A Guide for Mums Starting their Personal Training Careers

Getting qualified as a personal trainer is becoming a very popular pathway for a rewarding, successful career in the fitness industry. With more and more people looking to improve their overall health and fitness, it’s a career path suited to many people, no matter you age or current career. Mums who are keen to get back into the workforce and want to work flexible hours around family commitments may be able to benefit especially with a career as a personal trainer. This career is exciting, different and, best of all, you have the opportunity to help make your client’s lives a lot healthier!

Personal training is a very rewarding career in that you can set your own personal fitness goals and achieve them, earn an income from something you love and be able to pass on your expertise and advice to your clients.

If you’ve been thinking about a career change and want to become a personal trainer, here are some tips and encouragement for women who are considering entering the profession:

1. Research the type of qualification you want

You can craft your career around personal interests such as massage, group fitness or pilates instruction. Because the fitness industry is wide and varied, there’s an opportunity to narrow down your skills to a specific area in the fitness industry. If you’re rather sociable, working as a group fitness instructor may be best. If you have an interest in massage, having the qualifications to help you specialise in massage therapy is also ideal. Have a think about what interests you most and what you feel you’re good at, and focus on these for your career options.

2. Set time-based study and business goals

It’s easy to say you’re going to get qualified and become a personal trainer, but it’s also just as easy to let your studies slip and get caught up in other responsibilities, especially if you’re a parent. If you want to run your own business as a personal trainer, set some goals for when you want to complete your qualification and when you want to be able to say you have your first client. By writing down these goals, you’ll be able to stay more accountable for your actions and stay on track to getting what you want in your career.

3. Find a trusted business mentor to coach you

Things are always easier with someone who has experience by your side. If you know someone in the industry or have a friend that’s already gone through the ropes, getting their advice can be very helpful. They’ll be able to give you some tips and ideas that you may not normally consider, especially because they’ve already been through what you’re about to do. They will be able to help you get qualified and start up your business, and may even be able to recommend you to some of their own clients and their friends in order to help you get your first clients.

4. Get a childcare plan together

Because you will still have responsibilities with your kids, including school pickup and drop-off, it’s important to work out a schedule, so that you know you can still get the kids ready and get them home. Enlist the help of your family and friends to assist with childcare as you build your career. If you’re starting your own business as a personal trainer, you may even be able to make appointments to see clients to fit around your other duties.

Remember, managing a household and looking after children is a business in itself! Many of the skills gained in this important role are transferable and can equip you for a successful personal training business. Don’t let your responsibilities at home stop you from gaining the career that you want, as it is certainly possible to do both.

5. Make personal training work for you!

If you’re a mum or parent looking to return to the workforce and change your career in order to become a personal trainer, there is never a better time to do it. As the kids get older, this gives you the opportunity to get back to work and stay fit at the same time. Getting qualified can be easy and can get you started on your path to running your own business as a personal trainer. With that, you can run your business at the times that you want, and see your clients at times when you’ll still be able to run your home and get the kids to and from school.

• Bio

AIF

The Australian Institute of Fitness

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is the largest and longest established fitness training organisation in Australia, with dynamic training methods and expert course coaches nationwide - spanning fitness, massage and nutrition. The AIF qualifies more fitness professionals than any other provider in Australia, as well as offering a broad range of continuing education courses (CEC), upskilling resources and partnership programs for existing industry.