Have you ever imagined helping your friend get in shape or training somebody to look as good as you do? Whipping people into shape takes skill and, of course, passion for helping others. However, it’s not enough to just go to the gym, get a certificate, and find people to train. To be a successful trainer, there are certain things you should have – and here a few that matter the most.

1. You Love Helping Others

I’d like to start out by saying that you need to actually love helping people. Your job as a personal trainer would come with a lot of responsibilities, and you need to bond with your clients in order to influence them and motivate them. Plus, you’d only be seeing them for a few hours every other day, so you have to make every minute count. Bonding with them helps you learn what it is that motivates them, which is what you can then use to help them reach their full potential without thinking about giving up.

2. You Know How to Motivate People

It’s not enough to learn what drives your clients – you also need to know how to use that to motivate them. Most people simply need accountability, as they lack discipline themselves, but some people also need to be reminded of their goals. Moreover, you also need to keep in mind that for some people, you might be the only positive experience they’d have all day. So, you want them to look forward to their classes, and you want them to know that you are there for them, both as a trainer and as a friend. After all, you are a personal trainer, and your job will often go beyond just training – you will also be a motivator, supporter, guide, and friend. 

3. You Live a Healthy Lifestyle

You have to agree that it wouldn’t make much sense to tell somebody how to get in shape if you can’t do so yourself. So, if you want your clients to live healthily, you have to do that as well. This doesn’t mean that you have to look shredded or be able to lift more than anybody else at the gym, but you need to show that you lead a healthy lifestyle. In fact, most people don’t want a “perfect” trainer – they want somebody they can relate to. So, if you are still working on yourself but you think this career might be perfect for you, don’t hesitate to sign up for personal training courses, as most of your clients will consider that a plus.

4. You Love Learning About New Techniques

Continuing your own development is not just about showing your clients that you are working on yourself too – it’s also about showing them that you are up to date with all the latest workouts. It shows that you are genuinely interested in what you are doing. Plus, it also enables you to find the best workouts for your clients, as every person is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. So, it’s important to know different styles of exercising, as you never know which one you will need until you get to know your client and their background.

5. You’re Patient

No matter how good you are, there will always be clients coming up with excuses, dealing with issues that are slowing them down, or simply giving up. Naturally, that can be very frustrating for you. However, you should never take that personally.

Fitness depends a lot on personal motivation and just how dedicated someone is to the whole process, and some people are simply only interested in the goal. However, this is also why you need to be patient; sometimes, it might take you a bit to find out what works for your client, so just like you need to teach your clients patience, you also need to be patient with them. 

Being a personal trainer is a responsible job that requires many specific traits and skills. So, if you recognize yourself in the above-listed requirements, perhaps you’ve found your true calling.