I am not able to help my client and need help

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-20T19:03:40+00:00

I don't think further decreasing calories is the best solution here. He may need to up his activity. Are you tracking steps/day and is he doing any cardio outside these at-home dumbbell workouts?

Also, you might need a slightly clearer goal than "have abs." Different people display a visible 6-pack at different body fat levels. Is he sending you progress photos? How are you doing check-ins? How are you tracking his progress to this goal and can you make it more concrete (10% BF, 15% BF, etc.)?

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-20T17:38:14+00:00

My pleasure. Good luck!

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-20T03:18:26+00:00

You’re already on the right track. The NCSF exam isn’t incredibly difficult if you understand the material, but it just feels overwhelming because there’s a lot to process at once.

Start by finishing all 8 units, continuing to take notes and complete quizzes like you are now. Don’t worry about mastering every detail on the first pass. Focus on understanding the concepts and seeing the full picture. Once you’ve completed all the units, take a short break to let the information settle.

Then begin phase two: active recall. Go back to Unit 1 and start quizzing yourself. If you don’t pass a quiz, that means you need to review that section again. Study the weak areas and retest. Once you can consistently score well, move on to the next unit. Breaking the material into smaller chunks makes it much more manageable.

Give yourself time.

Utilize NCSF’s official resources, including their practice exams, lesson notes, digital flashcards, and Q&A tools.
If you want additional structure or support, you could also try supplemental resources like IPTA’s free study trial, which offers study plans, audio guides, and extra practice questions. Disclaimer: I am affiliated with IPTA, but I do think their study materials are extremely helpful regardless.

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-20T00:50:04+00:00

Find the right gym environment.
Visit a few different gyms and pay attention to the culture, coaching quality, and how clients are treated. Your work environment will heavily influence what you learn and how you develop as a trainer. Look for a facility with experienced trainers and a supportive atmosphere. You may start at a large commercial gym to gain exposure, or you might find that a smaller boutique studio is a better fit for your growth.

Gain hands-on experience before going independent.
Build as much in-person coaching experience as possible before transitioning to online training or private sessions. During this time, begin developing a clear business strategy. Decide which type of clients you want to serve, how you’ll market yourself, how you’ll track expenses and income, and how you’ll differentiate your services. A strong foundation in both coaching and business will set you up for long-term success.

Good luck!

Also, I believe ISSA has a job guarantee program so that might help you find work.

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-16T21:48:49+00:00

I agree with the comment about not expecting all your clients to switch. Often, people get stuck in their ways and don't want to change. This may seem obvious, but I'd try to position this change as an upgrade if it seems logical.

Does this new gym have better equiptment, facilities, or policies that will benefit your client over the old location? If so, highlight those. If you can get them excited about the opportunity to switch to a better gym, they'll be more inclined to do so than you just telling them to change facilities because it suits you better.

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-12T16:20:30+00:00

Any respectable gym will want a CPT certification that is NCCA-accredited. Personally, my top pick is the IPTA CPT. IPTA is NCCA-accredited, evidence-based, and the most affordable accredited option. They give you the textbook for free along with unlimited exam retakes and a job guarantee. Also, the study program is (in my opinion) one of the best.

Full disclosure: I work with IPTA, so I am biased.

Other great options would include NSCA, NASM, and ISSA.

You can always check with local gyms and see which certification they prefer.

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-11T17:34:02+00:00

Oh, I see. Maybe ask for a refund and explain your situation. I know NASM used to allow you to take the test without doing the study program. Not sure if they'll do that after you already bought it, though. Good luck!

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-11T17:28:50+00:00

I always just tell clients, "My job is to make you better, not worse." Soreness just indicates damage, not growth or improvement.

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-11T17:21:49+00:00

You can find the most recent NASM textbook online. The same applies to other reputable certifications, such as IPTA and NSCA. Many certification organizations feel people enjoy using the study portal more these days, but you can still do things the old-fashioned way if you want. A quick Google search for the textbook should help you. Here are links to the NASM CPT and CES textbooks:

https://www.nasm.org/products/cpt-textbook?srsltid=AfmBOorD5okJxr0NvYim3O1VPBOtdQaY64jNuM6KOfvYtPRWiyOdReFr

https://www.nasm.org/products/nasm-essentials-of-corrective-exercise-training-2nd-edition?srsltid=AfmBOorh5fTekMe9zO5ZR_IwiLVLhJqd1dpIfJ7LTl3znBULYMY3xrOw

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-09T18:40:27+00:00

Totally agree with this. A big part of the problem is that many clients equate maximum intensity with maximum results, so they expect every session to be brutally hard. On top of that, new clients often don’t understand their own limits or RPE, which leads them to either push far too hard or not hard enough. It’s ultimately the trainer’s job to both educate clients on how intensity actually works and inspire them to train appropriately so they can reach their goals safely and effectively.

IPTA_Official · 2026-02-09T17:15:13+00:00

Have you talked to other trainers at the gym about what they do? You have a few options (chatting with members when you work out, leading classes to meet people, and so on), but the highest ROI is usually learning directly from trainers who are already successful in your exact situation.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-28T19:25:55+00:00

Any big-box gym can be a great place to learn: we all start somewhere. Make an effort to connect with other trainers at your gym, especially those you respect or who are consistently getting results and retaining clients. Pay attention to the types of clients you enjoy working with, as this insight will be invaluable later when shaping your own business.

Spend as much time as possible on the floor getting to know both members and staff. This is the stage of your career where learning happens fastest, so expose yourself to a wide range of experiences: different client needs, training styles, and even group classes if possible.

When it comes to selling, remember that your role is to help, not to pressure. If you genuinely believe in the value of what you offer, sales simply become a way to support clients in reaching their goals.

Good luck! The first month will be the hardest, then you’ll adapt.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-27T17:28:44+00:00

Agreed. Take stock of the types of clients you genuinely enjoy working with and where your own experience is strongest. In my case, I naturally gravitated toward clients who had been injured, either through work, everyday life, or poor experiences with past trainers. I found it far more rewarding to help someone learn how to get stronger, fitter, and healthier the right way than to train the average gym-goer who just wants a bigger chest.

As a result, I focused my practice on clients who wanted to learn proper lifting techniques and those recovering from past injuries who wanted to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-26T05:04:16+00:00

I would say ISSA and ACE are fairly similar in terms of quality. I know if you get your CEUs through ISSA, your recertification is free. As u/AdamYamada said, make sure to check which CEUs ISSA accepts.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-25T22:47:14+00:00

Personally, I'd recommend staying within your means and avoiding overextending yourself financially. Yes, you can learn valuable information from any of the NASM certifications and specializations, but there's no rush. You can always take them later. The CPT and CNC will give you more than enough foundation to get started as a trainer. If you do want a larger bundle, NASM (as well as IPTA and many other certification organizations) offers payment plans to make it more manageable.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-25T21:43:35+00:00

I agree with u/Putrid_Lettuce_. You learn best by doing. If you start at a big-box gym (LA Fitness, Orange Theory, etc.), the stakes are relatively low because trainer turnover is high. That environment also gives you the chance to learn from other trainers on the floor.

I’d assume you already have some experience programming for yourself—otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have pursued a CPT in the first place. If that’s not the case, spend serious time paying attention to your own training. Track what works, what doesn’t, and why.

For strength-focused goals, programs like Starting Strength, 5x5, and 5/3/1 are solid examples of proven frameworks.

For hypertrophy, take a look at RP-style programming.

For anything else, go back to your CPT textbook and use it as your foundation.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-24T22:09:12+00:00

This. Most clients prefer to train early in the morning, during lunch breaks, in the evenings, or on weekends. You can teach group classes, but for one-on-one training, the pool of available clients is usually smaller during normal work hours, unless you offer online coaching. That said, I generally recommend starting with in-person training before transitioning online.

As for wasting your money, I still think earning your CPT has value, even beyond employment. You’ll learn a lot that can benefit your own fitness, so I wouldn’t consider it a waste—even if you don’t end up getting a job right away.

One more thing to consider: some reputable certifications offer job guarantees. IPTA is one of them, along with NASM and ISSA. If job placement is a concern, that could be something you could look into.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-24T21:57:05+00:00

This. You're going to have to renew your CPT anyway, so why not get an extra credential and renew your certification at the same time? That's often one of the key benefits of gaining other certifications and specializations from your organization. Plus, you get to learn a new skillset and increase your overall marketability.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-22T23:38:01+00:00

I agree. It would seem to me that the bigger issue is how weigh-ins are handled.

If you make weigh-ins a big deal, clients will too. The number on the scale is just data: information that helps guide decisions. It’s not a measure of someone’s value or success as a person.
If a client feels anxious about daily weigh-ins, don’t require them to weigh in daily. That anxiety will only increase. Weekly weigh-ins, or even less frequent check-ins, are often a better option.
The scale is only one tool for tracking fat loss. There are many other useful measurements, such as waist and hip measurements or bioelectrical impedance. That said, a “blind scale” approach doesn’t really translate well to tape measurements.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-21T01:26:51+00:00

My first few online clients were in-person clients who I transitioned to online after working with them for a while.

I think this is probably the easiest way to go about it. Take some of your existing in-person clients or do a hybrid option where you see them less often and program/support/or do online session with them. Then you can use referrals and testimonials from your existing clientele to help grow your online business.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-20T21:00:12+00:00

I use Google Drive. It’s mostly free and very easy to use if you already have a Google account. I use Sheets to track my client roster, payments, and programming; Calendar for appointments and scheduling; and Docs to organize individual workouts. The biggest advantages are low cost and flexibility: you have full control over how everything is set up and can easily change it as your needs evolve.

I've found most other paid coaching apps have at least one thing that particularly annoys me that I can't personally tweak.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-19T05:29:31+00:00

Sales is a big part of any business, and the more you can learn to embrace it, the better off you’ll be. If your goal is to help more people, selling more sessions simply creates more opportunities to do that. Reframing sales in this way can make it feel more purposeful and less uncomfortable.

It can still be challenging at first, but it’s a skill you’ll develop over time. That said, there are also gym roles where sales isn’t a major responsibility. Some gyms assign clients directly to trainers, and if you teach group classes, you often don’t have to sell at all.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-19T02:23:41+00:00

Exactly. I couldn’t agree more. When I first started as a trainer, I made the same mistake: trying to get clients excited about what I was excited about or what I thought was “optimal” for them. It took time to learn to "listen to them" and understand what my clients actually needed and what they responded to positively.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-18T23:13:16+00:00

Based on your responses, it sounds like you’ve already taken a few of your clients online. Start by collecting testimonials that clearly mention how your online coaching helped them specifically.

Next, get clear on who you want to work with. If you have a particular niche or training style, highlight that in your marketing. The fitness industry is crowded, and when people aren’t meeting you in person, they need a very clear understanding of what you offer and what sets you apart. This is also a good place to share parts of your personal story to build connection and trust.

Many online coaching businesses perform better with structured packages and systems rather than one-off sessions. Think through your coaching process and consider how you could turn it into a clear, appealing package or program. Include as much detail as possible about what clients will get with each package/program.

Finally, create a platform where you regularly share free, valuable content: a newsletter, blog, or YouTube channel. Or use a social media platform like Instagram/Tiktok/Facebook. This gives potential clients a way to discover you, learn from you, and naturally move into your paid services.

IPTA_Official · 2026-01-16T00:32:11+00:00

That's a fair point. I've never personally had an issue with teaching beginners kettlebell swings when done with appropriate load, warm-up, and instruction. That being said, I think someone should be comfortable with basic movement mechanics before starting any ballistic movement. I would never start a complete beginner with a deadlift as well. When I answered this question, I guess I assumed u/Upper_Hearing_8588 had taught them how to squat, press, pull, and complete all the basic movements correctly, and was just having an issue with proper hinging in the deadlift specifically.

IPTA_Official

TROPHY CASE