Where do certified personal trainers work? Gyms and fitness centers may come to mind; however, certified personal trainers also operate from many other places – some offering even in-home services to clients.
An exercise science or kinesiology bachelor’s degree equips you with the skills needed to design effective workout plans for clients. Communication courses and marketing coursework also give you the edge you need when starting up your own business.
Gyms and Health Clubs
Personal trainers can find employment in the fitness industry at gyms, health clubs and other facilities offering various forms of exercise equipment. Additionally, they may work at specialty studios offering yoga, Pilates and dance classes.
Personal trainers working at gyms or health clubs will have access to a large clientele and can hone their skills within an established fitness facility, although this may limit their professional independence as a percentage of sessions will have to go towards paying back the fitness company that employs them.
Some cities offer private gyms that permit independent trainers to rent time at lower fees, which can be especially helpful for novice trainers seeking experience. Although overhead costs still must be covered at such facilities, their rate usually comes in much lower than what would be charged by larger gyms.
Corporate Fitness
Corporate fitness programs encourage physical activity in the workplace through providing gym or exercise classes on-site and discounted memberships to employees. Trainers can work with groups of office workers to develop team fitness challenges that promote wellness goals within the office environment.
Many personal trainers now operate independently, providing services at clients’ homes or rented fitness facilities. This gives them greater professional autonomy while being ideal for trainers who also have full-time jobs outside the fitness industry.
High school graduates may be able to secure entry-level personal training positions; those looking to advance further should pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in areas like exercise science or kinesiology. College courses that cover communication and marketing could also prove invaluable; personal trainers with certification from nationally accredited organizations, like NASM, will likely command higher earnings.
Office Workouts
Personal trainers frequently work with clients that hold down typical 9-5 jobs. Because these clients cannot attend gym workouts before or after work due to schedule constraints, many trainers provide office workouts.
These desk workouts are tailored for easy accessibility in an office or while on the phone and can help increase blood flow while breaking up repetitive workplace tasks and reinforcing muscles that have been compromised from too much sitting.
These exercises also strengthen muscles that have become weak due to prolonged sitting. Start this office workout off right by beginning with some basic stretches to loosen your body for movement. Stretching should focus on loosening wrists and stretching neck and shoulder muscles to relieve pain from slouching while stretching wrists as well. Next, perform several sets of planks to strengthen back muscles that may have become weak from too much sitting; lastly rowing set exercises provide excellent strengthening exercises for strengthening shoulders and chest areas that may have suffered due to prolonged sitting.
Home Workouts
Personal trainers typically conduct their sessions from home either individually with clients or in groups. “Part-time personal training provides an ideal option for people already engaged in full time careers,” notes Suter.
American Council on Exercise states that trainers need strong interpersonal and business skills in order to be successful, whether at a client’s home, studio, outdoors or online. Interpersonal abilities include being able to communicate clearly and motivate clients; business skills enable trainers to plan, budget and record their work effectively.
Some trainers opt to specialize in specific methods of training, such as strength and conditioning, corrective exercises or youth fitness; or offer specialty services like diet and nutrition counseling. Earning potential can be greatly increased through certification from prestigious organizations like the National Academy of Sports Medicine or American Council on Exercise; these credentials include certified personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist, corrective exercise specialist or exercise physiologist certifications.
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