Advice wanted please

[premiertraining]

hi there people! i am new to the pthub. this is my situation - i am a qualified personal trainer (level 3) and after i qualified, with premiertraining, i got a job in a leisure club - based in a hotel as a fitness instructor. i worked there for 2 years (without converting to p.t) and decided to move across the border to be with my g.f.
i got a job at a supermarket as i quickly needed the money and currently working there which has now been just over 2yrs, i have always been ambitious but lacking in confidence. i decided to challenge myself and re-kick start my career and begin my personal training ambitions as i feel more confident. i feel that because the time since i was qualified as a p.t to now and also working in a supermarket permanently that gyms may turn their noses at my applications. i have also thought about working for fitness first to gain experience but i am quite put off by their costly ground rents. i have gathered my old books from premier training and will start reading up on them. i feel devalued at my current job and wish to live my dream, any advice on what course of action to take next would be VERY much appreciated!!!!!!!! thanks guys for reading this

[HoylesFitness]

Why not see if you can pick up a day or two in a gym at first, just to brush up on your fundamental people skills, and maybe pick up one or two clients as a confidence booster.

That way you keep your income from the supermarket, but then slowly build up your skills.

When I made the leap from Group Gym Manager to a full time Personal Trainer, I did so by fitting in clients around my day job, building my client base then taking a jump.

You may be told you have to risk it and make the leap, but you really don't. Take baby steps, but make sure they are commited ones.

[premiertraining]

thanks for the reply, i got in touch with my training provider and they contacted me the next morning. they basically said that because i was a former student on the course that i can return to do the course for free either full or part time which was fantastic news to me it def made my day or should i say week. i will be attending quite a few classes on the course instead of starting from scratch just to refresh my knowledge. this also gives me a chance to talk to the course tutor and career options. i was wondering if anyone out there went straight into self employment p.t and how much did you start charging? and lastly which of the bigger gyms are great to work in? thanks

[michelle.inspiringfitness]

Yep I did go straight in. Never fancied working in a gym plus I have other activities that I need to plan around. However, I do get a lot of help from the brand I work under.

Price yourself boldly - cheap says "not very good" to the type of clients that know they can afford PT. Research your market and be at least near the top of the mid price if your going mobile.

Michelle

[Johnhill.inspiringfitness]

100% agree with Michelle. Go for it! I went straight self employed and have never looked back. I wouldn't discount cutting your teeth in a gym and starting a free lance business on the side.

Steve makes a great point as well about being committed, if you ain't committed in this game, forget it!

Johh

[premiertraining]

hi thanks for the replies, i will take everything into account. firstly i am wanting to work in a gym first to gain experience. on one of the threads on here it said that you can earn '£13 per hour' plus i think an percentage of the session fee too at virgin active and looking at a recent job online at my local virgin active gym they state you need experience, so as this appealed to me i dont think i will appeal to them right now. there is a gym called DW Fitness gym which is an hours drive away from me, and wanted to know if any who are currently or has worked for this company work on the same pay structure as virgin active? and lastly at how many training sessions did you guys have before you considered yourself as confident with the profession?

Thanks again so much!!!!

[BristolPersonalTrainer]

Go for it, I totally think self employed is the way to go, I went straight SE but I already have a background in sales and marketing

Have an exit strategy, for example mine was as soon as I had 10 paying clients, I would hand in my notice, which I did and built from there, within 6 months I'm on almost 40 clients a week consistently

I blog here and feel free to get in touch if I can help more http://becomeapersonaltrainer.blogspot.com/

Best Wishes

Rich