Newbie - Training people for free to get started - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[andy@threecoaching]

Hi There,

It was recommended to me that i train people for free in my spare time to build up my confidence, but the thought occurred... where?

Wondered if anyone had any solutions or could help me brainstorm?

Training them at a gym is tricky because if the gym sees me training someone, they won't like it. Also there's a cost involved somewhere along the line i.e. they might have to pay for me to get in as a guest in their gym.

Target market is overweight female clients.

Thanks for any help!
Andy

[Christina]

Hi Andy and welcome. Train them at their home or nearby park. You don't need to a gym.

Christina

[Joe Cannon MS CSCS]

HI Andy
if you both belong to the gym you can work out with them and the staff will probably not notice you. Are you certified as a personal trainer? if no, don't represent yourself as a personal trainer. I'm sure a lawyer can give you reasons why this is so. If you are training them in a gym or home you should also have liability insurance. Even if you are training them for free, I think its best if you have it. its relatively cheap (less than 200/year).

have you ever worked in a gym? if no, I suggest starting there. If you want to go out on your own that's fine but Id hope there is a trainer near you who is already doing it so you can learn from him/her.
Joe

[andy@threecoaching]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input!

The comment about the training in a park got my thinking. I rent a nice town house with a decent back garden i could use for some training. I also have a spare room that is never used which i could convert into a basic gym/workout room plus there is a large and very pretty park literally at the end of my street.

In terms of working out at home, i'm about to apply for insurance (and yes i am qualified). So that's fine.

Only issue is confidence. It would be nice to work at a gym but i just don't want to a) work for minimum wage and b) have to get up a 4am to go to work. I'm currently trying to sort out a deal with the guy who trained me so i can consult him as a mentor. Also, there's a gym nearby who i handed my resume to and they said there could be a possibility of me working there one day a week, casual hours. So fingers crossed, that would be an easy way to get used to things.

but... how important is it that i train people under supervision first?