Career Watch - Personal Trainer

CAREER WATCH, June 2007, by Sheila Bennett


Do what you love
and the money will follow!


AnitaAnita Nosworthy, Director of corporate Health and Wellness for Ultimate Achievements Canada, is succeeding at doing what she loves best: teaching, guiding and motivating her clients to get off the couch or computer and get in shape!

Are you into health and fitness? Maybe you’ve even thought about becoming a personal trainer yourself? Here’s the “inside scoop” on this month’s career choice, courtesy of our “get-up-and-go-for-it” girl!

Sheila: What does it take to become a personal trainer?
Anita: Well, if you are “independent” (not employed by a club), owning your own business takes a lot of willpower. You have to develop the confidence to go out and get new clients. When it comes to the job itself, personal training is rewarding – but it can also be physically and mentally draining. As the coach, you need to be upbeat, motivated and focused all the time. Most of your day will involve standing and lifting – but it won’t seem like work if you love what you do.

Sheila: What do you love about your job?
Anita: My job is amazing! I get to help people, and see them improve as they feel better about their capabilities, their bodies and themselves. I make my own hours, work in a relaxed environment, plus I get to exercise and feel great myself! I meet amazing people all the time, and it’s never boring because no two days are the same.

Sheila: What education is required?
Anita: To become a certified personal trainer you need to take a course from a personal training organization such as The Canadian Fitness Professionals (Can-Fit-Pro), Canadian Personal Training Network (CPTN), American Counsel on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB). The depth of these courses vary – as does the standard of trainers. Look into them to see which course best suits the level of training you aspire to ...or where you learn and how long it takes.

As a corporate fitness trainer (a trainer that is contracted by an organization to create a healthy corporate culture), you also need degrees or certificates in both business and health sciences. I also recommend taking continuing education courses such as nutritional counseling and injury management to add value to your position.

Sheila: How much money can you make?
Anita: It all depends what you want to do. If you are working for a health club as a personal trainer, you could make $12 to $45 per session. As an independent corporate trainer, with your own business and clientele, you could make $150 per session. But remember, it takes time to build up a base of steady clients – and they are not always scheduled back-to-back.

Sheila: What do you wear?
Anita: When I’m calling on corporate clients to sell my services, I wear a business suit. First impressions are important – and so are a friendly smile and a firm hand shake. When I’m at the club or teaching classes, I wear gym clothing and running shoes. It’s great because I get the best of both worlds.

Sheila: How hard is it to break into your industry?
Anita: These days, it seems like anyone who exercises can call themselves a personal trainer. However, being a “good” trainer takes education and experience. Many fitness buffs take the quick route by taking weekend courses and start training people without understanding how the body works. You need to learn these things so your clients get results – and more importantly, are protected from injury. Corporate fitness is on the rise and not as saturated as personal training. There are hundreds of thousands of trainers however, who have been successful in this industry. The key is to keep up with the latest trends and sciences and attend continuing-education classes so you can be the best at what you choose to do.

Sheila: What message do you have for teens today?
Anita: Take the time to know yourself and your true interests before deciding what you want to be. Too often we take what others say we should or shouldn’t do, can or can’t be, as our destiny. You can be anything you want! Be true to yourself, believe in yourself, aim to be the best you can be and enjoy every step of the way!

~ Sheila

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