How to get started....

[partymonster975]

Hey, idk if u cover fields out side of personal training but lets see. I have another year till I can become a personal trainer which I plan to do but I want to go beyond that. My over all goal is to become a strength an conditioning coach, hopefully for some sort of professional sports team and then along with that, open up a small gym to train high school and other types of athletes. I know these are pretty high goals but then again, what stopped the people that actually got those jobs from trying. My question is what do you recommend I take to achieve this goal. What classes and all.
I know I should have a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology. I also want to take the Poliquin certified classes as well. Basically, what do you guys recommend I do.
Currently I'm an athletic trainer at my school also.

[John Prophet]

not that id PERSONALLY have any clue....but from what I gather its really about who you get to know.

just having this or that cert or class means very little in itself although u will need plenty of that on the pro level. U need to get to know coaches and athletic directors etc. I assume at some point after gaining local experience, that u need to find soem way to become attached to some college sports team as a helper etc and work your way up that way.

In other words I am pretty sure its not like u r going to really 'apply' for a job...its more like u get to know people who r involved and then your name gets known some etc.

of course, then when the coach gets fired, u get fired and both of u r looking for work, lol. But if ur name and reputation are known then u probably can get another job no problem


i would go ask this over on elitefts website as they have much contact with pro coaches etc

[partymonster975]

not that id PERSONALLY have any clue....but from what I gather its really about who you get to know.

just having this or that cert or class means very little in itself although u will need plenty of that on the pro level. U need to get to know coaches and athletic directors etc. I assume at some point after gaining local experience, that u need to find soem way to become attached to some college sports team as a helper etc and work your way up that way.

In other words I am pretty sure its not like u r going to really 'apply' for a job...its more like u get to know people who r involved and then your name gets known some etc.

of course, then when the coach gets fired, u get fired and both of u r looking for work, lol. But if ur name and reputation are known then u probably can get another job no problem


i would go ask this over on elitefts website as they have much contact with pro coaches etc

Thanks for the advice. The place I use to olympic lift at had a coach who pretty much had this job. He worked for the Bulls and had his own business. I think I'm gonna bring this up to him and see if he has any advice. Whats better then asking someone actually doing it.

[kserajuddin]

My over all goal is to become a strength an conditioning coach, hopefully for some sort of professional sports team and then along with that, open up a small gym to train high school and other types of athletes. I know these are pretty high goals but then again, what stopped the people that actually got those jobs from trying.

I talked to a few guys with exactly the credentials you're talking about on my blog - they had some great input:

Mike Boyle -
http://super-trainer.com/mike-boyle-on-running-a-training-business/

The late Jason Hadeed -
http://super-trainer.com/jason-hadeed-rest-in-peace/

Brian Schiff -
http://super-trainer.com/the-importance-of-specializing-in-personal-training-talking-to-brian-schiff/

And I recently talked to Eric Cressey - he gave me a lot of info on starting up which will be really relevant to your situation - I'll post on this thread once I've got that up -

Yeah if you're passionate about it, this goal that you've got won't be hard at all and you'll enjoy every part of the process -

I personally don't like training athletes -
I prefer the general population -
I have an intense, targeted training style that I use to get young fit people achieve their best possible look and fitness level - I've always found this the most rewarding, because you're helping real people get more out of life - they're happier, enjoy life more, everything -

But I feel you if you've got a different passion than me - run with it!

[partymonster975]

Any one know what kind of income this would bring, working for a pro athlete team as well as training other athletes?

anyone else? I'm gonna try to email some other coaches and seek advice as well.

[ajjf]

I used to know a guy who is an in-home personal trainer in Lake Forest and he charged 125 an hour to come to someone's home and work with them. His overhead was next to nothing so he made a good buck or two doing it. He works with some pro-athletes off season but mostly he caters to trophy-wives of people who really work for a living up there on the north-shore. Not quite glory work but a good living. He said the same thing as many guys here have, it's not as much what you know, as who you know.

I know the bears train really close to you, have you tried to approach one of them to talk to?

[partymonster975]

I used to know a guy who is an in-home personal trainer in Lake Forest and he charged 125 an hour to come to someone's home and work with them. His overhead was next to nothing so he made a good buck or two doing it. He works with some pro-athletes off season but mostly he caters to trophy-wives of people who really work for a living up there on the north-shore. Not quite glory work but a good living. He said the same thing as many guys here have, it's not as much what you know, as who you know.

I know the bears train really close to you, have you tried to approach one of them to talk to?

any ideas how I could do that? I ran into Brian urlacher once but that was like last winter. I think it would be cool if I could email there strength and conditioning coach. I just hope if I do, they wont be like. wtf is this kid thinking, but its worth a shot.

[DaJager_Meister]

yeah man its all about who you know. go to some local uni's or even high schools and volunteer your time, or just see if they'll let you job shadow for a couple weeks. put it on your resume, ask the people you worked with if you can use them as a reference on your resume. any little thing helps, and someday you'll have a nice job offer in front of you and your future boss will say "oh you worked with Mr. So and So, I know him from such and such conference, he really knows his stuff!". all the little **** like that helps, so get your name out there and get in good with whoever you can, it'll get you way ahead of the game.

[Sikk]

you dont need a master's to work at the pro level

a CSCS and some hustling on your part can do the trick

Charles Pol's program is VERY VERY intense, something I'd recommend starting when you have some Exercise Science classes under your belt.

[DaJager_Meister]

you dont need a master's to work at the pro level

a CSCS and some hustling on your part can do the trick

Charles Pol's program is VERY VERY intense, something I'd recommend starting when you have some Exercise Science classes under your belt.

you sure?

I know that a masters is almost a must if you wanted to get a head job at a college, any level of college really. Most people start out as graduat assistants and get their masters, which gets their foot in the door toward getting a head coaching job. Makes sense that you would need at least a masters for a pro job as well.

[kserajuddin]

Good Point -
Of the guys I listed there, all had higher degrees like a Masters or other degree (Brian Schiff is a physical therapist) -

True, you can hustle and be an excellent trainer, but in an institutional setting, like with a college or sports team, it looks you've still got to have the documentation to justify the position you're looking for - you've got to play that game -

If you don't want to play that game, be a general population trainer - the top example of this would be Jackie Warner on Bravo - that's looking good and hustling at work -

[DaJager_Meister]

Good Point -
Of the guys I listed there, all had higher degrees like a Masters or other degree (Brian Schiff is a physical therapist) -

True, you can hustle and be an excellent trainer, but in an institutional setting, like with a college or sports team, it looks you've still got to have the documentation to justify the position you're looking for - you've got to play that game -

If you don't want to play that game, be a general population trainer - the top example of this would be Jackie Warner on Bravo - that's looking good and hustling at work -

good post


strong left pec

[ajjf]

any ideas how I could do that? I ran into Brian urlacher once but that was like last winter. I think it would be cool if I could email there strength and conditioning coach. I just hope if I do, they wont be like. wtf is this kid thinking, but its worth a shot.


My best advice if I were in your shoes would be to simply ask. Look around and find out who to talk to then start asking questions.

A lot of these guys mentioned upper level degrees too and that's a must, but do your upper level degree work in a D-1 school like Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa, or heck, even the University of Northern Iowa has a great Master's program for sports science. The reason I suggest schools like these for your upper level degree work is because a Grad-student has a LOT more exposure/access to faculty, coaches, etc... Ask to be a student team-manager or to help the team workout or something. That way you start your networking in school and if you make a good impression on a coach or even an asst. coach, that's a good thing, because they all talk to each other.

It's just another way to get a foot in the door.

[Sikk]

you sure?

I know that a masters is almost a must if you wanted to get a head job at a college, any level of college really. Most people start out as graduat assistants and get their masters, which gets their foot in the door toward getting a head coaching job. Makes sense that you would need at least a masters for a pro job as well.

No a masters is not a "must"

Yes a lot of ppl get them while working, some get them before working. But at my college none of the str/conditioning guys working here have a masters, except the instructors for the masters program obviously. Most have thier 4 year and CSCS, some are interning while working their undergrad and some are interning while working on their masters.

Masters in no way shape or form is required to work at the college or pro level. My uncle worked in the pro ranks with just his CSCS.

would it make it easier for you to get a job? Possibly. But I'm a firm believer that your skill as a trainer is more important than the pieces of paper hanging on your wall.

[DaJager_Meister]

No a masters is not a "must"

Yes a lot of ppl get them while working, some get them before working. But at my college none of the str/conditioning guys working here have a masters, except the instructors for the masters program obviously. Most have thier 4 year and CSCS, some are interning while working their undergrad and some are interning while working on their masters.

Masters in no way shape or form is required to work at the college or pro level. My uncle worked in the pro ranks with just his CSCS.

would it make it easier for you to get a job? Possibly. But I'm a firm believer that your skill as a trainer is more important than the pieces of paper hanging on your wall.

notice how it says "ALMOST a must"




read a little closer next time smartass, I worded it like that for a reason.

[Sikk]

notice how it says "ALMOST a must"




read a little closer next time smartass, I worded it like that for a reason.

You worded it like that so you could say having a masters is "almost a must" if you were wrong and that you could be right if in fact you DID need a masters. Easy way to get out of any situation really.

Negging someone for giving someone else right advice is pretty ridiculous. This is a personal trainer forum, so unless you are a personal trainer, a CSCS or involved in the industry in which the topic of the thread is on, get out and let those of us who are answer the questions.

and a side note:

A huge chunk of instructors for kinesiology in colleges only have thier 4 year degree. It isn't a degree program where many people find it necessary to get a masters or even a PhD. In fact for *MOST* state level and above schools, the requirements to apply for a teaching position in the Kines department is just a 4 year degree. Verses other departments a masters is the bare minimum.

[DaJager_Meister]

You worded it like that so you could say having a masters is "almost a must" if you were wrong and that you could be right if in fact you DID need a masters. Easy way to get out of any situation really.

Negging someone for giving someone else right advice is pretty ridiculous. This is a personal trainer forum, so unless you are a personal trainer, a CSCS or involved in the industry in which the topic of the thread is on, get out and let those of us who are answer the questions.

and a side note:

A huge chunk of instructors for kinesiology in colleges only have thier 4 year degree. It isn't a degree program where many people find it necessary to get a masters or even a PhD. In fact for *MOST* state level and above schools, the requirements to apply for a teaching position in the Kines department is just a 4 year degree. Verses other departments a masters is the bare minimum.


Is my NSCA-CPT good enough?

ok you win, I'm done with this childish fight lol

and I'm sorry for negging you

[partymonster975]

Just to put this out there, idk if it was understood from the last part. I want to take this pretty far. I want this as my job. not something I do on the side along with something else.