How To Get Started As A Personal Trainer

What's up guys, Jeff from Sorta Healthy here! In today's video we'll be covering what you should do to get started as a personal trainer.
Within personal training there isn't a clear path to take you from interested, yet unskilled to skilled and successful. On top of that, there are probably more people who would lead you astray and try to take your money within our field compared to just about any other profession.
With this video I want to give current trainers, or prospective trainers, 5 easy to follow steps that will lead them in the right direction when getting started. There's no BS or selling you anything in this video, only useful tips and advice!
Hopefully, you guys find the content helpful! Thanks for your support!
You can download the forms we use in our training business here:
www.sortahealthylifestyle.com...
Chapters
00:00 Getting Started As A Personal Trainer
01:48 Practice What You Preach Personal Training
02:59 Why Do Personal Trainers Quit?
03:44 Getting Certified As A Personal Trainer
06:17 Do You Need A Personal Training Certification?
06:52 Getting A Personal Training Job
07:52 Train For A Year Before Starting Your Own Business
09:46 Your Career As A Personal Trainer
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Follow us on Instagram: / thesortahealthycouple
Our in-person business: www.commencefitness.com
#startingpersonaltraining #personaltrainingtips

[@TheSiggy1990]

Watching this certification part really makes NCSF stand out to me. I know you didn't mention it, but that certification was really tough. No open book, you have to read and pass every quiz over every topic before your allowed to take the practice quiz, have to pass the practice quiz along with all the test before your allowed to take the final, and the final is all from your knowledge. Can't look in a book, can't have notes, or even have your cell phone on you.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

The NCSF certifications have definitely been getting more popular lately! I plan on reviewing them in the next few months! Thanks for the info!

[@TheSiggy1990]

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation NCSF is one company that makes sure you know your stuff. The final exam rules were insane. No phone, no paper, no wallet, no one else in the room, door locked, windows and blinds closed, 360 look of your room, desk, chair, and person. I even had to remove my wedding ring for them. Wasn't allowed to talk, move off camera(remote testing), or even use the bathroom for three hours. True test of your knowledge.

[@Brickswol]

@@TheSiggy1990 That’s interesting. My university testing isn’t even that strict for finals.

[@busybfitness9088]

@@TheSiggy1990 it was the same for the NASM though . You might not have to pass every quiz before you take the exam but you do have all those rules when remote testing . They made me take ever single piece of jewelry out as well . Really strict and no open books or notes straight form knowledge

[@kaitlyntuson6686]

@@TheSiggy1990 it was pretty much the same when I took my ACE CPT exam

[@machariakimani]

Always on point.... Thanks for sharing knowledge and wisdom for free and with positive energy.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@Elev8.5280]

Thank you very much for your videos! New in the health and wellness industry trying to find my niche as a personal trainer this is helpful! Thanks again!

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

You’re very welcome!

[@manuelgranada5509]

I love your videos bro, im currently working on my ISSA cert and these videos are extremely helpful and encouraging!

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for the support!

[@emanclifford7315]

Thank you Jeff!

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Of course! Thanks for the support!

[@notarypublic6915]

I think your amazing and thank you so much for all your valuable information. Appreciate you!!1

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

You are so welcome! Thanks for your support!

[@gerero3910]

Nice. Looking forward to this challenge.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

That’s the right attitude! I love it!

[@oggoodridge2002]

you’ve been the best help with this start !

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Happy to help!

[@michellemuhammad107]

I really found the content of your video helpful. I have been thinking about becoming a personal trainer for almost 2 years but have just been too afraid to do it. I have been teaching & coaching high school sports for 20 years & I just feel unfulfilled when training them. I think that when I get my certification then I will have a better sense of accomplishment. I have been interested in the human body & fitness since I can remember & watching your video just sealed the deal for me. I am going to enroll in a course this week. Thank you so much for the information especially about shadowing a trainer & asking them several questions. ☮

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Glad you found the video helpful and that you’re working on something that makes you feel fulfilled! Best of luck!

[@Get_fit_with_Meka]

Awesome thank you

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

You’re welcome!

[@davidsantacruz1233]

Thank you Jeff

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Thanks for the support!

[@eddiebranon3628]

You got me at "Do whatever the F*** you want". Well timed. Great video.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Glad you liked it!

[@DivyneTre]

Hi Jeff from Sorta Healthy! I recently discovered your YT channel and I'm currently bingeing your videos. First off, great content! Thank you for doing this and for providing it for free. I have subscribed to the channel and will send others your way. I also plan to purchase some merch bc I love your brand name! Second, I wish I'd found you two years ago! I received my certification in 2021 and didn't really know where to go from there. I knew that I didn't want to work in a gym and I knew that I wanted to basically run my own business, so for two years I've been searching for a coach/mentor and pretty much stagnant. I recently recertified and hoping to truly get started as a PT. But I'm facing the same challenge I was two years ago, I don't have any experience training others and I don't want to waste people's time. I pretty much wish I could be an excellent trainer out the gate with my very first client (technically my 5th client b/c I did train a few ppl my first year and it made me feel even less qualified). Anyhow, this video now has me considering (1) Do I just go to a gym and ask if I can shadow? Is that how that works? (2) Do I need to spend a year working at a gym OR should I just dive in with doing it on my own and learn trial by fire?

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Thanks for the support and kind words! I really appreciate it! Ya I’d definitely recommend working for someone else for at least a year before running your own business, or training on your own. Small private studios tend to be really good for that because they can mentor you a bit more, but a relatively high end gym can work well too. You don’t want to to be at a cheap gym because that won’t attract the right types of clients, but working anywhere else is worth it. Hopefully that helps!

[@YoussefFawaz-uq3io]

thank you sir

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Most welcome!

[@Miraclecultart]

I got my cert from ISSA but it was simple to pass cause I did take lots of notes but most of it really comes down to needing in person practice. And been watching your videos to help me understand this field a but more.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

That’s awesome! Congrats on passing! I’m glad you’re finding our content helpful!

[@Miraclecultart]

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation This channel is helping me so much with figuring out how to be an effective trainer. Thank you for the content.

[@reese85]

Did you take the open book exam or closed book exam?

[@asantekojo4553]

Thank you

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

You’re very welcome! Hope you found it helpful!

[@trainwithnaveen_]

Love from india 😊 Thanks you sir.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@gavhlev2853]

You are very generous. So grateful

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

I appreciate that!

[@laravassallo9417]

Thank you for this video. Your channel is very useful! May I please ask if you have any specific platform for session direct debits and where clients could book their session? Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Thanks! I really appreciate that! I use Vagaro for billing and scheduling in my personal training studio. It’s a pretty handy software if you have multiple trainers working in one spot.

[@laravassallo9417]

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation thank you so much for replying. Do you still recommend it if I'm the only PT up till now, or is it designed for multiple trainers?

[@chrismcloydcpt]

Can you make a video about your experience doing inhome personal training?

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Honestly, I probably should make a video just on that. Good idea!

[@DJBrianAZ]

What are your thoughts on becoming a personal trainer later in life, in your 50s & 60s? At 60, I retired earlier this year to focus on my health and fitness. I hired a personal trainer and have been working with him twice a week at a local gym since August. I really enjoy it and have been learning alot about fitness. I'm enjoying the time I spend at the gym on my own as well. In February my PT contract ends and I've decided to train as a PT myself so I recently enrolled in the NASM PT program, with added course work of Nutritional Coaching, and Senior Fitness Specialist. Do you think there's a possibility of becoming a personal trainer at my age. While my main focus of getting certified is to expand my own knowledge of fitness and to continue on my own, I think it would be awesome if I could make this as a part time retirement career as well specifically helping others in my age group.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Thanks for the support! One of the most successful and best trainers I knew didn’t get started until they were around that age. If you live the lifestyle and are willing to put in the work, I don’t think there’s any issue with getting started later on at all!

[@matthewdixon9614]

thanks for this information! i passed my i.s.s.a cpt exam today, i feel relived to not have crazy expectations and to just take it slow and stay at whoever hires me first for a year plus, i also am going for health coach, nutrituinist , online coach, corrective exercise specialist and strenght and conditioning through i.s.s.a,, are any of these actually helpful?? or did they just sell me on all this to spend more money?? lol Thanks again i look forward to taking all your knowledge in

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

They’re all definitely somewhat helpful. For better or worse certifications only mean so much though. I’d make sure to take the NCCPT exam too. It’s included alongside your ISSA CPT course and it will definitely help with getting a job.

[@strongeronplants]

I think it's important to get that first year experience while still having full time job in another field to feel safe financially.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

I do think that’s best for most people!

[@Malaestro]

How do you do that if you're working at a club though? Wouldn't you not have the time to attract clients and pay your rent if you're working somewhere else as well?

[@davis5574]

I feel like asking to shadow wouldnt go over well. Especially because I’d be intruding on the clients session

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

The owner/trainer needs to know their clients and who would be comfortable with it or not. Many clients don’t mind at all and actually enjoy helping out a new or potential trainer.

[@megansnyder2026]

Do you guys have contracts that they sign when they sign up for training? I have your par-q, health history questionnaire, and consent form but do we need contracts for the actualy packages too?

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

We do have people sign a contract- it’s on the back of our pricing sheet and we go over it with clients at the same time as our packages.

[@JD-hu3dg]

algoooo!

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

Ya algoo!

[@Loushou05]

hello I can't download your free ressources from your website, is there a problem on the website?

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

I’m not sure what happened but we did reupload all the documents and all are accessible to download. Thanks for letting us know.

[@Jordantheking]

I’m 18 years old and I was thinking of being a personal trainer for a couple months but I was scared of the process of becoming one at a young age. What are your thoughts of becoming a personal trainer at a young age.

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

I think that becoming a trainer at a young age can work out great! It’s a tough job at the start, regardless of age, but if you stick with it, it can be very worthwhile.

[@cherianneraddatz7452]

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[@aprilgould2262]

Sorry if this question is a little off topic but is becoming a personal trainer b/c you want to learn how to train yourself first? I love fitness but when I started working out years ago, I went in too hard too fast b/c I didn't know better. I also had a really physical job. So, needless to say I'm still suffering with the effects of mistakes I made years ago like low back, hip and knee issues. I definitely still work out but I can't really work out without being being sore in those area. So, I want to learn how to implement a plan for myself, learn proper form, corrective exercise, nutrition, etc. Would you say overcoming your own personal fitness obstacles so you can help others is a good reason to become a personal trainer?

[@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation]

I think that’s definitely a good reason! I’ll use Alexis as an example here -she became a PT because she lost 90#, started enjoying fitness, went through an eating disorder, and then wanted to help other people do it the right way. Often times, your own journey helps to dictate how and why you want to do it.