The Good, the Bad, and the Sweaty
I am now 5 months into my new career as a personal trainer. I get a lot of inquiries as to how things are going, so I thought I’d share an update. Here I give you, the top ten things I have learned as a new personal trainer:
One: There is a lot of counting. If you ever need someone to count to 10 for you, I’m your gal! However, I found that it’s hard to count while you are talking or teaching. At first I kept losing count, but then a client shared a trick her last trainer used. She said he’d count on his fingers while he was speaking. It took some time to master – in a pat your head, rub your belly kind of way – but I’ve mostly got it now.
Two: There is a lot of sweating, showering, and changing of clothes. Granted I am in the throes of menopause and I’d sweat while sitting naked in an igloo, but it’s still more washing and re-washing of body and clothes than I could have ever imagined!
Three: My work hours are generally mornings and evenings. Everyone wants to train first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. This has taken some getting used to, but now I think it’s kind of nice. So if you want to meet me for lunch, I’m free!
Four: It is A LOT easier to get Personal Training clients than it was to get Nutrition clients. Everyone knows they need to eat healthier, but for some reason it’s hard to ask for help with that. I always felt like I was pulling teeth getting people to sign up or heaven forbid, refer their friends and loved ones! As a trainer, people sign up without drama and foot dragging and then send their friends to me too. It’s great!
Five: Personal Training clients are super happy and thankful after their sessions! They feel so good after working out and are so proud of themselves for getting through it. I leave our sessions feeling so useful and positive! Can you imagine a job where your customers are constantly saying “Thank you SO much! I was having an awful day and now I feel amazing!” Nutrition coaching was NOT like this at all.
Six: Whereas Nutrition felt like I was taking something AWAY from people (their beloved comfort foods and behaviors), Training is ADDING something positive to their lives. I had a feeling Personal Training was going to be a better fit for me than Nutrition Coaching, and thank heavens, it is.
Seven: My Training clients are getting way better and faster results than my Nutrition clients ever got! I mean, wow! Inches lost, high cholesterol and triglycerides lowered to normal range, strength gained, balance improved, bodies tightened and toned, confidence sky-rocketing… huge results in only 5 months time, with most people training with me only twice a week! I seriously did not expect that.
Eight: So, apparently I’m really good at this! If my clients are getting such great results across the board in such a short time, then it stands to reason that I know what I’m doing and am doing it well. Honestly I didn’t know if I would be a good Personal Trainer. How could I have known?
Nine: I really love creating training plans. I also didn’t know that I’d love that aspect as much as I do! It’s like choreography, which is something I did a lot of in college, but then never pursued. I feel like I’ve come home to something I’ve always loved but had forsaken. Honestly I feel a little dumb that I hadn’t thought of it before.
Ten: The only real negative on this list – my own workouts have suffered. Although I am on my feet for hours more each day, I actually have had trouble being consistent with my own workouts. I always worked out first thing in the morning. Now I train other people first thing in the morning, and then I want to go home to rest, eat, and shower. Getting myself to the gym in the middle of the day has been one of the biggest challenges for me so far. I’m working on it! (Just so you know that personal trainers can struggle with their workout habits too).
The Real Reason This is Going So Well
The past 10 years working as a Nutrition coach, writing this blog, giving classes and workshops, etc. built me a legion of people who TRUST me. That is likely why it has been so easy to get them signed on to Personal Training and to refer more clients to me. That trust is something I seriously value and cherish deeply. It might have taken me 51 years to find the career I am most suited for, but everything leading up to this has paved the way.
I’d love to have you get in on this also, dear reader. We are having fun and gettin’ ish done! If you live in my area and would like a free trial session with no pressure or sales pitch, email me (Emily@TriumphWellness.com). If you live elsewhere and would like to get in on some really discounted rates as I begin online personal training, email me also! Here’s a snapshot of some feedback. Enlarge it to read better.
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