Career in fitness - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bobaphat · 03-31-2004, 04:12 PM

I am considering making a change in my career and one of the options I have been considering is a career in fitness, be it training or nutrition or whatever. Does anyone out there work in the fitness industry? Is it possible to make a comfortable living in this area? If so, how did you break into the industry?

hannukah harry · 03-31-2004, 04:53 PM

i don't work in the industry *yet*. i'm in school for it though. from what i've seen, though, depending on what you do, it can be a good living to a tough living. there was a personal trainer at my gym (freelance) who had a car, a motorcycle, and seemed to be doing really good for himself. but i'm not sure if it was from work or from the wife as well...

as a general idea, look to make between 30k to 50k. but try searching a few job websites, see what's up, and some of them can tell you average wages, including in the area you live in.

pocon1 · 03-31-2004, 06:37 PM

I am a personal trainer in Washington D.C. I actually live outside of the city, but I usually get to the club at 6:00, so traffic is not bad. Sessions range between 60 to 70 dollars an hour, and we get from 50 to 68% of that, depending on how many hours you work. Our club is very fortunate, however, to be in a very nice area in DC. We have 7 or 8 basically full-time trainers on a membership of about 3000. the company matches 25 cents on the dollar for the first 6% of salary for the 401k and medical costs about 50 a month after two years of service. No vacation pay, but nobody telling when to go on vacation either. We function pretty much as independent contractors, as long as you have enough hours. I have a BS in the field, which some places don't require. However, you do not need any more than that to be successful.

hannukah harry · 03-31-2004, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pocon1
I am a personal trainer in Washington D.C. I actually live outside of the city, but I usually get to the club at 6:00, so traffic is not bad. Sessions range between 60 to 70 dollars an hour, and we get from 50 to 68% of that, depending on how many hours you work. Our club is very fortunate, however, to be in a very nice area in DC. We have 7 or 8 basically full-time trainers on a membership of about 3000. the company matches 25 cents on the dollar for the first 6% of salary for the 401k and medical costs about 50 a month after two years of service. No vacation pay, but nobody telling when to go on vacation either. We function pretty much as independent contractors, as long as you have enough hours. I have a BS in the field, which some places don't require. However, you do not need any more than that to be successful.

some questions... without a BS in the field, what would recommend for certification? at your job, are you "independ contractors" or are you an actual employee? is the $60-70/hr. pretty normal at clubs that hire their own (if you know)? since you've got a BS in the field (what specifically?), why'd you choose this career over something else?

thanks!

Plan9Senior · 04-02-2004, 03:21 AM

I am a personal trainer in Orange County CA and I am pretty comfortable with my salary. I am still going to school and would love to be a nutritionist but I am slacking off due to having fun with women

I like what I do, that is what is important. I like adding more years to a person's life. I like making people with low self esteems feel better about themselves by looking better. I enjoy the fact that my job makes me stay consistant with my workouts to ensure that I look good to attract more cliental. I honestly can say that I really love and feel proud about what I do which is a lot more then what most people can say

I broke into the industry after a good friend of mine died from drinking. All of us (my friends) lived an extreme party life and after the death of my great friend it made me want to take care of my health. It made me realize I wasn't immortal. I was fortunate enough to have a sister that worked in corporate for a huge fitness industry so I just got certified, hooked up with a job, and thats where I currently am in life... helping myself as well as others prolong their own

.

Beefimator · 04-04-2004, 12:24 PM

I own a GNC in PA. I have a BA in Exercise Physiology and Anatomy. So if you have any questions feel free to fire 'em at me.

HugAPug · 04-04-2004, 02:24 PM

I've recently applied for a Personal Fitness Trainer program at a school and I have to write a career investigation report.

Quote:

Your career investigation report:
Your report should be no more than two pages in length, and should indicate the career investigation research you have done, the names and dates of your contacts, what information you obtained, an assessment of the advantages/disadvantages of the career, and/or details of related work experience that demonstrates you have made the right program choice.

I hope a few of you don't mind if I drop a PM asking some questions.

pocon1 · 04-04-2004, 04:55 PM

Hi Harry, sorry I haven't checked this thread in a while. First question. If you have a degree, I believe that you can get a CSCS from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For people interested in working with athletes and for general training information, this is a good company. Of course, many people are familiar with ACSM as well. But a lot of it depends on what your company is looking for. I used to have ACE, but now I have NSPA because it was easy and my company accepted it. I simply needed it for work.
For the DC area at our membership prices, we are competitive for personal training prices. My particular club charges about $150 a month, but we have marble floors in the foyer, dark wood trim, and a 25 yard indoor pool. People like former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger and Napster's original lawyer work out at this place.
We are employees, but we have vey flexible schedules. At my facility, as long as you make your hours, management leaves you alone. Some work 10 hours in a row, others work for a few hours, and then come back later. It depends on what you set up with your client.
I was in school for a double major in physincs and engineering. Then I realized that all physics problems are just math problems. So I switched to the physical education program, with an emphasis on personal training. Now I am completing a masters in management, emphasis on marketing.

03-31-2004, 04:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bobaphat whoopity doo Location: Seattle	Career in fitness I am considering making a change in my career and one of the options I have been considering is a career in fitness, be it training or nutrition or whatever. Does anyone out there work in the fitness industry? Is it possible to make a comfortable living in this area? If so, how did you break into the industry? __________________ --size matters not-- yoda

03-31-2004, 04:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	i don't work in the industry yet. i'm in school for it though. from what i've seen, though, depending on what you do, it can be a good living to a tough living. there was a personal trainer at my gym (freelance) who had a car, a motorcycle, and seemed to be doing really good for himself. but i'm not sure if it was from work or from the wife as well... as a general idea, look to make between 30k to 50k. but try searching a few job websites, see what's up, and some of them can tell you average wages, including in the area you live in. __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

04-02-2004, 03:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Plan9Senior Banned Location: Orange County, California	I am a personal trainer in Orange County CA and I am pretty comfortable with my salary. I am still going to school and would love to be a nutritionist but I am slacking off due to having fun with women I like what I do, that is what is important. I like adding more years to a person's life. I like making people with low self esteems feel better about themselves by looking better. I enjoy the fact that my job makes me stay consistant with my workouts to ensure that I look good to attract more cliental. I honestly can say that I really love and feel proud about what I do which is a lot more then what most people can say I broke into the industry after a good friend of mine died from drinking. All of us (my friends) lived an extreme party life and after the death of my great friend it made me want to take care of my health. It made me realize I wasn't immortal. I was fortunate enough to have a sister that worked in corporate for a huge fitness industry so I just got certified, hooked up with a job, and thats where I currently am in life... helping myself as well as others prolong their own . Last edited by Plan9Senior; 04-02-2004 at 03:26 AM..

04-04-2004, 12:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Beefimator Tilted Location: Philly 'Burbs	I own a GNC in PA. I have a BA in Exercise Physiology and Anatomy. So if you have any questions feel free to fire 'em at me. Last edited by Beefimator; 04-04-2004 at 12:27 PM..

03-31-2004, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
pocon1 Banned	I am a personal trainer in Washington D.C. I actually live outside of the city, but I usually get to the club at 6:00, so traffic is not bad. Sessions range between 60 to 70 dollars an hour, and we get from 50 to 68% of that, depending on how many hours you work. Our club is very fortunate, however, to be in a very nice area in DC. We have 7 or 8 basically full-time trainers on a membership of about 3000. the company matches 25 cents on the dollar for the first 6% of salary for the 401k and medical costs about 50 a month after two years of service. No vacation pay, but nobody telling when to go on vacation either. We function pretty much as independent contractors, as long as you have enough hours. I have a BS in the field, which some places don't require. However, you do not need any more than that to be successful.

04-04-2004, 04:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
pocon1 Banned	Hi Harry, sorry I haven't checked this thread in a while. First question. If you have a degree, I believe that you can get a CSCS from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For people interested in working with athletes and for general training information, this is a good company. Of course, many people are familiar with ACSM as well. But a lot of it depends on what your company is looking for. I used to have ACE, but now I have NSPA because it was easy and my company accepted it. I simply needed it for work. For the DC area at our membership prices, we are competitive for personal training prices. My particular club charges about $150 a month, but we have marble floors in the foyer, dark wood trim, and a 25 yard indoor pool. People like former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger and Napster's original lawyer work out at this place. We are employees, but we have vey flexible schedules. At my facility, as long as you make your hours, management leaves you alone. Some work 10 hours in a row, others work for a few hours, and then come back later. It depends on what you set up with your client. I was in school for a double major in physincs and engineering. Then I realized that all physics problems are just math problems. So I switched to the physical education program, with an emphasis on personal training. Now I am completing a masters in management, emphasis on marketing.