Do you need to specialise to a certain target group?

I'm still studying to be a PT at the moment, but I often hear how it's recommended to sort of specialise in one area and target that particular target group. IE weight loss clients, people wanting to gain strength, athletes etc

Is it really important to do this? I suppose I'm thinking why limit yourself to just one group of people, why not train everyone with a range of different goals? I mean surely specialising in weight loss would give the best client base but then anyone with any other goals would find someone else?

Can someone give some insight into this?

At the beginning don't even think about it. In fact, you're better off getting a wide range of clients who have different needs so that not only can you find out how best to help them, but also find out who you enjoy training. You want to get busy at the start and learn how to help the people you work with best. Period. After you gain some experience and have an established business you can start to specialize in specific areas and seek out clients that need a trainer like that.

For example, even though I run my own show and deal mostly with high level injury management cases I still have people on my current roster who are powerlifters, athletes, housewives and even students.

[QUOTE=WoofieNugget;1012992603]At the beginning don't even think about it. In fact, you're better off getting a wide range of clients who have different needs so that not only can you find out how best to help them, but also find out who you enjoy training. You want to get busy at the start and learn how to help the people you work with best. Period. After you gain some experience and have an established business you can start to specialize in specific areas and seek out clients that need a trainer like that.

For example, even though I run my own show and deal mostly with high level injury management cases I still have people on my current roster who are powerlifters, athletes, housewives and even students.[/QUOTE]

This x2, Repped for a good answer

Woofie says it well. At the beginning, train whoever shows up. As time goes on you'll find out what you enjoy and what you're good at. This may not be what you originally imagined, experience takes you in different directions.

The problem with specializing before you 'get your feet wet' in an industry (whether that is PT or anything else) is that you may be so focused on what you think you want to do, that you may miss out on what you actually love to to do. Be open to all opportunities that you come across and you may find a specialization that you never thought of before.