My 1st paid personal training session

[logdiva32]

I had my first paining client today. I just decided Sun, that I would become a personal trainer. Checked the going rate and cut it in half (for now). I have 7 "workout partners"; folks who have asked my to help them workout, I run around to gym's like crazy helping people. Then still have to squeeze in my workout during lunch. So, I have spent all day checking on certification prograns, testing and such. Seems like NESTA??
Any suggestions?

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Diva... lol... your first "paining" client???

I assume you mean paying???

Anyways, just wanted to say congratulations on making the decision and for getting a client.

Way to go!

[roguedog]

LOL.. I loved that freudian slip!! I knew you folks loved torturing us.. secretly.. down deep!

bah wah wah bah wah hah hah.....

[han-grrl]

I'm in Canada, so i don't think i can be much help. I know ACE is very well respected.

Choose your certifications wisely. Ultimately they are businesses too, so they operate like businesses. there is a lot of $$ for upkeep such as insurance, continuing education.

if you aren't insured or certified, just watch yourself. i am sure your friends would never sue, but its their families who might end up a tiny bit more upset if their relative got injured.

ok the fun stuff - it really is a great job, i loved what i do, i love to teach and its inspiring watching my clients surpass their goals and do things they never thought they would be able to do.

Also, i suggest making a plan for yourself. What are your goals for this type of work, what do you hope to accomplish. that way you can tailor your education and courses to what you need and want to do.

HAVE FUN!!

Hannah

[logdiva32]

Yea, funny huh, "paining". She did say that she doesn't sweat when "she" works out on her own, LOL. I reminded her that is what she is paying me for.. Education in my area sucks. Looks like it will be all on line and remote for now. Should get certified before the end of April, that is my plan anyway.
But this is how aligned all this is for me. When I took my client at the gym last night. The guys from the local college personal trainer program, were there. They did a assesment on her for me, and I talked to them about their certs and such. It is going good, for it only to have been 48 hours since my decision. I have 2 clients this afternoon. Got to squeeze in my workout, now. Later, thanks all

[logdiva32]

I am so thrilled. 1 of my clients paid for 8 sessions up front, today. Guess she is happy with the first 3 sessions, yippy. Still looking for advice on good cert programs. ACE or NESTA??

[stacie]

By charging before you are actually certified, could you be putting yourself in legal jeopardy? In my area, we are required to teach only within the limits of our certification and legally protected only when performing services specific to that training or that a reasonable person with that training would perform. Does the gym know you are charging members and do you have an agreement with them? Contractors are not covered by insurance but as staff you would be. Are you charging 1/2 price in a gym that charges for personal training? This is a sure way to get the trainers upset and possibly get you kicked out of the gym. I've seen this happen where I work. I don't want to sound negative but I wouldn't want you to be caught by surprise. Good luck and be safe. stacie

[logdiva32]

By charging before you are actually certified, could you be putting yourself in legal jeopardy?
A:Understand, so do my clients.
In my area, we are required to teach only within the limits of our certification and legally protected only when performing services specific to that training or that a reasonable person with that training would perform.
A: I believe that is here also.
Does the gym know you are charging members and do you have an agreement with them?
A: No. I don't "charge" My "clients are all people who fund my events. Bike rides/tris/ runs. I accept there donations well outside of the gym.
Contractors are not covered by insurance but as staff you would be. Are you charging 1/2 price in a gym that charges for personal training?
A: Yes, donation is half price, or whatever they want. There are no staff personal trainers at either of the gyms we use, they are all contracted.

This is a sure way to get the trainers upset and possibly get you kicked out of the gym. I've seen this happen where I work.
A: I don't care, about them. They don't care about my clients. If my clients don't have money they don't have to pay. I am concerned for them 1st and foremost, the reimbursement is secondary.
I don't want to sound negative but I wouldn't want you to be caught by surprise. Good luck and be safe.
A: Caught by the $80 on hour trainers, oh well, I would take my clients else where. But I am tired of the poor being ignored, here. I am going to train them, paying or not.
Also, today I found out my church may help with my insurance,CPR, and cert costs, to help the church members get in better health. stacie
thanks for the input though. I think I know the risks.
Thanks but this is on my heart, african americans, hispanics, and the low income are statistically in bad shape. Yet still, ignored, until they need high blood pressure pills, insulin injections, and bypass surgery. I will educate and assist through whatever means I have and will continue to pursue more avenues, education and certification. no offense taken or given.

[roguedog]

log..

I can't help you since I'm not a PT or anything.. but

I believe ACE seems to be pretty prevalent here in CA anyway. That's what all the ones down here seem to have certs in?.. with?

However, if I were you, I either join a PT group/club/org and gather more info about each of the certs and/or I'd call a few clubs and some self employed PTs and ask them about certs.

Or you can look thru the phone book.. do they have these anymore?, and look thru the PT section. I'm pretty cure if I had any cert I'd advertise it to differentiate myself.

[JanB]

I went through ISSA which is International Sports Sciences Association. It was an online course where you could get completely certified online. I opted for the 2 day seminar option because I had heard that the final exam was a bit easier. I had a friend who did it online and it was time consuming but she did it.

[ridebikeme]

It's alot of fun being a personal trainer, but also A LOT of work!! I would definitely take Stacies advice... it's way too easy to think that you are safe and that people wouldn't take advantage of you.. but unfortunately it's not the way of the world. Also, like any field, it definitely takes more than two days to become a trainer... although you can understand the equipment very well that is in the local gym... there are many other things to think about as well... anatomy, physiology, recovery, diet, and of course the business side of things as well. I had many years of classes in that area, and I wouldn't dream that I could have covered all of that in a two day seminar.

Good luck in the process!

[logdiva32]

I have looked at many of the online, but I am leaning towards the at home study and proctored exam.
I totally understand the energy it is taking. My problem now, is getting in my own workout.
We should always continue to learn and progress in our chosen field. As for my clients I only work with people I know. I give them my ups and downs.

[Crankin]

Give the amount of material that ACE sent me to prepare for the pt exam and the amount of knowledge required, it seems irresponsible and also it would be putting yourself and your clients in a legal quagmire, if something went wrong. You would definitely be kicked out of the gym I go to! The trainers there all have degrees in exercise physiology, or a degree in something else and a certification. That's the route I plan to go.
I worked for many years as an aerobics instructor. When I first started, the certification process was new. I was in the first group of people to be ACE certified in group fitness in 1986 :eek: . After a couple of years, no club would hire an instructor without certification. The liability is too great. While I fully agree that the populations you mention are underserved and have health issues because of it, it just isn't right to have these people pay you before you are certified. Personal training is a medically related profession. In order for trainers to be taken seriously, they need to be qualified. Perhaps you could find a gym where you could work under some type of internship arrangement while you are studying?

[logdiva32]

[I] have spoken with a few gyms who are willing to allow me to intern. The only problem is that my "clients" would have to pay the full rate, as it is split with the gym. That defeats my true purpose. So I will continue. I have known several others in the military who have become certified and part time trainers. I have looked into some programs in my area, there schedules are stupid, not for working people, for sure. But I am sure I can become certified. I am just trying to decide on the best one, for me. The donations my clients give me are already funding my education/certification process.

In college our trainers had big time degrees, and the school paid them big time money. But what about every body else. I have not run into not a single personal trainer doing pro bono.

I have been training soldiers on fitness for years, it has taught me at a minimum to know when they need someone else besides me, so I apply the same rule here.
I help people get moving, get motivated, get educated. Once I have taken them as far as I can they will need to seek someone else.

I have a few family members who have been doing this for years all part time. A major police dept cop/PT fitness instructor for body builders. A nurse/PT fitness instructor/ group fitness instructor, military officer (like myself)/ PT fitness instructor also for body builders. They have been doing this for years and stand behind my intent and method, they all started out the same as I. Again, it is about my people more than myself.
While I understand all of you trainers concerns, not one of you has addrressed mine. Low income clients, I cannot run around to gyms, pay daycare, and gym fees by volunteerism. The gyms are a business and have little concern for these people. Thanks for pointing out all the issues, but does anyone have a solution/suggestion?????

[ridebikeme]

That's wonderful that you have checked into doing internships... although right now you are a bit against that idea. I applaud the fact that you want to help these people, but I still feel that the internship would be a great opportunity! It's an obvious fact that a business has to look out for the bottom line... they have expenses that you don't. First, they have the overall expenses... payroll, self employment taxes, liability insurance, a building lease, property taxes, ... you get my picture. That has to be the number one concern for a business, other wise you can't even plan to be around to help these customers... which by the way make up every race.

Secondly. you are putting them in a very bad position... they are now responsible for your actions with these clients! Whether you are giving them instructions in the gym or not, it is definitely something that someone could choose to sue ... if they chose to! And even though, you are the one giving them instructions/ training tips... the gym can now be added to that as well. Did you also know that each and every member of your family could also be tagged into that same lawsuit? The employees and their families of the gym are also responsible in a lawsuit.While I may not have given you the suggestion that you want, it's simply NOT fair to put everyone at such a risk. While you were in the military doing this job, the US government(hence the tax payers) and the military are responsible for your and your comrades actions. It's a much larger situation, than most people are aware of. I'm not
mentioning this to you to be negative.. the bottom line is that it is reality in todays world!

I'm sure that you have heard of many of the cases that contractors have been involved with... some contractor will work without insurance and underbid other contractors, and while competition is a good thing, it's not when they are not insured and the homeowner is left with a problem that the contractor is ultimately responsible for. The bottom line is this: there are many good videos/books out there to help people get in better condition ONCE they have had a physical, why don't you recommend those and in the meantime take that internship? It sounds like you will be a great advocate for people and getting them in better condition, but you will be much more helpful with more training/certification under your belt.

[mountainchick]

Honestly, and I'm not a personal trainer here ( I do have fitness instructor certs) but this is my 0.02 cents...(and I don't claim to know everything about any subject!)

You say you know personally the clients you are taking on, but it just takes one injury to have them sue you. My cousin and his wife sued his sister because his sisters friends dog bit their daughter after she harassed it (confusing no?). Family suing family!!!! If families can sue each other your clients can sue you, and then thats the end of your dream.

I know a lot of the posters are coming off harsh, they're (and I) aren't attacking you, but trying to look out for you.

I think you're letting your desire to help people get in the way of common sense (which I know you have, being a military officer!) and good judgement (as far as not taking the internship, and waiting until you're certified). In the long run I'm going to agree with the other ladies here.

[logdiva32]

Honestly, and I'm not a personal trainer here ( I do have fitness instructor certs) but this is my 0.02 cents...(and I don't claim to know everything about any subject!)

You say you know personally the clients you are taking on, but it just takes one injury to have them sue you. My cousin and his wife sued his sister because his sisters friends dog bit their daughter after she harassed it (confusing no?). Family suing family!!!! If families can sue each other your clients can sue you, and then thats the end of your dream.

I know a lot of the posters are coming off harsh, they're (and I) aren't attacking you, but trying to look out for you.

I think you're letting your desire to help people get in the way of common sense (which I know you have, being a military officer!) and good judgement (as far as not taking the internship, and waiting until you're certified). In the long run I'm going to agree with the other ladies here.

I am stuck, I know. I can't, for my own financial happiness continue to help these people for free. A junior officers' pay, while suffcient, must be budgeted wisely. Gym fees, child care fees during workout, gas and such add up. I have to take the money or not help them. I am not willing to take the internships, because it is under there terms, times, fees, so on. I have family and other obligations that come before all of my desires to become a fitness trainer.
I will not give up hope. It takes only the faith of a mustard seed and a dream.
legally, we take risks every day. My S.O. repairs cars for people at home, which is a risk. I repair bikes for people in my garage, sell repaired bikes to people. Any of these people could injure themselves and consider us liable. But we have to take some calculated risks. If I had not taken many risks, I would not have dug my way up from the bottom.
It seems like the exams are in may and june. But location is a problem. I will be moving about the country this summer on business, I will have plenty of time to study, not having the children with me, but catching up with the ACE testers is going to be tough.

Family sueing family. To me that is not family. Just my opinion. My family has a patriarch and if Big Daddy said it, that is the way it is done, or you can exclude yourself from the family. Most decisions of disputes are handled by the senior uncles, they usually decide on who owes who. Who should be let off the hook and such. They would not tolerate the dog biting sueing thing. Once my Boxer bit my Aunt's lap dog. It was kind of funny. Her lap dog, kept yapping and bitting my Boxer. Finally my boxer had the lap dog's head in his mouth. We had to pry it loose. It was drama of course. My Uncle (the P/T personal trainer/ FT cop) decided I had to pay the vet bill and remove the dog from the house. We were staying there in my grandmothers[deceased] house during the visit of which my Aunt lives in entirely free. I did not have the money so he paid, and I had to pay him back in installments. Had to put my dog in a care center more money, he also lost 8 lbs, from separation anxiety. I was not happy. But that is the way it is done. She lives there on her very nice income for free, but Big Daddy said she could and will, so every one else pays the taxes repairs and such, it sucks but that is family, in or out. We are not always in agreement but we don't have lawsuits or drawn out estate battles, and so on. just wanted to share that.

Signed,
Not giving up yet...

[mountainchick]

I am stuck, I know. I can't, for my own financial happiness continue to help these people for free. A junior officers' pay, while suffcient, must be budgeted wisely. Gym fees, child care fees during workout, gas and such add up. I have to take the money or not help them. I am not willing to take the internships, because it is under there terms, times, fees, so on. I have family and other obligations that come before all of my desires to become a fitness trainer.
I will not give up hope. It takes only the faith of a mustard seed and a dream.
legally, we take risks every day. My S.O. repairs cars for people at home, which is a risk. I repair bikes for people in my garage, sell repaired bikes to people. Any of these people could injure themselves and consider us liable. But we have to take some calculated risks. If I had not taken many risks, I would not have dug my way up from the bottom.
It seems like the exams are in may and june. But location is a problem. I will be moving about the country this summer on business, I will have plenty of time to study, not having the children with me, but catching up with the ACE testers is going to be tough.


I got my certs on base here, at the military rate and the classes were held on the weekend. And I know how you feel, my husband is an O-2 in the Navy...but O-3 is coming up soon (hurray for pay raise!)

Here is the link to AFAA's military calender, etc. I don't know where you are, but they've got personal training option...

http://www.afaa.com/103.afa?SID=0002595945988145309174308774726426905508540321176103369&Method=0&PID=0&PK1=0&PK=2818&PK2=1&Lang=1&DocType=16&Owner=14&hp=0&tm=1&SearchType=0&site=0&WSType=0&zip=&distance=100&menu1=Select+a+Corporate+Affiliate&menu1=Select+a+Pathway&menu2=Select+a+Language

[Crankin]

You can take the ACE exam on line, anytime, anywhere. The exam review classes may be in certain cities on certain days, but, not the exam.

[pooks]

If you did an internship at a gym, you could look for alternate ways for your clients to get assistance paying the gym fees. Does the gym have babysitting while people are working out? Are any of your clients good prospects for doing that job in order to pay their gym fees? I was also wondering if you could barter childcare for training, but that doesn't address the legal aspects.

If your church is willing to assist you in your program, they might also be willing to help pay gym fees for worthy clients?

The only issue I see that might be problematical is if people sign up for the program only to drop out quickly (as so many people often do) leaving them saddled with gym fees they can't afford to pay, or a church obligated for such fees. So I'm not sure this is a perfect solution but it seems to me that if you give it some thought you might be able to figure out how to put together a program that works within the bounds of legal responsibility.

[logdiva32]

I got my certs on base here, at the military rate and the classes were held on the weekend. And I know how you feel, my husband is an O-2 in the Navy...but O-3 is coming up soon (hurray for pay raise!)

Here is the link to AFAA's military calender, etc. I don't know where you are, but they've got personal training option...

http://www.afaa.com/103.afa?SID=0002595945988145309174308774726426905508540321176103369&Method=0&PID=0&PK1=0&PK=2818&PK2=1&Lang=1&DocType=16&Owner=14&hp=0&tm=1&SearchType=0&site=0&WSType=0&zip=&distance=100&menu1=Select+a+Corporate+Affiliate&menu1=Select+a+Pathway&menu2=Select+a+Language

that is great info, good website. I can even get VA reimbursement for the fees. Takes VA months to pay you back... That is the best tip yet. Yoo, Hoo..

[logdiva32]

If you did an internship at a gym, you could look for alternate ways for your clients to get assistance paying the gym fees. Does the gym have babysitting while people are working out? Are any of your clients good prospects for doing that job in order to pay their gym fees? I was also wondering if you could barter childcare for training, but that doesn't address the legal aspects.

If your church is willing to assist you in your program, they might also be willing to help pay gym fees for worthy clients?

The only issue I see that might be problematical is if people sign up for the program only to drop out quickly (as so many people often do) leaving them saddled with gym fees they can't afford to pay, or a church obligated for such fees. So I'm not sure this is a perfect solution but it seems to me that if you give it some thought you might be able to figure out how to put together a program that works within the bounds of legal responsibility.
yea, got some stuff in the works, to cover some clients gym fees.

[logdiva32]

Hmmm, I was asked today if I could work with a person, who is very obese. I cannot take her really, even if I was already certified. I feel terrible but she is too far "gone" for me. She needs a Dr.. The med people have approved her for a gastric bypass. But she needs a knee replacment, so she is in a catch 22. Sorry but I could not help if I had 10 years experience, I just thin it is a med issue, now. How can I let her down lightly, I am sure she already feels very depressed.