Category Archives: Personal Training

Personal trainers are people that have the skills, abilities and knowledge that is needed to design effective and safe fitness programs. They also help to assist and instruct people when it comes to reaching personal fitness and health goals.

Job Description for a Personal Trainer

Thanks to dozens of TV shows and celebrity hired trainers, this type of career path actually has a higher profile than ever before. This makes personal trainers very recognizable as being an active and real part of individuals setting goals and then achieving them. The main part that a trainer will play for client success has grown. However, there are a lot of distorted views about what a personal trainer should look like and what they do.

Purpose, Passion, Coaching and Caring are qualities that make a bigger impact that the size of the trainer’s biceps. Now that’s not saying that there isn’t something about appearance and taking care of yourself. A personal trainer will dig deep into the motivations and barriers that a person has for being active.

A personal trainer also has many parts and is quite responsible for being able to maintain the overall scope of practice of their profession and within the limits of their certification. A Certified Personal Trainer or CPT will have been assessed for certain skill sets that will speak directly to their skills.

Practice Scope for Personal Trainers

• Has and can maintain a working knowledge of anatomy and concepts of functional exercise, fundamentals of exercise science, and basic nutrition.
• Has the ability to design and execute small group and individual exercise fitness programs that are tailored to needs and attainable goals of the person in an effective and safe way.
• Understands the importance and need for client screening and assessment. Proficiency in conducting the evaluations progressively and initially.
• Has an ability to be able to motivate people in very uplifting and encouraging ways towards improving overall fitness and health.
• Has a desire to help clients to reach fitness and health goals through the right flexibility, cardiovascular, and resistance exercise.
• Has a dedication to self awareness, self improvement, continuous learning, personal development and growth with a regard for personal fitness, health, and mental capacity.
• Has a dedication to maintaining personal integrity, professional standards and client confidentiality for best practice.

Those that have CPT credentials are certified to design then implement fitness training programs for healthy individuals in 1-on-1 or small group settings. A healthy individual is someone who has no significant physical condition or disease or impairment that prevents them from engaging in physical activity.

Personal training is a professional that will start with the heart, motivation and a love for anything to do with fitness. But there is much more than just pumping iron at a gym.

A good personal trainer will deliver effective, safe, interesting and fun workouts to all clients. The training program that you develop will need to be progressive and varied as well as geared towards improving the wellness and health of the client. As a trainer, you need to be supportive and enthusiastic so that the clients will remain stimulated and interested, which helps to ensure that they will stick the program and you.

What personal trainers shouldn’t do

While a personal trainer will often have multiple roles with a client, sometimes that will include being a confidant, cheerleader, or coach, there are also some responsibilities that personal trainers need to avoid.

• NEVER allow your credentials, liability insurance and other business standards to lapse.
• NEVER attempt to make a medical diagnosis, give any medical advice, or advice about physical therapy.
• NEVER have romantic relationships or inter-personal relationships with clients.
• NEVER give a body massage to a client, or similar service that may be seen as inappropriate touch.
• NEVER serve as a psychological counselor to a client or become intimately involved in a personal client relationship.
• NEVER push your preferences for fitness goals on a client who does not have the same goals.

Be sure to check out the codes of conduct for CPTs as they are the professional standards that are required for starting the course and maintaining your certification.

Why become a personal trainer?

Personal trainers are often driven by a passion for fitness and a desire to share experiences and knowledge with other people. They are not happy with a desk job and just paper pushing.

Below are some common reasons that people become a personal trainer:

• I want to love my job
• I want to teach people about the body and what it is capable of
• I want to make my lifestyle into a career, or supplement my income with something I love doing
• I want to help people to live a healthy lifestyle

Personal trainer Education and other requirements

You can begin by learning about the basics and know that success requires much more. If you are going to make it, then you need to be willing to go beyond the basics.

Education and Certification: Educated trainers will make for a happy and successful client. Certification is going to be the foundation for a long term career. Personal trainer certification, CPR/AED, and specialty certifications are the place to start.

Experience: For many clubs, it isn’t expected that you have been a personal trainer to get employment. It is expected that you have personal history in training yourself. If you want to be hired at a gym, then start working out there.

Enthusiasm: Whether you are outwardly enthusiastic or soft spoken, wear your passion on your sleeve. Be an example of motivation because you are representing a lifestyle that your client is wanting to achieve. Take care of yourself so that you wake up renewed each day. Joy and enthusiasm will go a long way.

Appearance: You don’t need to be buff or a supermodel to be a personal trainer, despite what an inner ego may say. But you do have to walk the talk. Being put together and looking like you actually care about yourself is one thing people will notice.

Growth: Growth will come from continuing your education. It is required for your baseline certification, but it is an opportunity as well. Take advantage of the opportunities and gain wisdom from various successful fitness trainers that you meet. Continue your education doesn’t have to cost a lot and it can be done online. It will keep your inspired and fresh.

Where does a personal trainer work?

The fitness industry is growing. Options for employment are showing up in every home, park and building. If you happen to be tech savvy, then you can train at home from the internet. Business minded people are creating jobs for themselves everywhere. Below are some options:

• Internet
• Phone
• Beach
• Park
• Sports arena
• Clients home
• Office building
• Private training studio
• Club/gym

Due to the growth rates for fitness training, it will be among the top 10 fields of work. The fitness industry is here to stay. Fitness and health will always be a priority in the population and there will always be fitness and health buffs.

So, where will you fit in? If you want to be a personal trainer, and have the qualities needed, then its about how well you can execute and focus. A recent survey stated that 5 million people in the US would hire a personal trainer or use one in their club, so the demand is not an issue. The issue is the goods. So do you have them?

Personal Training In Arizona

Body Smith Fitness offers personal training sessions in Tempe, Arizona. Read more about Body Smith Fitness and why we are considered the best personal trainers in Tempe.