Fitness Professional Job Description
Personal Trainer Job Description
A Personal Trainer is a fitness professional who works 1:1 with clients on a health and wellbeing journey. PT’s can be employed within a gym, or they can work freelance and run their training outside of the gym environment.
Conducting a fitness assessment is one of the first tasks a PT will undertake with a new client. This will give them a baseline to measure their progress from.
Qualifications
A personal trainer may operate on a freelance basis, or be employed by gyms or other fitness facilities. A minimum requirement for those seeking to pursue this career is a personal training certificate, such as the ACSM or ACE certification.
Continuing education is also important to keep up with new research and trends in the health industry. This is especially true for those operating on a freelance or self-employed basis as it will help them stay competitive and attract new clients.
While many PTs acquire their qualifications from a recognised body, there are also vocational colleges that offer similar courses. These differ from certification in that they are more comprehensive in their content and provide the skills required to run a business as a personal trainer. For those looking to expand on their knowledge of nutrition, a Level 4 Sports Nutrition Course is highly recommended. This will help you understand how to create nutritional programmes tailored to each individual client.
Work Environment
The fitness industry is booming and it’s a great time to be a personal trainer. With obesity in America on the rise, people are realizing that getting healthy is more than just a good look – it’s about feeling better and having more energy!
A fitness trainer can work in many different environments – from a gym, to a private training studio, or even at home. Those who choose to be freelance, generally need to secure their own clients and pay a small fee to use the facilities of a gym to conduct sessions – this can limit how much they can earn.
Those who choose to be employed at a gym, usually have the option of becoming a head trainer and may be responsible for bringing in new personal training business. They also clean and maintain gym equipment, and conduct fitness assessments for new members. Trainers working for a gym can also benefit from being part of a network that includes nutritionists and physiotherapists, who can offer referrals or collaboration opportunities.
Duties
Whether working freelance or in an employed role, a personal trainer will typically lead one-to-one training sessions with clients. These typically last between 40-60 minutes and are based on the client’s bespoke fitness programme. They will demonstrate exercises, count reps and sets, check exercise form and provide dietary advice as required. A good trainer will consider the individual needs of each client, including any injuries or long-term health conditions.
Keeping track of progress is also a key duty, and many trainers report that this is the best part of their job! This can be done in a variety of ways, from writing it down to using apps.
Having customer service skills is important as well, as you will likely be responsible for gym inductions and selling membership packages. Being able to promote yourself online is a great way to attract new clients and stay ahead of the competition! For this reason, learning about social media marketing and SEO is essential for any aspiring personal trainer.
Requirements
Personal trainers are responsible for assessing customers and creating workout programs to help them meet their fitness goals. This is a rewarding career for those with a passion for helping others and a desire to improve their own health.
During training sessions, personal trainers must be able to understand their clients’ goals and emotions, which requires empathetic skills. They also need to be able to provide motivation and guidance, and monitor their clients’ progress on a regular basis.
They are also required to carry out gym inductions for new members, which involves showing them around the facilities and demonstrating equipment. They are also required to have CPR/AED qualifications, as they may be needed to perform first aid on a client who suffers a cardiac emergency while working out.
In addition, they are required to stay up-to-date with the latest scientific research into exercise and health. This includes gaining continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their certification.
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