A day in the life of a personal trainer

The fundamental responsibility of a personal trainer is to lead, instruct and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities. These activities may include cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching. Like some other careers in the health and wellness industry, personal trainers can choose the work setting they prefer from several options. Personal trainers are employed by:

• Health clubs
• Country clubs
• Hospitals
• Universities
• Yoga and Pilates studios
• Resorts
• Clients’ homes
• Corporate workplaces

Due to the huge amount of variety that exists in different types of physical activities, personal trainers usually choose to specialize in a few areas: cardiovascular exercise, weightlifting, karate or yoga, among others.

Though many fitness professionals are considered “personal trainers,” some have additional duties and differing job titles:

• Personal trainers: give one-on-one attention to clients, work in a gym or in the client’s home, assess the client’s fitness, set fitness goals for the client, demonstrate new techniques and help the client learn them, monitor the client’s progress, give healthy lifestyle advice
• Group exercise instructors: instruct classes in aerobic exercise, stretching or muscle conditioning, choose and mix the music used in exercise routines, choreograph the exercise sequence, demonstrate moves and positions, observe and correct students’ movements, make classes motivating, safe and challenging for students (without making them overly difficult)
• Fitness directors: manage health clubs or fitness centers, create and supervise fitness programs (for example, new member orientations, fitness assessments and workout incentives programs), select fitness equipment, coordinate personal training and group workout programs, hire, train and supervise staff members, perform administrative duties

Typically, the more advanced the job title (supervisor, for instance), the less time is spent participating in physical activity, and the more time spent in an office setting. But for those who are passionate about exercise, working at the entry-level as a trainer is an excellent place to start.