Why and How to Become a Part-Time Personal Trainer

Many people get into personal training as a full-time career. They don’t want to do anything but work as a fitness trainer. Or they have a goal to someday become a fitness manager. But you don’t have to be a fitness instructor all day every day to enjoy the many benefits of coaching others in exercise.

Benefits of Personal Training Part-Time

For some trainers, beginning in a part-time capacity helps them decide if they want to work in this type of role full-time. It gives them a firsthand look at what it’s like to be in the fitness industry. 

If they discover that they don’t like being a personal trainer, they’re not out much. They haven’t quit their current job or invested a ton of time and money in personal training courses only to find this isn’t the right career opportunity for them.

Conversely, by working in a part-time role, they may learn that they want to provide training sessions full-time. Gaining some experience helps get their foot in the door at a gym or recreational center. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, it also increases the knowledge needed to build a successful personal training business. 

Being a part-time personal trainer also gives some insight into the type of training you may want to offer or specialize in. You might find that you prefer to work with individuals as a fitness coach. Or maybe you really enjoy group training and, therefore, would be happier working as a group fitness instructor. 

Some people take on part-time personal training work to stay busy in retirement. They no longer want to work in their current jobs but don’t like the idea of having nothing to do. Training others part-time gives them purpose without taking all their time. 

Many others use part-time personal training to help make ends meet. It can bring in extra cash to help cover the bills or pay for something extra. If you do it right, personal training can add a big boost to your finances. 

In any case, the part-time personal fitness trainer can make a huge impact on the health and wellness of clients. There’s something super rewarding about helping others reach their fitness goals. It’s also a great way to maintain or improve your own fitness level.

Skills Needed to be a Part-Time Personal Trainer

If you want to work as a personal trainer, it takes certain skills to perform this job function. Here are some to consider developing or enhancing.

Time Management

When you work part-time as a fitness instructor, it is important to be good with time management. This is especially true if you also have a full-time job. It takes time to create training programs, follow up with clients, and manage your side gig. 

Here are three tips to be a time-management ninja:

1. Practice time-blocking. Spend at least 60 minutes writing comprehensive fitness programs for clients. Take a quick break, then spend the next 60 minutes following up with clients. You can also work in shorter or longer blocks. It all depends on what fits into your schedule. The main point is to focus on one thing at a time!

2. Consistency is key. Set a schedule and keep it. Schedule administrative for the same days and times each week. Keep regular hours for personal training clients to reach you. And hold clients accountable for showing up for their exercise sessions by creating a no-show/reschedule policy.

3. Plan ahead. Your clients depend upon you to be there for them. If you have other obligations—another job, kids, etc. —it is important to plan ahead. Prepare for any challenges you might face. Limiting “surprises” can make it easier to meet your commitments as a fitness instructor.

Detail-Oriented

In addition to being a time-management master, the part-time personal trainer is detail-oriented. This means not forgetting to send a recipe to a client or not having to lie and say, "My alarm didn't go off" for an early morning session. It means handing your client an exercise program with their correct personal information (name, age, and weight) and each of their goals...not someone else's. This is basic to good customer service.

Detail is also important when tracking a client’s progress. If you don’t accurately record the results of their fitness assessment, for instance, you’ll have a harder time determining if your program is working or if it needs to be changed. 

Good Communication

Communication is key when you work as a part-time personal trainer. Both you and your clients need to know what to expect. And if your part-time gig is in addition to a full-time job, your boss needs to know the days and times you are not available. 

If an emergency comes up, you should quickly communicate with clients and have a plan for rescheduling as soon as possible. Communicating quickly with employers and co-workers is also important. It shows that you know how to be a good team member.

Coaching Skills

A certified personal trainer should be an effective coach and teacher. Coaching includes showing empathy, asking the right questions, and motivating clients. Teaching is all about showing the client how regular fitness and good nutrition impact their lives. Together, coaching and teaching empower the client to make a lifestyle change.

Self-Awareness

Finally, it is important to be self-aware. Put another way, know your "why." Why do you love what you do? Why is exercise part of your life? Why do you want to share the message of health with others? Your "why" will move you past any obstacle that comes your way and it will be the reason your clients love, trust, hire, and refer you.

How to Enter Personal Training Without Experience

Maybe you've just completed a personal training course and are looking for a job as a part-time fitness instructor. How can you show the gym manager you've got what it takes if you've never worked as a certified personal trainer? Here’s the good news: many other career roles can prepare you for this fitness position.

Here are a few examples and how they can help you in a personal training role.

• First responder: This type of position suggests you can respond calmly and efficiently in emergencies. You also know the signs and symptoms of life-threatening conditions and know what to do. Both of these are foundational to being a good personal trainer.

• Mechanic: Mechanics are often good at explaining complicated issues so they are easier for customers to understand. You may also show up on time and keep the area clean. Add these attributes to your personal training resume.

• Stay-at-home mom: Life may be busy, but you are dedicated to continuing education and learning. You also keep a tight ship and have consistent availability during the week. These are all skills that can make you a desired personal trainer.

If you have your own fitness story, tell potential employers how you have used exercise and nutrition to change your life. Don't fall for the lie that you won't get hired if you don't have a fitness model physique. Clients will hire you because, as a work in progress, you are more relatable.

Ways to Strengthen Your Resume as a Part-Time Personal Trainer

Once you've landed a part-time gig, keep track of all that you do. Gather testimonials from clients, gym members, your peers, and the management staff. Keep track of your clients' fitness assessments so you can show—with numbers and data—the effectiveness of your exercise programs. Statements like, "helped twenty people lose an average of 10% body fat with my 12-week program," are powerful. But you won't know it unless you track it.

Finally, put together a personal training portfolio. If you decide to take your training business full-time or branch out on your own, your portfolio will act as your most powerful sales tool. It can help prove why you belong in an assistant general manager or general manager position.

Education and Certifications Needed to Work as a Personal Trainer Part-Time

You must have a certain level of knowledge to work as a personal trainer. Understanding the basic structure of the body (anatomy and physiology) is a good start. You must also understand kinesiology, or how the body moves. 

Other exercise science topics that will help you be a successful personal trainer include:

• Basic and applied sciences

• Fitness assessments

• Exercise program design

• Working with special populations

• Sports nutrition and supplements

• Professional practice and growth

If you want to be an entrepreneur—even part-time—taking sales and marketing classes is also a good idea.

Personal Training Certification

Many top gyms require that both full-time and part-time trainers have their certification. Certification tells potential employers that you’re competent in this role. It says you have the skills to create and deliver sound fitness programs.

If you want to teach group fitness classes, you may need to earn a specialized certification. Group fitness requires different skills than training individuals one-on-one. For instance, you must know how to lead a class of people with varying fitness levels. If you want to work in this type of role part-time, becoming certified in group fitness can help you prepare.

Part-Time Personal Trainer Salary: Average Ranges and How to Earn More

The good news about part-time personal trainer pay is that it's usually at the same rate as full-time pay, except with fewer hours. Why is this really good news? Because you don't have to work your way up a pay scale. You can start earning what everyone else does from the beginning. This makes it easy to branch out on your own and charge what big gyms are charging.

What is the Average Hourly Rate for a Part-Time Personal Trainer?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a personal trainer is about $46,480 annually or $22.35 per hour. (1) That said, salary ranges can vary depending on your education, experience, where you work, and a variety of other factors. Also, some gyms and fitness centers pay a base salary and others operate on commission only. When you search jobs, the posting may say how they pay their personal trainers.

How Do You Set Client Rates as a Part-Time Personal Trainer?

Setting your rate per hour is simple. Do some market research to find out what other trainers and gyms are charging for training sessions. Many articles online advise people against choosing the "cheapest" trainer. So, stick with a rate per hour that is equal to your local average versus using a national average.

If you decide to work at a gym, you'll have to negotiate with the owner or manager. Many pay according to a commission structure. Again, lots of trainers work part-time to get their foot in the door. It's a great option if you don't have the time or skillset to market your services right away. 

How Can You Get Paid More, Even as a Part-Time Personal Trainer?

A specialized certification will most certainly earn you a higher rate per hour for training sessions—IF you own your own business. At big gyms, it's mostly a selling point for the sales team to use to sign up clients, but it doesn't translate into a bigger paycheck for you.

A large and growing market is senior fitness. So, earning your senior fitness certification could boost your income. Youth sports are also popular around the globe. With a youth fitness certification, you could host after-school programs or work with local teams. If your community has a high obesity rate, adding a nutrition certification could easily double your income.

Helping clients reach their fitness goals is the priority of all personal trainers, whether working part-time or full-time. You can begin a very rewarding career in as few as 8 hours per week! So, what are you waiting for? Begin your Certified Fitness Trainer course now!

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fitness Trainers and Instructors, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm (visited April 17, 2024).