Becoming a Personal Trainer For Dummies

Description

Strongarm your way into the fitness industry Interested in becoming a personal trainer? Becoming a Personal Trainer For Dummies is, obviously, the book you need. Even if you know nothing about this career path and industry, this book will guide you through the basics and take you all the way through certification and getting your first job. We’re here to enlighten you on what’s involved in a personal training career and teach you everything you need to know to become certified. This updated edition covers current information on topics like social media, wearable technology, outdoor and virtual training, and newer workouts like CrossFit, Active Aging, and more. Learn what it’s like to be a personal trainer and discover if this career is for youDistinguish the different types of personal training Get the latest on wearable technology and other tricks of the tradeKnow what to expect when getting your certification and searching for jobs or clients Authored by a longtime fit pro who knows personal training inside and out, Becoming a Personal Trainer For Dummies shares expert insights in a fun, digestible way. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions How This Book Is Organized Part 1: Shaping Up to Be a Personal Trainer Part 2: Becoming a Successful Personal Trainer Part 3: Putting the Personal into Personal Training Part 4: Growing Your Personal Training Business Part 5: The Part of Tens Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 Shaping Up to Be a Personal Trainer Chapter 1 Introducing the World of Personal Training Determining Whether You and Personal Training Are a Good Fit Defining the role of a personal trainer Knowing what skills you need Assessing your skills Hitting the Books: Getting Certified Getting Started Creating your plan of attack Personal trainer for hire: Getting work Building your base Performing Your Art Making a great first impression Evaluating your client Establishing a program for your client Conducting a training session Staying in touch Our Little Trainer’s All Grown Up! Growing Your Business Preparing for growth Adding additional income streams Duplicating yourself Maintaining consistency within your business Chapter 2 Getting Certified Finding Your Niche Considering the possibilities Deciding which client group you’re best suited for Becoming Certified Knowing your ABCs: The personal training alphabet Choosing a certification Preparing for the Test Understanding the exams Making the grade Maintaining Your Certification Chapter 3 Building Your Skills Getting the Scoop from Those in the Know Interning Apprenticing Shadowing other trainers Training to train Taking advantage of other learning opportunities Finding Folks to Practice On (Or, Getting Your Family and Friends to Jump When You Say Jump) Training Yourself Practicing what you preach Demonstrating your professional skills Chapter 4 Planning Your Start Assessing Your Lifestyle Needs Being Your Own Boss Figuring out if you have what it takes Understanding the pros and cons of going it alone Trading spaces: Finding a place to train your clients Working the 5 to 9 Knowing whether you’re the ideal employee Identifying the pros and cons of being an employee Picking from the job jar Evaluating potential workplaces Getting hired Part 2 Becoming a Successful Personal Trainer Chapter 5 Creating Your Business Plan Developing a Road Map for Success Sounds like a plan to me: Writing your business plan Developing your mission statement Researching your market Selecting a location Deciding How Much to Charge To Market, to Market: Getting the Word Out about Your Services You versus the competition: Knowing what sets you apart from the crowd Developing a marketing plan Doing the Math: Projecting Your Income and Expenses Estimating expenses Projecting income Chapter 6 Setting Up Shop A Little Help from Your Friends: Forming Your Support System Drafting your professional team Someone to look up to: Mentors Building your network Networking with your peers Structuring Your Business Sole proprietorship Partnership Corporation Limited liability corporation Getting Registered and IDed (Even if You’re Over 21) Employer Identification Number Business license Certificate of occupancy Fictitious business name A Rose Is More than a Rose: Naming Your Business Playing the name game Marking your territory: The trademark Image Is Everything: Creating Your Look Branding that works Giving your logo some color Chapter 7 Developing Sound Business Practices Crossing Your T’s and Dotting Your I’s: Legal Forms for Your Business Disclaimer and informed-consent form Incident-report form Liability waiver form Going with the Flow: Determining in What Order to Conduct Your Business SOPs and Systems: Maintaining a well-oiled machine Every step you take, every move you make . . .: Keeping track of everything you and your client do Putting Policies in Place Setting a payment policy Show me the money: Collecting fees Billing your clients Determining a cancellation policy Maintaining Records Understanding why records rock Keeping the books Developing an accounting method The Tax Man Cometh Computing your estimated tax Knowing when to pay Filling out the forms Saving for taxes Tracking Your Clients Creating client forms Putting together a client file Maintaining client files Chapter 8 Flexing Your Marketing Muscles Ready, Aim . . . Focusing on Your Target Developing a specialty Targeting your market The Power of Publicity: Spreading the Word about Your Services Breaking the news Sitting for an interview Going to the head of the class: Giving free seminars or webinars Reaching Your Clients through Referrals Earning referrals Getting referrals from other people whose recommendations count Turning referrals into clients Marketing on a Shoestring Establishing your internet presence Donating your services Putting it in print Chapter 9 Retaining Your Clientele Keepin’ It Real: Putting Fitness within Your Clients’ Reach Knowing who you’re dealing with Coaching your clients Setting your clients up for success Motivating Your Clients Being a role model Changing up the program Providing positive reinforcement Following up for follow-through Getting Connected: Fostering Good Relationships with Your Clients Knowing when to listen and when to talk Say this, not that Respecting your clients’ privacy Resolving Conflicts and Addressing Concerns Figuring out what went wrong Acknowledging your mistakes Making things right Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Setting Your Client Free Time to spread your wings and fly It’s not you, it’s me Part 3 Putting the Personal into Personal Training Chapter 10 Getting to Know You: Performing Initial Consultations Hello, My Name Is . . . Polishing your “netiquette” Figuring out what you’re going to say Building credibility . . . fast! Qualifying a potential client Knowing what to say before you hang up or hit send Sending a follow-up email the same day Getting to Know You: Preparing to Meet for the First Time Making a good first impression Being prepared Conducting the Initial Consultation Setting the tone Reviewing the client’s health and medical history Learning about a day in the life of your potential client Identifying your client’s goals and reasons why Discussing your client’s exercise history Before You Say Goodbye Outlining solutions that will meet your prospect’s goals Explaining your prospect’s options Requiring a physician’s release Setting the stage for the first appointment Chapter 11 The First Session: Performing the Fitness Assessment Prepping the Client Introducing the tools of your trade Explaining the purpose of assessments Using rate of perceived exertion scales Recording Baseline Measurements Taking your client’s resting heart rate Measuring your client’s blood pressure Measuring body composition Assessing Your Client’s Fitness Run, don’t walk: Testing cardiovascular endurance Stretch marks: Testing flexibility Testing muscular strength and endurance The weakest link: Uncovering asymmetries and identifying poor movement patterns Discussing the Results with Your Client Referring to a Professional in Your Network if Necessary Chapter 12 Before We Meet Again: Planning the Program Get with the Program: Considering Your Client’s Programming Needs Understanding your client’s goals Location, location, location: Knowing where your client will be exercising Knowing what equipment your client will (or won’t) be using We’ve got your number: Considering how many sessions your client has purchased Keeping injuries and medical conditions in mind Using Assessment Results to Create a Baseline Program Aerobic Exercise Programming Choosing the proper training mode Choosing the best aerobic training method Determining working intensity Specifying exercise frequency Designating duration Creating a Strength Program Choosing the exercises Specifying how often your client will work out Determining the order of the exercises Planning sets, reps, and rest Setting the starting weight Chapter 13 Taking Your Client through the First Workout Checking Up So Your Client Doesn’t Check Out Asking the right questions Explaining what will happen during the first session So Hot It’s Cool: Warming Up the Client Showing them what’s what Providing constructive feedback Letting your client do it on their own Going for the Stretch Before the workout After the workout Now for the Main Event: Exercising Your Client Strong but not silent: Teaching strength exercises Getting feedback Cooling Down and Recovering from the Workout Chapter 14 Choosing Exercises and Teaching Your Beginning Client Program Design Basics Focusing on your client’s goals Considering your client’s abilities Movement Patterns Matching exercises to movement patterns Keeping it simple Choosing Exercises Your client’s experience level Your client’s fitness level Tailoring the Program with Progressions and Regressions Chapter 15 Taking Your Client to the Next Level Taking the Next Step Ch-ch-ch-changes: Knowing when to change it up Patience, grasshopper Providing direction for clients you see less often Strengthening Your Strength Techniques Strength-training routines Advanced training techniques See Spot run: Spotting techniques Let’s Get Physical: Progressing Your Client’s Cardio Program The FITT-VP principle Introducing your client to interval training Part 4 Growing Your Personal Training Business Chapter 16 Preparing for Growth: Automating and Documenting Your Workflow Planning for Growth Thinking strategically Envisioning the end Working backward Follow the Leader: Creating a System for Others to Follow Offering your clients consistent service Developing your workflow Mapping your workflow Writing Job Descriptions Charting Your Progress: Creating Your Organizational Chart Creating Your Employee Handbook Chapter 17 Hiring Additional Staff Outsourcing Is In: Hiring Professionals Graphic designer SEO specialist Social media manager Handyperson Internet service provider Payroll service Pumping Up Your Ranks: Hiring Other Trainers Uncovering where trainers hide out Evaluating a trainer’s potential Being your own human-resources officer Interviewing Potential Employees Arranging and setting up interviews Conducting the interview Payday! Dealing with Compensation Developing a pay/commission schedule Motivating employees Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: Firing and Laying Off Employees Understanding the law Documenting disciplinary actions Making the break Chapter 18 Establishing Your Business Culture Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way Envisioning your vision and philosophizing on your philosophy Living your core values Leading by example Communicating effectively Considering what other people want Managing micromanagement Higher Education: Encouraging Your Employees to Grow Having a growth mindset Staying certified Creating a learning atmosphere Continuing your own education Training Your Employees Creating a training manual Getting your employees up to speed It’s show time: Starting new employees in their jobs Continuing the training long term Part 5 The Part of Tens Chapter 19 Ten Great Ways to Expand Your Services Adding Nutrition Services Selling Supplements Adding Group Sessions Giving Workshops and Seminars Adding Massage Services Selling Fitness Equipment and Apparel Providing Corporate Wellness Services Running Challenges or Contests for Members and Non-Members Offering Training Programs Without Training Sessions for Advanced Clients Offering Other Services Chapter 20 Ten Helpful Tools Your Mindset Your Certification Your Online Presence Tape Measure Foam Roller Smartphone Resistance Bands Adjustable Dumbbells or Kettlebells TRX Stretching Strap Chapter 21 Ten Ways to Be the Best Personal Trainer You Can Be Stay In Your Own Lane Reserve the Right to Improve Be There for Your Clients Respect Boundaries Under Promise and Over Deliver Show Clients You Care Always Be On Time Dress Professionally Never Stop Learning Do What You Love, Love What You Do Index EULA