Sick Time and Vacation
As mentioned, in most cases, if you do not work, you do not get paid. There is a small
exception for when a client cancels and gives you less than a 24 hour notice. At some
gyms you may charge for that. In some gyms, studios or spas, after a certain probation
period, you will get a certain amount of vacation and/or sick days.
One way to accommodate your clients, is to try and vacation when your clients vacation.
Typically around the holidays in the winter and during the summer this is much easier to
do. People have a lot going on during these times anyway and may cancel. The longer
you are a trainer the more you will get to notice trends and know when your clients take
their vacations. It is certainly fine to ask months in advance about vacations and time off
so you can arrange your schedule. Your clients will appreciate you doing so as it helps
their schedules as well.
Planning a vacation is fun, but you won’t be able to plan when you’re sick. If you notice
yourself feeling under the weather, let your clients know as soon as you can so you can
reschedule them a few days out. Most clients will be understanding. To help them, you
might want to suggest a replacement workout they could do on their own on the day
they would have been working with you. As a Personal Trainer you will get very close to
your clients and want them to have the best experience possible. Going the extra mile
will always benefit you and your business. If you have to cancel for sickness or any
other emergency, be sure that you try to reschedule your client within the same week, if
possible. That way, neither you nor the gym will lose money because a day of training
was not lost, it was simply shifted. As a Personal Trainer you make your own schedule
and have the ability to make up for missed sessions by filling up a less busy day.
Quick Chapter Review Points:
1. As a Personal Trainer you will have numerous clients with a variety of goals. Keep
this in mind as you train. Not everyone has the same fitness goals so a different
program for each client is crucial.
2. Anatomy, Kinesiology and Nutrition are three major subjects that you need to know
thoroughly to successfully create programs and give your clients the important
information they need.
3. Safety should always be your top priority. Always keep your clients safe and know
what exercise are appropriate for them and what they are limited in doing.
4. Get certified. You will need a Wexford University Degree and in almost all cases a
NESTA national certification as well.
5. While you make your own schedule, take advantage of the “prime times” of training