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Showing posts with label trainer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trainer. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Personal Trainer Workouts

Personal trainer workouts are generally customized to a specific group of clients or on an individual basis. For many, it depends on whether they want to improve their cardiovascular health, or they are interested in strength training exercises. However, some trainers have certification in specialties like clinical fitness, which enables them to knowledgeably work with individuals who are trying to regain their health after a serious illness.

Certifications

If you are really serious about hiring a good personal trainer to monitor your progress and keep you on the right track, you'll want to check their certifications. A trainer that has accomplished just enough to get a job probably only has one certification. But a good trainer will be constantly improving his/her education. This professional will be certified in multiple areas of physical fitness, which may include:
  • Nutrition
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Muscle building
  • Massage therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Life coaching
  • And more
A good personal trainer has the knowledge and expertise to develop workouts for improving almost every area of physical fitness for his/her clients.

Times are Changing

In the past, when you watched personal trainer workouts on television, it was generally a muscle-bound guy. Today, becoming an excellent trainer has absolutely nothing to do with gender. In addition, the exercise routines are also changing. Instead of just lifting weights or running, there's a variety of unique methods to keep the exercise program fresh and user-friendly, so clients will be more likely to stick with the schedule.

For instance, one client may want a routine that includes a total body workout; but, another needs to concentrate on a specific area of the body, after a serious illness or injury. Although a personal trainer is by no means a physician, he/she can work in conjunction with your healthcare provider, in order to make sure you can reach your physical fitness goals.
Personal training workouts may include:
  • Workouts to strengthen the abs
  • Circuit training
  • Workouts using an exercise ball
  • Targeting specific muscle groups
  • Using a resistance band
  • Flexibility
  • Workouts for travelers
  • and more
Many clients want to work out to strengthen their abs. While they don't need the muscle tone of Mr. America, it does help with their overall fitness. Stronger abs will also have a strong influence on weight loss and how clothing fits. Some clients may have to invest in a new wardrobe, after their flabby waist lines are turned into the muscle.

Circuit training is an intense workout that focuses on both strength and cardiovascular health. Because it is extremely concentrated, your exercise routine accomplishes a lot in just 10 minutes per day.
The workout using the ball looks fun, but it is serious exercise. The ball is used to improve balance and force the body to target certain muscle groups. It makes sure the user maintains the proper position for a particular exercise. Dropping the ball is a good clue that you need to perfect the routine, in order for the workout to properly serve its purpose.

Personal trainer workouts can also target certain muscle groups. Some people are just simply out of shape in specific areas of the body; others need to improve muscle strength after surgery or serious illness. An experienced trainer will know how to accomplish each fitness task, without causing more harm to the client.
Resistance band training simply gives the muscles something to pull or push against. Although the routines may seem simple in nature, the results will ultimately be stronger muscles, without putting too much strain on them.

As people age they naturally lose flexibility. Workouts are available to help clients remain limber and retain their current abilities. But, it isn't just for the seniors. In fact, the body will be better served, if flexibility exercises are started young and become a lifelong habit.

Many people are on the road a lot, due to their occupation. They don't participate in a regular workout, because their equipment is at home. But, that is no longer an acceptable excuse. A personal trainer can teach exercises that can be done anytime, anywhere, without any specialized equipment.

In summary, there are no more excuses for not eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining a good exercise program. Personal training workouts are not limited to the gym, spa, or fitness club. Many of the exercises you do in a professional setting can also be done at home or on the road. A good trainer will be able to teach you how to use the resources you have at hand to help you achieve your fitness goals, even when you can't come to their location. Even for the individuals with physical challenges that limit their mobility, there are personal trainer workouts that can be tailored to their circumstances. With the proper guidance, almost anyone can exercise and improve their physical fitness.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Certified Personal Trainer Salary

If you are considering a career in the health and fitness industry, one of your first questions will be regarding the certified personal trainer salary.  While it would be nice to give you a definitive answer, it simply isn’t possible.  Several variables determine your potential income as a trainer.

On average, some suggest that the certified personal trainer salary is somewhere between 34-48 thousand dollars per year.  But, it really depends on:
  • Where you work
  • If you work for someone else
  • Your certifications
  • Your personal effort
Your certified personal trainer salary may be much more, or less, than the trainer you working alongside you every day.  You ultimately decide your own level of success, by how you approach these key factors to your earning power.

Where you Work

The demographics of your area will be a huge determining factor, when it comes to your salary.   If you work at a high end club that is part of a chain of fitness facilities, you are likely to make more than if you work at a small club, in a small town.

If the club, spa, cruise liner, or other health facility is always busy with clients, then you will have the opportunity to earn more.  If there are hours when you have too much time to twiddle your thumbs, then your salary will suffer.

The Boss

If you are the boss of a fitness facility, you will make more money than the certified personal trainers.  However, as management, you will likely have to give up being on the floor and actually working with the clients.  Your job is to manage the business and keep everyone else motivated.  But, you will also get a high percentage of all the monies earned by your employees.

When you are the employee, your salary will depend on what the boss charges the clients.  Then, you will get a percentage of that fee.  In general, you will receive less than half.  A 40/60 split is an example.  During the slow times, when you aren’t working with the clients on the floor, you will probably only earn minimum wage.  The more customers that request your training, the more you make.

Depending on the management, you may work on commission.  If you are really good at what you do, your boss might also offer bonuses.  The more business you bring in, the better you get paid.

Certifications

If you just passed your personal training exam, and you only have one certification, you will probably not make as much as the individual that has several. Some managers pay totally on a percentage basis.  For example, if you have one certification, you will receive 30% of the fee your clients have to pay.  However, that percentage increases by 5% for every certification you have.  So, if you have at least 4 different certifications, you will pocket 45% of the fee.

In order to determine the certified personal trainer salary, you will need to ask around.  Check with all the businesses that may potentially hire you, after achieving your education.  See how their pay scales are set up.  Then, pull out a calculator and do a little math. You can get some idea of your earning potential.

Your Effort

Regardless of the other key elements of the certified personal trainer salary, the biggest factor is your own personal effort.  If you are a mediocre trainer, you will make a mediocre paycheck.  If you excel in your career, you income will naturally increase.

Generally, you income depends on your clientele.  If you are an excellent personal trainer, customers will ask for your services.  When you start turning people away, because your schedule is packed, the fee for your services will increase.

As an excellent personal trainer, you may have the opportunity to work with clients off-site.  Because they are paying for your individualized attention, and asking you to come to them, you can set your own fee.  People will pay for your expertise, because they get their money’s worth.  You might charge anywhere from $75-$250 per hour.  Of course, if you work for a celebrity, you should find out what the going rate is for working with the rich and famous.

In summary, there is no definitive answer, when it comes to certified personal trainer salary.  What you will/will not make depends largely on your effort.  The trainers that make the big bucks are the individuals that continuing learning and gaining certifications, while going the extra mile in providing services for their growing clientele.  Of course, if you work for someone else, it will also depend on the established pay scale, and the demographics of the health facility.  But, you are the key to your own success as a personal trainer.