Any certified Personal Trainers? Or Dance Therapists?

[newswoman13]

Hi, I need advice from certified personal trainers and/or dance therapists.

I've been teaching group fitness for six years (certified via AFAA) and am considering getting my PT certification, but I'm researching the best PT certification organization (ACE, NASM, etc.) and need your feedback or suggestions.

To give you a little background about me and where I want to go: After college graduation, I confronted my own body struggles and am happy to know they were only lights to the truth for me. After three years, I've figured out the biz I'm in now is not my "forever forte" -- I want to create the space and time to actually form a career out of my hobbies (freelance writing and aerobic dance). My big idea is to incorporate dance/movement/aerobics with creative therapy. I'm neither a professional dancer nor a pro athlete, yet I'd like to combine my passions for music and movement to inspire women to be assertive, strong and creative from the inside out!

There are so many routes to take -- I will consider first venturing into personal training with a focus on clients who seek peaceful body images (i.e. the gamut of eating disorders), and/or I want to look into the American Dance Therapy Association. Getting certified through the ADTA for dance therapy requires an extensive counseling/dance background, which would be a little further down the road.

I'm not jumping into anything overnight, but I am seeking perspective from a variety of fitness professionals because I want to clean my slate and, like I said, create the time and space in my everyday to turn my hobbies into a full-time career. If you have suggestions about programs, organizations, certifications, workshops regarding personal training or dance therapy, I would be appreciative to hear.

 

[lisaannjam]

Hi Newswoman13,

First, congrats and good luck with your new life venture. It sounds exciting, and I'm sure you will be a great success!! I know first-hand the joys of being able to have a successful career doing something you absolutely love and are so passionate about. I've worked very hard and am also very blessed to be doing that myself.

I was a registered nurse for a number of years and did have my BSN in nursing. But, I found I just loved being at the gym and taking classes and started teaching myself. So, I first got my group exercise cert, via AFAA, and then went back and got my PT cert, via AFAA. I've had my own PT business for almost three years and I've been really, really busy!! With my nursing background, along with and my AFAA certs and experience in fitness, I feel I have the education to coach someone both physically, nutritionally, and emotionally. It's been a great fit for me.

The dance therapy you mention sounds wonderful to me. I teach aerobics, and love the dancey stuff. It's seems to just "lift" everyone's spirits.

I can tell you that each of the trainers at my gym each have a different educational background and different certification. Since you have already been teaching, you have a great start with your new career. I am very happy with my AFAA certification. But, I believe it helped that I had the medical background and that I also worked out for many, many years before going into it professionally.

So, if you want to start with your PT cert and then work into your ADTA down the line, I, personally, think AFAA or ACE would suffice for your PT cert. You already know so much about how to train.

I know there are fitness institutions, which can take up to a year or two to complete for your PT cert. I didn't need all of that, but everyone is different. It depends on where you are starting from (IMO).

Again...best of luck to you!!!!

 

[newswoman13]

Thank you for the advice. How did you attract clients? Do you work out of one gym exclusively, or do you go to people's homes, etc?

Since I want to target a specific group, I think I have a few good contacts who will refer clients to me...But, ultimately, I'd love to work in a studio w/ live classes and, additionally, do personal "consulting" or training.

What I'm thinking is to continue teaching and taking classes as much as I can, to gain a better perspective on how to format the PT portion. (whether private studio(s), and/or a larger gym)

 

[newswoman13]

And, P.S., lisaannjam

Do you know any other resources or great websites that focus on the PT biz? I'm Google-ing but would love to know any hidden treasures you know on the web!

 

[lisaannjam]

Hi Newswoman,

I first attracted clients from the classes at the gym I've taught at for years. I trained them at that gym in the beginning. I then made a brochure, which the gym allowed me to keep at their front desk (of course, they get a commission for any training that results). Then word of mouth seemed to take over. I got my own liability insurance and now I do train some clients in their homes. I also make arrangements with any other gyms, where my clients belong, so that I am able to train them in their own gyms. Once you start a repoire with them, it's pretty easy to do.

I do not know of any "hidden treasures" for PTs on the web...sorry.

Good luck.

Lisa J.