Be a personal trainer

Don’t read beauty magazines, we are told, because they make us think we are overweight! But if we listen to the current debates on nutrition, dieting and obesity, we know that something is not quite right. The US in particular has received some criticism for bad eating habits and for piling on the pounds, one person at a time. How can we maintain our overall fitness when all types of junk food are thrust at us?

Personal trainers used to be a word exclusively associated with the rich and famous. Only the celebrities seemed to need them in those days, to maintain their amazing bodies and youthful looks. Not anymore. As the population moves towards fast food and experiences rapid weight gains, it’s time that the personal trainer became more commonplace.

If you are an active, light-footed individual, a personal trainer is among the best home based business ideas you can consider. It’s loads of fun and a great way to socialize. You can even make it a sort of a dancing class, if you take up aerobics. The best part about this job is that you take care of your body as well as helping others to maintain their health. Remember, a lot rides on image these days. Fitness is much more than health, to the young and the energetic. It’s a way to show off your body, to look fabulous in the clothes you wear and to have the stamina to make the most of your life.

It won’t do to point out specific skills for anyone interested in being a personal trainer because this job is more of an art. Suffice to say that you have to be passionate about fitness and have a vibrant personality and a cheerful disposition. This will attract clients to your classes. You need to work on creating an upbeat atmosphere in your home, where your clients will be perky and willing to test their physical limits. You need to be a leader and a motivator. Other than that, your own appearance may factor in your appeal. You won’t have to look like one of those models on Elle magazine, but maintaining a healthy profile means you lead by example.

Getting down to the academic side of it, you will need to be certified before starting the business. If there is a local club you like, check with them about certification courses. Or better yet, you can check out the popular certification organizations, such as ACE, ACSM and NCSF. Think also about a specialty. Because the competition for personal trainers is huge, it’s best if you can narrow down your services. By earning a specialty certification, you can charge clients in the higher end of the spectrum. It also allows you to work with special cases, like people with certain injuries.

One way to break into this business is to offer your services in a fitness club. That will count highly in your resume, especially if you have had some interesting clients. Before you start, you may need to get liability insurance so that you are covered against possible scrapes. You will have to initially pocket out some cash to purchase exercise machines, dumbbells, exercise mats and other necessities. Start off with a few high octane aerobics classes to get people hooked.


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