STarting out, few question... fairly long read...

Dallas_15 · 10-26-2009, 05:45 AM

Hey guys, Ill try to keep this short as possible.

In a couple of days Im doing my senior first aid and sending my last module back, then I will be a qualified PT.

I have been training for years now and studying for about 2 in my own time (correspondance), which was good for me.

I just have a few questions.

1) Do I have to register as a business if I am going to be training people. I ask this because I have a great job already and I am on good money for my age so I don't want to give that up just yet. BUT.... I get a couple of days off a week and could use that to build a small client base for extra cash and experience for later in life when I decide to pt fulltime. So if I had a small client base should I register as a business anyway?..

2) I know the gym I train at will probably charge me to much a month, and I wont have enough clients to pay for rent space so what would be other options?..Ask for some sort of discount/deal because I'm only going to be in there a couple days (2-3) a week?

3) Should I get cards and a website made up if I only want a small client base for now?
Later on down the track if I do get a bigger demand I would quit my job and pursue further but should I worry with these things if I only have a few clients ( 5 or so for example..?)
This also goes back to Q1. Would I need to be registered business to make the website and cards up?

Sorry if these questions sound stupid I am just finishing my course so am very curious about a lot of things.

I don't really want to quit my job yet but then again I don't want this certification I have worked hard for to have no use.

Another thing, I know I am young (very soon to be 18) so this may effect getting older clients but I notice when I'm training that a lot of the teens watch me train (not being up myself) since I do lift with good form and fairly heavy and my results are noticeable. So I am sure Id be able to get a few of these guys. Maybe even a group session!

Anyway it would be great if you guys could answer a few of these questions or throw some ideas at me as I am just brainstorming at the moment!

Thank you in advance!

Dallas_15 · 10-26-2009, 03:27 PM

bump..anyone?

Dallas_15 · 10-27-2009, 02:44 AM

anyone ?

KyleAaron · 10-27-2009, 05:01 AM

It's because you're posting from Down Under, mate, and most of the people here are seppos. Things are different in seppo-land compared to here.

Legally, you are required to register as a business if you are operating as a business. That is, if you have clients who pay you money directly, rather than paying you through someone else. Whether you choose to follow the law is of course up to you.

I do not advise renting space in a gym unless you are a well-established trainer with a good reputation and lots of clients already. That's money going out without being sure of money coming in. Better to be employed with a salary or hourly rate.

You don't need to be a registered business to have a website and cards, anyone can do that. Whether it's useful for you, I can't say. Most PT business comes from word of mouth - "my mate said this PT is good, maybe I should hire them?" - the cards and website are only really useful for that, making sure interested people can contact you. But the really interested people will get your details somehow anyway.

Most PT clients are 30-60 year old women who are sedentary and deconditioned. Extraordinarily few teenaged males, and few males generally, will pay for advice - they think they know everything already, admission of ignorance would humiliate them (see this comment for one of many examples). There's a reason we have to make school compulsory. Plus they have lots of other things they'd rather spend money on.

Dallas_15 · 10-27-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleAaron

It's because you're posting from Down Under, mate, and most of the people here are seppos. Things are different in seppo-land compared to here.

Legally, you are required to register as a business if you are operating as a business. That is, if you have clients who pay you money directly, rather than paying you through someone else. Whether you choose to follow the law is of course up to you.

I do not advise renting space in a gym unless you are a well-established trainer with a good reputation and lots of clients already. That's money going out without being sure of money coming in. Better to be employed with a salary or hourly rate.

You don't need to be a registered business to have a website and cards, anyone can do that. Whether it's useful for you, I can't say. Most PT business comes from word of mouth - "my mate said this PT is good, maybe I should hire them?" - the cards and website are only really useful for that, making sure interested people can contact you. But the really interested people will get your details somehow anyway.

Most PT clients are 30-60 year old women who are sedentary and deconditioned. Extraordinarily few teenaged males, and few males generally, will pay for advice - they think they know everything already, admission of ignorance would humiliate them (see this comment for one of many examples). There's a reason we have to make school compulsory. Plus they have lots of other things they'd rather spend money on.

Ok thanks for that man, what are some suggestions that you would take in my position then?

Basically I don't wanna quit my job but I wanna train people on the side to get experience for when I train full time in the future and to not waste my certification.

KyleAaron · 10-27-2009, 06:29 PM

Just do some gym instructor or PT work at a gym part-time. Most employ people only part-time anyway. One PT I know works for four gyms to get 40-60 hours a week, total.

If you're willing to do shifts like the morning Sunday, evening Friday, then many gyms will be happy to slot you in for a shift or two a week. After doing that for several months or a year, you will I think have a better idea of whether you want to be a PT full-time (self-employed or not) or bin it entirely.

Dallas_15 · 10-28-2009, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleAaron

Just do some gym instructor or PT work at a gym part-time. Most employ people only part-time anyway. One PT I know works for four gyms to get 40-60 hours a week, total.

If you're willing to do shifts like the morning Sunday, evening Friday, then many gyms will be happy to slot you in for a shift or two a week. After doing that for several months or a year, you will I think have a better idea of whether you want to be a PT full-time (self-employed or not) or bin it entirely.

Yeah I was thinking that, but wasnt sure whether I should get my own small client base and work something out with the gym manager (as I do know him and hes pretty cool) or do as you say and ask around at gyms for those sort of hours that nobody wants to do (Friday nights, weekends, etc). I will look into it further but I suppose working at a gym to get experience first would be better and help me with my program design and other things like that.