Our Fitness Expert & Career Counselor gets crunching on what it takes to be a fitness trainer
Red carpet lifestyles, body hugging clothes and one glance impressions that last forever— the emphasis on health and fitness has never been so blatant. In a world fiercely concerned about the luxury of their waistline and swayed by the charisma of well-toned bodies on screen, the fitness trainer acquires a spot of substance.
Fitness is an art, polished, perfected and practiced by fitness instructors and physical trainers alike. Sculptors in their own right, fitness trainers belt out expertise that helps chisel others into shape. The importance of leading through example is the hallmark of a good fitness instructor.
Job profile
Neeraj Surana, personal trainer at Gold's Gym in Kolkata says,"A fitness trainer's basic work is to keep a check on other people's fitness levels, exercise technique and their aims and objectives regarding fitness and health." However, the job of a trainer doesn't limit itself to only maximising the efficiency of an individual's work out.
A trainer also wears the skin of a motivator and a counsellor for fitness. Guruprasad Banerjee, international fitness advisor, says,"It is upto the trainer to make his clients fit externally, internally and mentally. He is a therapist first, and then a trainer."
Gyms usually employ trainers to work in shifts stretching up to eight hours a day. Personal trainers, who are a step ahead of floor trainers employed by gyms, serve their clients separately. They maintain a log of their clients' diet, exercise and medical discrepancies if any. They are sought-after by those keen on achieving specific results.
Institutes and courses available
A qualified trainer is always preferred. Experienced trainers who aren't qualified are paid relatively lesser. Given the scarcity of courses related directly to the field, certifications can be acquired through the following sources— GGU (Gold's Gym University), Leena Mogre's Fitness Academy, K-11 Fitness Academy (Kaizad Kapadia) and Talwalkar's Fitness Academy. (Listing is indicative). In India, there are two levels of certification offered by GGU: 1. Personal trainer 2. Trainer for special needs (diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, etc).
Fitness academies conduct theory as well as practical exams. They test the students on communication skills and first-aid efficiency. They also ensure that each student is well versed with concepts of diet and nutrition. After being certified in India, trainers have the option of being certified by the ACE (American Council of Exercise). ACE holds examinations in Mumbai regularly. Registrations are open on their website. ACE offers further certifications such as: 1. Group fitness instructor 2. Clinical exercise specialist 3. Lifestyle and weight management 4. Sports and nutrition expert
Once a trainer is certified by ACE, opportunities to work abroad open up as well. As Gold's gym has an international chain of fitness centres, it also offers transfers to suitable applicants.
Qualification
Surana says,"The basic qualification required to become a trainer is passing the higher secondary examination." After that, there is no specific body type or ideal muscle mass that makes one eligible for certification. However, gyms do insist on physically fit floor instructors and trainers.
Remuneration
Depending on the gym, a certified floor trainer starts off with a pay package of Rs 6,000 per month. With experience, this amount is sometimes hiked up to Rs 7,000 to Rs 7,500. Personal trainers, depending on the number of clients and the requirements of those clients and their time schedules, earn approximately Rs 15,000 to 20,000 a month.
With additional certifications and specific job profiles, monetary gains get better. International certifications may fetch a job abroad where possibilities for fitness trainers are infinite.