Soon to be personal trainer, need some advice. - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[aalsugha]

Hello everyone

I am new to the forum and hopefully you can help me with this career choice. I am a Kinesiology student soon to be graduate from ASU (May) and in the process on getting my ACSM-CPT certification within the next couple of months. The problem is that I am not sure what to expect from this field as an employee so maybe you can help me answer a few questions?

1. When should I apply for a job and what to expect at the job interview? keep in mind that both my cert and degree are mostly clinical and do not emphasize much else in terms of technique.
2. I have limited experience in this field and only have about a year of work experience operating a computer networking shop in 2004-2005 which went out of business a few years back. will this make it difficult to get my foot in the door?
3. Will there be a learning curve? what can I expect to be paid initially?

Feel free to add any additional comments or advice, every little bit helps and thanks in advance!

[bkennedy]

1. When should I apply for a job and what to expect at the job interview? keep in mind that both my cert and degree are mostly clinical and do not emphasize much else in terms of technique.
- Apply when you feel your ready. If you have the time, I suggest you go to the gym you want to work at and ask if you could job shadow. You will get some first hand expierence that will be invaluable plus get your face and name known. If you are not familar with technique I suggest you learn ASAP. Not much good being certified but not know what you are doing. Hire a PT for 2-3 sessions and have them go over some basic things, squat, lunge, keeping proper posture and queing techniques.

2. I have limited experience in this field and only have about a year of work experience operating a computer networking shop in 2004-2005 which went out of business a few years back. will this make it difficult to get my foot in the door?
- possibly, but you never know unless you try. the more hands on work you can get, the better off you will be. Book smarts with never surpass hands on knowledge in a gym.

3. Will there be a learning curve? what can I expect to be paid initially?
- you are constanlty on a learning curve, you should learn something new everyday. I learn more from my coworkers then I do books or courses. You also have to remember that this career is more then just physical, there is a huge mental aspect to it as well. You have to carry on conversations for 8-10 hours a day everyday. You have to bring energy to the floor even when your not "feeling it". Your clients look to you for alot more then programs and what weights to use.

Feel free to PM me if you want a more private conversation.

[Pro-Fit]

Jobs are short term, careers are long term
People hate their jobs, people love their careers

I just nod my head, when i see trainers who view pt as a "job"