The personal training industry is huge and still growing. You probably know someone who trains full-time or part-time. If you’re thinking of joining them, consider these six qualities that make a great personal trainer.
A Resume Matters
A clear, well-organized resume is important. It shows potential clients what you can do and highlights the traits that make you a good trainer. Your resume shouldn’t be flashy or overly complicated—just a simple snapshot of who you are and what you can accomplish. A good trainer can set and reach personal goals and help clients do the same. Showing that you’ve achieved goals with help from others also demonstrates motivation and drive.
Ability to Motivate
Personal trainers need to stay active and be role models. That means you must be able to motivate yourself first—getting up for early workouts and pushing through tough cardio sessions. If you can’t motivate yourself, it’ll be hard to motivate clients. You also need to inspire clients who may be out of shape, unmotivated, or nervous about starting. Helping them see progress keeps them going.
Strong Interpersonal Skills
Personal training is an interpersonal job. Good communication helps you teach proper form, explain exercises, and discuss eating habits. When you explain things clearly and listen to clients, you get better results. Being a great trainer isn’t just about knowing exercises—you need to connect with people and communicate well.
Keeping Clients Interested
You must keep clients engaged in their programs for as long as they train with you. If workouts become boring, clients stop showing up. Interesting sessions, a positive attitude, and making clients feel comfortable are key to keeping them committed and helping them see results.
Knowledge of Exercises and Equipment
A Willingness to Help
The best trainers genuinely enjoy helping others. That drive to support and motivate clients is what gets many trainers out of bed each morning. Even clients who don’t love working out want guidance. If you don’t want to help people, this career will be tough to stick with.
If you want to succeed as a personal trainer, you’ll need these qualities: clear communication, the ability to motivate and keep clients engaged, solid knowledge of exercises and equipment, and a real desire to help others. Understanding these traits can help you decide if personal training is the right path for you.
Author bio:
Allen Brown writes about health, travel, beauty, and more. In his free time, he enjoys playing the drums.