If you’re a people-person with a passion for exercise, then becoming a fitness trainer may be the perfect career for you. Take our free career test to find out if this is the right fit for you.
Fitness trainers assess their clients’ physical fitness and create workout routines for them. They also help their clients stay motivated and get results.
They Help You Set Goals
Trainers help you make your exercise goals measurable, specific and time-bound. Saying you want to be stronger is one thing, but deciding to be able to do 20 push-ups in a minute makes it clear what you need to do and how long it will take. It also helps create a sense of urgency that can help keep you on track.
They can teach you techniques that will boost your performance and prevent injury. For example, a trainer can show you how to cross-train, so you’re not using the same muscles too much, which could lead to an overuse injury.
They can also introduce you to new workouts and equipment that will challenge you in different ways. This could include high-intensity interval training, strength training methods like supersets or pyramid training, or something new such as the water-filled Kamagon Ball. They can also show you how to use a new machine at the gym or give you tips on how to improve your form during an exercise.
They Hold You Accountable
Like other highly paid professions, such as lawyers or financial professionals, fitness trainers require their clients to sign an accountability agreement that includes a commitment to workout regularly. This helps the coach keep track of client progress and ensures their clients stay on track to meet long-term goals.
This also helps the trainer get to know their clients well so they can offer additional support outside of scheduled sessions. This can be in the form of encouraging them to use a workout tracking app such as Trainerize or checking in by phone or email to see how they’re doing between sessions.
Sometimes it takes more than a cheerleader to help motivate an exerciser. A trainer can teach them about muscle groups and how to target specific areas of the body to give them the education they need to take the reins on their own in the future. They can also cross-train to avoid overtraining and injury by giving their clients a mix of exercises that target different muscles.
They Help You Stay Motivated
A fitness trainer serves as a positive chip on their client’s shoulder, cheering them on when they achieve small victories and making sure they feel supported. They also help keep people motivated when they hit a fitness plateau, by switching up their workouts or helping them find a new type of exercise equipment.
A trainer can also provide a social element to their clients’ exercise sessions, encouraging them to do group workouts like boot camps or setting up buddy relationships. Incorporating group training into their workouts can also make it easier for clients to stay motivated when they feel unmotivated, by allowing them to get caught up in the energy of their peers.
Many fitness trainers check in with their clients each week to ask if they’ve been sticking to their goals, providing them with an additional motivating factor to avoid missing a workout. Additionally, many gyms now offer software that allows clients to view their goals and track their progress, which is another great way to help motivate them.
They Help You Get Results
Fitness trainers are dedicated to helping their clients succeed. They know that a good workout plan takes time to bear fruit. But they also understand that a client who is able to stick with the program and see results will be a better client down the line.
A trainer can teach you how to perform exercises correctly and safely. They can show you how to use standard equipment like resistance bands and a bench, but they can also recommend unexpected equipment or even help you make use of things around your house.
Some trainers offer in-home personal training, which can be more convenient and a lot less intimidating than visiting a gym. They can also work out with you to add a sense of accountability and encourage you to keep going. Having a standing appointment with a fitness trainer can be a great way to ensure that you follow through on your workouts and nutrition goals.