Calling personal trainers! :)

pink_fortitude

pink_fortitude

Banned
Hey, you guys! I am wanting to become a personal trainer and I wanted some input. I was wondering which certification/s are best and most widely accepted, what the mean salary is, where the best places are to work, etc. I am very excited about getting into this!!!

Any info or advice you have is really appreciated, thanks!

Missy
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I did the AFAA certification, which is a very intensive three day crash program. The AFAA certifcation also prepares you to take the National Boards, which I didn't complete yet. Since you already have a very strong background in fitness, I am sure you will be able to pass the AFAA course the first time you take it.

Here is the website:

www.afaa.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at: [email protected]
 
Oh, I forgot to add that I freelance, and I earn about $75.00 an hour in Staten Island, New York. The going salaries that gyms pay probably vary in different areas.
 
I am AFAA and Ace certified. I think that ACE is considered to be the highest certification as far as respect and most clubs require ACE. I thought that AFAA prepared me more though for being a personal trainer. They give you a lot of hands on with their 3 day course. ACE is a lot of studying and a lot of info in a rather large book. I would recommend maybe getting the AFAA one first to build your confidence and not overwhelm you and then maybe go back and get the ACE certification. Good Luck and it is so worth it all the hard work and studying.

Susan
 
Hi, Missy!

Just wanted to say that I JUST started studying for the ACE certification last week! It is definitely a lot of material to absorb but if you have already taken anatomy and physiology (which I never have!), it would be a lot easier.

Study with me and we can take the test together in Chicago in February!!


Angie
 
Good for you Missy!! I don't know anything about the process of certification but I used personal trainers off and on for years and thoroughly enjoyed it. You have the perfect personality for that kind of job. You're friendly, outgoing, caring, you have a great sense of humor, and the ability to motivate people. You'll be great! Good luck;)

Michele
 
I am ACE certified and admit that I didn't feel very prepared when I got a job a the gym. Of course the manager told me he wasn't going to just throw me out on the floor on my own but that is pretty much what happened. I wished I had had more hands-on training and not just textbook info. BUT once I did just have to start out with my first client (I was terrified!!! Ask Shonie!) I got used to it really quick. Then it became so much fun! I think the experience I had from working out to Cathe helped me enough to know correct form, which exercises worked what muscles, etc.

I really enjoyed the experience I got from training people (although it was only 3 months) but I DID not enjoy the HUGE pressure to sell. Like I said, I have little experience but I have heard that the larger gym chains are more focused on sales and seem to care less about training or clients once they do make the sale so if you're (like me) not a salesperson, it may be beneficial to start at a smaller gym.

At Gold's they accepted a variety of certifications but they were really focused on NASM and told me that if I ever had any plans to get into management (I didn't), I'd have to get NASM certified.

BTW - I was only paid $6 for working non-training hours and $16 for training. The gym charged $49-$65 per hour for training and all I got was $16!!! :eek:

Good luck to you!
 
Hi Missy-

I recently got certified as a personal trainer through ACE over the summer. I'm also now in the process of getting certified as a Group Fitness Instructor through ACE as well.

When considering places to work, I would suggest looking at the local REC centers or the YMCA. I recently got hired on with our rec center and it's so great. They pay about $23 an hour for beginner trainers and the more experience and certifications you have, the more money they will pay you. Also there is no added pressure of trying to get people to sign up for long term contracts, and selling them supplements (which, according to my ACE manual is completly unethical).

Anyway, good luck to you. I'm sure you'll pass the exam.

Carolyn
 
Angie, that would be totally wicked!!! Where did get your material? Did you order off the website? Which package did you get?

I am really excited about getting started!!! The test in Chicago, is that the one that is at McCormick's?

Missy
 
Carolyn, what do you mean by rec center? I really am not a salesperson at all, I am not about pressuring people to do something that they might not want to do and I don't believe in most supplements. I DO want to help people get and stay in shape and be healthy.

Thank you so much everyone for your help and advice!!!

Missy
 
Missy-

Where I live, we have park districts with Recreation centers on them. They are really like huge gyms with swimming pools and tons of fitness classrooms. You may not have these where you live, but you probably have YMCA's or something like them. Personally, I have no interest in working in a slick gym selling protein shakes to my clients and begging them to pay for contracts so this seemed like the perfect fit for me. Also, you may want to consider working at a hospital. I've heard of many fitness classes being offered for the staff at different hospitals so they may want some personal trainers as well.
You can PM me if you have anymore questions.

Good luck,
Carolyn
 
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