Schooling: Check, Experience: None - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[busupshot83]

Here is my situation:

I currently hold a B.A. in English, and have a stable 9-5 job. However, I am interesting in changing careers and becoming a personal trainer. Although I can simply obtain a personal training certification (CPT) and begin working, I would first like to obtain a Masters of Science (M.S.) degree in Exercise Science (note that I must retain my current job as I complete graduate school, due to its stability). Therefore, the plan is to have a M.S. degree as well as a CPT certification when I am ready to train. However, I will lack experience.

Has anyone been in this situation, where you have the "schooling," but little experience? If so, would this hurt me come hiring time? I don't mind starting off at a lower salary in the beginning, even with a M.S. degree... you have to walk before you can run. Any thoughts would be welcome... thanks.

bus

[Christina]

Hi bus and welcome,

Can you begin training friends and family now so that you could get some experience? Since it will take you a couple of years to get your Master's you will have plenty of time to do some part time training for people you know. Just a thought.

Christina

[jlling]

What I found was that while the schooling is important, it doesn't help if you don't know how to communicate. If you tend to be on the shy side or can't voice directions clearly, then you have something to practice. Like what Christina said, you can practice on friends and family. I know for me, telling them what they should do and how to do it was more for me than it was for them (they are only semi-curious as to what I do. They mainly ask just to generate conversation at family get togethers).

Another way is to take a few group exercise classes from different instructors. Its not exactly one on one instruction, but you can apply the way they speak and they way they give instruction and criticism to their class. Also, when you exercise on your own, run through some checkpoints that come natural to you because it is very likely that people you train wont have the same instincts (scapula retracted and down, elbows locked to the side, etc).

The cert also gives some instruction as to how to interact with people. Its obviously just text and can only go so far, but it does give some tips. Best way is to just throw yourself into the fray and learn from experience. Hope that helped. Best of luck