THE COMPONENTS THAT MAKE A
TRAINER SUCCESSFUL
ROBERT LINKUL, MS, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D
P
rofessional personal trainers have been working in the
fitness industry for many years, but the first certified
personal trainer (CPT) certification offered to fitness
professionals did not come until the late 1980s. This new
certification brought with it more justification as a legitimate
profession for personal trainers, even though these trainers had
been training clients as a part-time profession for well over 50
years with no guidelines or certifications. During that time, many
different stereotypes of fitness professionals evolved, but two
types emerged as the most typical.
The first group of professionals typically talks a great game,
over-charges for their services, and makes a good living doing
so. These trainers talk like salesmen, produce minimal physical
results with their clients, and often do not know a whole lot about
how the human body works. But, they have a good following of
clients because they are so personable, motivating, and inviting.
Professionals in the second group invest their own time and
money into learning more about the science of training. Education
is typically their primary focus and they spend countless
hours learning about program design, training techniques, and
assessment strategies. In their eagerness to train clients, they may
either under-charge for their service or give it away at no cost.
Though not as personable, they have a loyal following of clients
and make a decent living financially.
Both of these groups of professionals are capable of developing
successful careers despite their different approaches, and
have done so over the years. However, in recent years, fitness
professionals have started combining the best attributes of
both personality types to create an elite fitness professional.
This merger has brought a higher level of education and a
desire to learn, and mixed it with a personable and motivated
personality to create a new standard for fitness professionals
with very successful career paths. These career-driven individuals
share some specific key components that have assisted them in
upholding this new high standard.
4
EARNING AND MAINTAINING AN ACCREDITED CERTIFICATION
Obtaining and maintaining a legitimate certification is an
important component for the fitness professional, yet many
personal trainers do not possess a certification. As of January
1, 2013, it is estimated that over 254,000 personal traine