My last post dealt with the idea of a person turning their passion for fitness into a career that could benefit others. This was known as personal training, which consisted of helping others reach and exceed their fitness goals. I myself am a NESTA certified personal trainer and have been confronted with the issue of working for a gym or fitness center versus working as an independently contracted trainer. There are pros and cons to each side that must be taken into account for a decision to be made on hich is right for the individual.
Training as an employee of a gym or fitness center can be seen as a "safer" option. This is due to the benefits of working under a larger entity. Some gyms actually provide clients to their trainers, which reduces the need for trainers to have to market themselves to gain clients. Gyms handle taxes and other legal issues that come with a person working in the industry, leaving less headache for the trainer and more time to focus on training. Benefits and security is also provided by gyms in the form of paid sick days, health coverage, etc. These all take pressure off of trainers and leave them free to focus on the job. The downside to all these benefits is that opportunity and income can be greatly reduced compared to an independent trainer, with some gyms taking an especially large portion of the income received from clients for themselves. Clients can become an issue as well, with some gyms assigning more clients to certain trainers, leaving others with less. This can be based on experience or seniority, depending on the owner.
Independent trainers have much more room and opportunity for growth compared to their gym counterparts. Working for yourself means you can get as many clients as you are able, as well as not having to share them with other trainers looking for their chance to take them. This means greater possible income dependent on your efforts as a trainer and a marketer. No gym means that you must put yourself out there and market effectively to gain a solid client base. Taxes and legal issues must also be handled by the trainer now instead of the gym, which may prove stressful. Another difference is that there are no sick paid days off, each day you are not working means you are losing potential clients and revenue.
Whichever a person decides to do, they must carefully look at the options before them and weigh the pros and cons. Some people work better in one than the other, but either one can provide a fulfilling career that allows the trainer to help others.
Training as an employee of a gym or fitness center can be seen as a "safer" option. This is due to the benefits of working under a larger entity. Some gyms actually provide clients to their trainers, which reduces the need for trainers to have to market themselves to gain clients. Gyms handle taxes and other legal issues that come with a person working in the industry, leaving less headache for the trainer and more time to focus on training. Benefits and security is also provided by gyms in the form of paid sick days, health coverage, etc. These all take pressure off of trainers and leave them free to focus on the job. The downside to all these benefits is that opportunity and income can be greatly reduced compared to an independent trainer, with some gyms taking an especially large portion of the income received from clients for themselves. Clients can become an issue as well, with some gyms assigning more clients to certain trainers, leaving others with less. This can be based on experience or seniority, depending on the owner.
Independent trainers have much more room and opportunity for growth compared to their gym counterparts. Working for yourself means you can get as many clients as you are able, as well as not having to share them with other trainers looking for their chance to take them. This means greater possible income dependent on your efforts as a trainer and a marketer. No gym means that you must put yourself out there and market effectively to gain a solid client base. Taxes and legal issues must also be handled by the trainer now instead of the gym, which may prove stressful. Another difference is that there are no sick paid days off, each day you are not working means you are losing potential clients and revenue.
Whichever a person decides to do, they must carefully look at the options before them and weigh the pros and cons. Some people work better in one than the other, but either one can provide a fulfilling career that allows the trainer to help others.