The UPFA Guide To Becoming a PT

Yes, it is entirely possible to work as an online personal trainer. In fact, many trainers offer virtual coaching, which can include personalised workout plans, fitness assessments, and ongoing support via video calls, phone or email. 

Online training has become increasingly popular, allowing trainers to reach clients beyond their local area. If you’re interested in pursuing an online personal training career, you’ll need to be comfortable with using technology for remote training sessions and be effective with client communication.

While it’s not a strict requirement for a personal trainer to have a specific physique, having a strong physical fitness foundation is highly beneficial. Clients often look to their trainers as role models and are more likely to trust trainers who practice what they preach. 

Being in good physical shape also enables you to demonstrate exercises properly, which helps clients better understand the movements. That being said, trainers come in all shapes and sizes, and what matters most is your ability to design and execute effective programs tailored to each individual.

Your first year as a personal trainer will be a period of learning, adjustment and growth. Here’s what you can expect:

• Building your confidence: You may feel unsure at first, but with time, you’ll develop your training style and communication skills.
• Getting clients: Building a client base takes time. You’ll need to network, market your services, and possibly offer discounts or free sessions to attract initial clients – working with friends and family is always a great place to start! 
• Ongoing learning: The fitness industry is always evolving. Expect to continue your education by attending workshops, staying updated with trends, and possibly earning additional certifications.

Challenges: You may face challenges such as client retention, balancing schedules, and dealing with difficult clients, but each obstacle offers an opportunity to improve.

Yes, many personal trainers work part-time, especially in the beginning stages of their careers. If you’re just starting out, you may choose to work part-time while completing your certifications or pursuing other personal or professional commitments. 

Many gyms and fitness studios offer flexible hours, allowing trainers to work early mornings, evenings or weekends. Once you’ve built your client base, you can adjust your schedule to meet the demands of your business or move towards full-time work if desired.

Yes, personal trainers are able to work with individuals of all ages and fitness levels. As a professional personal trainer, you’ll learn how to assess a client’s fitness level and design training programs tailored to their needs, whether they are beginners, seniors, athletes, or people with injuries or medical conditions. 

Some trainers specialise in particular groups, such as youth fitness, elderly care, or rehabilitation. If you want to broaden your client base, consider earning certifications in specialised areas, like corrective exercise, pre- and post-natal fitness, or sports-specific training.

A personal trainer does not need to have highly specific nutrition knowledge because PTs are not qualified to provide detailed, individualised dietary plans or medical nutrition advice unless they have further qualifications in nutrition or dietetics. For example, if you want to offer more specific nutrition coaching, you would need to complete additional courses or certifications in sports nutrition or advanced nutrition. These credentials can enhance your skills, help clients achieve better results, and potentially expand your business by offering nutrition guidance alongside fitness training.

If a client has specific nutrition needs or health concerns, personal trainers are encouraged to refer them to nutritionists or dietitians, as these professionals are fully qualified to provide specialised dietary advice and meal planning.

Being a personal trainer comes with its challenges, including:

• Client retention: Keeping clients motivated and engaged can be difficult. It requires ongoing support, regular program updates and building trust.
• Irregular hours: Many personal trainers work early mornings, evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules. This can lead to burnout if not managed properly.
• Inconsistent income: As an independent trainer, your income can fluctuate based on how many clients you have, how often they train, and whether you offer additional services like group sessions or online coaching.
• Marketing: You will need to consistently market yourself and build your brand. This involves social media, networking and maintaining good client relationships encouraging word-of-mouth referrals.

Yes, there is a distinction between the roles of a gym instructor and a personal trainer. A gym instructor typically assists members with gym equipment, maintains the gym floor, and provides basic workout guidance. They may also lead group fitness classes. 

In contrast, a personal trainer works one-on-one with clients, designing personalised fitness programs and offering coaching and support tailored to individual goals. Personal trainers have more specialised knowledge and are responsible for clients’ progression, ensuring that workouts are both effective and safe.

If you plan to run your own business or work independently as a personal trainer, having business skills is crucial. You’ll need to understand how to market your services, manage finances, set competitive pricing and handle client bookings. 

Learning basic business management skills, such as budgeting, invoicing and tax management, will help you stay organised and profitable. Many personal trainers also offer group sessions or workshops to increase their income, which requires organisational and promotional skills.

However, you may gain employment as a personal trainer at an already established fitness centre. Prospective clients are engaged by the facility and are assigned a personal trainer, giving you clients to work with. If you take this route, it is not as necessary for you to have business management or marketing skills.

Staying motivated as a personal trainer can sometimes be challenging, especially when you encounter setbacks or difficult clients. To keep your motivation high:

• Set personal and professional goals, both short and long term.
• Continue to develop your knowledge and skills by attending workshops or taking fitness courses.
• Celebrate your client successes and recognise how your work positively impacts their lives.
• Engage in physical activities you enjoy outside of work to maintain your passion for physical fitness.
• Join a community of other personal trainers to share experiences and support each other.

Ready to get started on your Personal Training career?