Career as a Personal trainer?

ticket2ride · 07-05-2007, 08:24 PM

Hi Everyone

I was wondering if anybody on here knew what the success rate was for people who were looking to persue a career as a personal trainer? I'm a huge fitness fanatic and want to attain a certification in many forms of personal training and anything that pertains to it. I really enjoy it and I think that perhaps it might be an option for a future career.. dependig on where I decide to settle down to persue it.

I'm looking to get my certification when I return to HK this year.. while I'm also brushing up on my mandarin and canto.

What are the success rates for someone who has attained one more more certifications in the personal training/fitness field.. who is fluent in English, Mandarin and Canto?

Is this a job that is really on demand? It seems as that fitness seems to be popular in HK? I could be wrong though but that's just an observation.

I used to live in HK for 10 yrs... and the possibility of me moving back are pretty high, it's just a matter of when.

Any input will be appreciated! thank you!!!

TacoBella · 01-03-2008, 11:44 PM

Hi, I have been certified as a personal trainer since 2003 right after I got out of high school because I was and still am a gym rat. Personal training is a great career and I actually came back to HK for the first time since I left for the States 16 years ago, I'm 22 by the way, and I fell in love with the city so I decided to submit my resumes in different places. I'm fluent in English and my Cantonese needs work, but when you do become certified and back in HK try applying at gyms in Central because this is where most of the English speakers are. Try to have a strong resume and don't just say you have been working out for many years. Working out and teaching people how to work out safely are two different things. Try to find a job or volunteer position twill train you how to coach people without much prior education, such as volunteer coach elementary-high school kids or working as a physical therapy tech. Experience is key. Most beginning trainers make the mistake of training their clients the way that they train. You have to understand that not most of the people you come in contact with can right away do what you do. Develop your own style, but try to always put you clients' safety first and your ego second. This is a hard lesson to learn because most trainers, including me, have huge egos.

I would even try working only in the sales department of a gym. Other things to show that you are serious and knowledgeable about the fitness industry is to obtain a 4 or 2 year degree either in nutrition or exercise science. Getting a NASM cert would be a great start since most clubs recognize this cert and also you need to be CPR certify. But make sure you are prepared because it is not cheap or easy. All in all personal training is an awesome career or part time job. The great thing about it is you can always have another career (but usually in the states) and still be a personal trainer.