Know Your Job

As a fitness trainer, it is your responsibility to guide and motivate individuals to reach their personal fitness goals and to improve their health. Contrary to popular belief, fitness training is not all about weight training and muscle building.

Your role is also to guide individuals on what exercises to do, how to carry out an exercise routine and to make sure that any and all activities carried out are done correctly so that no injuries occur.

Depending on your personal interest and inclination, you can concentrate on a particular area / type of fitness programme. This could mean working as a weight trainer, aerobics instructor, sports instructor or a yoga teacher too.

Fitness trainers are employed not only in local gyms but also at hotels, health clubs, fitness centres, spas, tourist resorts and even cruise liners!

What It Takes

Just because you have been working out or exercising for a long time does not automatically qualify you to be a fitness trainer! But to begin with, it is important that you are in shape and have a healthy mind and body.

In terms of technical knowledge, a fitness trainer should be trained, knowledgeable and confident in all aspects of cardiovascular exercise, strength training or weight training, human anatomy and physiology and must also have basic knowledge of nutrition.

The Sports Authority of India and several educational institutes offer professional and certification courses. Participate in industry workshops and seminars to keep yourself updated with the latest fitness trends.

You need to be innovative enough to vary the exercise routine to avoid monotony and boredom. Make sure you introduce an element of 'fun' in an individuals exercise routine.

Last but definitely not the least, good communication and interpersonal skills are a must, as you have to deal with all kinds of people.