What do find are the greatest challenges you face as a personal trainer?

Getting started. I’ve relocated twice since becoming certified – and reputation / word of mouth is EVERYTHING. It took me 2 years to build a semi-profitable base in my last location (I added group ex to supplement and found I do very well in that setting, almost better than PT).

I don’t “advertise” myself. I have found developing relationships and building a network of gym peeps really helps. Not all of these people are ones I train, actually hardly any were but they told others and soon I had people asking for me.

That being said, I feel it is highly beneficial to identify strengths and weaknesses. As fitness professionals we are our own walking billboard. If you are grumpy looking and you barely smile and you grunt as a reply – I feel that does directly affect your sales just as much as neglecting education.

I’m still learning. I think a good follow-up to your question is, what are the challenges and how have you faced them to help achieve success?