Many times we get questions from people who would like to become personal Trainers but do not really know what to expect after finishing a PT course.
Some typical questions we get are: Is it difficult to get a job as a Personal Trainer? What does a day look like when working as a Personal Trainer?
To answer these and many other frequently asked questions, we decided to interview one of our former students, Laura Mänty Silva. Laura acquired her PT certificate with IPTA during the Spring of 2017 and currently works as Personal Trainer at KeepTraining in her hometown of Uppsala in Sweden.
What would you say is the best thing about the working as a Personal Trainer?
Best of all, I think is that you meet so many amazing people and that you get such a deep and close relationship with your clients. It’s great to be part of each client’s journey and see how satisfied they are after our sessions.
Did your idea of the profession as a PT correspond to reality?
Not really. Before the education, I thought that personal trainers only gave instructions in the gym and were yelling at people. Now I realize how multifaceted the profession is. Among other things, you work with coaching, dietary advice, customer support and sales. Training clients in the gym is just a part of it all.
What does a regular working day / week look like?
It varies a lot. I work between 5-8 hours a day, Monday – Thursday and even Sundays. At the moment I work most mornings and evenings.
Was it hard to get a job?
No, I would not say that. I received job offers from several places and had the opportunity to choose the facility that I felt would be most enjoyable and fitting to my preferences.
Are you satisfied with your salary?
Yes, definitely. It’s better than I had expected.
Is there anything that is negative or difficult with the PT profession?
So far, it has worked out well but I can imagine that eventually there will be times when it may feel hard to constantly be happy and cheerful, motivating people. You have to remember how incredibly important it is to recover after long working days and constant customer contact. Giving yourself time to rest and recover is important in order to benefit from the PT profession in the long run.
What qualities do you think you should have to be a successful as a PT?
I am absolutely convinced that you must have a good customer relationship and be responsive as well as a responsible person. It’s not possible to just be a technically good trainer and think it will be enough. You must be able to meet clients in a way that makes them feel safe and comfortable in your company. You also need to be driven.
“Becoming a Personal Trainer is one of the best things I have done in my life”
What were some of the most important tools you received from your PT training?
First, how the training itself should be planned and conducted with a client. Second, all the theory around anatomy, muscular structure, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, etc. And above all, I would emphasize the importance of coaching. It’s one of the key takeaways for me.
Would you recommend others to bet on a career as Personal Trainer?
Absolutely! If you are interested in the field of health & fitness, go for it. Becoming a Personal Trainer is one of the best things I’ve done in my life so far.
Do you want to become a personal trainer?
Check out the official online personal trainer course and follow your dreams.