I’m hoping there are some members that make a living as professional trainers and / or strength coaches that can provide some feedback or advice on this subject.
I love strength training, but not just doing it myself I love learning about it; it’s like a separate passion of mine. I’ve been interested in getting into the profession of athletic training and I think it would be great to work for a college or professional facility doing this, however; I’m not sure where to start as my education is in Marketing. I recently found a program for a MS in Exercise Physiology and was wondering if that would be a good start.
Since I have a BAS I was thinking that I could get into the MS program, and I e-mailed the school for more information on the program and requirements. Although then I think about going through all this schooling and of course paying for the education but where does that leave me afterwards? I currently make a little over $70K annually and definitely want to stay at least where I’m at if not make more.
I’d love to one day make $100K annually but I’m not sure if that’s realistic or not. I definitely don’t want to take on the cost of additional education, maybe a CSCS certification, and then be making less money. I would love to love waking up and going to work but bills have to be paid.
It is hard to make a living in the fitness industry. I personally know three guys with a masters in exercise physiology plus certificates that make about 35-40k per year. You would be better off keeping your current income and investing in gym ownership once you have scratched together some capital. Once you invest in ownership the next step would be to properly staff it so that you work on it not in it.
Basically, don’t quit your day job and think of your passion as an investment of your time and money.
I’ve had the same job for nearly 10 years. Pay is decent and I have nice benefits but I absolutely hate it and spend my days chained to a desk. About a year ago I had a long talk with a family member who has been in the fitness industry for over 10 years as a trainer, manager, and GM about a career in Personal Training as well as Strength Coaching and Athletic Training.
He told me to look at it as a sales job and that it could take several months to build a client base. He also to said to have at least 6 months of salary set aside to hold me over during the transition.
I got my Trainer Certification following that conversation and came really close to leaving my job ($70k per year) a few months later but literally two weeks before an interview a huge home expense came up and there was no way I could do it. And since then it’s always been an issue of walking away from a steady pay check, health benefits, and vacation days for basically the complete opposite.
Sure, it’s doing something I have an interest in and passion for. But at the same time, I got a wife, kid and a house I’m responsible for. If I was young guy without any responsibility, I’d go for it. But now, it’s really hard to justify doing it.
The other day I ran into friend who trains at my gym. He has a degree in Exercise Science (I could have his job with my $1000 NASM certification). He was telling me how business all of the sudden got really slow. I think he said that in a 2 week period, 80 hours, he only trained clients for 30-something hours.
But there are several Private Gyms and Strength Coaches in my area who seem to be doing well, especially working with High School, Private School, and College Athletes. But these guys all had to start somewhere before they got to where they are now.
If you’re young, don’t have responsibilities like a family or a house, I say go for it.