you live in Hoboken, NJ, the demand will be greater than if you live in Detroit, MI.

My friend and successful personal trainer studio owner Alwyn Cosgrove says that both the low-priced big box gyms and the high-end private personal training studios are doing well right now, but the guys in the middle are not.

Corporate fitness programs also seem to be a positive opportunity going forward as companies work to decrease their health insurance costs (among the many benefits of having healthy, fit, employees).

But there’s also the reality of the the down side. I’m not optimistic the general US economy is going to get better anytime soon…nor the economy in Europe…although Canada and Australia should fare better and Asia probably holds the greatest opportunity. The South American market is maturing, but will be years before it is like that of Canada or Australia.

That said, marketing expert Dan Kennedy likes to say, “all weather is local“…meaning no matter what the average American unemployment rate, there is always going to be areas where there are a lot of people with above average incomes and interest in one-on-one personal training…I guess it all depends on where you live – or on your flexibility in traveling for this career.

And if you’re just getting started, your options are like most other industries…you will need to “apprentice” somewhere when you start out…and this could mean working in a private studio or a big box gym.

Like everything in life, your success depends on the connections you make. In order to make the right connections, you will need to invest in your education by traveling to seminars or in an internship. These types of investments are usually worth every penny and more.

While still in University (which cost a large fortune), I spent a smaller fortune traveling to strength training seminars. But again, it was worth every penny.

With that general advice out of the way, let’s get into…

The 10 Step Plan for Success in the Fitness Industry

Here’s what I would do if I had to do it all over again…

1) I would get a certification from ACE, ACSM, NSCA, NASM, Can-Fit Pro (if canadian), CPTN (if Canadian), ISSA, or CHEK.

2) I’d get insurance (you should be able to do this without a certification – but I’m not 100% sure).

3) I would start training everyone and anyone I could for free (friends, family, work mates)

If you take the 6am-7pm personal training test (mentioned above) and pass it with passion, then keep going. If not, admit the fitness industry is not for you, and just stay passionate about fitness as a hobby, and re-commit yourself to your current job or continue to look for something else on the side.

I’m one of those optimists who believe that we all should be able to find a vocation in life that we love and are passionate about.

Also, one exercise I suggest you do – even before you start all of this – is to ask yourself:

• “What is my purpose/higher calling here on earth?”
• “What did my higher power put me here on this earth to do?”
• “Who was I put here to serve?” (this helps you determine your “niche market”)
• “What skill/ability do I have that NO ONE else in the world can do better?”
• “What do I want my legacy to be?”

This will guide you through the rest of the steps…

4) As soon as possible, I’d start finding paying clients through referrals.

(NOTE: I’d be doing all of this as a “side gig” while sticking to real job. Yes, it’s going to cause burning the candle at both ends…but these transitions always do).

I’d also develop a business based around group training (semi-private groups or large bootcamps) as soon as possible.

5) I’d start connecting with all local experts/veterans of the fitness industry. Find a mentor. You might have to knock on 20 doors till you find the right person, but it will be worth it.

6) I’d start attending seminars as soon as possible. Be strategic about your attendance…make a list of questions to ask and people to meet and don’t leave until each objective is crossed off. The most successful trainers are often the ones who leave with the most resources. And never, ever stop learning. If you do, you’re done. You’ve lost your passion and it’s time for you to move on.

7) I’d continue to network, build relationships, help others, and grow “the pie bigger” rather than trying to increase only my slice of the pie. Help as many people as you can.

“You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” – Zig Zigler

Each day I’d spend time focusing on my gratitude for the opportunity to work my dream job (if the earlier line of questioning has determined this is it). I’d focus on being happy and ignoring the negativity that fills the world. I’d take the energy that other people spend on fighting the negativity and I’d direct it into even more passion towards helping others, learning more, and becoming better at what I do.

People are attracted to passionate people.

Remember the Crocodile Hunter (RIP). Crikey, he made people care about snakes and spiders. If he can do that, then you and I can make people care about feeling amazing and reaching their full potential through nutrition and exercise.

9) I’d follow passionate people in other industries through Facebook and Twitter. Follow Gary Vaynerchuck (read his book, “Crush It”), Carrie Wilkerson, and your favorite music stars and actors (positive people only). Watch how they interact with people and make their followers happy. Learn from them and do the same for the people who look up to you.

10) Believe in yourself. Whether it is losing fat or building the career of your dreams, everyone success story I’ve met KNEW that without a doubt they were going to be a success. They ALL believed in themselves. You must do that too.

So think back to when you were doing something that you KNEW was going to happen (could have been when you KNEW that you were going to get your spouse to marry you, or when you KNEW that your team was going to win your high school football championship or when you KNEW that you were going to ace that final exam)…that’s the feeling that you must have now.

You MUST have that feeling, you must have confidence, you must have passion, and you must have that helping mindset (others call it an “abundance mentality”). Those are the “gotta haves” that only you can build in yourself…the fitness info is easy to teach (it’s not rocket science)…the technical skills should never be an issue…its the “inner game” that is up to you.

That’s it. The 10 steps to becoming a successful personal trainer.

Your friend,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, TTBootcamps Workouts

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