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$70,000 in my first year

(Riverside, CA)

I Make Big Bucks Personal Training. All It Takes Is Some determination. I don't Have Much Experience But Within Three Weeks Of Passing The Exam I Was Putting In 15 hours a week of training and now about 35. (weeks are 7 day weeks, not an average monday thru friday job). But it is still paying off and I get plenty of exercise as well.

Comments for $70,000 in my first year

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How did you get clients?
by: Anonymous

So did the gym fill your schedule or what?
I have been working at a new gym in San Diego and after 2 months still only have 1 client.
There are 2 other trainers who are almost fully booked. They do nothing special either.
What is up with that?
Thanks

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making over 80
by: Anonymous

I am making over 80K so this is definitely possible. I have two jobs, I lead classes at a gym and am a personal trainer to about 15-28 steady clients. The wages I get at the gym, leading group exercises, are pretty bad... most of my money is made with personal training.

I charge between $90-$145/hr depending on what the client wants and their specific situation. I would recommend speaking to your prospective client before giving a price.. get a chance to talk about their lifestyle and what they expect from you. Usually unrealistic goals (losing 50lbs in 2 months) are denied.. because they'll never be satisfied!

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Me too!
by: Anonymous

I have a couple of jobs that combine to $80,000 per year. I train at client's homes, I make most of my income from personal training. However, I coach HS Track, Interpret for a Hospital. Down side I have to pay for my own health insurance, retirement, liability insurance, Etc.

Started charging $30-$40 when started and quickly moved to higher rate. I charge $65 for a single and $100 for a double, Per session. Have a client base of 20-25 clients and work 7 days a week.

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in response..
by: paulusred

I'm just starting out, i don't expect to reach those high earnings straight away, but I'm confident that with time and good marketing i will have what it takes to be the best. What separates winners from losers?

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WOW!!!
by: Anonymous

I'm still in high school but i'm very interested in becoming a personal trainer...i'm just puzzled at where to start out. Like what school should i attend? which state is the beat to live in? how to pick a gym to work at? how to pick up clients?

I'm pretty sure i want to take some management/business courses as well. i hope that is a good plan.....well i hope some day i can return and say i make the 80k lol.

It is encouraging to hear that people are making that much out there. By the way i wanted to know if you all specialized in anything like yoga or if you focus more on the weights and aerobics type of exercise?????

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work hard for your clients
by: Anonymous

My goal was never to make six figs it just happened. If you work hard and develope geat relationships with your clients, other clients will come to you. How bad do you want to help clients reach thier goals

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Connection
by: Marcia Oliver

I'm actually a home health physical therapist AND a personal trainer. I do mostly physical therapy... but a note to the wise...

Most clients/customers/patients, no matter what your career are looking to be validated and listened to. Many overweight and de-conditioned people are lonely and isolated in the deepest parts of their hearts. Be a good listener and validate them... they will love you for it and it will actually assist them in taking the weight off!

I am moving into the personal training arena myself as most of my patients can't appreciate what Medicare hands them for free! Personal Training! I call it Medicare funded personal training and most of my patients bulk at it... don't like to exercise, don't want to do anything difficult etc. So, I'm moving out of PT and moving into PT! Looking forward to the transition... people actually wanting something bad enough that they will pay for it!

I will be starting on the higher end as I have several certs, continuing education and my masters degree in Physical Therapy and have worked in home health care and in sports med facility's.

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new guy
by: alex

im just about to start getting my cert and was wondering if anybody has experience in oregon and if they have been pretty successful. Also, anybody ever train on a cruise ship? If so how was it and how hard is it to get into something like that?..because i like to travel.

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How???
by: TonyV67

How are you making $145/hour?!? I can't even get people to buy 4 sessions at $129! The people I do train love what I do for them...but I am failing miserably at getting new clients.

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To the author of this post
by: Anonymous

Which certificate did you get? I'm just wondering because that sounds like a lot of money to make within the first year. I want to get certified I just don't know which certification to get.

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LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE
by: Anonymous

This person is lying. They are not making that money. Most likely making $149 a week as a new trainer.
It is tough out there and with every school pushing a personal training cert now it will get tougher.
This industry has all the trainers it needs at the moment so I suggest you want to be's think twice before committing.

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Business
by: Anonymous

Im mew to personal training, but I have been fortunate to own my own business in the past. Granted it was a pizzeria, but what I learned while in business will prove to be invaluable. I seems to me whatever business one get into, it just that a business, so one should have a business plan. Being certified isn't enough, take a sales course or get a some sales counseling.

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How much you make
by: Anonymous

I think your personal will help you get clients as well as being knowledgeable. I started out as a dance instructor then Yoga instructor and Pole Fitness. I sub other fitness classes. I think that you should also think outside the box. I teach at a pole fitness studio and a Personal or Group fitness trainer cert is all you need if you want to be a pole fitness instructor. This is a growing fitness industry. Also you need to do is just take pole classes and know your craft in any field you are in.
I have always been interested in fitness and that is the reason I am getting my Personal trainer cert. Students ewant to feel that they are learning and improving. GOOD LUCK.

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TO: Anonymous, the WOW post
by: JO

Hey the person who titled their post WOW!

If you are going to be a trainer and want to get certified, then ACSM is going to be the best and hardest certification to get. You can get a Bachelor's degree in exercise science, or in Exercise and Wellness (from Arizona State University), that will fully prepare you for the ACSM exam. ACSM is basically the bible of this industry and is the top organization in the world. In fact, all of the public health departments, the Center for Disease Control, the American Heart Association, etc.... all base their information off of ACSM.

You don't have to get a 4 year degree though, heck, some pass this without any degree, but you can get an associates degree to help you better prepare for this exam,

I mentioned Arizona State because you said you were also interested in the wellness side - which ASU covers.

I have my bachelor's degree, am ACSM certified, and am now working on a life coaching certificate with an associates degree in nutrition, and am starting my own business.

REMEMBER ONE THING: YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE TO BE EDUCATING YOURSELF, NEVER STOP LEARNING.

If you are interested in looking up the ASU program, it's listed under the COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH INNOVATIONS at ASU. One of the highly ranked PhD professors is Dr. Swan who is the President of ACSM, and another PhD professor is Dr. Glenn Gaesser, who is very well known in the exercise science industry, in fact he was recently on the Dr. Oz show. I am fortunate to have gotten my education there

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ACSM Hardest?
by: Anonymous

NSCA-CPT has a 54.9% pass rate, while the ACSM certified personal trainer exam has a 70% one. So how is ACSM the more difficult certification to get? ACSM is very good. I'm looking at its NCPAD certification, but NSCA-CPT is more prestigious, partly because few people manage to earn it.

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Bizzy Body
by: Healthy22

Is ACE a good cert. 2 have?

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