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advice on being a PT? need some advice
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TweetWell it is a noble cause to want to help other people. And if you can do it without getting paid you will be very successful. But if you need to bring in some money also there are several things to consider.
CSCS is the best.
I believe (my info may be a little outdated) that you can get certified with them without a degree. But most CSCS have a degree. And to move up in certification “levels” you will need a degree.
I doubt CSCS will be the best choice for you unless you want to make it a career.
Remember anyone can certify anything. Certifications are different from a License, which is obtained by the state.
Most, if not all, potential clients cannot distinguish one Cert from the next. So go with the cheapest alternative. Or better yet, Certify yourself. Then go to your local print shop and have them make you a certificate and business cards.
Most certification programs will not teach you anything new. They are money machines. There to take your money.
I am ISSA certified. Everything I know I learned on my own. If you are in college your school library should have more books than you can read – all for free.
What most people do not realize is that being a PT is as much about selling as it is training. If you cannot sell your self and your program, you will not have any clients. And when you depend on your clients to put food on your table you will find yourself becoming more concerned with gaining clients.
Of course if you are good and you can market your self well over time it does become easier to get new clients. But this is not a short process.
Starting out as a new trainer with no one to guide you through the process can be very difficult and discouraging.
My recommendation is for all new trainers to go work at a gym such as Bally. They insure you and will teach you how to sell. You will most likely hate working for them because they don’t give a shit about your clients, but in the end you will know how to build a successful client base on your own. Also Bally does all the marketing for you, and will bring in many new members for you to interact with.
Lastly, many Certification programs offer insurance plans. But you do not have to get certified by anyone in particular to find an insurance plan.
Regardless of your Cert you will need to be CPR certified
Originally Posted by Slightly Enhanced
I'm a guy so that doesn't help me. I'm a nice person but I tell it like it is most of the time. I'm not going to workout for the person 
If the customer wants it then I'll show/teach him how to get it. I know that I can train people I've trained (free) people in the past. Lots of people will ask me how to do this or that etc etc. But I'm not a social like person. I could care less how your job is or what your wife did to make you made. But I'm good at faking it 
So this would never be a full time job with me.
But I do see your point. If I lived back in Atlanta I'd have plenty of gym's to choose from. But I don't think I'll be driving 60-70 miles to train somebody. So all thats left for me is the local gym. And the all get as a PT is a sticky board to place your card. But I'd have no "real" competion from the other trainers. Only one guy trainer. And he's just a bloated puff ball. 
