The Worst Things About Being A Personal Trainer 

Great comment! Thanks for sharing! There’s no shame in making that move. We’ve all debated it at one point or another. Good luck in your new career! I hope you stay training part time in some capacity since you definitely have a passion for some parts of it!

I had a similar experience in a big-box gym (in the UK). Unpaid hours (15 per week), too many other PT's and not enough support from the management in helping to build your business. I don't think that type of gym suited me. Too loud and busy. I prefer slightly quieter gyms where you can get to know people a bit better. I do like working in a gym (which I have done for 6 years), so I have now taken some contracted gym instructor hours elsewhere (30 hours a week) and then PT'ing part time (aiming for 4-5 clients per week, I have 2 at the moment).

Thank you Sir, I tried my level best learning about sales and working on my PT skills but I am very raw and in a country where I am an expat, the quota is very high at the gym and market is pretty dead. The new Personal Trainers who joined are all struggling to do 40 sessions a month , a figure which is really low. The fact that clients who renew are far in between. The other during the pandemic don't want to invest in PT , as it is an additional cost. All I can say is I have learned immensely about life. How Other trainers can make you feel like crap, how asking questions and learning from another is concerned a weakness and how the best in the business are always ready to help young talent. I have just put in my papers today and all my clients want to renew and said that I have changed thier lives. I am happy I could add that value, but for now I will continue training myself and learning about fitness, maybe train friends and family as a side hustle

@@thomasjameswilliamson5225 thanks Thomas, the industry is brutal to start with and has no standards. I still don't know who is a good PT because I have seen some really knowledgeable PT have shit personalities and some PT stand like bouncers , either way this job should have an internship for one to get better at it. I would work with the best PT s to see how good they are. Thanks bro for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

Some good points here. I'm 15 years into my PT "career" the one point that hit home that isn't talked about much is the respect or lack of rather. I used to be an accountant apart from the "you must be boring" comments I still garnered respect from people. Personal trainers are generally seen as less intelligent and not really doing a real job. So much so that I dislike walking around in my PT clothes outside of the gym. Someone once said if you are over 30 and you wear a name tag you have failed at life.

Thank you and well said!

It definitely sucks less in many ways! That’s why I still do it!

It sounds like you’re doing awesome! That’s great! You definitely can do very well as a trainer. All I said was the large majority of trainers don’t reach that point. While running your business do you still do a lot of training clients?

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation So true, whatbyou said. It’s just such a cut throat industry. I’m not gonna lie and say I never questioned what I was doing to the point of having severe imposter syndrome at one point. But its all about perseverance, I suppose. Yes, absolutely. I’m doing 40-45 sessions a week. I’m in the process of hiring my first trainer under my wing too! Any advice?

It’s definitely all about perseverance! I still do about 40 sessions give or take. I’m hoping to reduce the amount significantly over the next year. Things are stressful but good! I’ve hired a good few trainers over the years and it sounds harsh but the best advice I ever got was hire slow and fire fast. If someone isn’t a good fit you’ll have to figure that out quick. If you find or mentor someone who’s doing well, do just about everything in your power to keep them. Good help is hard to find.

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation Thanks for the tip! Will definitely try my best to hire the right fit.

Thank you! Keep grinding is 100% right!

P.S. the video did not scare me off 😂

Im in the same situation this video however is off-putting but its the reality

Great to hear! Congrats! It’s still a great field to be a part of of!

Ya it’s the reality but it’s still a great field and I’m happy that I made it into a career. Despite the hardships it’s still a great thing for many!

Thanks JD!

All true and all good points!

Thanks for your support!

That’s a great topic idea! I try to keep it positive for the most part but sometimes a little negativity can be helpful too lol

Lol tea works too! Thanks for the support!

I hear you! It’s definitely not nearly as physical as some things! I usually appreciate the physical aspect of the job tbh. It’s only when certain injuries get in the way that I don’t appreciate that aspect.

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation I’m agree, I’ve just got a appendix removal and I been out 2 weeks, maybe in a office job that wouldn’t be the case

Thanks for the support!

Lol I know exactly what you mean! Well said!

Good question! I think many trainers misunderstand what training really is until they’re in the trenches doing it. The main thing you’ll offer your clients is accountability. They’ll have an appointment time, and someone waiting for them to start their exercise for the day. It’s the most valuable thing you offer because it’s what gets people to actually show up and exercise. All of the other things you do, form correction, exercise knowledge, etc, don’t matter quite as much as your ability to hold people accountable. This is why you’ll always be booked up as a trainer if you’re good at the job and have put in a little time.

I think you should be ok! Just let clients know about it ahead of time and have a way to show them proper form for moves

The long hours are tough! It’s definitely helped a lot! Our hours are becoming significantly more manageable after bringing in some more helping hands

Haha well first off let me say that I’m happy that you found something that you like better. That’s what life is all about. Training can definitely be a real career though. It’s definitely not the easiest path but it can be a good one for some.

Everything u said in that beside this is spot on my gosh. I feel so validated for leaving this job🥹

I hear what you’re saying! Are you leaving training for a different type of job?

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation yes. I cant stand spending 8h inside a gym everyday (loud noises + loud music) + bad management and lack of team work. I'm pursuing something else now

Hmm not sure why that’s going on but thanks for letting me know!

All very true!

Thank you!

I agree with this almost 100%! I think starting out at a gym is still worth it for the experience even though the pay is lower.

In that case I think it’s the right job/career for you! I agree though, the pros outweigh the cons for me too.

I hear you, it can be a bummer sometimes! Did you find any part of the video surprising?

@@SortaHealthyTrainerEducation How difficult it is to make full-time income.

Thanks man! I appreciate it!

Haha ya it does sometimes