Where To Now
Congratulations! You have just graduated and received your Certificate IV in Fitness and you are excited to get your personal training career on the road.
You are keen and motivated and ready to change the fitness world!
Have you really thought about how you are going to get started?
What are your options with employment?
Where do you start?
Employee
Upsides
- It gives you security if you are good at your profession
- You have a team around you to give you support when needed
- A business already has clients for you to train – although they still will expect you to be proactive in gaining new personal training clients
- You have a regular wage each week
Downsides
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – usually your employer will have expectations on how many clients you train per week to recoup their outlay
- You will have set hours and limited or no flexibility
- You are limited with your earning capability
There are many Council managed facilities, YMCAs and privately-owned gyms that still employ staff. They may be multiple-based roles with reception, group fitness classes, cleaning and outreach marketing involved in your weekly duties.
The team environment is one of the factors that people love the most about being employed by a good operator however having a ceiling on earning potential and no flexibility with work hours is a significant disadvantage.
Contractor/franchisee
The contractor or franchise structure is the most common nowadays for a personal trainer.
Most personal trainers are go-getters and want the flexibility in their work hours without the stress of owning a business, dealing with staff, paying big rents and equipment loans.
The franchises such as Fitness First, Club lime, Vision Personal Training, Jets, Anytime Fitness etc. will have these rental opportunities available. You will pay a weekly rental fee but take all the earnings from each session.
At $50 per session, rent is usually covered by 4–7 sessions. Around 22 x 45 minute sessions (16.5 hours) covers what you would have earned on wages, including your rent at $300 per week.
Upsides
- You have a clientele base to market to already
- You will have a PT manager there to help you get started
- You usually receive a rent-free period to get your business started
- There are structures and training set up for you to succeed
- More flexibility with the hours you work – although at first your hours will be big to get yourself started
- Your earning potential is significantly higher than that of a wage employee
- Some franchisors will give you a few hours work for them to help reduce rent
- Classes are always an option within some franchises
Downsides
- You don’t receive a weekly wage
- You must be organised and punctual
- Will need to put the hours in at the start to build clientele and become known on the gym floor
- You need to work within a franchise system – some are restrictive
- No team environment – can be very competitive if you don’t have a strong PT manager
- No big outlays for equipment as it’s mostly provided for you
Self employed
In some situations, it is most appropriate for the personal trainer to be entirely self-employed rather than have an employer or work in a franchise system.
For example, some personal trainers prefer to work outdoors – they might already have a bit of a following and have a few clients. Doing outdoor bootcamp or group sessions are a great money earner with up to 20 people in a session paying anywhere from $10 to $25 per session. You may do packages and they can attend multiple sessions and create a weekly membership.
You will require a good knowledge of marketing through face book, Instagram, and referral-based marketing to be successful in your own business, as well as a number of other skills.
Upsides
- You can earn very good money per session when you have established a good clientele base
- Usually a great motivated group of people to work with
- Can keep hours to a minimum with group personal training
- Outdoor training is the most fun!
Downsides
- Weather is the biggest issue
- Require a trailer or van for equipment, though both are good marketing
- Equipment to set up though not usually too expensive to start, just need imagination
Your Own Business
You have dreamed about your own gym for years; you know your equipment wish list and the style of facility you want.
Like any business, doing things on your own has many pros and cons. From having to set everything up like your business certifications and registrations, right through to investing in your resources, equipment and facilities.
Unless you have built up a strong network of clients, it will take some time to grow your business. Or, you could purchase a running facility with an existing clientele adding your enthusiasm and passion. Both are good options, you just need to be realistic and asses which option is best for you.
Upsides
- Being your own boss
- Building your dream gym
- Lifestyle
- Community engagement – being a community leader changing lives with fitness programs
- Earning potential – reward for effort will come
- Creating an environment that you love being a part of with your clients
- Team environment and friendships
Downsides
- The original outlay
- Establishing the right structures
- Renting a building and having a landlord
- Hours required to be successful – it’s no walk in the park for the first 5 years repaying debt
- Staff can be difficult to manage
Running your own business can be very exhilarating and rewarding but also demanding and stressful at times.
Share this Post