I have been getting a lot of questions about my new life as a Personal Trainer. I was hesitant to answer them because I am barely starting out, but figured I can do this every month or so for the first year to show how it is to get ramped up in a new career as a personal trainer like a home personal trainer.
Here are some of the most common questions about my experience as a new Personal Trainer after one month…
Do you get paid on commission, like per appointment?
The way my gym works (and they are all different) is I get hourly pay for doing assessments and equipment introductions for our new members. This is a lower rate. I get “personal trainer pay” for actually training clients.
A fitness assessment involves weighing, doing measurements and going over the member’s goals, healthy history and limitations. An equipment introduction shows our new members how to use the basic circuit weight machines safely.
Do you have to find your own clients or does the gym set them up for you?
The gym sets up new members with a fitness evaluation and/or equipment introduction. I don’t find those members (but those are 1 or 2 time meetings not new clients).
I do have to sell personal training packages to get my training clients. On occasion, members will just come in a buy Personal Training sessions and then I may be given the client depending on what they are looking for in a trainer.
Are your clients looking to lose weight, tone up, or what?
Most clients are looking to lose weight, many are looking to tone certain areas or get fit without hurting themselves. A lot of clients have past health problems or injuries and want guidance to work out.
Are you still thinking of pursuing the Registered Dietician path?
This is on hold for right now. I didn’t take any pre-req classes in the Spring semester because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with the Personal Training thing.
I still really want to, but don’t think I can do it right now. There are a lot of factors to consider (like money, making sure my new job knows I am giving 100%, making babies, time constraints…). I haven’t completely decided, but right now it doesn’t look good 
How do you like being a Trainer so far?
I love it! I still have a lot to learn, and feel like I am actually learning every day. I do think I need to get a lot better, but I’m working on it 
I love working with people and I have been really getting to know my new clients –which I love!
Any drawbacks for someone considering a career change like this?
This isn’t a drawback, but it’s more of a struggle… I don’t consider myself a good salesperson at all, so it’s hard for me to sell personal training. That is a big part of the job, so that’s been a process for me. While navigating the challenges of job requirements, it’s also essential to be prepared to tackle sudden job loss and have contingency plans in place to navigate unexpected shifts in your professional journey.
Also, my schedule is really sporadic. I have to be available when members are available to work out, so I have a few early morning clients and a few later evening ones and even a few who like to meet around lunch time.
I live really close to my gym so it’s not a big deal, but I am constantly going back and forth.
You’ll notice my obsession with iced coffee has become stronger as of late. I blame my new schedule Actually, I’m kinda happy that I can now blame my obsession on something other than addiction! Ha! 
The only tiny drawback is that Personal Trainers are supposed to look very fit. It’s part of the job. I’m a little self conscious about my body at work since I know it’s important for me to look a certain way. But, I’m working on it, and not dwelling on it and it’s okay
Questions? Comments? Random thoughts you want to share with the class?
umm… Monica, you look very fit to me!
I seriously hate sales and could totally see how that could be a drawback. But at least you’re selling something that you believe in. I think that makes all the difference in the world.
I think you look exactly like a personal trainer should! You are a beautiful fit and healthy girl and people will want to train with you for that reason. I am scared of the girls who are so ripped I want a healthy,fit trainer that has the look I am going for also. I don’t need more muscles than my husband hehe I just want to be healthy 🙂
Love Dunkin Donuts coffee 🙂 And oh my goodness! You look sooo fit!! Those pics you posted from the beach in your little bitty bikini prove that 🙂 The trainers I have seen at my gym have nothing on you girl! The super fit and muscley ones are intimidating anyway. Whenever I see them I think they must just work out all the time and not have much fun 🙂
Thank you for this post! I’m half way through my personal training certification classes and I spent a good 3 hours searching for jobs and marketing strategies. You post really put me at ease. I must confess I also feel like I don’t look like a “trainer”, but reading all the post from the readers just boosted my confidence! Please keep the post coming!!
I am also working on my RD pre reqs at night, I think it’s totally worth the sacrifice! I wish I would have taken all that science during undergrad, but Im taking one class per semester for now! Good luck with whatever path you decide to take.
I signed up for three personal training sessions at my gym and my trainer is quite the salesperson. I definitely wouldn’t like that part of the job!
I think you look like you’re in great shape. I know you have body image issues (don’t we all?) but trust me when I say that you look very fit– the way I think trainers should look! You fit right in 🙂
We need to meet in person, you’ll see 🙂
I think personal training would be such a cool job! And I also think that being slightly less than “perfect” shape but a hard worker and someone very knowledgeable makes you very relatable and trustworthy! For instance, my group fitness instructor for the weight training class I go to has a little bit of a tummy on her, but she also really enjoys what she does, and is very helpful and knowledgeable…this makes her very approachable, and makes my goals seem very approachable…fitness should be a long term and ongoing process…you shouldn’t feel like you have to have everything perfect bodywise at any given moment in life, ya know? 🙂
I have to echo previous comments, I am really turned off by personal trainers who are super fit. In fact, all of the trainers at my current gym are WAY to intimidating. Even if I could afford it, I wouldn’t work out with any of them. The guys are absolutely built, and the girls good kick any of the guys’ butts!
I just went through my workshop this weekend. I tested and will know the results in a few weeks…crossing my fingers and appreciate this post
First of all, I think you look great. One of my favorite group exercise teachers isn’t thin, but she runs marathons! Obviously she’s in shape. No, I’m not trying to get her body, but her classes kick my butt!
Re: sales and being pushy. Honestly I think it’s better not to be too pushy even if it means getting fewer clients in the beginning. I once had a PT really aggressively try to sell me sessions (she actually suggested I take out a bank loan to pay for it if I was really motivated to reach my goals… lol) and I know that if and when I ever do hire a PT, she would be the last person in the world I would call. I would say focus on providing really good service to the clients you already have and you’ll get more clients through word of mouth recommendations.
Thanks for posting about this Monica. I’m halfway through my PT course and am pretty nervous about starting out and looking fit enough – something I’m also working at! Thanks for sharing your experiences so far – it’s reassuring.
This was so interesting to read! Also, I definitely think you look fit! Just a little reassurance from a random little blog reader 😉
<3
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love the post!!
have been meaning to comment, but i love your blog, exactly the way it is. a little food, a little fitness, and a lot of quirkyness!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
and one last thing – i totally get it that you personally want to lose some lbs – but right now – even in your bikini pics- you look fit!!!!!
Thanks Nicole 🙂
I love the insight. Keep us updated!
Thanks for the insights! I haven’t decided yet if Personal Training is something I want to pursue, but I eventually want to do something fitness related. I use to coach figure skating and it was pretty similar. I hated always having to sell myself 🙁 But, at least its something you believe in 🙂
I know you aren’t quite where you want with your weight but I’m super judgey (what? i am!) and the only thing I ever think when I see blog pictures of you is how hot you look! I would absolutely have confidence in a trainer who looked like you.
Thank you Emily 🙂
I think I would find the pressure of “looking the part” to be really tough if I was a personal trainer. I hope you continue to deal with it well!
Glad you like being a personal trainer, it seems like a tough job but also very rewarding!
great post! im in the middle of studying to be a personal trainer. i used to work in sales and quit bc i didnt love it haha. soo that’ll be an interesting part of the job. but overall, it sounds like you’re having a great experience which is good to know!! thanks for the post!
You would be such a fun trainer! Let me know if you ever have questions about the registered dietitian path… It’s a LONG journey, but well worth it. I sit for my exam this January! Finallllly
I think you make a wonderful PT! 🙂
Reading this gives me a new appreciation for the trainers at my gym!
As for sales, I feel like your personality would be a big draw for a lot of clients. Rather than doing a “hard sell”, I’m sure you present yourself as knowledgeable, nice, and approachable, which can speak for itself – often more strongly than a sales pitch! I’d totally hire you as my trainer 😉
And lastly even if you don’t have that rock-hard bod that a lot of trainers seem to have, you do look fit! So don’t worry about that! As weird as this may sound, that can even help you seem more approachable to potential clients (i.e. “that trainer looks like me – only super fit!”)
I just have to say – it can be intimidating to have a personal trainer who looks insanely fit! Often times a more normal looking, healthy person with a muscular but achievable body is a great role model. I think you totally fit that description!
So true. A super fit hottie as a trainer can be intimidating (depending of course, on your reasons for hiring the trainer!!) While the client may not want to hear the trainer’s life story, knowing that the person also struggles with eating/weight etc may be encouraging.
I know that I have gotten more out of sessions with a person who has walked in my shoes, and knows what it’s like.
i’m sure even though there are hard parts, the perks are gonna be so worth it! 🙂 Yay!!!
Hi Melissa 🙂 How are you? I keep meaning to call for a marathon recap!
Haha, yeah, about that marathon…I’ve got a recap and emotions about it afterwards on the blog:
http://rainforestgurl.blogspot.com/2011/06/san-diego-marathon-recap.html
http://rainforestgurl.blogspot.com/2011/06/post-marathon-feeling.html
What steps did you have to take to become a personal trainer? I teacher aerial dance, so personal training is something I’m interested in well. Do you also teach group fitness classes?
I got certified through ACE. I had to study with a bunch of materials, get CPR/AED certified and take an exam.
i think a huge part of being a successful trainer is motivating/inspiring your client. i have no doubt that you’re excellent at that. plus, if you’re like you are on your blog – they’ll get awesome abs from all the belly laughs!
I would totally hire you as a personal trainer, girl! I suck at sales too. That must be so challenging, but I’m sure you’ll improve w/ practice 🙂
Thanks Jen 🙂
Thanks for posting this. I’m going to take my ACE trainer exam in December and hope to start working next fall when we move back to the U.S. 🙂
Your doing great so far, and like you said it is all new and your learning. You have a great background to share! It will get easier.
Ever since I lost my weight and have kept it off, personal training as been on my mind on and off. It is a flexible job because if you move you can probably find a gym hiring new trainers. Meeting and helping people. I’m in this slump of having a marketing degree and I’m still working my high school job. I really need change and I want to do something I enjoy doing.
Do you get insurance with your job and have you thought about getting certification for Group exercise to teach as well?
I didn’t get personal insurance because I’m covered by my gym. But, if I started training outside my gym at all I would get it.
I have thought about teaching group exercise! That’s always been my favorite part of gyms 🙂 But, I’m not pursuing it yet.
Sales is by far the worst part of personal training! I absolutely hated it at my last gym and hated feelin pressure to meet sales goals. Once youve been training for awhe you will establish a rep and clients who like your style of training will gravitate towards you. It takes a long time to fet established