Pros & Cons of Being a Personal Trainer
A personal trainer works for a gym, a corporation, a resort or with private individuals, helping them reach their fitness goals. Many people are familiar with famous trainers who work with celebrities and thus become celebrities themselves. But many personal trainers have to work more than one job to make ends meet, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So for personal trainers, income can be a pro or a con.
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Pro: Personal Training is a Helping Profession
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As a personal trainer, you are making a difference in someone's life. You help clients achieve their own fitness goals and teach them how to avoid hurting themselves in the pursuit of health. You have the ability to provide encouragement and motivation clients might otherwise lack and that may stave off disease and decay that would shorten the client's life.
Con: The Older You Get the Harder it May Be
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Being a personal trainer is a very physical job. It may not be the kind of job that carries you comfortably into retirement since many people prefer younger, more fit people as their personal trainers, according to Body Building, a website for body builders. And not every gym offers a retirement plan.
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Pro: You Set Your Own Limits
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the average annual salary for people in the fitness field was $29,210 in 2008. Jobs in large gyms, resorts or other institutions provide relative security, often with health benefits and a 401K. But some trainers, who are good at what they do, good with people, and good at networking, can make considerably more as an independent personal trainer.
Con: It's Hard to Get Your Own Workout In
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One common complaint is that even though you're spending all day at the gym, as a personal trainer, you frequently are too tired to get your own workout in. Personal trainers have to make an effort to stay that extra hour to do their own fitness work.
Pro: Demand Is Expected to Grow
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that not only are more Baby Boomers looking for personal trainers, younger people are also increasing their fitness regimens. So the outlook for the personal training career is positive. Employment is expected to increase 29 percent in the 2008-2018 decade.
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References
- Photo Credit fitness equipment image by Sunshine Photos from Fotolia.com
