by Adrian Rumley
There are hundreds of different reasons why people decide to pursue a career in the fitness industry. Some people are inspired by life experiences that have instilled values of fitness, whilst others are driven by a genuine desire to help others change and improve their lifestyles. If you are thinking about starting a career in the fitness industry, whether you’re looking to become a personal trainer or work in another area of the field, here are some of the key things to know about this both exciting and rewarding career path.
Are You a Good Fit for the Job?
Anybody with a passion for fitness can become a personal trainer, but it takes somebody with some special qualities and attributes to become good at their job. Do you have a strong desire to help others achieve their fitness goals, better themselves and improve their lives? If you enjoy planning and scheduling your workout routines, your family and friends regularly ask you for fitness advice, and you enjoy pushing your body to new limits, a career as a personal trainer could be a good fit for you. You might want to pursue a career as a personal trainer if you are mindful of the food that you eat, have always been interested in a job that’s not your typical 9-5, or even considered starting your own business, and your home is always filled with workout gear hanging up to dry. Finally, if you are often told that you’re a good leader and communicator, and are extremely personable and approachable, you could be the right person for the job.
What Does the Job Consist Of?
Many people have misconceptions about the personal trainer’s job, with some often thinking that it means little more than hanging out in the gym. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Becoming a successful personal trainer means that you will need to have a broad knowledge of a wide number of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, business, and psychology. You will need to be able to design personal exercise, diet and fitness programs in order to help your clients meet their individual fitness goals. A good personal trainer also needs to have the ability to help their clients establish the necessary healthy habits to stick to and see results from their programs. Whether you plan to work in a gym or health club, or are going to be visiting your clients in their homes, establishing a regular clientele will take both time and effort on your part. However, once you are able to start working with a regular client schedule, personal training is a career that’s both financially and personally rewarding.
Reasons to Pursue a Career in Fitness:
There are many great reasons to pursue a career in fitness as a personal trainer or another position. Some of the best and most popular reasons include:
#1. Helping Others:
If you are the type of person who enjoys helping others, then a career as a personal trainer could be the perfect option for you. As a personal trainer, your whole career will be based on making a living from being there as a support system for others and providing them with advice and guidance to change their lives for the better. Because of this, it’s not only a financially rewarding career choice, but also very personally rewarding, too.
#2. You Get to See Results Regularly:
One of the most rewarding things about working as a personal trainer is that you’ll get to see regular results from your clients. When your clients reach their personal goals, you’ll be able to celebrate with them and be proud of the both of you for helping them hit those achievements.
#3. It’s a Low Stress Job:
If you’re looking for a job that you’ll enjoy going to every day, then personal training could be the best choice for you. In fact, CNN Money magazine has listed personal training as one of the top twenty professions in the USA due to low levels of stress and the positive impact of the career on others. And the career is very much the same in the UK, with low stress levels and the ability to have a lot of control over your own working hours.
#4. It’s Easy to Train:
It’s easier than ever today to complete your training and become fully qualified as a personal trainer. You could enrol on a course at your local gym or health centre where you’ll be trained by highly experienced personal trainers who can help you learn the ropes, or enrol on a Level 2 Fitness Training (UK) program which you can complete online either on a part- or full-time basis to fit around your current work and commitments if needed. You could become a qualified personal trainer in as little as a few weeks’ time, making it easier than ever to pursue your dream career.
#5. It’s Good for Your Own Fitness:
Last but not least, working as a personal trainer isn’t just beneficial for the fitness and health levels of your clients; when you’re working in the gym every day, or visiting people at their home in order to help them with their exercise routine, you’ll be able to keep up with your own fitness too, as part of your work. Whether you’re working out before or afterwards since you’re already at the gym, leading a fitness class, or exercising alongside your clients, you can be sure that being a personal trainer will keep you fit and healthy without even having to put much thought into it. You’ll no longer need to worry about making time to go to the gym, since you’ll be there for work anyway! And, as you help your clients with healthier routines and working out a diet plan that fits their needs, you’ll learn more about nutrition and healthy habits that you can apply to your own life.
If you want a flexible, self-led job that allows you to stay healthy whilst helping others improve their life, personal training could be ideal for you.
Author: Adrian Rumley
Adrian is a lifelong thrill seeker and adrenaline junkie. A freelance sports writer, Adrian is passionate about health and fitness and pushing his body to limits. Whether he’s rambling in the beautiful Cotswolds or bunjy jumping in New Zealand, Adrian is a fervent believer in making the most of the great outdoors.
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