Pennsylvania Personal Trainer Schools - PA
Becoming a Personal Trainer in Pennsylvania
Becoming a personal trainer in Pennsylvania is much the same as it is in any other state. Personal trainers—whether they work in a gym or the health care industry, or become consultants and open their own businesses—must be self-starters and motivated enough to run a business from the ground up. This requires the completion of a number of steps that most personal trainers complete as part of the process.
Is it Right for Me?
First, you must decide if a career in personal training is truly right for you. Potential trainers should be people-oriented, comfortable speaking in front of a group or one-on-one with a client, a leader, and show personal initiative. Working hours for personal trainers often include morning appointments before the regular workday, and afternoon/evening hours after people get out of work. Family dinners may not look the same in your family as they did when you were growing up!
Get Certified
There are many certification programs available for personal trainers in Pennsylvania—some worth their cost, others not so much. You should research online programs meticulously to make sure you are getting everything you need to start your business and attract clients. It is easy to get started—a basic certification will get you into the workplace, but if you decide you like the work and want to start your own business, you will need advanced certification and maybe even a college degree. In Pennsylvania, personal training courses at the associates-level often cover such skills as communication and marketing, which are vital to operating a successful business.
Get a Job, Launch a Business, or Both
Once you have a basic certification, you can work in a health club, healthcare facility, or a gym almost immediately. With experience in a structured setting, you may decide that this is a career you can pursue long-term. The next step is to continue your education, increase your certification, and start your own personal training business. Private clients provide higher income potential, so it is a good career move to attract business that you can handle outside an established facility. It is beneficial for a small business if you work in a gym or health center while you are consulting on a private basis. Personal training clients are usually secured through referrals and recommendations more than anything else, so establishing relationships in a structured setting will only help lead private clients to you.