Offered a job on the spot

[Acon83]

I was working out at my gym last week, and the manager and assistant manger approaced me. They asked what I did for a living, then told me they would like to hire me right now, as a full time trainer.
I've been researching pt for a while but I am in NO WAY qualified nor certified to do such thing. So, I we talked for a bit, and i found out that this particular gym gets a 50% cut of $. Is this typical?
I want to train, but I think I'd do better on my own (once I have the knowledge to do so). I can't leave my current job and don't want to work 2 almost full time jobs right now. I may contemplate trying the pt this summer (I'm a teacher) but also don't want to let clients down when I return to school in the fall, and no longer have the flexible schedule.....
So, what would you do?

[WoofieNugget]

Actually for most gyms 50% isn't bad. Most chain gyms will take up to 60%.

However, what happened to you is the brutal thing about this industry. It is fine for a totally unqualified person (no offense) who is probably an attractive woman to just put out a sign calling herself a PT with no experience or education - but because she can likely sell training. If anything, you should tell your gym manager and assistant that they should be ashamed of themselves for scamming potential clients out of money promising them "top quality" personal training. Again, this is isn't meant personally towards you, just a rant on the industry in general.

It is stories like that that really makes me shake my head and make sure that everybody knows to check your PT's credentials and experience before hiring them.

[KyleAaron]

These stories amaze me. Here you won't get offered a job unless you're qualified, simply because of insurance. It's not that the gyms have high standards, it's just liability concerns. If someone gets injured and the staff were qualified, then insurance will cover it when the gym gets sued. If staff were unqualified, no cover.

So for example in my gym I'm the only trainer who's allowed to coach kettlebells, because I'm the only one who's done courses in it.

I imagine most of these gyms hiring unqualified trainers will require that the trainer provide their own individual insurance. Where I work, the gym covers me.

[mama2boys2]

50 % isn't bad actually. My gym charges $55/hour and a trainer gets ($18-$22) of that! Rip off really.

[Acon83]

They said that they have levels for pt's. #1 being uncertified, little experience. #3 is a fully certified, experienced trainer. I agree with all of you that it isn't right. I didn't realize that 50% was actually good. I guess that makes sense though.

Im not comfortable taking on a position that I know very little about. I read a ton and work out religiously but dont feel that I currently have them knowledge (or qualifications) to ethically train people.

Thanks for the feedback!

[mama2boys2]

They have trainers with no certification or any experience?! Thats awful.

Good for you for not accepting the position just because it was offered to you! :)

[JoeCannonMSCSCS]

I'm sure you would agree that as a teacher, you would have to be certified / be educated first. This really is the "dirty little secrete" in gyms, hiring trainers who look good and putting the education secondary. I agree you will do better on your own but do get certified first. Training others is VERY different than training yourself.

Joe

[rompuss]

I learned very little after taking my nasm cpt. You learn alot better reading about it then doing it (college books only) nasm and courses like that are designed for the general population(dumb people) to pass with flying colors. You learn by doing not by reading. if u really want a shortcut find an apprentice.

[blade83336]

sounds awesome BUT as cool as that sounds, u shouldnt do it. sure u can do it but what if the client(s) ask you a question and you dont no how to answer it, what if they ask u what degree or certification u have?