[kaiserS]

I've got a running joke that I still haven't met a single person that started out WANTING to be a Personal Trainer - you know, through high school or college -

I've talked to some big-name trainers, and even all of them ended up in this profession sideways somehow and took it from there - that's my story too -

So I'm interested in how you guys got started in training - I'm going to write a post on my blog about it, and if I use your comment I'll give you credit on there -

I posted this same question on another forum, and surprisingly met one guy who DID get started in Personal Training at age 17 - but he was int he armed forces at the time and they pushed him into it -

Anyone else been a life-time, first love trainer, or did you all just wander in here and THEN realize you loved it?

[standAPART]

Kaiser,
I did. Believe it or not, I entered college with the intent knowing that exercise programming would be my career in one form or another. I was already into athletics and by that time, I was already knee-deep in bodybuilding--reading alot, attending shows (not competing).So I decided to learn about another aspect of fitness--general health & wellness. SO I majored in Public Health. During my education, I learned the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, onslaught of disease, obesity, and nutrition. I worked out at the school gym and I began training as a ....(if my memory serves me correct) as a junior...maybe senior at my local YMCA. I worked at a nightclub on weekends with other bodybuilding folk and martial artists (they were bouncers, I was bar-back), and I became the "go to" guy at the Y because I was already very into fitness. When I started spurting out disease prevention and conditioning, I knew it was my forte. So after i graduated, I pursued my first 40-hour week job at a wellness/fitness center working with a variety of peeps.
In 10 years, I haven't done anything outside of fitness or health...I served 3.5 years as a fitness manager, and less than 1 year as a ergonomics specialist. Been training all throughout.

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

Wow, I wish my path to personal training was as direct as Johns.

As a skinny kid with absolutely no skill at sport, I turned to lifting weights midway through high school to build my body so girls would notice me. (LOL )

Then became the "neighborhood expert" by reading every issue of Muscle and fitness from 1985 to 1991. At the time, Like most teenagers, I had no idea all those body builders took drugs and their routines led most to overtraining.

So, despite my non-existant athletic ability, I was able to develop an impressive body. The guys at the gym I went to would always ask my advice on routine and supplements and stuff. The manager of that gym noticed I spent a lot of time there (sometimes twice a day) and asked if I was certified or a personal trainer. I said "NO" and he said, you should get certified. I'm going for it, why don't you take it as well?

I agreed and 6 months later I was ACE Certified. I should mention at this time I was through college (B.S. is Sociology THAT WAS USEFUL! - NOT!) and working full time(Computer sales) and going to grad school to get my MBA. But still working out and applying what I learned.

Well the manager of the gym that convinced me to get certified started his own personal training business and it went gang busters. So he asked for help taking his overflow clientele. Which I did.

In 2000 I got a card in the mail from a RITZY super luxurious fitness club that was opening up in DC. (I guess they sent this card to every certified trainer in a 50 mile radius! LOL:) ) I moved to DC with hopes of taking personal training full time at this RITZY new club. But it didn't happen. So that's when I discovered corporate fitness, where I currently work full time and have been managing sites for over 7 years.

Now I live in Western, PA. (50 miles north of Pittsburgh). I've got a small personal training practice and am managing a corporate fitness site near the Pittsburgh Airport.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Dave

[kaiserS]

[Namus]

Not this one?

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=109183051

Lol

[kaiserS]