Today was Bizeee! I took a quick break for an afternoon smoothie (that’s snack smoothie) and thanked my lucky stars foresight for setting up the crockpot with Salsa Chicken this morning!
After work I headed to the gym to train a client. I didn’t end up doing a strength session, but did hop on the gazelle after for 25 minutes of striding and chatting 
When I got home it was almost 8pm. I threw the salsa chicken in some tortillas and dinner was done in 3 minutes!
I don’t get people who eat 1/4 of an avocado. 1 avocado = 1 serving.
I get emails from readers all week asking questions like this…
Hey Monica,
I am writing because I have a couple of questions.
I have been thinking a lot about becoming a certified personal trainer. Where did you get your certification? Also, how do you get started after you get it? just go to a gym and apply?
Thank you,Jennifer Cullum
I love your blog!!!
(this is an email I received over the weekend and asked permission to post)
So let me hit the top three questions right here (instead of writing individual emails like I’ve been doing!).
1. How did you become a personal trainer?
I got my certification through the American Council on Exercise.
Here is why I chose ACE and some Tips for Passing the ACE exam.
Before you take the exam you have to get CPR/AED certified.
*I’ve explored various options for personal trainer certification, and I’ve discovered that my local community college has a program dedicated to it. Additionally, my university provides courses through their extension school, which could be excellent choices for gaining foundational knowledge. Moreover, I recently came across a reputable online platform, https://www.americansportandfitness.com/products/personal-trainer-certification, that offers a comprehensive certification program. It might be worth considering as well to ensure a well-rounded education in personal training.
2. How do you get a job after you’re certified?
Check out local gyms – both big and small. Hit up local independent personal trainers and ask for tips or see if they need any help or subs. Compare pay at multiple places and check to see what sales support and goals are at each location.
Here is my post on how I got my first job at a gym.
3. How do you get clients? Is it enough for me to quit my full time corporate job??
Every gym (or chain of gyms) is different. At my gym I was given a few clients to start, but had to build up my own clientele. I can only train people who are members of my gym so I cannot market to my friends or acquaintances that don’t belong. This means I have to walk the gym floor and talk to possible clients. I can offer a free 30 min. session under certain circumstances, but that is really my only tool to get people interested.
I do Fitness Assessments and Equipment Orientations for new members and can try to sell to them too.
This post answers the rest of the most common questions – Personal Trainer Questions Part I and Part II
I literally got this question one time…
Bonus: “Am I crazy for considering to leave my corporate job and be a trainer?!?!”
I read it to Ben and he said, “Yes.”
But it really depends on your monetary situation, how much you are used to making, your location and if you have savings to build up a base of clients. It would probably be best to try and train in addition to your job at first until you have a nice amount of regulars.
Every gym is also different with how much they pay. I only recently learned that many other gyms in the area pay a bigger percentage to their trainers. I really think independent training is the way to make the most money in this business, but you have to be willing to really work and build up your own client base.
Finally here is my Personal Trainer Questions Vlog
Also if you want any more information or are interested in becoming a personal trainer, click here for personal trainer courses.
Hope that hits all the bases!
After dinner Ben and I shared a piece of carrot cake from the deli. It wasn’t good, but we wanted a little celebratory cake for our first days at work!
I’m going to link to this page in my FAQ for future reference.
Now I’m shutting down the computer to watch Bethenny!!!
That’s was really ooOhhzam! I think it is not all about the right food, exercise, and personal trainer which helps us a lot get fit and fab – I believe it all start from the self discipline and the eagerness to be someone like you, Monica!
awesome post – thanks for the info! I’m currently (albeit slowly) studying for the ACE exam so this post and your post about your ACE certification were both super helpful!
Good luck!
carrot cake is the best! i haven’t had it in so long. too bad yours wasn’t as delicious as you both were hoping!
I love salsa chicken. So yummy and easy. Btw, I totally agree that one serving of avocado is one whole avocado. Any other measuring of a serving is ridiculous!
You look great in your personal trainer t. You arms look fab!
I love using our crock pot!! It makes life so much easier when we get home from work/school to throw together the sides and sit down to a nice meal!! Thanks for your reminder yesterday, I had the hubby lock and load the crock pot this AM!!
I wound up signing up for the wrong class and got my “personal traitor” certificate; man, that thing hasn’t helped me in the least!
I emailed you a long time ago about becoming a trainer. I still haven’t made the leap because I need to keep my current salary. However, the new tentative plan is that my husband is going to join the army… sooooo I need a new career that I can transport. I might get my CrossFit Level 1 certification. Who knows? So many options…
Good luck! It’s definitely fun and fulfilling, I just think it’s more supplemental money not “full time pay”.
Hi Monica,
I was wondering If you could tell me which is the best heart rate monitor that calculates calorie burn too?
Thanks! 🙂
These are great tips!! Thanks so much for sharing them!!! LOVE my crock pot!! Total lifesaver!
Haha I love your avocado theory! This is true on so many levels!
I don’t even know how people could stop themselves from eating the whole avocado. They are amazing! Plus you can eat them with just about anything.
I personally couldn’t take the hours. I have a hard enough time getting out of bed as it is. To know that some trainers are up at 4am just kills me.
The Kidless Kronicles
My gym will only hire trainers with a bachelor’s degree & NASM certification.
Do you think it is a good idea for Jason to work with Bethenny? Do you think she is a hott mess?
Being a personal trainer is my dream job I think. I kind of wish I had known that before I racked up a mortgage-sized student loan, there’s no turning back now!!
Yeah if your dream is to be poor 🙂 Kidding.
Thank you so much!
Didn’t it drive you nuts having the crock pot going all day while you were home? All those good smells would make me want to eat nonstop!
I’ve never understood how people can only eat part of an avocado at a time! It should be illegal. 😉 Being a trainer has it’s ups and it’s downs. (I’ve been a trainer for 3 years now) I get asked those same questions all the time 🙂
This is a helpful post. I often wish my job didn’t involve sitting in an office all day, and I have thought about personal training many times. Thanks for sharing!
🙂 My college offered a free 3 month prep class, and as soon as you passed the class we student taught/trained for a semester and had our own classes and students to train after that!
I think about becoming a trainer every single day! 🙂