Weighing up the pros and cons of being a personal trainer? A career in fitness is fun and exciting, but let’s face it – every path comes with its highs and lows.
In this article – we outline the advantages and disadvantages of being a personal trainer so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.
Trainer Essentials articles are written by qualified personal trainers with 15+ years of fitness industry experience. We’ve helped thousands of PTs to embark on their careers, level up their coaching, sales, and marketing skills, and grow their own training businesses.
Whether you’re eagerly considering this journey or still on the fence, we’ve got your back. From the highs of transforming people’s lives to the challenges that come with coaching, we’ll guide you through the pros and cons of being a personal trainer.
Ready to explore if this fitness career is your perfect fit? Let’s dive in…
Pros of Being a Personal Trainer
Let’s start by running through the pros of being a personal trainer…
Transforming Lives
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a PT is the direct impact on people’s lives. You get to witness the joy and satisfaction as clients achieve their fitness goals. And know you played a key role in supporting their journey.
Flexibility and Independence
As a personal trainer you can enjoy the flexibility of setting your own schedule and potentially being your own boss. Independence in how you structure sessions and manage clients can be a game-changer.
Passion for Fitness
One of the biggest pros of being a personal trainer is the ability to do what you love. If you have a genuine passion for fitness, then being a PT allows you to turn that interest into a fulfilling career. It’s a job where your enthusiasm can shine.
Continuous Learning
The fitness world evolves, and as a personal trainer, you’ll constantly be learning and updating your skills. This ensures your knowledge remains current and your sessions stay innovative. It also means you’ll never be bored because there’s always something new to learn!
Healthy Lifestyle Influence
Being a personal trainer encourages you to embody a healthy lifestyle. It’s an opportunity to lead by example. Not only will you inspire others, but you’ll also enjoy the personal benefits of staying fit and active.
Varied Work Environment
As a personal trainer, you’re not confined to a desk or cubicle. Every day is different, especially if you work for yourself. You can enjoy a varied work environment, from gyms and fitness studios to outdoor spaces, which keeps things interesting and helps prevent monotony.
Fitness Community
Personal trainers often have the opportunity to build a close-knit community. Creating a supportive network of clients and colleagues can be emotionally fulfilling and contribute to a positive work environment.
Transforming lives, flexibility, using your passion for fitness, continuous learning, a healthy lifestyle, varied work environment, and community are the key advantages of being a PT. But there are also other perks and benefits like free gym membership.
How many other careers can boast these kinds of upsides? Not many (and we’ve had a lot over the years!).
But to be truly objective, we need to consider the downsides too…
Cons of Being a Personal Trainer
Now let’s look at the cons of being a personal trainer and potential drawbacks of this career…
Irregular Income
Personal training income can be irregular, especially if you’re just starting out. It can be an up and down feast or famine situation. It might take time to build a steady stream of clients, impacting your financial stability.
Client Retention Challenges
Clients come and go – turnover is common in the personal training world. Establishing long-term relationships can be challenging, and you may need to continuously attract new clients.
Industry Competition
The fitness industry can be highly competitive and it’s a saturated market. Standing out and building a solid client base may require extra effort and strategic marketing.
Early Mornings
You’ll often need to work around client’s timetables and availability, which means lots of sessions before the typical workday begins. Personal trainers typically start work at 0500 or 0600 so if you’re not a morning person, you’ll need to become one!
Physical Demands
The job is physically demanding and you need to be in good shape to keep up. Constantly demonstrating exercises and staying active throughout sessions can take a toll on your body.
Potential Burnout
The irregular hours, physical demands, and emotional investment can contribute to burnout. Balancing a busy schedule while maintaining enthusiasm for each client can be challenging.
Lack of Job Security
Many personal trainers work on a contract or freelance basis, leading to a lack of traditional job security with benefits. This instability may pose challenges for those seeking a more predictable work arrangement. Even a simple injury can stop you working for months which adds another dimension to the insecurity.
Client Dependency
Your success is closely tied to your clients’ commitment levels. If clients don’t stay consistent or drop out, it can affect your income and job satisfaction. It can also be frustrating when clients don’t follow your advice.
As with any career, there are plenty of downsides of being a personal trainer. Irregular income, client retention, competition, early mornings, physical demands, potential for burnout, lack of job security, and client dependency are the key ones.
Different people will weigh them up in different ways – something that’s a deal-breaker for one won’t matter to another. So, it’s important to be honest with yourself when considering whether you’ll really enjoy this type of career.
Weighing up the pros and cons of being a PT
Weighing the pros and cons of becoming a personal trainer is a crucial step in making an informed decision about your career path.
Start by reflecting on your personal values, strengths, and aspirations. Consider the satisfaction you’ll find in helping others achieve their fitness goals, the flexibility and independence that come with the job, and the enjoyment of continuous learning.
On the flip side, acknowledge the potential challenges like irregular income, the emotional investment required, and the competitive nature of the industry.
Take the time to envision yourself in the role, imagining both the highs and lows. Seek advice from experienced personal trainers and gain insights into their day-to-day experiences.
It’s also worth thinking about potential for professional growth in the fitness industry. Ultimately, finding the right balance between the rewarding aspects and the challenges will guide you towards a decision that aligns with your passion for fitness and your overall career goals.
Making your own decision
So, there you have it – the real talk about being a personal trainer. From the highs of changing lives and setting your own schedule to the hurdles of unpredictable income and client changes, it’s a mixed bag.
There’s the joy of helping folks reach their fitness dreams, the freedom to run your own show, and the constant learning in the fitness world. But there’s also the potential for burnout, the emotional rollercoaster, and the competition out there.
As you think about stepping into those training shoes, take a moment to balance these pluses and minuses with your own values and goals. Chat with experienced trainers, soak in the real stories, and imagine the wins and the tough times.
This decision is all about you. Embracing both the ups and downs will lead you to making a choice that fits your fitness interests and career dreams.
