A trainers blog:The start of a training career to the present day

[soccerpro6]

The purpose of this post is to give an insight into what it?s like to become and to be a personal trainer. I plan on using this as somewhat of a blog, and after each day of training, plan on updating what the day was like. I see many people coming onto the forum, asking what it is like to be a trainer, how you do it, ect, and I think this can be a valuable tool for them to use, especially because I am JUST starting. I can tell the story start to finish (well, not finish!) and people can follow along, relate their own training stories, and have a good laugh at my mess ups! This is basically intended to be a story of my training career, in real time, as it happens.

I?ve been a member of bb.com for around a year or so. I joined originally as a weight lifting enthusiast, looking to learn more about a wide variety of topics (supplements, exercises, technique, ect) and found much more than that. At the time I joined bb.com, I was an international business major, not enjoying my schooling at all. I was what I considered ?lost? and could not bear to think of spending the rest of my life sitting in an office, but I really could not find another calling. That?s when I discovered the Personal Trainers forum.
For the years I had been lifting/working out, I had always made it a point to encourage my friends and family to join me. After a while I would get the offhand comments of ?you should be a personal trainer man? or ?this is my trainer Kyle, haha?. I always laughed it off and continued on, but the more I thought about it, the more it hit me, why NOT a career in fitness? It?s what I love above all else, and is something I felt I would be extremely good at! This idea was reinforced after spending hours looking through the personal training forum on bb.com and seeing what other trainers had accomplished. After weeks and months of research, I decided to embark on a career/education change. I changed my major to exercise science, and began my ISSA certification program.
I started my ISSA certification program in January, while on Christmas break. I was SO excited the day I got my text books and study materials, I could not wait to start! I dedicated several hours each day to my studies, and worked my way through the text book, taking notes on each chapter. I knew the notes may be unnecessary for the final exam, but I wanted to have the knowledge for further down the line. I went through the work book and passed my chapter tests one by one. In addition to this, I started independently reading fitness related books, magazines, articles, anything! I bought an anatomy and physiology text book from a local store, and started reading anything I could in my free time. As school kicked into gear, I slowed down slightly on my ISSA study time, but still managed at least an hour a night.
Finally after studying and working, I got to my final exam. It consisted of multiple choice, true false, short answer, 6 case studies and two 12 week program designs. I worked diligently through the final, taking several weeks to check and double check. I was confident after a few days I had a high enough score to pass, but I wanted to make sure it was as good as I could make it. Finally, with many nerves, I submitted my final. Later that evening, I received an email with the words, in all caps ?CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 94% PASSING GRADE?. I was SO relieved and excited!! I ran around my room like a little kid, calling my friends and yelling into the phone that I was now a certified personal trainer. Little did I realize this was just the beginning.
After school ended, I came back to my home in Ohio (I go to school on the East coast). I stayed at home for just a few days, before moving to Cincinnati, into a room I rented for the summer. I play on a semi-professional soccer team and driving 2 hours one way to practice was not very efficient. My goal for the summer, aside from progressing in soccer, was to get some experience training. I had worked with my peers at school, training a few of my friends, but I wanted real life experience. I was not too concerned about the money, more the experience.
I started off searching the web for jobs. I found a lot of postings on www.craigslist.com under the fitness/spa category, and also found which gyms were hiring by looking at their websites. I first sent out a batch of roughly 25 emails to surrounding gyms, which included a 2 paragraph letter about myself and my intentions, and a copy of my resume. I got a few emails back but nothing major, and decided I needed to man up and start making phone calls. I sat down one afternoon, resume in hand, and started calling gyms. The first gym I called took my information, and I was very excited! The head trainer was supposed to call me that night, never did. Waited all next day, still no call. I realized I could not put all my eggs in one basket, and made more calls the next day. I set up my first interview at an Urban Active, man was I nervous! I practiced all day before, going over what I would say, how I would make myself appear suited for the job. I even went out and bought cloths just for the interview, khaki pants and a black, dry fit, Nike golf polo shirt (I looked sharp in my opinion!). I went to the interview with a small list of questions and two copies of my resume. I spoke with the head trainer for roughly 30-45 minutes, talking about my background, who I was, my training style, what I believed were effective training techniques, the gyms history and it?s background, and a few other topics. I felt it went very well for a first interview and was extremely optimistic! Unfortunately, I did not get a call back from them the next week.
As disappointed as I was, I felt SO SO relieved to have the first interview over with! I now felt comfortable in my abilities to speak with a head trainer and no longer felt the need to hold back. I started making more calls, and soon had an interview at a different Urban Active. I came to this interview with the same approach as I did before, and had a fantastic interview. They invited me back for a second interview the following day, in which I was to put the training director through a half hour, full body workout. Talk about nervous! I worked from the minute I got home, until the minute I left the next day, making sure it was perfect! The next day, I went to the gym in my most ?trainer-ish? attire, black shorts, running shoes and a white dry fit Adidas shirt. I met with the head trainer and she informed me that a high school age girl that was shadowing me would also be going through the circuit! This threw me for a little loop but I was ready for a change of plans and had no problem incorporating her into the workout! Below is the workout that I put them through! ( we repeated each circuit twice)
Circuit 1
1a) Squats (while holding dumbbells at shoulder height) alternating with shoulder press, and back down. 12-10 reps.
1b) Australian pull ups (wide pronated grip) 12-10
1d) Back extensions on a stability ball 12-10 reps
1e) Burpees(minus the push ups) 12-10 reps
Curcuit 2
2a) Dumbbell deadlifts alternating with calf raises 12-10 reps
2b) Bicep curl on a stability ball to Arnold press 12-10
2c) Resistance skull crushers (standing)12-10 reps
2d) Box jumps 12-10
Circuit 3
3a) Bench dips 12-10 reps
3b)Australian pull ups (closer supinated grip) 12-10
3c) Alternating single arm chest press 10 reps
3d) Walking lunges- 12 steps each leg
As soon as we started, I felt at home and knew that this was the career I wanted to be involved in. It didn?t faze me one bit that two of the other high ranking trainers were watching the workout, I was in the zone and in my own world. I ran them through the workout and was happy to see that after only half an hour, they had both broken a good sweat. The trainer told me that I had done much better then she had anticipated and that for a first time trainer, I did very very well. I was so happy! I practically ran out of the gym!
I heard back from them the next day, and they invited me on to the team! Because I am only in Cincinnati for the summer, I will be working with college students who are home for the summer, as well as people who purchase shorter packages, not the 6-12 month training programs. I will also be running a weekly bootcamp which I am very excited about!
So that is how I have gotten to this point. I am going in tomorrow to fill out paper work, and am supposed to start working next week! I can?t wait!!!!!

[=D]

Subbed. Gl man

[soccerpro6]

Have my first real day at work today! I'm going in 3-8. I'm not working with clients today, just getting to know my way around the gym, shadow a trainer a little, learn the ins and outs of the gym, and start working on setting a schedule for the next few weeks.

I'll update afterwards, later this evening!

Kyle

[Drogan]

cheers man, am excited to read this. I am working on my ISSA cert right now so your a few months ahead of me :)

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys, had my first day at work today!!

I went in thinking today was mostly orientation, but found out I would have 3 clients! The first was a 20 year old male who was in pretty good shape. He was a college student who had stopped playing soccer after high school and wanted to get back into game shape. I put him through a lower body circuit (he had done upper the day before) and also a core circuit, he worked hard and enjoyed the workout! He is coming back in Thursday to train with me. The second two clients were female. One was middle aged and the other was 22. The first woman I put through a mostly bodyweight routine because she was fairly new and it was kind of on short notice, so I improvised. She had a great workout and is coming back thursday as well. The third female I worked with did a progression circuit. Starting with 2 exercises, and adding 1 each time through for about 5 progressions, then a core circuit at the end!

Tomorrow I have 6 clients! I can't wait! I have a female at 4, then clients from 6-8:30! I am working on their workouts right now, so I will update tomorrow how it goes!


Kyle

[2020Wellness]

One question for you. Are you signing these people up for agreements or are they just random people who want workouts that day? Also, if you're not signing up for agreements, how much of a percentage are you taking home of their cost? Just trying to make sure you aren't getting ripped off. It seems a little odd that they are just throwing clients at you to be honest. But, since they are:

The biggest thing you can do is to sign people up for packages. You don't wanna be training one person one day and then another person the next without any commitment from them.

[soccerpro6]

One question for you. Are you signing these people up for agreements or are they just random people who want workouts that day? Also, if you're not signing up for agreements, how much of a percentage are you taking home of their cost? Just trying to make sure you aren't getting ripped off. It seems a little odd that they are just throwing clients at you to be honest. But, since they are:

The biggest thing you can do is to sign people up for packages. You don't wanna be training one person one day and then another person the next without any commitment from them.

Thanks for the post! Basically the gym I work out offers mostly longer training packages (4-12 months). I am only going to be in town for the summer, so I am training the clients who are back home from school/shorter term (month or two). The trainees I have right now have purchased packages from the gym, and I will be training them throughout the entire summer. Most of them are commited to atleast twice a week and I will be getting into a more set schedule with them in the next week as I work with them more! I am getting 7$ for each half hour session I do, and can make my own schedule, so when i schedule them back to back, it's 14 an hour. There is a little down time, but I really don't have any obligations at the gym, other than training and seeing if I can sell packages (which I get 5% of any sales I make). I know it's not great pay, but like I said below, it's just a summer job and is more for experience than anything.

Today I have 6 clients, one session is two middle age women, and the others are spread out in terms of age/ability.

I'm really happy to have the first few sessions under my belt. This summer for me is more about experience than it is about money. Obviously making a good amount is always nice, but since this is a summer job and is my first training position, I think the experience is the most important part for me!

My workouts today for my clients are pretty varied. The two middle aged women are complete beginners, so i am going to make sure it is fun and they can interact a lot during the workouts, the other clients will get a mix of aerobic excercises (burpee's, ect) and resistance training, depending on their goals.

So far so good!!!!

[Diamhea]

Hey man that is an awesome story. I am basically where you are before you began to officially study for the certification, been browsing the sites for over a year. Is this the certification you recommend?

[soccerpro6]

Hey man that is an awesome story. I am basically where you are before you began to officially study for the certification, been browsing the sites for over a year. Is this the certification you recommend?

Hey!

Thanks for reading! As far as what certification you get, it really depends on how you learn and where you want to work. ISSA worked best for me because it allowed me to study at my own pace. I did not much background in exercise science, but ISSA taught me a great deal and I feel VERY comfortable as a trainer. That being said, ACE, NASM and ACSM are all great programs too, and tend to be accepted at a few more gyms. The most important thing a certification does for you (IMO) is it gets you the interview. After that, its up to your knowledge, people skills and how you present yourself. PM me for any info you would like on ISSA! I can give you more details on what its like if you want.



As an update to my thread, I had a good second day of training today! I did have my first training frustration!

The way my gym works, I schedule my own clients, and am only responsible for training, nothing else. That being said, I only get paid when I train! Today I had 7 clients scheduled, all back to back to back. So I got to the gym at 4, my first client did not come due to being sick, calling last minute. I then trained my next two clients, but then the next two both called and were in traffic and would be over 30 minutes late, so we rescheduled. After that I trained one client, and then waited 30 mins for the start of my last session, and as it was supposed to start, he called in with a family emergency!

so basically it was a boring day of sitting around in the gym! Haha but I still had a great 3 training sessions and got some great advice from fellow trainers! I learned how to take body measurements and how to properly conduct an initial assesment today as well!


Overall, fantastic start! I have around 5 clients tomorrow afternoon, and will update!

[sdub89]

Subbed, this is an awesome thread, I hope you keep this going the whole summer!

[soccerpro6]

Subbed, this is an awesome thread, I hope you keep this going the whole summer!

I plan on it! I figure it's a good insight into being a trainer, since I am very new and still learning!

I have 5 clients scheduled tonight, 2 of them being a couple that will be working out together, and the other 3 are one-on-ones. Two of the clients tonight are returning for their second workout with me, so I can really start getting to work and pushing them toward their goals!

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to update my day!

I had 6 clients today, had an extra one I brought on in the middle of the afternoon! Worked with people ranging from 20 to about 50. Did several variations of different circuits, and put a couple through a introductory type full body circuit to get a feel for what they enjoy doing, what they are capable of doing, ect, and set up a game plan for them to help them lose the extra weight they desire!

So far so good! I'm starting to build a decent client base, starting to understand everything better and I am learning a lot! Tomorrow I give my first client evaluation, basically an hour 1 on 1 with the person, discussing goals, taking measurements, ect, so that should be fun!

Loving every minute so far! Learning a lot and taking notes of anything I see going on! I always write down exercises I see others/other trainers doing to supplement my own workouts for my clients!


Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys, Just the daily update.

I am headin in to the gym 3-7 today. From 3-4, I am going to have a fellow trainer walk me through a client evaluation, showing me the ins and outs of taking measurements, and basically how to conduct the interview.

After that, I have a client at 4, and then my first client evaluation at 6! Looking forward to it. I'll let everyone know how it goes!


Kyle

[gqgiant]

right on man! glad you're having fun with it. keep it coming

[soccerpro6]

Nightly update!


Had another great day! A little more stress now that I am getting into the thick of things, but still not bad!

So far, my biggest frustration has been clients calling and either cancelling for the day or trying to reschedule later that day. Obviously i know things come up in peoples lives that are going to force them to alter plans, but it seems like it has happend alot! They always reschedule and come in later, its just annoying because I pretty much sit on my butt when I'm not training! So I try to always be training! I've been shadowing trainers in my free time to get more tips and experience, and also basically sit at a desk and watch trainers put people through workouts, and take notes on what they do.

I had my first client evaluation today. It went really good, I still have questions I have to ask a more experienced trainer on staff to make sure I did it properly. It was basically going over nutrition, calculating body fat, doing measurements, ect, so I just have to check to make sure I did everything right!

I've also been doing a lot of work outside the gym. Part of my duty to my clients is to provide them with workouts they can do on their own when they are not training with me, in order to help them with their progress. It adds up, having 12-15 clients after only 4 days, and having to create workouts for them in and out of the gym! But I love it! It's time consuming and can be annoying, but its SUCH a great experience, I'll learn a ton this summer!

Funny story of the day!
Had a client asking me some questions about nutrition. I asked what his diet was like, and first, asked how many times he eats a day...his response "Once, at work I have a candy bar, maybe some chips and a sandwhich"....the client is 280lbs. I asked again "Well do you snack? Or tend to eat anything else during the day? By the end of the convo, it was up to "well I eat a couple peices of pizza, some ice cream every night, usually steak at some point, a burger for lunch, I like a big omlette for breakfast...." and on and on! It's shocking to me some peoples views on proper nutrition. I was asked today if eating fast food ONLY twice a day was ok and if drinking 4-5 20liter bottles of pop was ok a day. Priceless!

But thats why I am in the business! To help improve peoples lives through health:D

Only one client tomorrow, just a quick session and I'm done for the weekend!!!!

Kyle

[sdub89]

Isnt it illegal to discuss nutrition with clients unless your specifically certified in nutrition? Im not a PT but I thought I read that on here.

[Tank1985]

Isnt it illegal to discuss nutrition with clients unless your specifically certified in nutrition? Im not a PT but I thought I read that on here.

No I don't believe it is as long as the person is an "Apparently Healthy" individual and as long as your not telling them what they must eat...it's more or less your suggesting to them what their diet should consist of.....not entirely sure if I'm correct on that. Part of being a PT is educating a client on proper nutrition.

[soccerpro6]

On the nutrition note,

We don't give specific nutritional information, more general suggestions in terms of what is healthy in terms of carbohydrate, fat and protein intake for an individual. As previously posted, we don't create any type of diet, eating restrictions or anything of that matter due to the fact that I as a trainer do not have the qualifications.

Only one client today, then two days off!


Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys! Here is today's update.

Went into work today, only had one client this morining. After that, I shadowed an AMAZING trainer at the gym for a few hours, watching his sessions and talking with him a lot. He has already taught me so much! Some interesting things I learned today from him:

1) The reason you don't want to eat 2 hrs (ish) before you engage in resistance training, is because your digestive system will collect large amounts of blood from the body, in order to digest food. This prevents a large quantity of blood from being spread through the body while you are lifting, thus resulting in lower oxygen levels being in the muscle.

2) I learned a good amount of exercises for people with lower back and knee problems.

Just two interesting points!


Super busy week next week! I have scheduled 4 client evaluations so far, and possibly will have 2 or 3 more! Then a large number of training sessions! Should be another great week! i'm learning a ton and having a great time!

Kyle

[sdub89]

1) The reason you don't want to eat 2 hrs (ish) before you engage in resistance training, is because your digestive system will collect large amounts of blood from the body, in order to digest food. This prevents a large quantity of blood from being spread through the body while you are lifting, thus resulting in lower oxygen levels being in the muscle.

Ive never actually been given a reason not to eat before a workout, other than puking it up. Learn something new everyday.

As far as the nutrition goes, you can give advice, but you CANNOT make them a complete diet, that's what im getting from that?

[soccerpro6]

Ive never actually been given a reason not to eat before a workout, other than puking it up. Learn something new everyday.

As far as the nutrition goes, you can give advice, but you CANNOT make them a complete diet, that's what im getting from that?


Yeah, I had never been given a reason until I heard this, but it made sense! And I agree with the nutrition point, you just cannot create an entire diet!

[soccerpro6]

Morining update!

Heading into work at 5 this evening, I have a busy week!

Today I have a client evaluation from 5-6. I'm going in a little early because I still have some questions about the paper work I have to do for that. I wasn't really given much of an explanation on how to do any paper work so I have to ask another trainer a few things about it.

After that, I have my first bootcamp!! It's just a half hour class, and I am kind of planning to do the following:

Warm up:
25 second jumping jacks
6 bodyweight squats
15 second mountain climbers
Rest thirty seconds, then repeat one more time.

15 bodyweight squats
8 burpees
sprint up the stairs at our gym (3 small flights) and back down
8 regular lunges
10 push ups
6 start jumps
sprint up stairs and back down
Rest 60 seconds

(we have an indoor track, 11 laps = 1 mile)

Line up on track (military style....bootcamp....)
high knees for 1/4th the track
butt kicks for 1/4th the track
side shuffle 1/4th the track
side shuffel other direction 1/4th the track
6 Austraillian pull ups
8 burpees
Rest 90 seconds

20 second air bike
20 second flutter kicks
20 second russian twists
body bridge 20 seconds
rest 30 seconds
Side of the foot touches 30 seconds
hand slides (sit up position, hands on thighs, slide hands over knee caps) 20 25 seconds
leg lifts 25 seconds.

Look ok? I'll add in more rest when needed, judging on how people look, but it's only half an hour so I really wanna kick their butts!

Also, if I finish and still have time left (which i doubt) i will repeat a little of each previous circuit, just bits and peices, to finish it off)


Kyle

[ConLaV]

Great enthusiasm in here, it sounds like you're really enjoying your work... that's what it's all about.

[soccerpro6]

For sure! It's a learning experience and it's already taught me alot. The biggest thing I have learned so far about being a new trainer is, if you don't know something, ASK! A lot of experienced trainers are very willing to help, whether it be with exercises, paper work, whatever it may be. New jobs are always kind of hard and awkward to start at, and it's a fast learning curve, but I'm figuring everything out!

[soccerpro6]

Time for the evening update!

Had a fantastic day at work today! I really feel comfortable now and feel like I belong!

I had a client evaluation, and took my first ever body measurments, bf %, ect, it went great! After that, I put the client through a tough workout.

Right after that, I had another client I ran through a workout, and then went straight into running my bootcamp! It was only 6 women tonight, but more have already signed up for next weeks. I did a brief warm up, then did the following:

15 body weight squats
10 burpees
30 second mountain climbers
sprint up the stairs and back down
8 lunges each leg
20 second star jumps
30 second body bridge
sprint back up stairs
lap around the indoor track (1/4th was high knees, butt kickers, side shuffle, run backwards)

Then I did a few mini upper body circuits that were fun for everyone, and ended with a core circuit!

Did a few more 1 on 1 sessions afterwards, and just got home! Busy day tomorrow, lots of client evaluations and lots of workouts!


Kyle

[dshinton]

As far as the nutrition goes, you can give advice, but you CANNOT make them a complete diet, that's what im getting from that?

Check out this (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=231419071&postcount=7) post.

[soccerpro6]

Check out this (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=231419071&postcount=7) post.


There's the answer! Thanks Dshinton!

[ConLaV]

Asking the right questions makes a huge difference in life, and the way you'll experience it. As in ANY new situation, I bet you've found it's just about being respectful and aware of the multitude of resources that are always available.

[soccerpro6]

Asking the right questions makes a huge difference in life, and the way you'll experience it. As in ANY new situation, I bet you've found it's just about being respectful and aware of the multitude of resources that are always available.

For sure! I think a lot of times, people are too hesitant to ask questions in life, regardless of what it's about!

Busy day today at the gym! A couple client evaluations, and a good number of sessions! Will report back later!

Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys! Update from last night!

Had a great night (other than getting my phone stolen off the track haha)

I had a busy day, about 7 clients! I had one that used to play soccer and was trying to get back into shape, so it was right down my alley! We did a workout on the track, consisting of a lot of lateral, front to back and quick movements, along with some explosiveness work, and some power movements. It was pretty brutal and he loved it!

Tonight I'm really busy! Clients from 5-9 straight so I am pretty excited! (only being half hour sessions, that means 8 clients in a row!)


Update you guys tonight!
Kyle

P.S The head trainer told me yesterday for a first time trainer I am doing a really good job! Big time confidence boost!

[ConLaV]

Sounds like a positive environment, man. If you have all the people willing to help out and give their praise I'd say there's no stopping the progression that's possible. Keep working hard

[soccerpro6]

Thanks all for the kind words!

Update time!

Ran my second boot camp the other day! It was a lot of fun! Went from 6 people the first time to 14 the second time! Did a lot of stuff involving the stairs, burpees and burpee variations, body weight lunges/squats, wall sits while passing medicine balls down the line of people ect... Everyone had a lot of fun and hopefully I will have another big group next time!

I'm filling up my sechedule in terms of clients! I usually am working from 4-9 or 9:30 with clients pretty much non stop.

I've found on difficult thing to be difficult. I have 2 sets of clients, husband and wife. In both cases, the husband is fairly average in terms of fitness. Slightly overweight, but a hard worker and someone who will see results. The wife in both cases is very overweight, and has a difficult time doing the same exercises as the husband. In both cases, it is difficult to design a workout that will challenge the male, while still be being do-able for the wife! (both clients want to do the same workout as the other BTW). I have started increasing reps and weights for the male, and am still working out ways to make it harder for him.

Busy week coming up! Lots of clients, 2 bootcamps, and continuing my learning processs!


Kyle

[ninjinja]

Hey man great journal I will be checking in again from time to time, its a good read

[l337g0g0]

Good stuff.

Im checking this ouyt for pointers, i will be starting soon and this info is usefull.

Thanks partner, good job keep it up.

[AscendedRicho]

Good luck with it man :)

[Mr.ILL]

Gj man you're doing a lot for just starting out. Running those bootcamp classes are a lot of fun arent they? I ran my firt 40 min abs class. They all loved it and I plan on doing it again.

[soccerpro6]

Gj man you're doing a lot for just starting out. Running those bootcamp classes are a lot of fun arent they? I ran my firt 40 min abs class. They all loved it and I plan on doing it again.

They are! I was a little nervous at first because I wanted to make sure it was challenging enough for the fitter people in the group, but still something that the more out of shape clients could get through and enjoy!

After I did the first one, I realized it works out pretty well because people can push themselves as hard as they want.

Another kind of cool meathod I learned from a fellow trainer:

Instead of doing an exercise for reps, he does them almost ALL for time. He will time the first rep someone does, and will multiply that amount of time by say 30 (if it takes 2 seconds to do) or whatever number he feels is right. I have found that clients work harder when working toward a time related end, more so than a rep range related end. Just an experience I've had with the 15 or so clients I've worked with, and I like to impliment the meathod in with the traditional rep schemes.

Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Thought I would update since I have not in a few days!

Works been going fantastic! I'm getting very busy and it's a great feeling to see my schedule fill up! I basically have a few distinct groups of clients:

Young, fairly fit, home for the summer from college
Older, 20-40lbs overweight, want to get back into shape for health/asthetic purposes
Middle age, very obese, need to make a lifestyle change.

I like the variety! It's nothing to extreme, but atleast there are a few changes! One of my more overweight clients has already lost 11 lbs, and is so enthused and excited when we workout, I love it! It's amazing to actually see the scale when he gets on and see what he has done already, and to think about what he'll do in the near future!

I'm learning a lot of good variations as well to exercises. Especially the lunge! I've learned a ton of different exercises I like: Lunge with a woodchop with a medicine ball, lunge with a bicep curl, side lunge, ect. All kinds of stuff you can do! I also have started being a big fan of the BOSU ball! Lot's of good core and stability work can be done!

My one wish is that I had more than half an hour with the clients each workout. An hour really would be so much better, but I guess I have to make due with what I am given!

I also have been running bootcamps (did my third one tonight) and I really find them fun! I like it because it tends to be a fitter group overall and I can really do some creative stuff and use the whole gym!

I really love working in the gym so far, but I really now see the allure of working independently! Not just in terms of pay, but freedome in everything else! What I am doing now is perfect for me this summer, I love it, have tons of fun, learn alot, and make some money! But next year, second semester at school and next summer, I am going to hopefully break into the independent realm of work and start doing in-home training, some sort of outdoor boot camps, and/or renting gym space!



Thats it for now!

Kyle

[Mr.ILL]

They are! I was a little nervous at first because I wanted to make sure it was challenging enough for the fitter people in the group, but still something that the more out of shape clients could get through and enjoy!

After I did the first one, I realized it works out pretty well because people can push themselves as hard as they want.

Another kind of cool meathod I learned from a fellow trainer:

Instead of doing an exercise for reps, he does them almost ALL for time. He will time the first rep someone does, and will multiply that amount of time by say 30 (if it takes 2 seconds to do) or whatever number he feels is right. I have found that clients work harder when working toward a time related end, more so than a rep range related end. Just an experience I've had with the 15 or so clients I've worked with, and I like to impliment the meathod in with the traditional rep schemes.

Kyle

Word, almost all of my class was timed instead of # of reps.

[UFmark]

great thread man....ill be starting up my PT job soon here as well...great info man subbd

[KyleAaron]

I'm thinking of changing into the same career here Down Under, so this is very interesting for me, thanks for starting the thread and continuing it!

One question: what is an "Australian" pull up? 'Cos this Aussie doesn't know. Is that like when the guys have the baby in the front, carrying them like a kangaroo in her pouch? I don't think I can borrow someone's baby for the gym :p

[susanq7]

Hey Kyle,

Your thread is great, your bootcamp sounds like a lot of fun!!
Have a great day

[soccerpro6]

I'm thinking of changing into the same career here Down Under, so this is very interesting for me, thanks for starting the thread and continuing it!

One question: what is an "Australian" pull up? 'Cos this Aussie doesn't know. Is that like when the guys have the baby in the front, carrying them like a kangaroo in her pouch? I don't think I can borrow someone's baby for the gym :p

Haha! I honestly forget where I heard the term Austrailian pull up, but I always liked the name so I stuck with it!

Basically there are two ways to do it, one stresses the upper back, and is similar to seated, high row, and they other stresses the biceps more, and is similar to a pull up.

I usually do this on the smith rack. Place the bar at about 1/4 from the bottom, the person lays underneath it, taking a wide grip on the bar (palms facing away). They walk their feet out and then pull themselves up to the bar, with their feet still on the ground. Lower the body back down until arms are straight, then repeat. The other way to do this, is with a closer grip, with your palms facing torward your body.


Just kind of a fun, easy body weight exercises, that works the upper body pretty hard! All my clients I do it with seem to enjoy it as well.

Nice short day at work today! Only about 6 sessions I think!

Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Oh! Funny story I forgot to post earlier:

So i'm waiting for a client, have about 10 mins before he gets to the gym, and me and our head trainer are watching people go about their workouts. We see an older aged man, maybe late sixties, on the seated chest press. His form is terrible, the seat setting is WAY to low, arches his back every rep, and is pretty much looking like he is trying to commit shoulder suicide with the low seat and added strain on his shoulder.

Now, normally, even as a trainer, I don't like to go up to people at the gym and offer my advice on form/technique. I know people don't like being told they are doing something wrong (although some are very happy to learn!). I had a feeling this man was one of those people who did not want to hear about form from a 20 year old trainer, but my head trainer goes "why don't you go talk to him and show him how to do that the right way". So I walk over.

The man was overweight by, probably 40 pounds, and was resting between another painfull looking set. I came up, introduced myself, asked how his workout was going, and asked if he didn't mind if I gave him a few tips on the chest press. BAD CHOICE! He got this real confused look on his face, and started laughing and shaking his head and says "boy, I have been doing this for 45 years, you think I need, or want advice from you? Besides, I have shoulder problems" and in my mind I was screaminnnnnnnnng "well if you have been doing this for 45 years, you sir have been doing somethin horrrible wrong because you are very overweight AND the reason you HAVE shoulder problems is probably because you have been doing this exercise wrong for 45 years!!!!!!!", but of course I had to response with the "I apologize! I just always look for a chance to offer some tips to people! Have a good rest of your workout!". And walked off to the desk, laughing as I saw all the other trainers laughing pretty hard.

The man then ran upstairs and finished his last 2 sets on the chest press upstairs.

Just thought it was a funny story, people are so set in their ways!

[hithard44]

Really interesting thread mate, keep it up, the thread and the personal training that is lol!

[soccerpro6]

Apologies for the delay! Work/soccer/life has been busy!

Here we go!

I've been very busy at work lately! I have gotten a grove going with my scheduling, so I have pretty much back to back to back sessions all day when I work, with no break in betwee, which I love! It keeps my busy and on my toes!

I have a total of about 20 clients right now. I would have more, but I am basically part time, working around 4-9 every day (30 min sessions), so I can only bring on so many people. The 20 I have are all great clients, each different and each motivated! It's giving me some amazing experience, as well as adding to my resume, and helping me build a base for my future!

Tonight I have one of my busiest nights ever! 5-9:30 straight, non stop sessions, and I am pumped! I have 1 client evaluation with 2 new people, a mother and son, which I am excited about. This will be my first younger client so it should be a good experience!

I went to a lecture my head trainer put on today for me and another new trainer about core strength and stability. It was incredibly interesting! I was a little behind on some of the terminology becaue I am still new to exercise science (starting my first semester of it in the fall) so some of the anatomy I was a little behind on, but overall it was very interesting! It was really in depth (she comes from a medical background) and I learned a lot. I found it interesting that she talked about starting your clients workouts with core work, becuse when you engage your core, the rest of your body engages more soundly because your core acts as a base. Something I am going to keep in mind from now on!

Also learned a lot of new theories and ideas about core training. Next monday she is meeting with me again to talk about some other advanced topics and I am looking forward to it! Bootcamp tomorrow and lots of clients! I like the bootcamp, I have a mini following of about 6-8 people that come to all my camps,plus 3-6 others who pop in when they can!

Kyle

[ninjinja]

hasn't been an update in here forever!

[soccerpro6]

Sooooooo I'm officially back to being a regular on the forum!

I started this thread with the intention of keeping it going for a long time, and I want to pick it back up! I started it as basically a complete noobie to training, and now find myself at a much more experienced level! I think even now, as I basically am a full time trainer/student, it is really important to share experiences and hear about others, so that we can all learn from, and laugh at, the crazy world of fitness:D

The last post I wrote in this thread was almost a year ago, and was when i was still a very "green" trainer working at a large gym (Urban Active) in Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. I was working with 3-6 clients a day, as well as running a small bootcamp several times a week. I really learned a lot during my time training there, and it gave me a great base. I look back on it as the perfect way to start. Experienced trainers always tell new trainers to start at such a gym to build up clients, to get comfortable and to learn the ropes, and I totally agree with this mindset. No matter how much you know the anatomy and biomechanics, there is SO much you cannot learn from a book, and learn by watching other trainers.

So that brings us to what I am doing now!

After I stopped posting this thread last summer, I finished the summer training at Urban Active. In August, I moved out to Dover, Delaware and started my 3rd year of school at Wesley College, majoring in Exercise Science. The Fall semester I played soccer, so focused on that and school. I took several classes for my major (a&p ect) and loved them all! I do a lot of learning outside the classroom and read textbooks/journals non stop. After the first semester ended, I started looking for work since soccer was done. I found on craigslist (of all places!) a small studio in town that was hiring, emailed the owner and set up an interview! Went in, loved the place, and he apparently liked me because he hired me! The studio is small, http://www.firststatehealthandfitness.com/ , but effective for our clients! We focus on weight loss, and do this through private sessions, but a big focus is bootcamps! We run 6-10 bootcamps a week, personally I run 3 a week, and they have been amazing! Our programs run typically 12 weeks, with weigh ins/measurements every 4 weeks. It's been great thus far! I've been there since January working and my bootcamp (8-12 people, some come and go) has lost almost exactly 100lbs as a group! We are currently also training for a 5k race in town as a kind of fun, extra motivation!

So thats wher I am at right now! I've been a little torn lately, because after transfering twice, I've finally found a school I feel comfortable at, but I know I have most likely 2 more years of school left. I'm making a good living right now, and know I could make so much more if I could go full time, and it's always a temptation! I've worked on a business model for a training business based in the Caribbean ( http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=124518481 ) that could also be used somewhere like Fla, and have been very tempted to look into something like this more!

I'm also about to start my next certification (maybe more than 1), most likely ACSM, and then I am thinkng about getting a kettlebell cert, or something a little more "out there" to have and to learn from!

I'll be updating this whenever I have thoughts/experiences! Most likely daily or a few times a week! Any new trainers, or experienced trainers, feel free to put any thoughts, comments or questions in and I'm sure either myself, or another poster can help!


Glad to be back in action
Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys!

Just got done with a few bootcamps this evening. Nothin to crazy going on but had a few new ideas i'm working into my classses!

Before each class, I've been bringing everyone in, kind of taking a knee or in a mini huddle. I have people talk about their goals, remind themselves and everyone else, why they are there, and its really motivated them! They get focused like you would before a sports game!

Second thing thats kinda been cool is we have started putting a dry erase board in our small studio in the area we do bootcamps. We use it to write out the circuits or progressions, so that way people aren't asking "what do we do next" the whole class. Works well and saves some time because they just look at it and go!

Just a few cool ideas!

[soccerpro6]

Had a nice little group session tonight, thought i'd throw out most of the workout if anyone wants a nice work out to use:

2.5 minute warm up jog
60 sec jumping jacks/ 60 sec squat jumps/ 6 sec mountain climbers

2.5 minutes of partner sprints (1 partner sprinted about 25 yards) whil the other partner did burpees
2.5 minutes of partner springs while other parter did jumping jacks

Two station circuit, 2 people at each:
Weighted bench step ups/weighted lunges 2x90 sec each
Kettlebell swing squats/Bosu burpees 2x90

5 minute short partner sprints, partner rests while other sprints 15 yards

5 minutes of core

60 sec wall sit/60s squats/60 sec wall sit/60 sec junges/60 sec wall sit

4 stations, 1 person at each
Bosu burpee, quick step ups, bench jumps (hold onto the edge of the bench, put a heavy ball under the persons legs, jump side to side over the ball), one person sprints. Did each circuit for 2 minutes

Then finished the day with some core stability stuff to let them relax and some flexibliity.

Just thought I'd throw it out there so people could get an idea of a workout:D

Kyle

[Physiologist]

awesome. Do you still do one on one personal training?
Can you go tthrough that routine too?

[soccerpro6]

awesome. Do you still do one on one personal training?
Can you go tthrough that routine too?

I do do private training, usually 10-15 sessions a week. Each individual training session varies greatly depending on which client, what my plan for them is, which mesocycle of training the are in ect.

Had a fun experience this morning! I did my first in-home training session with a client! I have a male client that is having me come to his place several times a week to work with him, and after today he is also going to have me work with his wife! I was a little worried, not that I would not be able to provide a challenging workout, but that he would have trouble pushing himself as hard as he would in a gym, while at home. He surprised me though and worked his butt off! I work with him in an actual gym twice a week, and we focus mostly on aerobic, high intensity circuits there. At his place, he has a small exercise room with a bowflex, some dumbbells ect, and we are focusing more on strength training while at his place.

Worked out great and is something I see you can do with very little equipment if you desing the workout correctly!

Kyle

[baseripper1]

Kyle,

First, let me say that you are an inspiration and a role model to aspiring personal trainers. You did things the hard way, but the right way. (Nothing good is ever easy!)

I am at the exact same point you were a year ago. I was recently certified as an ACSM CPT and am a current Kinesiology senior at a major university. The point I'm at now is the "impress the top dog" day. I'm going in tomorrow to take what he calls the "Practical Examination". The setting is in a private, studio-based personal training LLC that trains clients at their home location, as well as many high-end condominiums. Basically, he has already offered me the position, so long as I pass this test of about "3 case studies". I'm nervous, but after reading your thread/posts on the subject matter I feel much more confident. I don't think he's going to hand me the keys and have me drive Dad's car, per se, but I believe he will evaluate me on more structured set of practical skills and knowledge.

Anyway, great progress, great thread, and great attitude. This thread deserves more praise than it gets! Keep on working hard man, I will be checking for your updates and progress!

[soccerpro6]

Kyle,

First, let me say that you are an inspiration and a role model to aspiring personal trainers. You did things the hard way, but the right way. (Nothing good is ever easy!)

I am at the exact same point you were a year ago. I was recently certified as an ACSM CPT and am a current Kinesiology senior at a major university. The point I'm at now is the "impress the top dog" day. I'm going in tomorrow to take what he calls the "Practical Examination". The setting is in a private, studio-based personal training LLC that trains clients at their home location, as well as many high-end condominiums. Basically, he has already offered me the position, so long as I pass this test of about "3 case studies". I'm nervous, but after reading your thread/posts on the subject matter I feel much more confident. I don't think he's going to hand me the keys and have me drive Dad's car, per se, but I believe he will evaluate me on more structured set of practical skills and knowledge.

Anyway, great progress, great thread, and great attitude. This thread deserves more praise than it gets! Keep on working hard man, I will be checking for your updates and progress!


First off, Thank you for the extremely kind words! It really keeps me going hearing that I can help new trainers/aspiring trainers!

Congratulations on your certification and upcoming interview! As long as you are professional and confident (you know your stuff, so just be relaxed!) you should do excellent!

If you ever have any questions about anything, feel free to shoot me a PM or post a message in this thread for me!


As an update:

Nothing too new going on at the studio the last few days! Bootcamps and private sessions, but nothing that stands out!

Right now I'm working on deciding what I'm going to do in terms of continuing my education. I have 3 semesters of school left before I finish my B.S in Exercise Science, and then I have to decide if I wanted to get my masters (and beyond?). I've found a few PhD programs and have talked to them, where you can go in as a first year masters student, and if you do well, you can enter straight into the PhD program after that. I'm considering this so I could teach in a college setting down the road (a&p, physiology, sports phys ect), and I could also do a lot of research. I think most likely I will see what job opportunities I have after I finish my B.S, and then either focus on working or start my masters!

Hope everyone has a great friday!
Kyle

[baseripper1]

Everything went well... I impressed the Founder/CEO/Head Trainer (all the same person) and was formally offered the position. I start tomorrow at 9 AM!

My "practical examination" consisted of three case studies where I sat in a 1 on 1 consultation with 3 different people (the head trainer did some role playing and acted as the client). One was 32, F, pre-diabetic, 5'4" 230, depressed, and an emotional eater. One was a 46, M, overweight, lower back pain. One was 62, F, osteoporosis, limited ROM/weak joints.

My job was to assess their needs in resistance training, cardio, nutrition, and lifestyle. I even needed to form sort of a accountability deal/support group for the emotional eater!(which I did to an extent)

Then he took me out onto the weight floor and had me coach him on the barbell squat, dumbbell chest press, and lat pulldown. After this, he had pretty much seen enough. Though, he did give me a quick 10 question quiz with simple questions like, "What is the eccentric phase of a squat", "How much stored energy must a person burn to lose 10 lbs of bodyweight", "What would you do if you noticed a person (or knew a person) had an eating disorder"....

Overall, it was a thorough examination, but I blew him away from the start. We ended up chatting for 90 minutes after as I filled out the paperwork, and it looks like he is starting me out with about six clients next week. Tomorrow morning we train, together, a young married couple. I'm going to start a THREAD like you did, not to steal your idea, but I just think it is extremely useful to jot things down and keep notes for other trainers to see.

Anyway, thanks again for this thread!

-Dave-

[soccerpro6]

Everything went well... I impressed the Founder/CEO/Head Trainer (all the same person) and was formally offered the position. I start tomorrow at 9 AM!

My "practical examination" consisted of three case studies where I sat in a 1 on 1 consultation with 3 different people (the head trainer did some role playing and acted as the client). One was 32, F, pre-diabetic, 5'4" 230, depressed, and an emotional eater. One was a 46, M, overweight, lower back pain. One was 62, F, osteoporosis, limited ROM/weak joints.

My job was to assess their needs in resistance training, cardio, nutrition, and lifestyle. I even needed to form sort of a accountability deal/support group for the emotional eater!(which I did to an extent)

Then he took me out onto the weight floor and had me coach him on the barbell squat, dumbbell chest press, and lat pulldown. After this, he had pretty much seen enough. Though, he did give me a quick 10 question quiz with simple questions like, "What is the eccentric phase of a squat", "How much stored energy must a person burn to lose 10 lbs of bodyweight", "What would you do if you noticed a person (or knew a person) had an eating disorder"....

Overall, it was a thorough examination, but I blew him away from the start. We ended up chatting for 90 minutes after as I filled out the paperwork, and it looks like he is starting me out with about six clients next week. Tomorrow morning we train, together, a young married couple. I'm going to start a THREAD like you did, not to steal your idea, but I just think it is extremely useful to jot things down and keep notes for other trainers to see.

Anyway, thanks again for this thread!

-Dave-


Congrats man!

That sounds like a pretty thourough interview, but it shows that the head trainer/owner knows his stuff pretty well! I look forward to hearing how everything goes your first day!

I woudl def say start something like this thread! It's fun down the road to look back at when you started, and you can see what you had on your mind, and what you knew/had questions about back in the day!

Good luck tomorrow with the couple! I'm sure it will go smoothly!

Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys!

Just checkin in and saying hey!

Had an awesome day today! Little background:

A couple months ago, we made it a goal in one of my bootcamp classes (roughly 8-12 peope, three times a week), as well as several other trainers classes, to run a 5k down the road. Some of my clients were already close to being able to do so, others were far from it! We worked on a progression, at the start of each class, we'd go for a run, we started with 8 minutes, then 9, then 11, and so on until we hit a 20 minute mark! We did this in addition to our normal bootcamp workouts, and everyones endurance rose rapidly!

Well this morning we ran a local 5k, and it was a blast! All of our clients finished (I finished 15th out of 350:D ) and all have commited to another one down the road!

For all trainers, look at using 5k's as a chance to be visible! During the race, all our clients wore shirts with our logo, phone number and website on the back. Us trainers wore bright yellow trainer shirts with our logo on the front, and we talked to a lot of people before and after the race who were interested!

An idea we are going to look at doing next time, there was a local racing team (they do triathalons, endurance races ect) had one of those tall thin flags you'll see outside companies advertising things sometime, with their logo and information on it, had a ton of people milling around it! I think setting up a little location with a little banner could really help draw people to you and your training business!


Kyle

[Exdee]

Hey man, just want to say congrats on making it as a trainer and thanks for the highly informative thread, I've read the thread all the way through (over 2 days) and have found it really useful, really gives an insight about what's coming up.

I'm in the UK but I bet it's pretty similar in the way of becoming a PT. I'm currently working in a crappy gym/pool as a 'fitness instructor' whilst I carry on with my studies, studying 6 courses ranging from A+P, to circuit training, core and torso training, gym instructor, a few nutrition courses, weight management, then I will finally go on to studying my Lvl 3 PT. At which point I hope to pass that and get into a mainstream gym where I can start my dream of working as a PT.

So yeah, just wanna say, this thread is old but It's still helping ppl- reps going to you, although I don't think you're too fussed about them :)

[BodyQuest1]

Soccerpro, what are some good exercises for an injured back and knee that you have learned?

[soccerpro6]

Hey man, just want to say congrats on making it as a trainer and thanks for the highly informative thread, I've read the thread all the way through (over 2 days) and have found it really useful, really gives an insight about what's coming up.

I'm in the UK but I bet it's pretty similar in the way of becoming a PT. I'm currently working in a crappy gym/pool as a 'fitness instructor' whilst I carry on with my studies, studying 6 courses ranging from A+P, to circuit training, core and torso training, gym instructor, a few nutrition courses, weight management, then I will finally go on to studying my Lvl 3 PT. At which point I hope to pass that and get into a mainstream gym where I can start my dream of working as a PT.

So yeah, just wanna say, this thread is old but It's still helping ppl- reps going to you, although I don't think you're too fussed about them :)



Thanks for the kind words! It sounds lik your off to a great start as well! Get through the school and the crappy pool/gym and you'll be where you wanna be before too long! Just a progression ya go through! If you have any questions about anything let me know!


Bodyquest, could you be more specific? What kind of knee/back injuries? Lower/upper?

[soccerpro6]

Yo yo yo!

Just an update!

Just ordered my ACSM textbooks, gonna read em over, then sign up for my test! Once I finish my degree in Exercise Science in a year, I'll get their CSCC as well.

I've been reading Marty Gallagher's "The Purposeful Primitive" and its totally changed the way I look at training and my future. I found myself guilty of over complicating a lot of stuff, and am going to try a basic, or "primitive" approach to training. I'm going to work in deadlift/bench/squat in different forms to all of my clients and create workouts designed around improving these three lifts. ALong with the cardio I prescribe and nutritional guidelines I offer, I'd like to see my clients get physcially stronger, while also hitting their goals of gaining/losing weight!

Kyle

[soccerpro6]

Hey guys!

Throwing up an update, I know some people have used some of the info from the start of this thread to help with interviews and I'm glad it has helped!

Some exciting stuff for me lately!

I have launched my website! www.kylelongfitness.com! As of now (3:15p.m on July 28th), just the homepage and bio are functional, and there is some missing info/errors on the home page, but it's atleast up and running and all the little things/ other links on the top bar will be functional and running smoothly by the end of the week! Planning on blogging a lot on there and to post a lot of vidos shot with a flip cam, I want to try to interview some well known names in all parts of the industry, and want to turn the website into a database of articles, interviews, information, along with a place for my potential clients to see what I offer and to get in touch with me! Got in my business cards/t-shirts as well that match the theme of the website, basically I am officially independent and out of the "working for the man" part of training! I already have a pretty solid base of individual clients, enough to get me started atleast, and the city I am in is fairly scarce in terms of trainers. Let me know what you guys think of the overall feel of the wesbite, ignoring the fact that there are things still missing/spelling issues that will all be fixed up when my designer finishes this week!

Also about to finish my ACSM cert, really enjoyed it, lots of good information, even though I've been in the business for 3+ years and am studying exercise science.

Added Human Biology to my degree as a minor, figuring it will help when I go to apply to grad schools (Looking at UNC, anyone have any experience with their program? looks great!)

Other than that things are the same! Gonna make sure I'm more present in this forum, love the guys and gals in here!

Kyle