r/personaltraining

Im a Doctor of Physical Therapy I was a personal trainer for almost 10 years prior. Personal training was my passion, PT pays the bills. I've been exploring creating a unique offering that allows both you the Personal trainer and me the physical therapist to profit from helping a client through pain, dysfunction, or health conditions.

Im not selling anything just want to create a discussion. Maybe this idea sucks but can be improved, idk.

Essentially I would create a "functional health assessment" package that you the trainer sells to your clients. This gets them an evaluation by me the physical therapist which is fully comprehensive.

I review past medical history, current conditions effecting quality of life, symptoms, movement dysfunctions etc. I provide my assessment in plain language to the client and trainer, provide guidance for the trainer to help navigate the dysfunction. It could stop here or i have check ins to follow up on progress.

There is more to it, but this is the summary.

I know trainers are smart and navigate injuries all the time. But why not increase your authority and earning potential while still doing it? Also reduce liability and be backed by the credentials of a DPT.

Just want to hear your thoughts on this. Would you entertain something like this or hard pass? Explanations help

Hey guys, making my PT test next Friday. I’ve been studying for months, have pocket prep, watched countless YouTube videos and have been living on my NASM portal. I know that NASM is pretty big on weirdly worded answers, is there anything else I can do to feel more relieved for taking the test?

If yes, how do you do it? If no, have you ever wished you did?

He did weekly check in’s and stuff like that including watching my training vids I sent him, but ever since I gave him notice that I’m canceling the service starting June 1st he never took my remaining 3 weeks serious and basically ignored me in which one week was a vacation he went on. I used affirm to pay for this and the last payment just left and I was wondering should I dispute the charge of 75% of that? I almost let it go but it was too much, though the program was pretty good overall besides this problem. (He also said in his contract I signed that I will not dispute with this the bank but again he didn’t give me the service I sought and just ignored my message for over a month). As a trainer what would you do?

I’m from Canada btw.

Apologies if answered elswhere, but most threads on this subject are years old.

I’m leaving a commercial gym and starting out on my own, with a mix of in-person and online sessions. I’ve always relied on the gym’s systems, so I now need something that keeps programing, messages, checkins and client porgress in one place.

Progress tracking is the main thing for me (workouts completed, strength gains, measurements, photos, habits and missed sessions). don’t want to be piecing everything together from WhatsApp and spreadsheets.

I’ve been looking at Trainerize, TrueCoach and My PT Hub. Trainerize looks the most complete so far for what I'm looking for, but I’d like to hear from independent trainers actually using these?

I've had my personal trainer for like a year and I only stopped because I moved, and I am now shopping for a new one in my new city. But then I wondered how long I should work with one, and if it's common to just have a PT forever. I don't know anyone else who even goes to personal trainers regularly, just me. I don't tell anyone in my personal life I have a PT because I hear a lot of "you can work out by yourself" and "waste of money" but they probably just have different priorities than I do.

I usually go once a week or twice if the PT has time, and then do other stuff like pilates, group fitness classes, walking everywhere.

I can work out on my own, but I don't. The personal trainer is mostly for accountability and having someone to push me, pace the exercise, check my posture, and let me turn my brain off since they're the ones who plan the workout. It's not like my PTs were always trying something new with me either (or something gimmicky), but the tried and true basic movements and "boring" exercises that they rotated throughout the weeks.

I am not some CEO or doctor who makes six figures either where $140/pop is chump change, but I know that I am not going to exercise as much otherwise. Wondering if there are more clients like me than not.

I have considered becoming a personal trainer. All of my friends and family think this is a good path for me.

I have not yet gotten the certification, but I intend to within the next couple of months. I already have a pretty good understanding of (very) basic exercise science, programming, and have been lifting for 5 years and running for two.

Already people come to me often for advice on things such as “what’s a good at home workout” “how can I get stronger arms” “how can I increase my protein intake” ”how do I improve my flexibility” etc. And I do mean often. Just today I was asked 3 of those.

So I know that people in my life do see me as someone who is well aligned with a healthy and active lifestyle. I am also a teacher by profession so I love working with, helping, and educating people and seeing them succeed. Of course working with one adult is the same as 25 preteens. Also I go back and forth on if trainer weekends only is even worth it.

However, I feel very self conscious and a sense of imposter syndrome when I think about becoming a personal trainer. This mostly comes from the fact that my body composition is not how I’d like it to ideally be. I worry that if I don’t “look the part” I won’t be trustworthy as a trainer, and maybe I don’t even have any business training at all.

I know this is irrational, but I cant help but thinking people don’t want a personal trainer who doesn’t have a bodybuilder look.

Am I overthinking this? Is it worth doing?

I want to apologize, I am not a personal trainer but I am starting to head in that direction.

I also know it's a career that chews up and spits out a lot of people, so am thinking a pragmatic way to explore this is to continue following my interest (/obsession) and plod away at quality learning material and experiment with my own training to gain practical learning before jumping off the ship of my current mid life career (with associated kids / family life, etc etc etc).

Current interest is in improving my form and learning programming approaches.

Have been consuming inappropriate amounts of podcasts on the subjects, but have been looking at the following for further development, but they come with a cost and would be interested in any experiences with them?

Prescript L1 - this would currently be a significant stretch for me cost and timewise. Wonder if better to wait till I have the different bodies in front of me before doing so I can make the most of it

Tony Boutagy recent seminar video package - more affordable time and cost wise.

Any other high quality, to the point resources that are worth looking at? I have some background in anatomy from previous investments.

Programming

Was just looking to buy strength and conditioning and the Eric helms pyramid training to get the basics for this. Recognize there are 100 ways to skin a cat in this area.

I am a 43yo hyper mobile woman for context, so have a vested interest in those side quests.

Any thoughts would be welcome. Thank you

Hello everyone,

I recently just passed my NASM CPT exam and just had my first interview today at an entry level gym. While this is super exciting, the fitness manager was a middle aged man and definitely gave me mixed signals. I currently do not have any experience training clients, but did let him know I did study kinesiology for about 2 years, in which we did hands on structured programming and role played in multiple classes. I also have trained a couple friends within these last couple months to gain better confidence in training. The fitness manager to be honest , came off quite arrogant and stated he is concerned that I do not have any experience and that is possibly holding him back from moving forward with me. He also stated that he tells his personal trainers one thing ONCE, and if he has to say it again, it will be a problem. He expressed he does not have to hire anyone, he only hires if he wants to. He has been with the company for 30 years and states he KNOWS what he is doing. This being quite a well known gym across my state, before my interview I went through some of the reviews of what it is like working in this gym as a CPT and everyone said it is a great entry level option to get you in the door which seems quite contrary to what the manager believed. My question is, are all fitness managers in gyms like this?

Hey guys, I’m a boxing PT and I’m wondering what software people use to track and manage clients? I would also appreciate it if everyone can let me know what the pros/cons of the software they use actually are.

I feel like NASM is just a big scam. My personal trainer cert expired in December. Around that time I got an email with a “deal” to recertify. Never did- now my cert has been expired for 6 months and I emailed the contact from December. He said I can recertify for the next four years for ~$350. Now he’s been calling me and leaving messages about how my grace period is overdue and so I should act now, basically.

It’s so sales-pitchy and I just need to know what’s real- what are my actual options and what is the policy. It seems like they just want money so it doesn’t really matter when I renew. I just don’t want to have to pay more than I should.

I am training to be an instructor in a heated beat driven sculpt class. Does anyone have tips on how to select music for the routine I’m programming? I’m having a hard time matching the BPM of the songs I want to play with the moves.

Every time I click on the tutorial for the PSI all it does is send me in a loop to download a file. Nothing actually opens. I’m so confused, my proctored test is in 13 hrs

To be totally clear, I’m a burnt out trainer. I need to take care of myself but my mental load is shot after having a kid and trying to manage business while also further educating myself to help my own clients. I’m looking for an experienced (preferably female but open to hearing a man out!) trainer who has background in corrective exercise and women’s health/postpartum. My DMs are open for y’all to sell yourself!

It's a lightweight webpage adapted for desktop and mobile screens, simulates final exam with the same rules. But since it is made for education purposes, I have built-in muscle and muscle-group images, so that it helps you memorize. For Wrong and Correct answers explanations are immediately shown, along with references to the manual. Wrong/Correct answer counter is present. Also, you will have total of 3 hours to complete your test (same as the real one).

Each attempt draws 150 random questions from a pool of 409 verified practice questions covering anatomy, exercise technique, programming, nutrition, and client screening. Question order and answer options are shuffled every attempt.

You can find it at https://ncsf.50bar.app/
If there are issues with questions, answers, explanations or references - please do help me by submitting the issue on my github.

It is entirely free, no ads, hosted on Cloudflare Pages and costs zero money.
It is an educational tool. it is not a software in a direct sense, it doesn't require installation, just visit the page in your browser on PC or mobile, so it shouldn't go against reddit policy. I've built it to help myself memorize the materials and now I'm sharing it with everyone.

Looking for an experienced trainer/coach in Orlando for my mom. Hoping this community can point me in the right direction.

Quick backstory. I moved to CA not long ago and recently hired a hybrid coach for myself, and it's been the best investment I've made in a long time. It made me realize I want the same thing for my mom, and she's excited about it. She's 53, lives in Orlando, and she asked for the help herself, so she's fully on board.

About her: she's not brand new to the gym, but she's casual. Light weights, treadmill, StairMaster. She's never followed a real program or been coached on form. She needs to lose a good amount of weight, but just as important to me is building her foundation the right way. Mobility, joint and tendon strength, balance, and learning proper movement. I want her set up to live a long, strong, independent life, not just to drop pounds fast.

What I'm looking to set up, starting with 90 days:

- 1-on-1 in-person training at least 3x per week (the more the merrier)

- A custom workout plan for her off days

- A personalized nutrition plan with calorie and macro targets

- Some kind of app or system for tracking food, workouts, and progress

- Weekly weigh-ins and regular check-ins between sessions

- A coach who educates along the way. I want her to understand the why behind everything so she can eventually fish for herself.

The accountability piece is everything to me. Daily check-ins, did she finish her meals, here's your grocery list, and isn't afraid to ask to see the receipt lol. That level. She's never been held to a real standard, and that's exactly what I'm paying for. To be upfront, I'm not looking for a standard Crunch or LA Fitness floor trainer, or someone who got certified a year or two ago. I want someone with real years in this line of work who can prove it.

With that being said...I have a healthy budget in mind for this, but I'd rather hear the rates and how you'd structure the package. I'll likely want to see credentials and some client results before moving forward, which I hope any experienced coach would expect and welcome.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of coaching experience, has real results with women in her age range they can share, lives this lifestyle themselves, and knows how to meet a beginner where she is. Someone patient and encouraging who still holds her accountable.

If this sounds like you, or you know someone in Orlando who fits, comment or DM me. Referrals from happy clients mean a lot too. Thanks in advance.

I really like leading classes. I only teach a few right now and do mostly 1 on 1s at my club. Im wondering if when I go off on my own if it would be realistic to try to do a wide variety of classes and grow them to a point where I can phase out 1 on 1s/semi private do mostly groups.

If this is what you do and you work full time or close to it, what are your busiest times, days and types of classes?

Thanks.