Personal Training Job: How to Work at the Gym you Want
So, you are a certified personal trainer and now it’s time to find a job? Here is everything you need to know about finding a personal training job!
Step 1: Scouting
I know it might be tough to be picky about where you apply to work, that’s why you want to start this process ASAP.
I waited until after I graduated from college to start finding a gym to work at. This made me very desperate and caused me to apply everywhere I could and take the first job that offered money.
Guess what.
I hated the first gym I worked at.
Learn from me and don’t do what I did!
Find gyms within your area and reach out to the ones you’re interested in.
Note: This is important…
You must find out if the gym is independent contractor based or employee based.
Being an independent contractor means the gym might help you find clients, then you train your clients at the gym, and give the gym a portion of the revenue.
If the gym is employee based it will definitely be harder to get hired because if you don’t find clients the gym will still have to pay you.
So, if that gym doesn’t have a lot of new clients coming in they would lose a lot of money hiring you.
An independent contractor personal training job is easier to get but riskier for you.
An employee job is harder to get but you would have more security, like a constant paycheck and benefits.
Step 2: Reaching Out
Once you find a gym reach out, tell them who you are, and how you are thinking about a career in personal training.
Ask them if you can come to the gym to have a look around and shadow for a couple hours.
Most likely, they will say yes.
Note: While you are there try to find a chance to ask if they are an independent contractor or employee based gym.
After you shadow be sure to thank them!
If you liked the gym, follow up with an email detailing your experience and why you liked it.
“Hi Joe!
I wanted to thank you again for letting me shadow the other day, I really got a lot out of it!It was helpful for me to see how you program your workouts for different clients, and the cue you used for helping Erin with her deadlift I had never heard before!
This was a valuable experience for me and I really appreciate you allowing for this opportunity.
Thanks again,
Ryan Sandmann
Then wait for their reply to ask if you could shadow on a regular basis.
They would say something like, “It was nice to meet you and I’m glad to hear you got a lot out of it!”
Leaving you the chance to say…
Yes, I totally got a lot out of it!
Do you think I could shadow on a regular basis?
I don’t want to be too intrusive it was just a really helpful experience.
I am happy to help around the gym in any way I can in exchange for the shadowing experience!
What do you think?
Thanks,
Ryan Sandmann
So they are most likely going to say yes, then it’s up to you to figure out the schedule with them, and move on to…
Step 3: Creating the Relationship
Now you should be shadowing on a regular basis.
Congratulations!
You’ve done the hard part. Now it’s all about being a nice person and helping out as much as you can.
Start of slow.
Observe and ask questions only when appropriate, don’t interrupt the training session.
When you start to learn about their equipment set up and where stuff goes start helping.
If you see the trainer setting up for a deadlift, help them put the weight on the bar.
The trainer is all done with something but didn’t put it away yet, then put it away.
Be friendly with the clients.
Make people happy when they realize you are shadowing.
Step 4: Get The Job
It’s a tricky balance between shadowing long enough to secure the job but not too long incase they really can’t hire you.
In my experience, if you do a good job at shadowing in a gym that is independent contractor based, it’s almost a guarantee.
Even if it’s an employee based gym you might be able to sort out an independent contractor agreement in the short term while you build up some clientele.
For some extra pro tips, be sure to check out this video with gym owner extraordinaire, Joe Schacht…
