Do you have a friend who could use a career change? If you know a fitness fanatic who is a people person than she might be a great candidate to be a personal trainer.
Some people love fitness and those that don’t like it much hire a personal trainer. The fitness industry can always use more great trainers!
Personal Training is a career that many people think of as more than just a job. They consider it to be a way of life. Truth be told, being a personal trainer is a lot of work. And I’m not just talking about pumping iron. It requires a commitment to learning like any beloved hobby or sport.
Do any of these descriptions sound like your friend?
1. She’s always asking you to work out.
Does your friend ask you to join her at the gym, go for a bike ride or participate in 5K’s? Passion for fitness is contagious. So, if there’s a crew following her around when she’s working out then it’s a good sign that she will cultivate a strong fitness business.
The most successful new trainers I’ve met are ones who have been helping friends and family get results long before or just after they get certified. Not because they convert these people into clients, but because word of mouth brings them steady business.
2. Numbers and progress get her excited.
There’s more to fitness than what you see on a scale or the repetitions completed in a weight lifting set. But, numbers are the foundation for health awareness. Especially for people new to exercise. Often times it’s a high blood pressure reading or wedding dress measurement that motivates a person to exercise more consistently.
Measuring progress with body fat calculations and strength gains can be motivating and help people stay on track. If your friend is into data then she will love the options of science based measurements available for inspiring people to alter their numbers.
3. She’s always changing up her fitness routine.
Is your friend always looking for new workout ideas? And checking out what other people are doing? Curiosity is one of the keystones to continuous education – which is essential for a successful career in fitness. A craving to learn helps trainers go the distance in their career – and have more fun.
4. When someone is on the move she stares.
Not in a creepy way, but in a “I wonder why their knees are diving in” or “do they know their head is forward” type of way. Is your friend analyzing other people’s workouts without even realizing it? One of the main reasons people seek out a personal trainer, aside from variety, is for safety. Anyone can pick up a new fitness routine in a magazine or online. But not everyone can be certain they’re moving efficiently and with proper form.
Some of the best paid personal trainers I know are sticklers for body mechanics. Their clients work with them long-term because injuries are minimized and results are maximized. Plus they can tell that their trainer is educated and paying close attention. Getting certified as a personal trainer will help your friend take their passion to the next level.
5. There are fitness magazines laying around her house and car.
If your friend has piles of magazines, health books and recipes scattered around, it’s a sure sign that she is committed to healthy living. This love affair she has with being in shape will serve her well because she can earn a salary by researching, implementing and tweaking fitness programs to her heart’s desire.
She can also learn to scrutinize what she reads and call BS on some of the junk that gets published. Or, become a fitness writer and contribute to the ever changing and growing body of knowledge.
6. Her positive energy motivates you.
We need people with that kind of energy to share the love! Your friend doesn’t have to be a cheerleader to effectively inspire people. Having a calm, confident demeanor is just as contagious as an upbeat enthusiastic one.
If your friend is encouraging, uplifting and sees the bright side of situations then she’ll do great coaching people who need that extra nudge when they’re feeling unmotivated.
7. She likes to stay busy and enjoys a change.
Many personal trainers evacuated their desk job to be on their feet, on the move, and in a more active career. That doesn’t mean they can’t sit down to do fitness consultations or write blogs. But it does mean there are more options for trainers to design their work day. They can work with clients in person, on the phone, or on the internet up to 50 hours per week if they want.
You might be able to help your friend find a new career and a happier job! Which in turn helps everyone that she lands up coaching.
There are many career paths in the fitness industry. Plus, personal trainers supplement income by teaching, writing, speaking or working behind the scenes in the field for a fitness company. The options are endless.
Pass these along:
[info type=”facebook”]Got questions about becoming a personal trainer? Come chat with NFPT here – we’d love to answer them![/info]
Beverly Hosford, MA teaches anatomy and body awareness using a skeleton named Andy, balloons, play-doh, ribbons, guided visualizations, and corrective exercises. She is an instructor, author, and a business coach for fitness professionals. Learn how to help your clients sleep better with in Bev's NFPT Sleep Coach Program and dive deeper into anatomy in her NFPT Fundamentals of Anatomy Course.
