How to become a personal trainer?

There are lots of reasons why someone decides to get into personal training, and if a recent Fitness Australia report is accurate, there are lots of people acting on those reasons. The number of people employed as a Fitness instructor or personal trainer has more than doubled over
the past decade, though this rapid growth is starting to slow. 

For some, the autonomy of being your own boss, working the hours that suit you, and experience an environment of high energy and activity is very appealing. 

The trouble is, it's more difficult than it seems on the surface. Only a relatively small percentage of people who obtain their qualifications are still in the industry within ten years.

There is a myriad of reasons for this which include difficulties acquiring and retaining customers and inconsistent hours.

For those keen on taking the plunge, there are a few keys

The first is to understand precisely what qualifications you'll need to perform the role you have in mind. In Australia, the most commonly undertaken, nationally recognised qualifications are the Certificate III, and IV in Fitness. These qualifications will allow you to become a gym instructor or run classes.

The Certificate IV in Fitness allows you to operate on your own as a Personal Trainer or run outdoor boot camps.

There are many methods of learning to suit your style. The most important considerations are whether you'd like to learn face-to-face, online or a combination of the two. Then you'll want to understand the length of the course and the cost.

It's always a useful idea to join a professional association, especially when you start. It's a great way to keep up to date with industry news, trends and events. In Australia, Fitness Australia or Physical Activity Australia are the two leading professional associations.

Then you'll want to make sure you are adequately insured as a personal trainer, with cover for professional indemnity, public liability and product liability (if you're going to sell products). 

Then get out there and gain some experience. It may not be the perfect role initially, but it's important to start working with real people - that's always the best way to learn. Lot's of gyms and studio have popped up and are in need of qualified personal trainers to service demand from their membership base so put together your CV and get out there. If you don't already have a network of potential clients to tap into then working for someone else initially is a great way to build this. 

For long-term survival, it's going to be critical that you carve out a niche for yourself. Almost always this should reflect your passion, experience or education that give you an edge. I can safely say that there are not too many personal trainers with a medical degree which helps me differentiate from my competitors. 

Ensure you commit to continuing your self-development and education. There are many reputable courses out there, and Fitness Australia has a great continuing education program with hundreds of vetted fitness courses covering a wide range of topics. 

If you want to know more about what it takes to make it in the personal training industry, feel free to get in touch with Personal Trainer Sydney CBD.