Is it worth being A Personal Trainer?

gabe522k3 · 08-12-2009, 06:59 AM

Im thinking about doing a career change form IT, to Personal Training. I got laid off in May and Im having a hard time finding work, so I was thinking about becaming a personal trainer. any input and insight would be greatfull.

StandStrong · 08-12-2009, 07:15 AM

No offense, but being a succeful PT and making a living as one is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. There are a lot of people out there trying to do the same thing, So its a big competition with others. But good luck man! and I wish you the best

gabe522k3 · 08-12-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StandStrong

No offense, but being a succeful PT and making a living as one is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. There are a lot of people out there trying to do the same thing, So its a big competition with others. But good luck man! and I wish you the best

thanks I love it when ppl be up front with me

LittleCharlie · 08-12-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabe522k3

Im thinking about doing a career change form IT, to Personal Training. I got laid off in May and Im having a hard time finding work, so I was thinking about becaming a personal trainer. any input and insight would be greatfull.

Depends what you mean by "worth".

If you want a fulfilling career in fitness where you make a real difference to peoples lives... yes.

If you want money, probably no!

mikeylhc · 08-12-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleCharlie

Depends what you mean by "worth".

If you want a fulfilling career in fitness where you make a real difference to peoples lives... yes.

If you want money, probably no!

Agreed, and if you want the money you need to be self employed. If you can get a private studio to train I think that would be the best thing ever; no one breathing down your neck and you can maximize your profits (no gym taking cuts, sell equipment, supps.)

Good luck in whichever decision you make.

BSCSCS · 08-12-2009, 11:09 AM

At the last gym I was at, I did payroll for 2 trainers making 80-100K. And this was at a big gym with 32 trainers. So it can be "worth" it. It all depends on you busting your ass and being able to SELL. Not a lot of people take into account the sales aspect of pt. A LOT of people get out of pt because of it.

FitSexyCougar · 08-12-2009, 11:13 AM

I've been in IT, too, and it's great not getting paged at 2 in the morning to fix someone's database. It's also nice being able to interface with people instead of talking to a computer all day long.

Best of luck to you!

BC02 · 08-12-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabe522k3

Im thinking about doing a career change form IT, to Personal Training. I got laid off in May and Im having a hard time finding work, so I was thinking about becaming a personal trainer. any input and insight would be greatfull.

no.

fcalise · 08-12-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitSexyCougar

I've been in IT, too, and it's great not getting paged at 2 in the morning to fix someone's database. It's also nice being able to interface with people instead of talking to a computer all day long.

Best of luck to you!

I can relate to the paging at 2am crap, man it sucks. I'm not thinking about switching from engineering to personal training, but I am thinking about taking it on in addition to my current career. Train at night, on the weekends, maybe even have clients here at the office since we have a gym that people frequently use in the morning before work, at lunch, or after work. Definitely looking forward to helping people and not staring at computer screen all hours of the day.

Have you thought about continuing with IT maybe even part time and having the personal training as another source of income? (if you need the money that is)

Mr_Kinney · 08-12-2009, 12:47 PM

I love what I do as a PT but I'll admit if I didn't work at Kaiser Permanente full time as well I'm not sure how I'd fair money wise. It's really all in how you market and charge.

MVP · 08-12-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlecharlie

depends what you mean by "worth".

If you want a fulfilling career in fitness where you make a real difference to peoples lives... Yes.

If you want money, probably no!

nice

askthetrainer · 08-12-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabe522k3

Im thinking about doing a career change form IT, to Personal Training. I got laid off in May and Im having a hard time finding work, so I was thinking about becaming a personal trainer. any input and insight would be greatfull.

Do both. It may be hard if you're one of those go 100% at all time kind of people but it is safer than just ditching what you have done as a 'career'? in the past.

A great thing (which is very seldom mentioned on this forum) about personal training is it is something you can do part time. For most people working 40 hour work weeks, having say 3 clients you train 3x a week at say $50 a pop could be an extra $1800/month before taxes which would cover most people's car payments and bills and even a round of shots at happy hour.

trance__dreamer · 08-12-2009, 10:01 PM

it's gunna be VERY satisfying for me, as i used to be obese. seeing my before picture would literally make you dislocate your jaw. 1 day, i'll have the courage to post it. 1 day.

anyway. i'm very much looking forward to helping pple change their lives/turn their lives around, just like i did. & i do believe that my embarassing past will work very much in my favour, 'cause i know EXACTLY what they've been through. & am more than willing to become a good friend of theirs. =)

i also don't live by myself. i live rent-free w/ my grandma. & my personality isn't high-maintenance or very feminine. so, my purchases/spending isn't sky-high whatsoever. so, i don't need to have an abundance of clients. i'd truly be satisfied...nay...happy...no...THRILLED w/ a handful or 2 of loyal (not high turn overs) ones that i can help to the best of my ability 'til they're ready to go off on their own. then, i'll replace it w/ new pple. hopefully, the replacement process will be smooth & quick.

i also teach group fitness classes. *pokes signature* so, that's another source of income for me (will be even better once i'm not a new instructor anymore) AND is turning out to be a great way to advertise/get clients. =) i just gotta hurry up & get my cert so i can start training these participants of mine. =P

TheChest · 08-13-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabe522k3

Im thinking about doing a career change form IT, to Personal Training. I got laid off in May and Im having a hard time finding work, so I was thinking about becaming a personal trainer. any input and insight would be greatfull.

It's a tough gig but if you can stick it out and make it work, then I'd say it's definitely worth it. There's a lot of competition and in my experience, it seems that fellow trainers have no problem stabbing you in the back no matter how good a trainer you are compared to how terrible they are. Prepare to get **** talked by people who you've never even met before. Getting paid to help people work out is pretty sweet though and if the gym is a place that you like to be, then you'll love it.