time role managing the health club . This varies , but can be up to 10 hours per week , depending on my workload .
What hours do you work ?
Most days I work from 9am to 5 or 6pm . I still do one late night a week by choice . Regular hours are a rarity in this industry , so I ’ m fortunate . In the past I spent many years doing the early 5.30am starts and late evenings , often up to 9.30pm , as well as split shifts .
What do you do in any downtime ?
As a full time employee I don ’ t really have downtime . When I do have a spare moment I fill it with exercise , which helps clear my mind as well as keep me fit and healthy .
How long do your clients stay with you ?
Some of them for several years . My longest client has been with me for about seven years . How do you get new clients ? Usually I get new clients through word of mouth recommendations , or people see me training other clients in the club and approach me .
Do you vet clients before you agree to train them ?
Yes always . It ’ s often just an initial chat to see where they are at , what they would like to achieve and to just listen to them .
Do you ever turn clients away or refer them to other PTs ?
Yes I do , but for good reason . Part of my role overseeing the personal training program is to promote it and set people up with the most suitable trainer . Sometimes it ’ s just a time factor for me . We have some excellent trainers in our health club with varying skills and personalities . I try my best to match people up based on those qualities .
What differentiates you from other trainers ?
There is the ‘ art ’ of personal training and the ‘ science ’ of personal training . I have always believed that there is more to being a good personal trainer than just having good scientific knowledge . I have a little of both – I get on well with most people , that ’ s part of the ‘ art ’, as well as having built up a lot of technical knowledge over the years .
What do you do in terms of your ongoing education ?
I regularly attend workshops run by my current employer or from external providers . I try to get to FILEX as often as I can . I love learning about the latest trends and new things about health and fitness . There ’ s always something new to learn in this industry .
What is the best thing about being a
PT ?
Having the opportunity to help people achieve things they often didn ’ t think they could . Not just physically , but psychologically as well . It ’ s gratifying to be part of that process .
And the hardest ?
It can be hard work and sometimes a little mentally exhausting . It ’ s not always as exciting as some people make it out to be . But I have come to realise that the good days way outnumber the bad .
What ’ s the biggest misconception about working in fitness ?
That it ’ s all playtime and workouts ! The reality is that sometimes you spend so much
time in the gym looking after other people that your own health and wellbeing can take second place .
Where would you like your career to take you ?
It ’ s already taken me from PT to this coordinator role , so there are career pathways . Who knows what ’ s next – I ’ m always open to new challenges ! It might involve further developing my trainer mentoring and development role .
What is your fitness philosophy ?
Find something you like doing . If you don ’ t like running on a treadmill and would rather be swimming , then go for a swim . I believe being healthy is more than just having a hard toned body . Exercise is the most potent and underutilised anti-depressant and it ’ s free . Get out there and just move – I can guarantee you will feel better for it .
What advice would you give to someone starting out as a PT ?
Something I learnt through my martial arts training is ‘ Never forget the mind of a beginner ’. Remember how nervous you were when you first started out as a trainer – and you ’ re someone who loves exercise . Imagine how a new client would be feeling on their first day or session .
Smile , be friendly and listen . It ’ s their session and it ’ s about them , not all the things you can do or have done .
Want to be a future featured Real World PT ? For details email editor @ fitnessnetwork . com . au
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