personal trainer

dessol

Hi all,
I hope this is the correct forum to ask for advice:
(I'm female, mid 30's, a bit overweight and very unfit!) and struggling with starting a new fitness programme - I have only ever done fitness classes for exercise, never been to a gym. I'm trying to do just 30 mins a day aerobic exercise to start with, but having trouble even with that. My question is, do people that are learning to become fitness instructors / personal trainers ever need "guinea pigs"? ie someone they may use as a before-and-after case as part of their studies? And if so, how would I contact said persons! I would love to have someone advise me, I'm willing to do the work just cant afford to pay anything right now for training. What do you think?

Transform

dessol wrote: »

Hi all,
I hope this is the correct forum to ask for advice:
(I'm female, mid 30's, a bit overweight and very unfit!) and struggling with starting a new fitness programme - I have only ever done fitness classes for exercise, never been to a gym. I'm trying to do just 30 mins a day aerobic exercise to start with, but having trouble even with that. My question is, do people that are learning to become fitness instructors / personal trainers ever need "guinea pigs"? ie someone they may use as a before-and-after case as part of their studies? And if so, how would I contact said persons! I would love to have someone advise me, I'm willing to do the work just cant afford to pay anything right now for training. What do you think?

it would be easier to convince any trainer to work with you even if you paid a nominal fee (even just €10) as i have found when training is done for free it is often not valued to the same extent as a paid session.

Maybe offer to do some admin work etc in exchange?

Where are you based?

dessol

Hi Transform,
Yes I totally see your point - I have worked for free in the past myself and its not very fulfilling! But I definitely have skills that I would barter in return (I'm a designer) if anyone was interested in doing that... I'm based in Knocklyon D.16

cmyk

I'd echo what transform has said, I'm in a similar position to what you're looking for, though qualified. There is however no shortage of work for free to gain experience in the industry as this is what I started doing, so a nominal fee may get you more interest.

You have though inspired me to take an adverts ad though in a similar vein, so I'll thank you for that. Another point to bear in mind is that I'd have liked to do something as you suggested when I was studying but in order to get insurance you must hold a qualification (as far as I know). This was a risk I was not willing to take, and would like to think that no responsible trainer would either, coupled with the fact that no gym will let you in their door without it.

dessol

Thanks cmyk, I hadnt even considered there would be an issue with insurance... I suppose my thinking was that if there was no payment for a service, then there is no comeback for me if something goes wrong - ie. its at my own risk. Does all training have to take place in a gym, or can it be done in say the clients house?

cmyk

dessol wrote: »

Thanks cmyk, I hadnt even considered there would be an issue with insurance... I suppose my thinking was that if there was no payment for a service, then there is no comeback for me if something goes wrong - ie. its at my own risk.

I'd like to believe that too, but it's still not a risk I'd have (personally) taken.

dessol wrote: »

Does all training have to take place in a gym, or can it be done in say the clients house?

Nope, at home, gym, outdoors doesn't matter really. Some equipment may be needed for certain goals but for weight loss you can get pretty creative, do what you enjoy, conditioning, running, cycling, take up a sport etc. and tighten up your diet of course.