With more people focusing on better health and fitness, the demand for personal trainers is rapidly increasing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for personal fitness instructors is expected to grow by at least 15% between 2019 and 2029.
Entering this industry can be quite lucrative. In 2019, the median salary for personal trainers was around $40,390 per year, or about $19.42 per hour. To qualify as a personal trainer, you’ll need a personal fitness certification, which covers areas like training techniques, anatomy, and kinesiology.
First of all, make sure you get a CPT certification from an accredited institution. You might find reviews of different certification programs helpful in making your choice.
If you’re thinking about offering remote personal training sessions, here are some tips to get you started:
1. **Choose Your Space Wisely**: Select a room in your house where you can train without interruptions. This might be a section of your bedroom, a spare room, or even a corner of the garage or basement. To prepare the floors, consider using rubber mats or pouring an epoxy coating to create a smooth, durable surface.
2. **Technology is Key**: Invest in a laptop or tablet with a high-definition webcam to monitor clients’ movements and provide detailed guidance. If your device doesn’t have a great camera, you can attach an external one. Using apps for sketching can also help you visually explain corrections to your clients.
3. **Specialize Your Services**: Think about what kind of personal training you want to offer. Whether it’s yoga, kettlebells, Olympic lifts, bodybuilding, weight loss, or strength training, each requires different equipment and expertise. Consider enhancing your skills by getting certified in emerging trends like Pilates, Tai Chi, and Yoga Nidra.
4. **Set the Scene**: Create a visually appealing and motivating workout environment. Use neutral colors that complement your skin tone and adequate lighting. Adding accents in red, green, blue, and yellow can make the space more engaging. Tailor the backdrop to fit the kind of class you’re teaching—opt for a Zen theme with greenery for yoga and meditation courses.
5. **Incorporate Nutrition Education**: If you also offer nutrition coaching, consider setting up a food-prepping station in your workout area. Share tips on measuring portion sizes and choosing the right foods. Use charts and diagrams to explain nutrition concepts like the food pyramid.
6. **Boost Your Online Presence**: To attract clients, you’ll need a strong social media presence and effective content marketing strategies. Look into tools like Google Trends to find out what type of content your audience cares about.
Remote personal training is a growing career choice, particularly as more people opt to exercise at home and pursue healthier lifestyles. By upgrading your home workout space and following these tips, you can take your career to new heights.