Where was your first pt job? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Christina]

I am curious to know, where was your first personal training job? Did any of you go out on your own right after getting certified?

Christina

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

In Baltimore I worked for a friend who got certified at the same time I did. I took one or two of his clients that wanted to train at times he wasn't available.

Then I moved to DC and worked at a small fitness club chain. One of my first clients there decided she wanted me to train her in her house so paid me to build her a home gym and we trained every saturday then after.

Starting as a PT at a club is great to get your reputation going. But I would minimize this path and try to get out on your own as soon as possible as the clubs take 50% or more of the personal training fee and often issue "Sales Quotas" to PTs if they want bonuses.

AVOID THE YMCA at all cost, their trainers make less than 1/3rd the PT session cost. (At least here in Western PA that is the norm) Talk about an operation that seriously undervalues a personal trainers skills and talent.

[Joe Cannon MS CSCS]

My first job was at my local YMCA. I found it to be a great learning experience and I'd recommend Y's to anyone who is looking for a place to get their feet wet without the high pressure to make money that one might see at other large fitness chains
Joe

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Joe,

Just curious, as the YMCA you worked at probably was in a different league than the ones here in Western, PA, but... did you have a national certification when you went to work there or were you a YMCA PT Certified?

The candidates I've interviewed that were YMCA certified to help me out here in my fitness center have answered this question wrong each and every time:

"What should women do if they want to "tone up"?"

Every single candidate said the exact same thing "LIghter weights, Higher Reps". Which you and I both know is not what will increase muscle mass and decrease fat, but will increase muscle endurance.

If this is what is being taught in the YMCA PT cert course, I can't in good faith, recommend that PT wannabees start there. (And it may have changed after these people I interviewed got their certs)

No offense, it's just what I have experienced.

Check out the YMCA if you don't want the pressures of sales but still aim high and get a national certification.

Dave

[Sandy]

My first PT job was at a few clients homes doing Pilates. I would bring my mats and it was close by so it was nice.
I also work at a local gym and doing PT there, just like Dave said, the owner does take a percentage of your pay. Now I do understand he has to make a living and keep up with the facility and the equipment. They have freemotion machines which are very nice.
I have been kicking around the idea of having my own little business. I talked it over with my husband and he said turning the garage into a studio would be fine.
It is still alot of work with buying all the equipment and getting clients to come to me. I know most of the clients at the gym I work at are not happy paying the amount of the "first time" initial fee of joining, then paying a monthly fee and if they want a personal trainer.... that fee. Outrageous to me. I would'nt even want to pay that much for all that.
I'm thinking of the future and what would work best for me. And being at home helps me know what my kids are doing during the summertime, instead of driving back and forth all different times of the day.

Sandy

[Joe Cannon MS CSCS]

Hey Dave
I hear ya on the YMCA PT cert. I was up for a job at that Y and I was told they passed me over because I was not YMCA-certified. I had my CSCS at the time and was in grad school. I still like them overall though becaues of the low-pressure compared to Bally's etc.
Joe

[klnelli]

My first personal training job was in Italy! i was fortunate to study abroad in college and worked in an American owned gym. I think it is hard to start on your own because you learn so much in a gym...observing other trainers, getting new ideas, and an entire membership of potential clients. My first training job in the states was for the sports club LA. It was amazing, and the continuing education was great. I can even go as far to say the pay was pretty good