Los Angeles Personal Trainer

1. What advice would you give to a person who is now establishing a personal training business? Get some experience working as a personal trainer for a well-established health club. Take every continuing education class you can and talk to more experienced personal trainers. If you are planning on starting your own personal training business, I advise reading a couple of books on business if you have never owned one before. Even if you work in a health club, it is still like your own business, so always treat it that way and you will be more successful.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? When clients suddenly realize how far they've come and that their most lofty goals are attainable.
3. What is the least favorite aspect of your job? It's probably the same as every personal trainer. It is really hard when you know what is best for a client and they won't listen to you. For example, if they eat two doughnuts for breakfast every morning an refuse to give it up.
4. What would you change about your job if you could and Why? I'd make it easier to find new clients when I need them! This is probably the hardest part of being a personal trainer. One week you are referring clients to another personal trainer because you are too busy, the next you need to find a new client to pay your bills.
5. What type of clients do you prefer to work with and Why? I can't say I have a favorite type, but I do prefer clients that trust me and really understand the concepts I am trying to teach them. This is simply because they reach their goals faster and then both of us are happy.
6. How do you reduce liability? I have insurance for personal trainers. I am very careful to use good equipment and spot my clients during stability training. I have also learned a lot about physical therapy so that I can help assure that they will not get hurt.
7. What is your client evaluation process? I use a simple health history form that lets me know if they have any major health risks for which I need a physician's release form. I also have a list of orthopedic questions which let me know if there might be any issues when we begin working out. I also do some basic physical assesments and tests to cover any questions I might have as to where to begin.