How to Become a Private Personal Trainer

Becoming a professional personal trainer takes dedication to health and fitness.

According to the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), the popularity of the American personal trainer or health and nutrition fitness coach has increased as U.S. citizens have become more conscious of growing personal weight and nutrition problems. Fitness and health training is required for this profession. As among similar coaching professions, personal trainers should be skilled and experienced motivators and leaders. Personal trainers should also have high levels of listening and communication skills. The art of the personal trainer is that she knows when to apply the bitter and the sweet in service to public health and fitness in both her community and across the globe.

Things You'll Need

• Certification
• Fitness training
• Fitness regime
• Computer
• Printer
• Internet

Instructions

1. 

   Set up the service business. This includes securing a business license, tax ID number (TIN), and business account in the name of the business. If operating as a sole proprietorship or sole trader, operations may be under the personal name of the personal trainer. State law typically governs and applies. Contact a local professional for legal or tax services, if needed.

2. 

   Develop a business plan. Core elements of a business plan includes listing financing resources, business goals and start-up equipment and training. The start-up cost calculation is typically set forth in an initial business plan. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides business-planning resources for entrepreneurs. This includes business-plan writing basics on the SBA website.

3. 

   Obtain professional training and certification. A state agency in the place of business operations may have laws governing what type of certification is required. In most state jurisdictions in the U.S., certification is required to advertise and obtain clients. Certification programs typically include, among other training, CPR training and certification. AFAA offers certification training, but there may be other providers within your community.

4. 

   Develop a general fitness regime for the public. This regime should include core physical fitness exercises such as stretching, core stomach strengthening and other physical fitness training. Exercise clothing and equipment will vary widely depending on the type fitness regime, (e.g., aerobics, tai chi, capoeira, etc.) Other parts of a holistic personal training regime includes assisting with creating menus and cooking skills to families and individuals. This may require some additional training in food dining options, such as natural foods, vegetarian, vegan, organic, gluten-free and raw foods.

5. 

   Market the service. The pay-off of preparing and enduring the training to become a personal trainer is that once you are ready to lead others in health and fitness your biggest advertisement is yourself. This is primarily a word of mouth business. Do not be afraid to volunteer to give sample exercise classes at a local school or senior home for free to provide community service and practice personal training. A professional brochure and classified advertising can be placed in an array of locations and medias. A website in today's tech-savvy world can also help you gain clients.

References

• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
• Business Plan Writing Basics

Resources

• "HEALTHMINDER Personal Wellness Journal"; F. E. Wilkins; 2009