How to Become a Personal Trainer

Find out what it takes to become a successful personal trainer. This guide outlines the various professional roles and career paths available in the fitness industry and discusses the day to day activities that each position requires. It gives you all the information you need to be decide if the personal training lifestyle is right for you and whether to run your business self-employed, on a full or part-time basis, or with an established organistion.

The guide looks at some examples of jobs advertised within the Australian fitness industry and gives you valuable contacts so you can get in touch with the right people to get started.

The guide covers everything from the theory of sports science to goal setting and managing clients. You’ll not only know more about the business than many people who work in it, you’ll also have a handy reference guide full of useful tips and expert advice.

Table of Contents

Welcome to the TopJobGuide®: How to Become a Personal Trainer

What's in this guide?

About the author

The fitness industry

History of personal training

Industry regulation

Personal training courses

Which course provider should i use?

What does a personal trainer need to know?

Theory-sports science

Practical

Aerobic conditioning

Resistance training

Weight management and nutrition

The role of a personal trainer

Support

Motivation

Goal setting

Knowledge

Training a client

The first meeting

Fitness assessment

Writing a program

The first session

A day in the life of a personal trainer

Attributes of a personal trainer

Commitment

Organisation

Patience

Listening

Communication

Sense of humour

Consideration

Good health

Motivating your clients

Dealing with cancellations

Classes

Safety considerations

Nutrition

Self-check: do i have what it takes?

Employment opportunities

Fitness instructor/personal trainer

The personal training business

Working part-time

Home based personal training

Working in a gym

Starting out as a gym instructor

Buying an existing personal training business

Inheriting a family business

Buying a franchise personal training business

Planning your personal training business

Marketing for the personal trainer

Sales for the personal trainer

Forms of payment

What personal trainers earn

Expenses for the personal trainer

Ethical and legal obligations

Australian tax obligations

So, is personal training for you?

Appendix 1 - state/territory registration bodies

Appendix 2 - example of a terms and conditions form

Appendix 3 - example of a pre-activity and lifestyle questionnaire