In this recent podcast, we interviewed Terry, a highly experienced London based personal trainer and online fitness coach. He helps people achieve long lasting body transformations. We discover what the job entails and the true realities of the role of being a personal trainer to give you a flavour of this career.

Below is a summary of the interview, but you can also hear the or full podcast episode here.

How did you get into Personal Training?

Whilst working in the corporate sector in the city, I really enjoyed fitness and started training other people.  Until one day a personal trainer encouraged me to get into a new career.

What’s the biggest qualities you need to be a personal trainer?

I think generally you need to have a character that is personable. It doesn’t mean that you must be someone who’s extravagant, but you’ve got to be able to relate with someone. You need to listen to the client, before projecting your ideals on to them. I think a good personal trainer is someone who’s available and flexible.

What qualities do you think you need to have to be a personal trainer?

Personal trainers should be personable, nice, someone who likes to help others to achieve their goals. You provide a little bit of motivation, a little bit of help overcome barriers and you’re there to serve as someone who is willing to listen and not try to impose their ideals of what the ideal principle or figure should look like. You need to be constantly learning, to ensure that you stay one step ahead of your competitor.

What qualifications do you think you need to become a qualified personal trainer?

Personal Training has got two levels. The first one is the level to which you can reach to become a fitness instructor. These people are in the gym and sometimes they’re on reception. But generally, what they are allowed to take new team members or community members for gym instructions, take them through programmes, maybe even teach a premade programme. Level three allows you to be able to design your own courses and present them to people, without supervision.

Would you recommend learning to be a personal trainer face to face or online?

Face to face was most crucial, not only from the point of view of being able to build a network with the people who were learning at the same time, but also with the tutors. You get an opportunity to get out of your home, share your business cards and your Instagram I.D. and really get things going. You get real news from a face-to-face interaction, not to say that online is as good, as you can get some real quality and it may be the best method for you. But for me personally, I just enjoyed being in a classroom as if I was going back to school or University and I applied my time and my focus for six months.

Do you need be good with timing keeping?

If you hit the gym or if you’re training a client outdoors or even online, you need to be ready. Does that mean waking up at 6.30 for a session at 7am? No, probably means that you wake up at five thirty so that you’re mentally and physically ready for the session at 7am. For online sessions, you’ve got to make sure your lighting is set up, your cameras are put on charge and your notes are written. You’re going to be prepared well in advance of your session.

Do you need insurance to be a personal trainer?

We are seeing a culture, where personal trainers are being sued by their clients because of negligence, if accidents happen. Most insurers insure to a certain level, up to about 30 people. If you’re trying to train people online, that is also included within the premium. Insurance is an upfront cost to becoming a personal trainer.

What is the average salary being a personal trainer?

There are celebrity personal trainers that are on a million pounds a year & they’re doing more than just delivering what we see as personal training. It is possible to earn six – seven figure salaries that you see come through on your social media feeds. But it’s also highly likely that in the first few years, you won’t be making that salary. The early days, it could be up from a 1000 pounds a month. Ask yourself, if you can cover your rent, utilities, whilst building your reputation as a personal trainer. It does take quite a bit of time to build a bridge and gain referrals. People need to be mindful that they will need to build this business just like any other entity

What would you say are the pros and cons of being a personal trainer?

The cons can be unsociable hours and menial tasks (if you are based in the gym or a part employee on a zero-hour contract. The positives are the lifelong friends you can make, training every day and helping people achieve their potential.

Would you recommend freelancing or working full time at a gym or starting out on your own as your own kind of business?

It would depend on the individual, but I think you are you going to be safer to start off with a studio, which has a setup where there are clients or there’s not too high rents. A set up where you work several hours and then keep 100 percent of your income. It gives you an opportunity to see a lot of different people & get your name out there.

When should you go full time as a personal trainer?

Its important to look at the numbers and get your commitments before making any big jumps. Wait until the point where you have a full diary before you go full time. Referral marketing (mouth to mouth) is key,

What one bit of advice do you wish someone had said to you when you first started out as a personal trainer?

Personal training is a business. View yourself first as a business so that every single day, you review your practises and you’ve got guidelines in place for everything that you do. Make sure, you have clarity around what you want to do and how are you going to do. My advice to you to set up a business model.