You are on page 1of 14

Personal Training

Mackensie Mastor

Mr. Alburger

English III Honors

22 February 2018
Mastor 1

Mackensie Mastor

Mr. Alburger

English III Honors

22 February 2018

Personal Training

The United States of America consists of roughly three hundred twenty million people,

with over one third of that population consisting of overweight adults. The American Obesity

Association claims sixty million of those overweight adults qualify as obese (Career). During a

time when maintaining a healthy lifestyle seems difficult, personal trainers aid others in creating

the healthiest versions of themselves. Personal trainers act as the relief and service that many

people spend years searching for. The world today creates an environment in which a career in

personal training can thrive, and it has done so for years, because with the proper flexibility in

the workforce, training, coursework, and qualities, one can make a tremendous and positive

impact on the health of others.

Surprisingly, personal training has its origin in Ancient China between the years 3600

and 2500 B.C. Early Chinese texts reveal that Chinese emperors required their subjects to

exercise daily. Additionally, during the Chou dynasty, aspiring soldiers had to pass a sequence

of weight lifting tests (Career). The Egyptians, Indians, Persians, and Greeks also utilized

personal training, physical activity, and weight training. Fitness training grew in popularity

during the Renaissance period as well, due to a renewed appreciation for human life that

evolved. Intellectual leaders in the Renaissance believed keeping a high fitness level heightened

an individual’s intellectual capabilities (Career). Throughout ancient history, staying physically


Mastor 2

active showed strength and respect for one’s body, mind, and spirit. Ancient generations of

people believed having a high fitness capacity remained a vital aspect of everyday life, and that

view remains prevalent today as more and more individuals seek personal trainers.

Personal training has continued throughout recent history as well. For example, the

United States’ founding fathers supported and recommended physical activity. Thomas

Jefferson, as a matter of fact, advised at least two hours of exercise or activity a day, no matter

the weather conditions (Career). To continue, the establishment of an abundance of public

schools and universities after the Civil War allowed for physical education and the personal

training career to thrive. Multiple organizations, such as the American Association for the

Advancement of Physical Education, also allowed for the increase and spread of the personal

training career (Career). The more modern aspect of the personal training career reflects the

importance of keeping up with fitness goals through consistent physical activity. It also reflects

the growing importance of genuine education in the physical fitness career.

As stated before, personal training has existed for quite some time. The career as it

stands today has only recently gained popularity. As a matter of fact, many people barely

recognized personal training as a legitimate business two decades ago (Coltrin). That view has

significantly changed recently, and millions now seek the aid of a personal trainer. People have

finally started to recognize the importance of this career, and its relevance in today’s society.

The career has recently experienced a major growth to become much more prevalent than ever.

This profession now stands greatly recognized, and it has become a career that requires much

education and credentials (Coltrin). Clients do not want to hire a trainer without official
Mastor 3

credentials. People see personal training as a valuable and legitimate business, and clients

increasingly look for substantial training in personal trainers.

The personal training career will continue to advance and improve. The career can thrive

as long as there remains a consistent supply of clients. Therefore, personal training will continue

to remain relevant for generations to come. Clients will continue to seek healthier lives, and

someone to help achieve their goals. Personal trainers love to watch their clients’ confidence

grow. They love to see the positive growth in body language that accompanies a transformation

to a healthy lifestyle (Arrandt). The positive change in clients’ lives brings trainers so much joy.

Individuals struggle to make the change to a healthier lifestyle alone, and thankfully personal

trainers can help provide that enthusiastic, supportive, and encouraging energy to those in need.

As previously supported, the personal training profession has become increasingly

popular. According to the University of Chicago, personal training ranks as one of the top

professions of the twenty-first century (Rankin). As a matter of fact, the personal training career

job outlook grows faster than the average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S.).

With personal trainers in high demand, the salaries and wages offered to personal trainers remain

satisfactory. The 2016 median pay stood at over 18 dollars per hour, however industry observers

claim average trainers usually charge from 30 to 75 dollars for an hour-long workout session

(U.S.). This number represents only a general and broad estimate. Prices can escalate for

in-home visits, and can increase or decrease depending on the differing levels of training

received (Rankin). In addition, some trainers become highly sought after for having good

reputations and creating major client transformations. These trainers can raise their service

prices tremendously, because of their positive results.


Mastor 4

Furthermore, the job location of a personal trainer can also affect the earnings that a

trainer can make. One interesting and unique aspect of personal training provides trainers with

the opportunity to work as resort fitness instructors. Resort fitness instructors get to work as a

personal trainer teaching classes in a beautiful spa or resort. Resort fitness instructors, in Hawaii

for example, can earn 20 to 50 dollars per class. Working as a resort fitness instructor holds a

unique benefit as well: an assured paycheck (Wicker). This means the personal trainer would

receive a paycheck regardless of how many people attend a particular class. Resort fitness

instructors exemplify a different strand of personal training that, nonetheless, pays well.

Similar to salaries and wages, the hours a personal trainer works vary. The personal

training career allows trainers in the profession to live flexible lifestyles. A Certified Group

Fitness Instructor claims some days book from six o’clock in the morning until two in the

afternoon. However, some days last much longer, and have frequent breaks in the schedule

(Career). On the other hand, some trainers’ days start at five o’clock in the morning, and end at

eight o’clock at night (Arrandt). Due to all of the possibilities, one cannot accurately describe a

typical day in the life of a personal trainer. The differing schedules and breaks during the day

reflect the ever-changing needs of clients. For example, early morning and late afternoon

sessions attract clients with busy work schedules. Personal trainers work to cater to the client’s

schedule, which can lead to long work days. However, the unique schedule of a personal trainer

keeps the job interesting and refreshing.

Personal trainers also have the ability to choose between working part-time and full-time,

just like countless other professions. Some personal trainers might work twenty hour-long

sessions a week, representing a part-time schedule (Rankin). Part-time personal trainers,


Mastor 5

however, do not earn as much money as personal trainers working full time. On the other hand,

loads of personal trainers work full-time. Full-time personal trainers may work hours from five

in the morning until nine o’clock at night (Rankin). This shows personal trainers sometimes

work much longer days when compared with other professions. Personal trainers can make good

money, but they can also pay a personal price when hours get long.

The overall responsibility of a personal trainer consists of working with their clients to

improve their overall fitness and health. Trainers guide clients not only through exercises, but

also in maintaining a long-term healthy lifestyle. Trainers work in a number of different areas

designed for the exercises they will aid their clients in doing. For example, personal trainers that

wish to focus on weight training with a client will work in a place equipped with barbells,

dumbbells, weight machines, and other strength based equipment (Career). Trainers must also

aid clients in performing these exercises correctly, in order to ensure client safety. Teaching

proper form and technique remains a major aspect of the personal training career. This means

trainers must perform exercises correctly in order to serve as a model for the client. As

previously stated, trainers want to create a long term healthy lifestyle for their clients. Therefore,

personal trainers must also aid in teaching clients about proper nutrition and diet for their fitness

goals. To do this, they can create and provide individualized diet portfolios for their clients

(Chapter). Personal trainers must have a firm understanding of the nutrition and health

requirements of their clients in order to provide accurate and helpful advice to further accelerate

the health journey.

Great flexibility in the workforce exemplifies a major advantage of the personal training

profession. Personal trainers have the opportunity to work in a number of different locations.
Mastor 6

Trainers work in multi-purpose health clubs, homes, personal training facilities, community

wellness centers, recreation centers, and much more (Career). The ever changing work

environment keeps a personal trainer’s job interesting and fun. Furthermore, personal trainers

can reach a greater amount of people and clients when they work in a number of different

locations. Changing the work environment allows a personal trainer to work in a space that

caters to their needs, and also caters to what the client wishes. Sometimes a trainer might work

in a gym teaching about weight training, whereas other times a trainer might make an in-home

visit to a client. Additionally, a personal trainer might sometimes begin a day working with

in-home clients, and later move to a health club to meet clients (Arrandt). This allows trainers to

help people of all ages reach their fitness goals. Whatever they desire, a personal trainer has

countless options to choose from when selecting a location to work.

As aforesaid, personal trainers have the option to work out of homes in a resort. One

unique opportunity a personal trainer has remains the ability to work as a resort fitness instructor.

Resort fitness instructors have a one-of-a-kind job that does not resemble any other job. These

personal trainers work at beautiful spas or resorts, and teach interesting classes not usually

offered at home. They get to teach a variety of fun and different classes, and have to ability to

act friendly and engaging, and not “hardcore” (Wicker). Personal trainers at a resort have an

audience that wants to have fun, and get a good, yet relaxing workout. Their clients do not wish

to see progress in one class, therefore resort fitness instructors have the ability to experiment and

have fun. Resort personal trainers can also network themselves, and gain useful job experience

for the future. Working at a resort represents just one unique opportunity available to personal

trainers.
Mastor 7

Personal training requires a trainer to have the ability to understand and effectively use

other disciplines. Different skills from countless other fields come into maintaining a

professional personal training career. For example, a personal trainer should excel in

understanding mathematics. Personal trainers must have knowledge of formulas and strategies

to accurately understand computation, substitution, and problem solving. Mathematics’

relevance in personal training comes when a trainer must find heart rate, target heart rate, basal

metabolic rate, estimated energy requirements, calories, and countless other forms of data

(Chapter). A trainer should always meet the needs of their clients, and understanding how to

find specific measurements of fitness and nutrition remains a major aspect of personal training.

Furthermore, successful personal trainers must know a great deal about nutrition in order

to properly meet the health needs of their clients. A trainer provides information about diets,

menus, and recipes for their clients, so they must have a firm understanding and have studied the

proper nutrition (Chapter). A trainer needs to utilize their knowledge of nutrition to positively

impact their clients’ lives by teaching clients how to eat healthy. Many trainers commonly use

the food journal method to aid clients (Arrandt). This method involves a client keeping a food

journal of what they consume each day, allowing the personal trainer to review the journal with

the client, and use the data to enhance the fitness and health journey of that individual.

Additionally, a personal trainer needs to have the ability to determine a client’s eating habits

(Career). A trainer should have the knowledge to provide information to their clients that will

create a healthy lifestyle for their client, and this only comes from studying nutrition as well.

Business exemplifies another extremely important field a personal trainer must feel

comfortable working within. A personal trainer must work through several business related tasks
Mastor 8

in their career, just like any other job. Self-employed personal trainers have even more business

related tasks to master. Some important business minded tasks that come with the personal

training profession include branding, naming a business, selecting a proper location, and

advertising (Bossé). For example, a trainer should acknowlegde the difference between leasing

space in a shopping center versus building their own studio. A trainer should consider business

cards, brochures, letterheads, note cards, websites, and other marketing material (Bossé). In

order to best carry out these business-minded tasks, a personal trainer should have at least some

degree of study in business. Having a quality understanding of business allows a personal trainer

to grow their business, and reach a larger client audience through branding, and marketing.

Maintaining a career as a personal trainer likewise involves the business skill of record

keeping. Personal trainers keep track of earned income and expenses, every time a client pays,

and when the business purchases new equipment, supplements, or other items. Trainers schedule

client sessions and maintain training journals to track individual client progress (Career).

Personal trainers should understand basic aspects of business in order to successfully serve

clients. They need to understand how to run a professional solo business in order to thrive in

their physical training career.

As personal training becomes increasingly popular, the demand for a trainer to obtain the

sufficient education and courses increases. Clients will not hire a trainer without the proper

educational background, because that trainer lacks credibility. Aspiring personal trainers have

many choices. One could seek a degree in kinesiology, exercise science, sports education,

fitness education, anatomy, physiology, psychology and many more from colleges and

universities all across the world, such as the American College of Sports Medicine, or the
Mastor 9

Cooper Institute (Rankin). Trainers should only take courses, however, from recognized national

or international organizations. One could also attend shorter personal training courses that

require fewer expenses and less time (Understanding). In addition, The National Academy of

Sports Medicine released a program known as the Introduction to Personal Fitness Training

(IPFT) as an online course that counts as a precursor for the Certified Personal Training Course

(National). This option represents a gold standard in the health and fitness industry, and the

online aspect creates an environment that benefits many people. The Bachelor of Science

pre-medical biology course at University of North Carolina at Charlotte represents one local

option available to personal trainers. In addition, trainers can take more specialized courses, like

IFA or Yoga Alliance RYT (Arrandt). As previously supported, various options remain

available for a personal trainer to take advantage of in order to receive proper education in the

field. All educational courses require a trainer to study and pass exams, which means an aspiring

trainer should prepare to learn loads of information to pass their coursework.

Along with the proper educational requirements, a personal training career requires

specific certifications, forms, and waivers. Professionals recommend obtaining the proper

credentials and associating with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, because the

certification will make a trainer desirable. A personal trainer should also obtain proper licensure,

such as a business license (Bossé). Licenses allow personal trainers to expand their business and

keep up their credentials. Trainers need to acquire correct levels of liability insurance as well.

In addition, required forms and waivers include questionnaires, releases of liability, consent

forms, weight/ body fat/ fitness assessments, stress tests, nutritional surveys, and personal

training policies (Bossé). Forms and waivers ensure personal trainers keep up with their
Mastor 10

education. Additionally, clients feel comfortable working with trainers who obtain the proper

forms and waivers.

The personal training profession requires an individual to embody certain aspects and

qualities everyday in order to ensure a quality session with a client. For instance, personal

trainers should speak enthusiastically and supportively in order to encourage their clients.

Trainers should not only act as a firm instructor, but as a good teacher as well, giving them the

ability to challenge clients without sounding hostile (Rankin). A personal trainer should feel

easy to confide in, and still motivating. They should act friendly and welcoming at all times.

Additionally, the trainer should make an effort to get to know clients on a personal level; they

should prioritize the client at all times. Trainers need to read their clients, and have the ability to

recognize all the little changes. The environment and lifestyle affects all individuals, everyday,

so trainers should pay attention to their clients on a daily basis (Arrandt). Trainers should

carefully watch and recognize when clients go through a change. They should focus on the

client during the entire session, offer assistance to clients when needed, and watch their form.

Trainers should always show up on time and organized for every session to help ensure safety

(Bossé). Safety remains a huge part of customer care in personal training. Personal trainers

should make sure the client does not get injured by supporting them throughout the whole

session. Also, personal trainers need to stay up to date with changing fitness technology and

fitness programs in order to stay safe and cautious (Understanding). Trainers that know how to

work new, updated technology, and know how to perform new exercises, can pass the

knowledge onto clients, and further maintain client safety. Personal trainers should motivate

clients, and represent a good example of a healthy lifestyle (Arrandt). Trainers should show
Mastor 11

clients that a healthy lifestyle remains attainable, and therefore staying technologically updated

and in good physical condition remains a must.

Today’s society actively demands personal trainers, and the career has thrived for years

and will continue to do so, because with the variety of working environments, necessary

schooling, classes, and traits, a personal trainer will absolutely change people’s lives for the

better. Personal training gives fitness enthusiasts the ability to pursue their passion as their

career. It also allows trainers to use their knowledge of health and fitness to positively impact

others’ lives. Trainers have the ability to impact clients’ bodies based on the client’s needs, not

based off fitness trends. Therefore, personal trainers act as the outlet that many people search for

to help achieve a healthy life. They sometimes remain an individual’s only hope in achieving

their fitness and health goals, and for this reason the personal training career will forever remain

necessary and meaningful.


Mastor 12

Works Cited

Arrandt, Zan. Personal Interview. 05 February 2018.

<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GRD2g6qrdpUHlYftnKCMXOG46mIx_npVAB

X6H4hGv6s/edit?usp=sharing>

Bossé-Smith, Lorraine. "I'm a Certified Personal Trainer…Now What?." ​American Fitness​, vol.

28, no. 5, Sep/Oct2010, pp. 16-17. EBSCO​host,​

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hxh&AN=53305266&site=eds-

live&scope=site​>

Career as a Personal Trainer.​ Institute for Career Research, 2009. EBSCO​host​,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e862xna&AN=293557&site=e

ds-live&scope=site​>

"Chapter 5: Math and Personal Fitness." ​Career Math: Teaching Real-World Math Skills &

Concepts (Student Edition),​ Social Studies School Service, Jan. 2008, p. 78. EBSCO​host,​

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sch&AN=86210100&site=eds-

live&scope=site​>

Coltrin, Katherine. "Renovating the Status of the Personal Trainer." ​Club Industry (07478283),​

vol. 19, no. 11, Nov. 2003, p. 27. EBSCO​host,​

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=11588101&site=eds-

live&scope=site​>

"National Academy of Sports Medicine Launches New Course: Introduction to Personal Fitness

Training; New Program Provides Foundation for Successful Personal Training Career."

Internet Wire​, 2008. EBSCO​host,​


Mastor 13

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsggo&AN=edsgcl.18952441

9&site=eds-live&scope=site​>

Rankin, Jennifer. "Personal Trainers Require Physical, Fiscal Fitness. (Cover Story)." ​Business

Press,​ vol. 12, no. 8, 18 June 1999, p. 1. EBSCO​host​,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b9h&AN=2015847&site=eds-l

ive&scope=site​>

"Understanding Why Formal Credentials Are Necessary for Budding Personal Trainers."

Instablogs.Com​, 2016. EBSCO​host​,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgin&AN=edsgcl.461708186

&site=eds-live&scope=site​>

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Fitness Trainers and Instructors.” ​Bls.gov​, U.S. Bureau of

Labor Statistics, 24 Oct. 2017,

<​www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm​>

Wicker, David. "Resort Fitness Instructor." ​American Fitness,​ vol. 23, no. 4, Jul/Aug2005, pp.

66-68. EBSCO​host​,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hxh&AN=19311145&site=eds-

live&scope=site​>

You might also like