is it better for a new pt to start at a big chain gym or independent

[tpt]

topic?

[RamsdenF]

topic?

Option 3. Work for a private gym.

[WoofieNugget]

Really it depends on the trainer. If you have the soft skills (networking, sales, etc) already then you could likely start independent. However, I tell new trainers anticipate it taking 2-3 times as long to get busy as it would at a chain gym. At a chain gym if you're good and hustle you can be busy in 3-6 months, independent it can take much longer. Failure rate also goes up exponentially.

[saltedcaramel]

great topic!

[KyleAaron]

Big gym, provided the conditions don't risk you actually ending 12 months owing them money. It gives you the chance to work with a lot of people.

I worked for the Y, every day I taught someone to squat, deadlift, clean or snatch. And at least twice a week I took people through their initial appointments at the gym. Not counting more casual chats and little tips given out, altogether I introduced over 1,000 people to the gym or taught them a lift. Had I stayed in my garage, it'd be less than 100. I learned more this way.

One thing you learn is whether you have what it takes. If you can't get clients in a place that has 5,000 people already interested in fitness, you're going to have a lot of trouble pulling them out of nowhere in your own studio.

Another thing you learn is whether you really want to be a trainer. Less than half last more than two years, there are many reasons for this. I saw many, many faces come and go, most of those faces had confused looks on them.

[rdferguson]

^ Unfortunately, big gyms that don't put you at a big risk of owing them heaps of money 12 months later are few and far between, at least around here. Here the big gyms don't need to employ their trainers, so they don't. If a gym offers to pay you or at least give you a percentage split so that you don't lose money, it's usually because they aren't big enough to be able to get away with putting all trainers on a flat franchise fee indiscriminately. Makes things really hard for the trainer starting out.

[2020Wellness]

Great question for this thread: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=167508301 There are plenty of points in the thread that you can already benefit from without me copying and pasting them in here.

[BC02]

box gym that hands you plenty of clients. then you can take your fav clients with you after you go on your own.

[Endevorforever]

Depends on where you want to work, and what type of clients you want to work with. There are certain types of clients at gyms, and there are some home clients that will never go to the gym, or appreciate the flexibility and privacy of in home service. "Best" is subjective. Do you want to know which one pays best? Either path will teach you what you need to know. And we all know independent trainers get paid/treated better.

[Ronin4help]

You most likely won't have this as an option. You will be forced to work where ever you can find work, like most people.

[italianplaya30]

I would say its a good thing to start inside of a gym so you can learn the ins and outs of training...once you have enough knowledge and experience look to move onto training on your own so you can make real money

[rleatfitness]

I work for a chain gym myself, theres plenty of members to speak to and lots interested in PT. Also what's great about the one I work for is its rent free I just have to give up 10 hours of my time a week to pay the gym back.