How many here are personal trainers - Page 2

*Bunny* · 06-26-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navalgazer

I think this is the secret of great success.

We choose who we share our lives with so why wouldn't you want to choose with whom you work?

The only thing that can get in the way of this is of course finances and if you are in the position to easily turn down work.

This will SOON not be an issue...

Praise Geezus.

sassy69 · 06-26-2008, 05:31 PM

Specifically why I've never trained anyone. I've helped a silly number of people over the years, dating back to circa early 80s, but I just don't have patience for people who are looking for 'negotiation points' on which they can get 'trainer approved' cheating but still get their results. Further I have no time for esp women who don't believe they can lift heavy things or feel because they are female they are constrained to the pink weights.

Recently I was asked by a 20 yr old from my gym to help train him - he wants the mass but doesn't want to eat for it. And then he usually gets sidetracked flirting.

Bottom line just like competition -- what is your goal? You either do it or you don't. Its one thing if they are looking to learn "how" and want to experiment vs they want results and aren't interested in the methodology. I just don't have the patience and my other bottom line is that I make a hellabunch more money at my day job and my day job will always take precedence. And the consequence of that is that I need the time to do my own training so I don't lose my mind. (Rule of thumb: A gym membership is cheaper than a therapist any day of the week.)

Immortalis · 06-26-2008, 05:37 PM

I "train" 3 guys, however I am not a certified trainer.

That being said, I have had multiple people approach me both in and out of the gym asking me for assistance of some kind, whether it be inside the gym or in the kitchen etc. Some have offered some pretty hefty dollar signs.

The bottom line is, I don't help ANYONE who isn't self motivated, serious and dedicated enough to make it worth my time. For all the reasons previously listed and then some more, I will never train someone whom I haven't observed for a lengthy amount of time so that I can, from my own personal observation tell if they are committed or not.

I just don't have the time, nor the patience for weak, half-ass`ness.

ILIEKFUDE · 06-26-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immortalis

The bottom line is, I don't help ANYONE who isn't self motivated

You just said it all man. Its the same way with most things in life. If their not ready and willing and hungry for it then its a waste of everyones time. But if their paying and its yr job then i guess ya hafta deal with it, which must blow for these guys.

Caligula · 06-27-2008, 12:30 AM

Technically yes. I just got so damn tired of it that I'm not training anyone right now.

Mike Miller · 06-27-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILIEKFUDE

Alot of people seem to treat their personal trainers like psychologists.
Id put up one of those "no whining" signs and maybe a fire axe in a glass case with a sign that says "break and use in case of whiners".
Maybe that'd help get the point across.
Maybe another sign that says "75% of the fitness war is won in the kitchen" or some such bullshit for the people who dont take it home w/em.
God bless ya mike, id be in jail if i had to deal with some of the dipshits i see walking around with trainers.

I like that idea

Mike Miller · 06-27-2008, 09:20 AM

Thanks guys I'm going to use allot of these ideas..

Killer · 06-27-2008, 10:27 AM

I think you really have to set the client's expectations. If someone comes to me and wants a body of a greek god or goddess and wants to work out 2 hours a week, then we have to put them in check - but in a nice and supportive way

My cleints that do not eat all that good and only workout twice a week and maybe a hike on the weekend - well, we can get them much, much stronger, little firmer, and give them many of the health benefits of working out, but they are not suddenly going to drop 5 dress sizes. As long as they realize that, it is ok.

In according to their expectations, we cannot put our's or our goals on them.

In reality, very few of your clients will be "hardcore." But this can vary on the facility that you train at. If you go into it and think you are going to train 30 - 40 hours a week and get primairly people who are going to crush it, you are wrong.

BTW - my one client almost threw up doing walking lunges yesterday. Nice!!! haha

Sarge · 06-27-2008, 08:50 PM

I did for about a couple months. Wasn't worth my time/effort nor payed the bills... though it was part time thing.

Group fitness, boot camp, ect is VERY worth while financially. The numbers work out great as long as you have a place you can bring the group to or do it outside on grounds you have a permit for, ect.

Example of training paying the bills:

One person:
$275 for 9 sessions (3x week, 45-60 minute sessions)

get 30 people and it adds up quick (15-20 people could even be worth it). Charge what you feel you are worth and what your local market can bare.

8k / month just for working 60 minutes 3x a week isn't too shabby.

Get a deposit or payment in full up front for the camp and it pays for it's own expenses (shirts, field cones, ect).

It's the marketing that will take up your time if you do it yourself.

T-Cake · 06-28-2008, 12:11 AM

Ok, so sidebar here re: training marketing:

If I'm an independent trainer... how do I go about getting clients?

At present, the people I work with have fallen in my lap by just my being at the gym... or talking about it at school... so I end up helping a lot of teachers... or just friends of family, stuff like that.

So now that I have a slew of references and recommendations... aside from my personal experience/story... when I've passed the CSCS exam... how do I go about getting clients w/o workin' for the big gyms? Conventional advertising... or a flyer... or just stick to word of mouth so I can stay picky?

It'd be supplemental income, but shoot, if I could get 8 clients goin' I'd be a damn happy woman.

getjacked · 06-28-2008, 03:38 AM

t-cake im not sure if a CSCS is necessary to train random females or guys. if you want to get it thats cool, always a good thing to have, but may be not necessary. most guys with CSCS intend to train athletes, not the lay folk.

thecomeback · 06-28-2008, 04:04 AM

I'm not certified in anything but I've trained many people with good results.

Maxx Power · 06-28-2008, 08:58 AM

Mike I a trainer too but dont like it. Most people dont get into it and half ass evrything. For that reason i havent done it in a long time. If im at the gym however and someone who looks like they're trying needs help or wants to hire my for awhile ill do it. I like to help people but not those who dont help themselves.

Doggy · 06-28-2008, 09:28 AM

Certified...but have not expanded the business because I have two girls to get through college $$ and the exact reason you started this thread.
99% of the people who want a trainer have 0% committment...they think like the media; hire a trainer get fit (take AAS get big) they forget the working hard part!!
I work with only the people that truly want to train their asses off; they seem to appreciate the effort!

Sarge · 07-03-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cake

If I'm an independent trainer... how do I go about getting clients?

As you said, basically networking, family, friends ect is a place to start.

Newspapers, craigslist.com (multiple areas near by), anything free to post your marketing ad that you've come up with (a sales/marketing type of flyer or poster)... post at your gym if they have a cork board, leave on the bench in the locker room, post up at colleges in the area (their gyms have cork boards usually) ect.

Once you have a marketing piece to advertise, put it wherever you would like to pull clients from (your 'niche' market).

Once you have money coming in, IMO it's invaluable to start a web page (it can be very cheap and simple to begin with)... once people can research you (it is the interweb age after all), they should close themselves and be emailing you...

06-27-2008, 12:30 AM	#30 (permalink)
Caligula Frankenbutt Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: The fastfood drive-thru Posts: 5,030 Rep Power: 23447	Technically yes. I just got so damn tired of it that I'm not training anyone right now. __________________ Curious "THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER" "THE HARDER YOU WORK, THE HARDER IT IS TO SURRENDER" - Vince Lombardi "A COWARD HAS NO SCAR"

06-27-2008, 08:50 PM	#34 (permalink)
Sarge Goal Setting Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northly Posts: 4,113 Rep Power: 42919	I did for about a couple months. Wasn't worth my time/effort nor payed the bills... though it was part time thing. Group fitness, boot camp, ect is VERY worth while financially. The numbers work out great as long as you have a place you can bring the group to or do it outside on grounds you have a permit for, ect. Example of training paying the bills: One person: $275 for 9 sessions (3x week, 45-60 minute sessions) get 30 people and it adds up quick (15-20 people could even be worth it). Charge what you feel you are worth and what your local market can bare. 8k / month just for working 60 minutes 3x a week isn't too shabby. Get a deposit or payment in full up front for the camp and it pays for it's own expenses (shirts, field cones, ect). It's the marketing that will take up your time if you do it yourself. __________________ APT Pro Gear 'All that we are is a result of what we have thought...' - Buddha

06-28-2008, 12:11 AM	#35 (permalink)
T-Cake Hyper Hypo Spaz Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cakers is influencing young minds while keeping her own in tact. Posts: 5,184 Rep Power: 147615	Ok, so sidebar here re: training marketing: If I'm an independent trainer... how do I go about getting clients? At present, the people I work with have fallen in my lap by just my being at the gym... or talking about it at school... so I end up helping a lot of teachers... or just friends of family, stuff like that. So now that I have a slew of references and recommendations... aside from my personal experience/story... when I've passed the CSCS exam... how do I go about getting clients w/o workin' for the big gyms? Conventional advertising... or a flyer... or just stick to word of mouth so I can stay picky? It'd be supplemental income, but shoot, if I could get 8 clients goin' I'd be a damn happy woman. __________________ "T-Cake's Mini Fresh Training Log" T-Cake's Story & Photo Progression "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after other have let go." -- William Feather "If you have no goals you will be bored: you will be unhappy because you are empty." -- Alfred A. Montapert "The ultimate goal is victory, and if you refuse to work as hard as you possibly can toward that aim, or if you do anything that keeps you from achieving that goal, then you are just cheating yourself." -- Don Shula

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06-26-2008, 05:31 PM	#27 (permalink)
sassy69 Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 6,900 Rep Power: 156086	Specifically why I've never trained anyone. I've helped a silly number of people over the years, dating back to circa early 80s, but I just don't have patience for people who are looking for 'negotiation points' on which they can get 'trainer approved' cheating but still get their results. Further I have no time for esp women who don't believe they can lift heavy things or feel because they are female they are constrained to the pink weights. Recently I was asked by a 20 yr old from my gym to help train him - he wants the mass but doesn't want to eat for it. And then he usually gets sidetracked flirting. Bottom line just like competition -- what is your goal? You either do it or you don't. Its one thing if they are looking to learn "how" and want to experiment vs they want results and aren't interested in the methodology. I just don't have the patience and my other bottom line is that I make a hellabunch more money at my day job and my day job will always take precedence. And the consequence of that is that I need the time to do my own training so I don't lose my mind. (Rule of thumb: A gym membership is cheaper than a therapist any day of the week.)

06-27-2008, 09:20 AM	#32 (permalink)
Mike Miller Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 679 Rep Power: 35283	Thanks guys I'm going to use allot of these ideas..

06-27-2008, 10:27 AM	#33 (permalink)
Killer Fragile Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 3,165 Rep Power: 27798	I think you really have to set the client's expectations. If someone comes to me and wants a body of a greek god or goddess and wants to work out 2 hours a week, then we have to put them in check - but in a nice and supportive way My cleints that do not eat all that good and only workout twice a week and maybe a hike on the weekend - well, we can get them much, much stronger, little firmer, and give them many of the health benefits of working out, but they are not suddenly going to drop 5 dress sizes. As long as they realize that, it is ok. In according to their expectations, we cannot put our's or our goals on them. In reality, very few of your clients will be "hardcore." But this can vary on the facility that you train at. If you go into it and think you are going to train 30 - 40 hours a week and get primairly people who are going to crush it, you are wrong. BTW - my one client almost threw up doing walking lunges yesterday. Nice!!! haha

06-28-2008, 03:38 AM	#36 (permalink)
getjacked TRAPASAURUS Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 934 Rep Power: 42161	t-cake im not sure if a CSCS is necessary to train random females or guys. if you want to get it thats cool, always a good thing to have, but may be not necessary. most guys with CSCS intend to train athletes, not the lay folk.

06-28-2008, 04:04 AM	#37 (permalink)
thecomeback Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 340 Rep Power: 2940	I'm not certified in anything but I've trained many people with good results.

06-28-2008, 09:28 AM	#39 (permalink)
Doggy Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 856 Rep Power: 27701	Certified...but have not expanded the business because I have two girls to get through college $$ and the exact reason you started this thread. 99% of the people who want a trainer have 0% committment...they think like the media; hire a trainer get fit (take AAS get big) they forget the working hard part!! I work with only the people that truly want to train their asses off; they seem to appreciate the effort!