PT will i make a decent living

[Lotto20]

I will be starting my road to becoming a personal trainer in the fall.

Alot of people are saying that Im going to starve.....my family etc.
because they dont see the money in it. But i want to do what i love.
Im also in Canada so it might make it a little harder with a lower based economy where i live.

What do you guys make on average every 2 weeks?

[JNo20]

Back when I was working as a personal trainer full-time at a commercial gym, I was taking home (after taxes) between 3000-4000 a month.

You can make decent money as a personal trainer, but the hours will suck. I would frequently be at work from 5am-1pm, then again from 4pm-9pm.

[Bnizzle163]

You got it man! The hours do suck! I just currently cut back to part time and am exploring other options. It's a very rewarding career though!

[Sicshift]

How much you make depends on so many things.

1. Do you work for a big gym or do you work privately? Private will make a lot, lot, lot more money but you have to find your own clients, make the sale, train them somwhere etc. etc.

2. Where do you live? Some places, trainers just can't charge that much and looking good isn't as important. I live in a beach town where looks and fashion, fitness and health are huge and there are a lot of rich people. I market myself towards the wealthy who can afford the high prices. It's a much easier sale.

3. What month is it? Training is really cyclical. It's huge in January and February from New Year's resolutions and big before summer and until mid summer. It's dead in November and other months. Some months you will make a lot, some you won't make any.

Training above all is a build up. You have to build your reputation and your customer base and it takes time. After a year or so, you won't have to work as hard at sales as you will have more referrals.

This was the thing I hated the most. My girlfriend is in sales and makes a lot of money. She sells a product and gets money. In personal training, I have to sell the product and then I also have to train the person. Getting the sale takes effort and is only half the job.

So, I don't know about your area. Where I live is one of the few places trainers can make really good money although now there are over a dozon personal training only gyms and another half dozen huge gyms. There's a lot of competition here.

It's justl ike anything else. If you work really hard, you will make money. So if it's your dream. Study up in personal training, business management and marketing and you'll be able to make money.

[Niles21]

if you want money you came to the wrong place....
it should be about helping people out.
however, if you want to make some serious money....make it outside a company.
Do it in home and private training.

[adoniscomplex]

if you want money you came to the wrong place....
it should be about helping people out.
however, if you want to make some serious money....make it outside a company.
Do it in home and private training.

ya training can be really rough at first but if you explore business options it is possible to make a very large sum of money

[JNo20]

You got it man! The hours do suck! I just currently cut back to part time and am exploring other options. It's a very rewarding career though!

I hear you on that. I dropped to part time and went back to college. I'll be in nursing school starting this fall.

[BC02]

the pt business sucks. Its all sales and most companies dont give a **** about how good your programs are.

[JNo20]

Its all sales and most companies dont give a **** about how good your programs are.

This guy may be "in the red", but this part is damn true. Obviously there will be exceptions to every rule, keep that in mind.

[jules_d1]

the pt business sucks. Its all sales and most companies dont give a **** about how good your programs are.

yes marketing and promotion is a big part of it ESPECIALLY for big companies but you still cant put a price on results and word of mouth.

[John Prophet]

the pt business sucks. Its all sales and most companies dont give a **** about how good your programs are.

I have to agree in a sense. There are a lot of ironies that one observes when he is a trainer. The best trainer doesnt always have the most clients. Guys can have sucky programs and not get many results but they can keep plenty of clients due to other reasons such as hype/personality.

To my utter amazement it seems that a lot of clients dont really care about results. Theyll hire some guy who gives them some super easy plain vanilla routine and they continue to pay top dollar for the guy to stand there and smile for months on end while no progress is being made. If they got with a real trainer theyd quit within a week since the real traienr would demand actual effort.

I absolutely cannot fathom the conversations that they have or the mindset between them. Yet, they rake in the money. I WISH I had it in me to just take good $$$ from people for doing stuff like 6" deep bodyweight squats


I mean, what is the word of mouth there? "yeah, Jim is great, Ive paid him $3500 in the past 6 months and im still as fat as I was when I started!!!!"

[jdmalm123]

To my utter amazement it seems that a lot of clients dont really care about results. Theyll hire some guy who gives them some super easy plain vanilla routine and they continue to pay top dollar for the guy to stand there and smile for months on end while no progress is being made. If they got with a real trainer theyd quit within a week since the real traienr would demand actual effort.

Yeah, John, it's a fine line between the two...maximally effective trainer or maximally effective business man? Finding the sweet spot is the key.

OP: I found the investment in an in-home gym ideal....once the initial costs are paid off and you have all the basic equipment, it's almost 100% profit.

[ricekiller]

your first 6 months dont expect over 1800 every month......it blows...but once you get a good client base you can easily bring in 3500-5000 a month

[rpatrick5]

You CAN make a lot of money as a personal trainer, whether your suck or not. Your first priority should be about helping people improve their lives, because someone who has formerly fat and is no longer due to your expertise has enriched their lives in more ways than one.

That being said, it is a business and you have to make money. It's not a bad thing, in fact, if you are good it should be your moral obligation to take people as clients and not let them get in the wrong hands.

If you do your research you'll find plenty of great trainers who make a very comfortable salary

[John Prophet]

your first 6 months dont expect over 1800 every month......it blows...but once you get a good client base you can easily bring in 3500-5000 a month
id love to be a fly on the wall and know how one does that. I must be in the WRONG location, lol

[Lotto20]

id love to be a fly on the wall and know how one does that. I must be in the WRONG location, lol

If you do it on your own you can make that easy .....50 bucks an hour adds up

[lols]

can i make the millionz of dollars if i take steroidz and promise the same resultz????

[JNo20]

can i make the millionz of dollars if i take steroidz and promise the same resultz????

Yes. Twice.

[GuiYoM]

If you do like everyone, you won't get high salary. What's your goal and where you would like to work?

If you want to work with bodybuilder, get huge as hell
If you want to work with powerlifter, lift heavy as hell

Working with athletes is another story.

[johnrich69]

How much you make depends on so many things.

1. Do you work for a big gym or do you work privately? Private will make a lot, lot, lot more money but you have to find your own clients, make the sale, train them somwhere etc. etc.

2. Where do you live? Some places, trainers just can't charge that much and looking good isn't as important. I live in a beach town where looks and fashion, fitness and health are huge and there are a lot of rich people. I market myself towards the wealthy who can afford the high prices. It's a much easier sale.

3. What month is it? Training is really cyclical. It's huge in January and February from New Year's resolutions and big before summer and until mid summer. It's dead in November and other months. Some months you will make a lot, some you won't make any.

Training above all is a build up. You have to build your reputation and your customer base and it takes time. After a year or so, you won't have to work as hard at sales as you will have more referrals.

This was the thing I hated the most. My girlfriend is in sales and makes a lot of money. She sells a product and gets money. In personal training, I have to sell the product and then I also have to train the person. Getting the sale takes effort and is only half the job.

So, I don't know about your area. Where I live is one of the few places trainers can make really good money although now there are over a dozon personal training only gyms and another half dozen huge gyms. There's a lot of competition here.

It's justl ike anything else. If you work really hard, you will make money. So if it's your dream. Study up in personal training, business management and marketing and you'll be able to make money.

Very good post.

[adoniscomplex]

If you do like everyone, you won't get high salary. What's your goal and where you would like to work?

If you want to work with bodybuilder, get huge as hell
If you want to work with powerlifter, lift heavy as hell

Working with athletes is another story.

you're not a full time trainer are you

[GuiYoM]

you're not a full time trainer are you

heh, who know, you?

[Mr. Aries]

decent, but volatile way of making a living.

[njmuscle66]

If you do it on your own you can make that easy .....50 bucks an hour adds up

yes $50 does add up if it is all profit and you have an endless amount of billable hours. However if you work as an independent contractor for a club you have to give a cut to the gym, build a client base, taxes, etc. Now if you are out on your own you have business expenses, equipment costs, travel, rent etc.

The average salary for a trainer is around $40,000. Yes there are people like Charles Poliquin, Alyn Cosgrove, Eric Boser that are making significantly more. And others that make comfortable livings but to really make money in the industry you have to build profit centers seperate from the actual training sessions. That is the key to building a successful business

[Al Shades]

To my utter amazement it seems that a lot of clients dont really care about results. Theyll hire some guy who gives them some super easy plain vanilla routine and they continue to pay top dollar for the guy to stand there and smile for months on end while no progress is being made. If they got with a real trainer theyd quit within a week since the real traienr would demand actual effort.

I absolutely cannot fathom the conversations that they have or the mindset between them. Yet, they rake in the money. I WISH I had it in me to just take good $$$ from people for doing stuff like 6" deep bodyweight squats


I mean, what is the word of mouth there? "yeah, Jim is great, Ive paid him $3500 in the past 6 months and im still as fat as I was when I started!!!!"

John, I see the same thing and I'm awed by it as well. But I know the reason it happens:

1) Personality - the trainers are usually fun and outgoing
2) Creativity - they use gimmicks to make the workouts more entertaining

Why don't people care about results? Because they WANT to justify their purchase. They actively look for reasons to convince themselves that it was worth it - and if they don't exist, they'll make them up. The fact that they've put down so much money isn't going to make them angry when they look basically the same after 6 months. Instead, they will look at every change, no matter how minor, as a return on their investment. It's a psychological defense mechanism that people use to protect their ego's. Nobody wants to admit (to themselves or anyone else) that they wasted a lot of money or screwed up.

As we all know, any idiot can help a total beginner drop a few pounds and add a little muscle. Any type of training whatsoever will do this. The fact is, most people don't realize what's possible. People have no idea that the types of physique transformations that are shown regularly on this site are actually possible with a solid training and diet program. They think it's genetics or drugs. As a result, the concept of getting into this type of shape never even enters their minds. Their definition of "getting fit" is literally confined to the newbie gains that they get with their trainers.

All trainers can be split into two categories: Over-priced babsitters, and results-based trainers. The latter group is much smaller and life is a lot harder for these types of trainers.

If you can tap into the 30-something stay at home wife crowd, you have an absolute goldmine on your hands. At my gym, there are two trainers in this position. It's amazing to watch. They sell $650 10 packs like candy and all their clients stay the same.

[jules_d1]

You wont make big bucks working for a bigger gym. You need to get out on your own ASAP.


Dont get me wrong. I started working for a large gym and its a great way to start. Hard work, smart marketing and promotion has got me to the point where i Have my own PT business and just pay rent at the gym and do my own thing. I have a plan in place along with an exit strategy to move out into my own facility next year. The majority of my clients are locked in to a 3+ month contracts so I do not have to worry so much about the volitility of the industry.

Life is good if you work hard in the beginning.

Someone who tells you that you cant make good money or have to work stupid hours in this industry to survive are narrow minded or have not gone about it the correct way. I started PT'ing in Feb and in just over a year of hard work i'll have my own studio.

[jules_d1]

All trainers can be split into two categories: Over-priced babsitters, and results-based trainers. The latter group is much smaller and life is a lot harder for these types of trainers.

Dont agree with this at all.

You get people results, it turns heads.

[Al Shades]

Dont agree with this at all.

You get people results, it turns heads.

The question is, what types of results.

Are we talking about newbie gains that absolutely anyone can achieve, or are we talking about serious, physique-transforming results that make people say "wow"?

You think it's the latter, but the reality points to the former. People aren't expecting to look like magazine models. They're expecting to drop a few lbs. here and there and get some comments from their friends, but not to blow anyone away.

And with your typical PTer, that's exactly what they get. They have no conception that it's possible to go further and actually attain that "wow" factor. It never even enters their head.

90% of the business is referrals. Do you know how to be set for life? Get a solid client base consisting of middle aged, stayed-at-home women with disposable incomes. Be fun, outgoing, and creative so they will enjoy the workouts and keep coming back for more. Results aren't particularly important. Any progress they make, no matter how small, you can take credit for. They will refer all of their friends to you and basically give you a license to print money. You will sell 10 and 15-packs like hot cakes, bringing in about a grand each week with no special effort on your part.

How do I know this? It is the exact scenario at my gym for two very lucky trainers.

[adoniscomplex]

Dont agree with this at all.

You get people results, it turns heads.

true but there is still a problem here
say you work with 20 clients , about 18 wont listen to you 90% of the time
results tend to come slow with alot of people because they dont follow your diet recommendations and they skip their home work work outs

with the expection of the worlds top 25 trainers , i have seen alot more babysitter trainers making bank

they make bank because of their i am your friend personality and not there training skills

[adoniscomplex]

The average salary for a trainer is around $40,000.

i believe last years ACE census had the average trainer making 27 k a year

which ultimiatly i think is brought down by the thousands of college kid style trainers working at commercial gyms
but either way

[nads786]

I hear you on that. I dropped to part time and went back to college. I'll be in nursing school starting this fall.

off topic, but good luck with nursing, i just finished my first semester


alot of intersting discussion going on about PT, i really want to give this a shot partime

[FreddyKrueger]

I am just starting right now, and all I can tell you is the following. If you are in it just for the money than smile, crack jokes, and be the clients "friend". The routine barely counts. I've noticed people wanting to be friends and I've heard of many trainers being called out to dinners and such. Now, my thing is work and results. I get great satisfactions of knowing that I made a difference in someones life for the better. I am still outgoing so its a plus, but I am not liking the trend that I am seeing with people. Its stupid.

Either way, in a commercial gym you can still make some decent money. A friend of mine who is a trainer manager at 24 makes up to almost 60K a year. Working 5 days a week. He used to work 7 days and made much more. Its not as bad as people say, however you have to start out lower and build it up. So, technically your personality counts quite a bit more to most people.

I hope I didn't screw it up for ya.

[scof0elife]

Yes, hours are terrible. I've been doing it for 7 years.

[Al Shades]

I am just starting right now, and all I can tell you is the following. If you are in it just for the money than smile, crack jokes, and be the clients "friend". The routine barely counts. I've noticed people wanting to be friends and I've heard of many trainers being called out to dinners and such. Now, my thing is work and results. I get great satisfactions of knowing that I made a difference in someones life for the better. I am still outgoing so its a plus, but I am not liking the trend that I am seeing with people. Its stupid.

Either way, in a commercial gym you can still make some decent money. A friend of mine who is a trainer manager at 24 makes up to almost 60K a year. Working 5 days a week. He used to work 7 days and made much more. Its not as bad as people say, however you have to start out lower and build it up. So, technically your personality counts quite a bit more to most people.

I hope I didn't screw it up for ya.

You are correct. Having a fun, outgoing, personality is the fastest way to make money in the corporate gyms. The results you obtain are almost of secondary importance. This is the point I was trying to get across earlier.

Any time you take some grossly out-of-shape, sedentary person and put them on a regular exercise routine, they are going to see SOME results. You will get the credit for this if you've been with them for a while, even if all you have them do is ridiculous bosu ball exercises.

Consider this: People have absolutely no clue how to evaluate the technical proficiency of a trainer on their own. The vast majority of them could be given the most poorly designed routine imaginable and they wouldn't bat an eye.

So what does that leave them to judge you on? Two things: Your personality and the amount of fun they have with you.

Successful trainer = Fun, witty guy who does fun, creative workouts

Keep in mind that what's "fun and creative" to a housewife could very well be considered "gimmicky and ineffective" to someone who knows what he's doing.

And yes, you will get invited to dinners and ****. You will get cards sent to you around the holidays, they will bring in their family photo's to show you. You will become part of their circle of family and friends. It's not uncommon for the trainers to hug their long-time clients like long-lost friends. I know all of this because I see it happening at my gym - not to me, but to our veteran "babysitter trainers".

Women want everything to be a social, feel-good experience. They WANT a friendly babysitter. They WANT someone to talk about their day with while they sit on the leg press and crank out easy sets of 15 with light weight. That's EXACTLY what they are looking for, and if you can provide it, you WILL get paid.

If you can make a housewife laugh and smile you can be a well-paid trainer. It really is that simple. It's the perfect job for fun, energetic, outgoing types. Results are honestly way down the list in terms of importance. How are they going to judge your effectiveness? If they lose 5 lbs while working with you, they will consider you a "good trainer", even if it takes months to do so.

The trainers who are all about results have it MUCH harder. Not only do you have to work hard as hell to market yourself, but you actually need to PRODUCE results after they sign up. You can't just sit back and let the money roll in. It's a tough world out there for results-oriented trainers (I'm one of them).

[FreddyKrueger]

Yup,

I see this happening quite a bit myself.

I have clients that bust ass, and its mostly guys who want to get in shape and loose weight. I really put them through some tough stuff. However, when it comes to women, only athletes really want you to push them. Everyone else thinks that lifting weights involves 20% of you 1RM with 3 or 4 reps while talking about your cooking recepies.

Just today, I watched one of the girl trainers at my gym talk to her client more than work. The girl trainer is an excelent trainer, however she was making money and just listened to her client. As much as I don't like that, I love easy money. Now, if I can convice you that you need to work than that would make me feel great.

Thats the commercial gym problem. The opinions on what 'working out' is SOO VAST that as a trainer you can't just assume that everyone is here to work hard and work smart.

Most of the times if you work a client hard, they wont come back even though they are in DIRE need of some cardio. Cardio for about an hour on a slow pace will net you about 200 calories if you are lucky. Whats that? One or two Bananas? Ya..., they don't get that. Either eat less, or get your ass to work. Its really that simple. Of course I don't tell this to my clients, cuz I wont have any.

Thanks for reading this rant. :)

[FreddyKrueger]

You are correct. Having a fun, outgoing, personality is the fastest way to make money in the corporate gyms. The results you obtain are almost of secondary importance. This is the point I was trying to get across earlier.

Any time you take some grossly out-of-shape, sedentary person and put them on a regular exercise routine, they are going to see SOME results. You will get the credit for this if you've been with them for a while, even if all you have them do is ridiculous bosu ball exercises.

Consider this: People have absolutely no clue how to evaluate the technical proficiency of a trainer on their own. The vast majority of them could be given the most poorly designed routine imaginable and they wouldn't bat an eye.

So what does that leave them to judge you on? Two things: Your personality and the amount of fun they have with you.

Successful trainer = Fun, witty guy who does fun, creative workouts

Keep in mind that what's "fun and creative" to a housewife could very well be considered "gimmicky and ineffective" to someone who knows what he's doing.

And yes, you will get invited to dinners and ****. You will get cards sent to you around the holidays, they will bring in their family photo's to show you. You will become part of their circle of family and friends. It's not uncommon for the trainers to hug their long-time clients like long-lost friends. I know all of this because I see it happening at my gym - not to me, but to our veteran "babysitter trainers".

Women want everything to be a social, feel-good experience. They WANT a friendly babysitter. They WANT someone to talk about their day with while they sit on the leg press and crank out easy sets of 15 with light weight. That's EXACTLY what they are looking for, and if you can provide it, you WILL get paid.

If you can make a housewife laugh and smile you can be a well-paid trainer. It really is that simple. It's the perfect job for fun, energetic, outgoing types. Results are honestly way down the list in terms of importance. How are they going to judge your effectiveness? If they lose 5 lbs while working with you, they will consider you a "good trainer", even if it takes months to do so.

The trainers who are all about results have it MUCH harder. Not only do you have to work hard as hell to market yourself, but you actually need to PRODUCE results after they sign up. You can't just sit back and let the money roll in. It's a tough world out there for results-oriented trainers (I'm one of them).

Ah crap, the stuff I do on the Bosu ball gets me a lot of clients. It stops people at the gym. They stop working out to see this crazy things. I do french overhead extensions, bent over shoulder pulls with the cables while on bosu ball. Heck I do bent over tricep extensions on the bosu ball. People seriously stop and ask me how I do that. I tell them that I can train them to do it. But in reallity it took me maybe a week to get the balance right and from there I just get crazy with it. :)

Now the wipers get everyones attention. Those are a bit more difficult. ;)

[kserajuddin]

ya training can be really rough at first but if you explore business options it is possible to make a very large sum of money

Yeah I agree -
Since training is easy to get into, a lot of people that are unmotivated and can't manage themselves get involved - then they complain it sucks -

But if you have some smarts and are determined to be one of those high level trainers that trains quality people it'll happen for you - you just need about 10 regular, high paying clients and you'll be set for years - ps if you don't learn how to sign and maintain ten steady customers, you'll never make it in any field, and will always be stuck making hourly wages for less than 50K a year -

That sounds like pie in the sky bs but it's true - training has become a BASIC part of any high-end lifestyle - every person with money or into their looks has one - yes EVERYONE - if you shape your practice to cater to this market you'll make it - if you work in a gym, basically looking to hustle training on unmotivated broke people, while taking home peanuts yourself, you'll think the job sucks and you'll burn-out very soon - it's all up to how you look at it -

If you want any more ideas on this PM me -

[kserajuddin]

Yeah I agree -
Since training is easy to get into, a lot of people that are unmotivated and can't manage themselves get involved - then they complain it sucks -

But if you have some smarts and are determined to be one of those high level trainers that trains quality people it'll happen for you - you just need about 10 regular, high paying clients and you'll be set for years - ps if you don't learn how to sign and maintain ten steady customers, you'll never make it in any field, and will always be stuck making hourly wages for less than 50K a year -

That sounds like pie in the sky bs but it's true - training has become a BASIC part of any high-end lifestyle - every person with money or into their looks has one - yes EVERYONE - if you shape your practice to cater to this market you'll make it - if you work in a gym, basically looking to hustle training on unmotivated broke people, while taking home peanuts yourself, you'll think the job sucks and you'll burn-out very soon - it's all up to how you look at it -

If you want any more ideas on this PM me -

From going back and reading this, I realize I sound really hateful and negative -
I don't know where it came from - I've been involved in some positive industry stuff lately, so I guess I got pissed at the negative comments on training -

The fact that anyone can get started in this business IS NOT a bad thing -
For someone in a low place in their life right now, Personal Training is a great way out -
It will get you out of your house, interacting with many people, comfortable with social pressure, and even if you're an employee, it will force you to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set -
Even if you're not making much in the beginning, your salary will grow as you grow as a person and a professional -

When I started in this field I was un-focused, unemployed, and unemployable - PT gave me a vehicle to sort all of this **** out - so I really AM NOT the person to be calling people out for not being fit to be trainers ...

[Al Shades]

You're right and this is one of the best threads in this section.

[PlayerSupreme]

lol..yeah you can starve. I have been there. I have been to where I didn't even own a car and had to rely on girlfriends to keep me afloat.

I used to peddal up on a target bought bike, while the owner of this one studio drove up in a vet and had tons of women after him.

I was embarrassed to be a father and hid my shame well back then.

Then I learned how to get my shyt together and quit wasting time in this business and recognize that it is a business even thought it was also my passion.

I got to where I used to actually walk around with $100.00 in my pocket everyday and tried to spend it before the day was out. I was making almost 7G's a month and had never had money like that before. I had 37 plus clients.


I bought and paid for one of my sons a car for his high school graduation. Bought 2 vehicles for myself.

I come from a poor background so money was like magic to me.

I had a closet full of clothes and shoes with tags on em until I had to start giving some away to one of my sons who has my size 14 feet and similar build.

You learn as I posted how to market yourself as I posted on another thread.

Pick the niche market that you want and specialize in it.

Training can be a very lucrative business but it's limited to you and the hours that you can put in. That is why I train groups instead of one on one.

Plus you can avoid those crushes girls get when your in one on one situ's.

[josephinedalton]

I will be starting my road to becoming a personal trainer in the fall.

Alot of people are saying that Im going to starve.....my family etc.
because they dont see the money in it. But i want to do what i love.
Im also in Canada so it might make it a little harder with a lower based economy where i live.

What do you guys make on average every 2 weeks?

It's hard to say how much we make. I think the national average is around $35k... but don't quote me.

All I know is that it's definitely seasonal and like most other small companies, business comes and goes. Prepare for the slow months by saving up from the busier months.

And remember this... 95% of all businesses, including trainres, fail within the firt 5 years.

Have a plan
Network
Build a portfolio of success stories
Constantly educate yourself
Run your training business like a business, even if you work for a gym

and if you don't have the go-getter personality to make a good living right off the bat, get a night job as a bartender... you'd be surprised how many of us trainers work at nightclubs on the weekends !

[Jamps]

Ah crap, the stuff I do on the Bosu ball gets me a lot of clients. It stops people at the gym. They stop working out to see this crazy things. I do french overhead extensions, bent over shoulder pulls with the cables while on bosu ball. Heck I do bent over tricep extensions on the bosu ball. People seriously stop and ask me how I do that. I tell them that I can train them to do it. But in reallity it took me maybe a week to get the balance right and from there I just get crazy with it. :)

Now the wipers get everyones attention. Those are a bit more difficult. ;)

lol this is one of the reasons why so many of the pro's love charles glass....they always says that, "he knows how to "Create" unique exercises that target a particular body part in various ways through various angles." One time he had Melvin A. do an upper chest exercise where he's standing with his back supported on a bench while pressing on a Smith machine..... :o So he just turned a basic incline movement into something technical...

So yeah crazy things pays the bills lol

[kserajuddin]

All I know is that it's definitely seasonal and like most other small companies, business comes and goes. Prepare for the slow months by saving up from the busier months.


Ideally you want to get the types of clients that can stay with you for years - once you can afford it, start doing google PPC ads for all your local affluent neighborhoods (you can limit the radius to as little as five miles through google) - and just make sure your website is good enough to make them want to call -

It's slightly more complicated than that, but you get the picture - the idea is just look to get the high level clients, and just make sure your product is strong enough to keep them and get referrals - if you can get to this level of mastery, the job is much more consistent and not very hard -

[Jamps]

The young Arnold experience as a personal trainer:

"Managing a health club was an entirely new experience. I was
supposed to be a trainer, to show people how to exercise, to
devise programs which would make them lose fat and rebuild
their bodies. At first, confronted with these people who'd come
to me for guidance, I felt helpless. I thought I still needed someone
giving me advice on my workouts. But I realized I had to do
it in order to survive.
I had to live a split life, acting as an instructor to the health
club clients on the one hand, and trying to train myself for the
Mr. Universe title on the other. It was frustrating. People who
would never benefit from what I told them kept taking my time.
They paid and came to the gym. But it was a disgusting, superficial
effort on their part. They merely went through the motions,
doing sissy workouts, pampering themselves. And there was so
much I wanted to do with those wasted hours."

[hugeness]

If you do like everyone, you won't get high salary. What's your goal and where you would like to work?

If you want to work with bodybuilder, get huge as hell
If you want to work with powerlifter, lift heavy as hell

Working with athletes is another story.That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

[kserajuddin]

The young Arnold experience as a personal trainer:

"Managing a health club was an entirely new experience. I was
supposed to be a trainer, to show people how to exercise, to
devise programs which would make them lose fat and rebuild
their bodies. At first, confronted with these people who'd come
to me for guidance, I felt helpless. I thought I still needed someone
giving me advice on my workouts. But I realized I had to do
it in order to survive.
I had to live a split life, acting as an instructor to the health
club clients on the one hand, and trying to train myself for the
Mr. Universe title on the other. It was frustrating. People who
would never benefit from what I told them kept taking my time.
They paid and came to the gym. But it was a disgusting, superficial
effort on their part. They merely went through the motions,
doing sissy workouts, pampering themselves. And there was so
much I wanted to do with those wasted hours."

Damn man, that was hard to read!

[Jamps]

Damn man, that was hard to read!

sry i copied and pasted it from his ebook, "a bodybuilders education" or something like that. Plus i was tired and couldn't be bothered with editing it :o

[kserajuddin]

sry i copied and pasted it from his ebook, "a bodybuilders education" or something like that. Plus i was tired and couldn't be bothered with editing it :o

No not that -
Hard to read in that it was real disturbing -
Don't want to say anything more than that ...

[Jamps]

No not that -
Hard to read in that it was real disturbing -
Don't want to say anything more than that ...

ohh lol i knew that :cool:








.........really i did :(

[John Prophet]

No not that -
Hard to read in that it was real disturbing -
Don't want to say anything more than that ...


hehe, here is what it might have looked like in real life with Arnold training someone who didnt want to try

Training with Schwarzy (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2319825954833270897&q=schwarzy&ei=wMVnSLfjMpHCrgLs_vzFBw)

[Fitnessmaster68]

If you're a male it will be harder to make a living at it, unless you work at a gay gym. Every gym I have ever worked for or been a member it's always the most attractive females who get all the clients. But this isnt much different from any other field because the pretty ladies always have it made and everyone kisses thier ass.
Why do you think so many men want to become a woman? So they can live a nice happy life. Word

[nickmanzoni]

If you're a male it will be harder to make a living at it, unless you work at a gay gym. Every gym I have ever worked for or been a member it's always the most attractive females who get all the clients. But this isnt much different from any other field because the pretty ladies always have it made and everyone kisses thier ass.
Why do you think so many men want to become a woman? So they can live a nice happy life. Word
NEGGED!

[Fitnessmaster68]

NEGGED!


Just telling the guy how it is and what my experience has been. You think I dont have the right to state my opinion?

[kserajuddin]

I will be starting my road to becoming a personal trainer in the fall.

Alot of people are saying that Im going to starve.....my family etc.
because they dont see the money in it. But i want to do what i love.
Im also in Canada so it might make it a little harder with a lower based economy where i live.

What do you guys make on average every 2 weeks?

Getting things back on topic, here's something to keep in mind:

People go to their chiropractors at most once a month, nutritionists at most once every three months, and there doctor and dentist as little as possible!

Considering this, these other professionals need a huge number of clients to stay viable. They have to go to extraordinary lengths to gain qualifications to set them apart from their competitors. And managed health-care has robbed most health professions of their high earnings.

But Training is completely different. People see their trainers a minimum of twice, usually three times, and as many as four or five times a week. When you consider this, you only need a float of about a dozen steady clients to have a viable, thriving training practice.

[Jamps]

Getting things back on topic, here's something to keep in mind:

People go to their chiropractors at most once a month, nutritionists at most once every three months, and there doctor and dentist as little as possible!

Considering this, these other professionals need a huge number of clients to stay viable. They have to go to extraordinary lengths to gain qualifications to set them apart from their competitors. And managed health-care has robbed most health professions of their high earnings.

But Training is completely different. People see their trainers a minimum of twice, usually three times, and as many as four or five times a week. When you consider this, you only need a float of about a dozen steady clients to have a viable, thriving training practice.

um people actually see a chiro and a dietitian a minimum of 2x/month (1/month if they are broke). They also get better pay and compensation via insurance/other.

[Swollen_Powell]

Most of my clients like me because I will listen to all of their problems all while allowing them to get a good workout. They like having a neutral party that will listen or just someone to vent to.

Most clients like a medium of personality/results.

I will say that I give my client the tools/training/info, but many don't follow through and I know its not me. Ill ask them what they ate today and they'll say".......uhhhhhh.......I didnt do too well"

The old saying is.....You can lead a horse to water

[kserajuddin]

um people actually see a chiro and a dietitian a minimum of 2x/month (1/month if they are broke). They also get better pay and compensation via insurance/other.

WOW! Twice a month!?!? Oh, ok - I guess I was totally wrong about everything - I take it all back - lol

True chiropractors do generally earn a better hourly, but there are other drawbacks like I mentioned - and my rates are exactly the same as one of the most popular chiros in my immediate area - and I have none of the overhead -

[Jamps]

WOW! Twice a month!?!? Oh, ok - I guess I was totally wrong about everything - I take it all back - lol

True chiropractors do generally earn a better hourly, but there are other drawbacks like I mentioned - and my rates are exactly the same as one of the most popular chiros in my immediate area - and I have none of the overhead -

lol ok....:rolleyes:

[AnnaMatronic]

Now, I don't train people. I'm considering it. I just want to get inot decent shape before actually pursuing it. I don't want people to look at me and think, "whats this skinny punk going to teach me about working out?".

But the thing I would find irritating is when people don't follow your plan, like skip cardio day, call up and cancel an appointment or go off diet.

My one friend had a personal trainer, he bought some huge $2600 package.

By the end, he probably only went to half the sessions and got minimal results.



Now this is the same guy that I tried working out with lately and he never comes out. He did at first but now he never comes to the gym.

[josephinedalton]

If you're a male it will be harder to make a living at it, unless you work at a gay gym. Every gym I have ever worked for or been a member it's always the most attractive females who get all the clients. But this isnt much different from any other field because the pretty ladies always have it made and everyone kisses thier ass.
Why do you think so many men want to become a woman? So they can live a nice happy life. Word

And I beg to differ on that one buddy.... I guess from my experience, being judged attractive was to my disadvantage; In the midwest, I was automatically labled a bitch before I could even open my mouth...then in California, I was assumed to be stupid and was not taken seriously at first.

Of course,it was those with exceptional people and sales skills that did the best. But when I remember the lineup of trainers and who seemed to attract clients "to them" (not in the sales pitch room).... In the midwest, it was the average looking "nice guy" and in Cali it was the smaller bodybuilder men, well accomplished athletes and "baseball coach" looking trainers that got most of the business.

I can't tell you how many times I lost male clients when they introduced me to their wives. Or leads who would ask for a male trainer because they couldn't fathom the idea of a woman knowing anything about working out. Or worse yet, because I am not afraid to strike up a conversation with people, I must be horny or looking for a date.

So one day I went to an image counselor; and she told me to not wear any makeup, wear my glasses, and only wear work clothes that shows off the definition in my legs. And to also not offer advice or attention freely, but let the interested come to me..... It worked

[Fitnessmaster68]

And I beg to differ on that one buddy.... I guess from my experience, being judged attractive was to my disadvantage; In the midwest, I was automatically labled a bitch before I could even open my mouth...then in California, I was assumed to be stupid and was not taken seriously at first.

Of course,it was those with exceptional people and sales skills that did the best. But when I remember the lineup of trainers and who seemed to attract clients "to them" (not in the sales pitch room).... In the midwest, it was the average looking "nice guy" and in Cali it was the smaller bodybuilder men, well accomplished athletes and "baseball coach" looking trainers that got most of the business.

I can't tell you how many times I lost male clients when they introduced me to their wives. Or leads who would ask for a male trainer because they couldn't fathom the idea of a woman knowing anything about working out. Or worse yet, because I am not afraid to strike up a conversation with people, I must be horny or looking for a date.

So one day I went to an image counselor; and she told me to not wear any makeup, wear my glasses, and only wear work clothes that shows off the definition in my legs. And to also not offer advice or attention freely, but let the interested come to me..... It worked

The gyms I have worked at the best looking ladies always had old married men wanting to train with them, most likely because they just wanted to spend an hour with a pretty lady.
I remember one female trainer who was a large breasted blonde who had tons of clients. She constantly complained about it too saying she needed to cut her hours. She also dated two different millionaires who bought her cars and vacations.
It seems that women fell more comfortable training with a woman and men prefer to train with a woman because they hope they can have sex with her.

[Al Shades]

bump

[BabyFaceAssasin]

Wow, probably one of the best threads on here. Got so much info and value out of this, amazing!

[EdgarAllanPoe]

i currently work 2 jobs as a forklift operator and a ups employee.....11:30am to 5:30pm and then 7pm to 11pm ..... and i only make 27k-30k

the hours you all are complaining about don't sound that bad....5am i guess sucks but if you could work it out from 7am to 1ish then come back from 4-9...u still have a few hours at night to do what u need. And also consider this profession for the most part you are in the air conditioning and its not incredibly mentally or physically taxing.

I can't wait to get my nasm cert, i'm so physically exhausted by the weekend b/c of these two jobs + hitting the gym 4 to 5 days a week it sucks.

[DaveChesser]

I see a lot of complaining that the joke makers who aren't giving hard workouts are making more money. Just my opinion but I think that's because those trainers are actually likable and making a connection with the client on a human level. Would it really kill folks to be nice?

People aren't usually just looking to be put into the ground in their workout. The trainers that "give REAL workouts" are sometimes real jerks that no one wants to be around. They grind people down in a workout because that's what they think it's all about.

I try my best (don't always succeed) to push the client but be supportive about it. If you strike that balance, you can make a decent living doing something you love and still be proud of it.

[Al Shades]

Wow, probably one of the best threads on here. Got so much info and value out of this, amazing!

Amazing discoveries await those who use the search function, hombre.

Your welcome.

[Al Shades]

i currently work 2 jobs as a forklift operator and a ups employee.....11:30am to 5:30pm and then 7pm to 11pm ..... and i only make 27k-30k

You must work part-time, since otherwise you'd be making less than min. wage with those hours.

[jando]

what's a decent living?

I live in the Northeast where it's slightly more expensive to live than the midwest.

two years ago I basically trained 6 - 7 sessions per day 6 days per week and made 50k. It was a lot of hours for 50k. I'd say it was good money for being 23 definitely but I knew I wanted to make at least 10k more in the short term and at least 25k more in the long term to be comfortable so I transitioned into managment.

I guess what I'm saying it it's difficult to JUST be a full time corporate gym trainer and make a decent living. A lot of people would say more 50k is more than enough money to live decently.

[Kmullins05]

I think that at the end of the day. Being a P.T. is about ideas and implementation.

First, you have to think to yourself, how can I make money without compromising integrity and training? Because, let's face it. There are clients that are willing to pay you thousands just to have a friend who makes them work out. Yet, there is also a few that will look you in the eye and call your bluff if you are being lazy. So the trick is, how do you manage both of these characters under the same umbrella so that you can, fulfill integrity and training, while also boosting revenue.

This is where we get to implementation. You have to be able to read people, assess their true motivations, personalities, and efficacy. Adjust your personality accordingly. We have to be chameleons. I literally go from being a stand-up comic/bartender with one of my clients, to a balls-to-the-wall cursing maniac within one hour. One client is 68 and loves just being physical and having a young friend, the other is a young, 25 year old guy who wants to become a power-lifter. Adaptation is key.

Really though, because I'm sorta ranting....We have to generate ideas and implement them so that we can keep a steady stream of clients walking through our proverbial door. A core circuit class for wives at 2 PM, Powerlifting training on Saturdays at noon....etc...

I say screw the idea of a "niche"...I believe in become a multi-faceted training mogul capable of adjusting and adapting to each clients, and your pockets needs.

I hope all this made sense. I'm currently buzzing off a redline.

[Kmullins05]

And I beg to differ on that one buddy.... I guess from my experience, being judged attractive was to my disadvantage; In the midwest, I was automatically labled a bitch before I could even open my mouth...then in California, I was assumed to be stupid and was not taken seriously at first.

Of course,it was those with exceptional people and sales skills that did the best. But when I remember the lineup of trainers and who seemed to attract clients "to them" (not in the sales pitch room).... In the midwest, it was the average looking "nice guy" and in Cali it was the smaller bodybuilder men, well accomplished athletes and "baseball coach" looking trainers that got most of the business.

I can't tell you how many times I lost male clients when they introduced me to their wives. Or leads who would ask for a male trainer because they couldn't fathom the idea of a woman knowing anything about working out. Or worse yet, because I am not afraid to strike up a conversation with people, I must be horny or looking for a date.

So one day I went to an image counselor; and she told me to not wear any makeup, wear my glasses, and only wear work clothes that shows off the definition in my legs. And to also not offer advice or attention freely, but let the interested come to me..... It worked

I ask you, as you've obviously traveled. Do you feel location is key to truly becoming successful as a trainer? I'm here in the D.C. area, scraping to get by, but business is a steady growth, and I'm just hoping to build enough testimonials for me to finally branch onto my own. Yet, I often wonder if I should change locations before I commit to my own facility.