Gaining experience

Question

I’m a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and soon to be nutrition coach, as well as holding multiple Zumba licenses. I am having a difficult time getting hired by companies as a full-time trainer due to my lack of experience. Any recommendations on how to get experience when you can’t get hired? I really don’t understand how companies expect someone to come in with X years of experience when it’s impossible to get hired in the first place.

NinjaGirl · Answer

I haven't been in the industry in some time, but I am a former NASM CPT and I am working towards my Nutrition certification  right now just for my own interest (I'm a runner and fascinated with how nutrition works for ultra-marathoners!). :) These are challenging times to be working in the fitness industry, but what a great time to launch an online training offering?  You have the certifications - you could build a brand offering 1:1 consultation with clients, building them programs, offer daily zoom workouts? I built  up my experience by offering in-home training for 1:1 clients, which grew to my own boot camp workouts, and then I went to work as a contractor for a private gym where I kept my own clientele and paid the gym a fee to be able to train there.  Obviously with social distancing you wouldn't be going to people's homes or training in person right now, but wanted to throw it out there on building some experience doing more targeted client programs. Good luck!!

Cmorley · Answer

Look at a new up and coming company. They are hiring ,with your background.
Stretch Zone

Barb Hansen · Answer

I'm not a trainer, but I have a personal trainer at a medium-sized chain gym (VASA). My gym hires trainers with certification but no experience quite often.

I know this because those inexperienced trainers have occasionally shadowed my trainer in my personal sessions (with my permission) and co-lead the scheduled classes, as they work through their corporate training.

I don't know where you are in the world so perhaps there aren't chain gyms where you are, and what your personal preference is to chain gyms, but I still wanted to share my experiences with you.

Gaining experience

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