What To Expect On Your First Year As A PT & How To Succeed

There is no doubt that becoming a personal trainer is an exciting career move; your first year in the industry will be an invigorating experience in which you will learn a lot from your new environment and the people around you.

Along with all that excitement, there is also going to be some nerves; the pressure of getting your new fitness career off the ground can be a little daunting. This is why it’s so important to prepare and plan to the best of your ability so that you are starting on the right foot.

So, how do you prepare yourself and your business so that your first year becomes the foundation of a long and successful career? National Training Manager Kate Kraschnefski shares her advice on getting your fitness career off and racing.

Research and prepare a budget

A comprehensive budget will make sure you understand all costs and expenses involved in getting started, as well as give you an indication on how much you need to generate in client revenue each week to live comfortably. Knowing this will mean you have clear goals, and provide you with extra motivation to market and sell yourself.

Even if you have a limited budget, you can still set up your business successfully; you may just need to adjust your goals and objectives to suit.

If numbers are not your thing, engage an accountant to get professional advice. You can always offer to train them in exchange for their services!

Consider multi-skilling

What other services can you offer that will create additional income streams, add variety to your day and have you reach a wider market? This could be small-group PT, group exercise, online coaching, massage or nutrition coaching. Factor ongoing education into your budget. It will be a tax deduction and your increased knowledge will put you in a position to earn more income.

Get comfortable with selling yourself

You may be able to deliver the world’s best PT session, but if you aren’t comfortable with explaining your value to people, you are in for a tough run! Make sure you understand all the benefits you can offer to people and practice communicating them to anyone who will listen. Seek out mentors and experienced PT’s for advice on this, or undertake further training.

Always remember you are in a service industry

Your clients are number one; aim to always make them feel that way. If you nurture them and go above and beyond with your clients, you’ll retain them. Understand their goals, how to motivate them and measure their progress. Add value to their experience any time you can because if they are getting results, they will become your champions and provide a constant stream of referred business. Ask them frequently for feedback on your performance, too!

Never stop learning!

The fitness industry is always changing, and exercise science is a widely researched field. Consider your Certificate IV in Fitness as your “P Plates”, and ongoing professional development combined with experience will get you to your “Opens”.  Be proactive in doing further training and keep connected to your industry through professional networks.

By being super organised and hard working in your first year as a PT, you will set yourself up for a long, rewarding and prosperous career in an incredible industry. Be prepared to hustle and commit to personal growth, it will be challenging but worth it!

If you are ready to take the next step towards an exciting and rewarding career in fitness, contact us today! Click here to enquire or give our team a call on 1300 669 669.

• 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.