Where to start as a relatively inexperienced Trainer & Coach
After gaining your fitness qualifications awaits a plethora of options for new trainers and coaches. Often the decision of exactly where to start becomes more confusing because there are so many great options. Once you’ve gained fitness qualifications, particularly the Certificate IV in Fitness, it allows you to gain insurance and once you have that, the world’s your oyster.
So, where’s the best place to start?
For some who are quite inexperienced and looking to gain experience in the industry I think group training is a great option. You can learn about the industry, develop your practical knowledge & skills, and most importantly, build your communication skills. After all, Personal Training requires huge amounts of people skills and the ability to connect with clients to get the most from them. Instructing group exercise classes allows you the opportunity to train and coach people of all different skill, fitness, and commitment levels.
Places like F45, BodyFit, Fitstop, and other versions or niche group fitness/function fitness studios are ideal. You can learn so much from this and because you have the opportunity of coaching so many classes each week, it allows for fast growth and development. You can also learn from the more experienced instructors, and it can become the ideal apprenticeship – not to say that it won’t become something that you may wish to do long term.
NHFA Founder & Director, Dave Burgis, gives insight & advice for inexperienced or young trainers with their Personal Training business and journey
The real bonus when you start with this option is that you’ll be either paid a wage as an employee, usually after a probationary period, or paid per class as a contractor. Either way there’s no money coming out of your pocket, only going in. Many other options in the fitness industry, revolve around trainers paying a weekly rent within a larger facility and effectively running their own business. Now I love this model as it allows you to really make great money and go on, like so many of our graduates, to make a 6-figure income. However, it’s often not the best option for younger or less experienced trainers, or those that know little to nothing about business.
If you’re first starting out and you’re not sure where to start but you’re hungry for growth and experience, this is potentially a great option and where I’d recommend starting. If you have a great attitude and want to be a great asset to the business and the studio owner, it’s normally very well reciprocated and they will look after you in return.
Next blog we’ll chat about the options for more experienced trainers and their options.
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