10 Things I've learnt about becoming a Personal Trainer

I've 'officially' been a Personal Trainer for nearly 9 months now, I have no idea where that time has gone! It has had it's highs and lows, just like any job but I'm so glad I took the leap and decided on this career route. So far things are going well and hopefully will only continue to get better. 

The learning curve has been huge for me and I'm not sure it will ever stop being as the industry is ever changing and there's always something new to learn. I thought I'd put together my top 10 things I have learnt since becoming a PT. I'm hoping this will be beneficial for anyone considering the career and to enlighten a few of you about what's it's like. 

Long and unsociable hours
 Don’t expect to be working a 9 to 5 because I promise you it’s far from it. The majority of your clients are likely to want to train outside of these hours (they work the 9 to 5), which means early starts, late nights and weekends. I’m also working on a gym floor which means shift patterns change and I have to juggle clients around these. One thing you need to get good at, and fast, is time management. Without this skill you’ll end up spending endless hours in the gym with big gaps of free time and soon burn yourself out.

Living out of tupperware
Due to those long days and shift patterns I often end up eating all my meals out of tupperware. From overnight oats in the morning to salads at lunch and curry for dinner. I can sometimes go all week without actually sitting down and having a cooked meal at home! This is where meal prep is vital and a life saver. If I know I'm not going to be home to cook I make sure I've got my meals lined up and ready to go for a few days at a time. It also saves a small fortune on buying something to eat everyday. I'm lucky enough to have Mum and Alex to dish me up left overs for when I get home too!

Be patient
Gaining clients isn't going to happen overnight. It's all about the long game. You've got to build your business up from scratch and show clients you're worth them spending their hard earned cash on. Having a Personal Trainer is a luxury. Being present and building a reputation and rapport with potential clients is your first job. Getting them to trust you and want to work with you over everyone else is the next.

Work never really stops
There's always something you'll need to be doing and a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. Whether it's research for a client, building a program or checking in, this all happens off the clock! If you’re into your social media posts, this takes time to plan and create content for your audience. Just like writing this blog.

Your training becomes sporadic
When you're training other people I often find my own training gets pushed aside. When I've spent 8 hours on the gym floor and then had clients to work with I often find my motivation to stay in the gym any longer has well and truly disappeared! All I want to do is get home for some food and my bed. Some weeks are harder than others but I've found scheduling time in to train helps to stick to it. I also find booking myself on to a class is really helpful as you've made that commitment to go and someone else can bark orders at you.

Talk, talk, talk!
Engage with your audience! The only way you’ll get to know them, and they you, is to talk to them. Don’t go waltzing in and ask if they want PT sessions. Get to know them. Ask them questions about their lives, family, holidays, whatever the talking point is; they will feel valued. They’ll remember you for being the trainer that was interested in them not just making money. It’s the little things that matter.

Be open to advice and help
Just because I've got my diploma doesn't mean I know everything and don't need any help from other Personal Trainers. Being open to advice and support is key to building a successful business. Don't be afraid to ask for help either, I'm always talking to my colleagues to get fresh ideas and see what does and doesn't work for them. You may find you've got some knowledge to share with them too!

Know your limits
You may find you have potential clients that approach you with an injury or specific goal. Sometimes these may be out of your remit and you may not be the most appropriate trainer for them. Don’t be afraid to be honest with them and let them know someone else may be better suited to them or refer them to another professional. In the long run, you and them will thank you for it. If you don’t have the right qualifications or knowledge to help them you’re only going to fail them and yourself.

Keep learning
Don’t ever stop learning. I’m constantly taking in new information from colleagues, social media and researching. Personal development is a huge part of the role and you can never have too many qualifications. Getting your diploma or level three is just the beginning. You’ll learn so much on the job and want to keep expanding your knowledge. I’ve personally found that I’m now only just starting to work out what type of trainer I want to be. In turn this will also help with the type of clients you attract. My next step is to complete my pre- and post-natal course so I can concentrate on finding my niche.

Work for free
 Give potential clients something for free. Whether that’s taster sessions, some advice or a quick home workout they can do. They’ll appreciate you spending the time with them and it’s a great way to sell yourself and show them what it could be like working with you. I try to do this as much as I can in the gym but also when I started out on my own at the beginning of the year. Word of mouth is a wonderful thing and even if they don’t take up any sessions with you they may recommend you to a friend or a family member. Remember your reputation is everything.

I hope that’s given you a little insight in to what it’s like being a Personal trainer. If you have any questions about this or anything else please don’t hesitate to get in touch.