A personal trainer’s journey can sometimes feel like a lonely road, especially when you are just getting your feet wet. In the beginning, you’re riding high on passing your certification exam and are about to embark on a life-long career.
Then what? The reality of finding a job and clients sets in, and you may start to ask yourself if you’re ready for the hustle. Are you actually a good trainer? That is the time to reach out to other fitness professionals and learn from their experiences. It’s never too late to begin building your professional network.
Where to Start
Joining a professional membership organization is the most straightforward way to reach out to peers and mentors. There are a number of associations in the fitness industry, so choosing one can take a bit of research. You should decide which one is the best for you, depending on what your training direction and philosophies are.
Are you looking to train athletes or individuals wanting to improve their performance? Do you have a passion for helping clients with specific health challenges? Do you thrive on the high energy of group or small group training sessions? Each association or organization is going to have strengths that will help lead you on the path to success.
Once you’ve narrowed your options down to two or three, evaluate the benefits you’ll get for the cost you’ll pay. Does the association have the reputation, affiliations and resources for professional development that you find valuable? What do you see as drawbacks? As you weigh the pros and cons of joining any professional membership association, the one that best suits your career goals and interests will rise to the top. Consider the cost of any membership affiliations as an investment in your career potential.
Finding Your First Gig
Now that you’ve become part of a community of like-minded professionals, start reaching out to them for employment leads. Most industry associations will have a job board where you can peruse open positions. If you can afford it, don’t shun an unpaid internship or assistantship. Simply achieving your certification doesn’t necessarily give you all the tools needed to be a great trainer. That comes from continued learning and experience. An internship gets your foot in the door and can oftentimes transition into a permanent paid position. Many clubs and facilities will have an established career path for their trainers that start at the internship level.
Get Your Name Out There
Be an active participant in the membership organization you choose. Engage with their social media channels as well as build your own online presence and relate the two. Join discussion forums, post on blogs or comment on web content in relevant and meaningful ways. Many associations have a trainer locator for the public to access. Build your profile and keep it current. As you gain more knowledge and experience, share it with others by speaking at meetings and events. Have your business cards accessible at all times, because you never know when you can create a connection.
Keep the Momentum Going
There’s never a time to rest on your laurels. When you start to feel like you’ve made headway in becoming an established trainer with a strong client base, remind yourself to keep growing. Clients leave for a variety of reasons that aren’t a reflection of your abilities and service. There is always new, emerging science and technology. Fitness and diet trends and fads are continuously making headline news. It is your duty to your clients and your career to stay on the cutting-edge of research and training application.
Maintaining your professional relationships and networks gives you an environment to share ideas, discuss challenges and recognize achievements. The people that you create these connections with will continue to help you learn, take your career to the next level and make you a better trainer. Down the road, it gives you the opportunity to pay it forward for up-and-coming trainers that may come work for you.
Melissa Archibald is the Marketing Communications Coordinator at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She can be contacted at 800.815.6826, or by e-mail at melissa.archibald@nsca.com.
