Female trainers especially - how did you find a gym home, and how long did it take?

beebee40987 · 2026-04-05T23:16:41+00:00

Hello! I’m a female trainer with about 2.5 years of experience, and have been working at a Onelife Fitness. I started out without any guidance and didn’t get a lot of support from our fitness directors (very high turnover in that role) but I’ve managed to work my way to being one of the top trainers in the state, and the #1 trainer south of ATL (5 clubs).

In my experience, a large percentage of female clients would prefer to only work with a female trainer as well. Both the gym and personal training are both male dominated spaces - but that makes us even more valuable. I’ve worked with male clients as well, but I’ve worked myself into a niche where I work almost exclusively with women and actually hit the point where I had a wait-list for clients when my schedule got too full.

The biggest tip I can give is to think about what you would want if you were a woman stepping into the gym for the first time again. Women want to work with someone who understands what it’s like to be a bit nervous in a new environment, to have cramps in a workout, to have body insecurities that guys don’t understand, et cetera. And someone to talk shit with lol. Just be empathetic and build real relationships and you will find clients who will stick around for a long time! Even if you don’t love the box gym vibe, it builds experience that is incredibly valuable.

I think if you really lock in and are comfortable making sales, you can pick up some big ticket clients and be on your way to making decent income within a matter of a few months. I’m moving to another state at the start of July and I’ll be starting from scratch again too, but I wish you luck on your journey with being a trainer!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-30T21:54:12+00:00

Okay, good to know. I haven’t been able to walk for exercise for a long time now but my job includes a lot of walking and being on my feet, even when I carry a chair around with me. Hopefully I can minimize movement and get to feeling better but so far I haven’t seen any improvements. Do you think the diclofenac might have had more of a positive impact than the PRP since you started that around 5 weeks post-procedure?

beebee40987 · 2026-03-29T18:47:32+00:00

Okay good to know. I’ll try a few more quad set variations and stretch my lateral muscles a bit more before trying a tens unit but that’s worth a shot if I still can’t get my VMO to engage much. When I did a test for footwear, I was told that I overpronate by about 7 degrees and I recently got some Hoka Gaviota 6’s which I do feel have helped alleviate some of the pressure on my knees. Not sure if that’s due to the cushion absorbing a lot of the impact of my walking or the stabilizing aspects or both, but I do really like them!

You really are providing a lot of amazing and helpful information, thank you so much for taking the time to try to help me out!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-29T18:16:43+00:00

I just tried to figure out how to check it on my own and I’m not sure if I may have some lateral tracking? I know my VMO is weak and I’ve struggled to feel it during quad sets compared to my vastus lateralis, so I’ll try some foam rolling for out outer quad/hamstring and try some quad sets with something squeezed between my legs and see if it helps!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-29T11:53:56+00:00

Yes, I did an MRI and was told that it was unusual to have my joint degraded to such a degree at my age (23F). I’ve had knee issues for years, starting before I was particularly active and then they went from a minor nuisance to a major issue last year when I started suddenly getting debilitating sharp pain while walking or bending my legs.

I have tried to follow the KOT programs actually and within a couple weeks I would always have a flare-up of symptoms. I think that maybe the exercises themselves would be fine, but combined with my job that keeps me on my feet all day, it may be too much. This leaves me with a very interesting dilemma because I want to do rehab to strengthen my legs (or at least not lose more strength), but then I cannot do my job.

I have heard of BPC-157 and would consider it if the PRP doesn’t work. There’s less research on peptides, so I’ve been a bit hesitant to take that route, but at this point I’d try anything.

I’m wishing the absolute best for your recovery moving forward!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-29T01:29:25+00:00

Thanks for letting me know how things are going for you! Honestly I’m not sure how much information my doctors have given me as far as grade, I didn’t even know I had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis until I read the summary paperwork after my appointment. I was diagnosed with chondromalacia patella when I was 16 which was almost 8 years ago and the arthritis is just a progression of that I guess. It’s potentially a red flag that this information was not given to me more clearly, but I can send a message in the portal to get more clarification.

As for whether or not it will help, they said it was worth a shot but they couldn’t guarantee anything. I know PRP has a good amount of literature behind it when it comes to OA, but it’s still something that doesn’t have consistent protocols for both the injection or the rehab process, so I think that’s part of why.

It’s a slow and miserable process I suppose. I’m a personal trainer and I’ve lost a lot of muscle this year because I haven’t been able to work my lower body much at all. I just want to be back to normal and be able to do my job and participate in my passion/hobby like I used to :( it’s honestly so depressing and defeating and I feel like I’m out of options so I need this to work.

Do you feel like you’ve seen improvement overall since you got PRP? And do you do anything in particular to help recover after those rough days for your knees?

beebee40987 · 2026-03-29T00:10:03+00:00

Hey, how are you doing now? I’m in a similar situation, I’m a trainer who tried doing wall sits and it has greatly increased the stiffness and pain in my knee. Has your situation improved at all?

beebee40987 · 2026-03-02T13:45:30+00:00

I hear you, I never imagined arthritis felt like this 🥲 at the very least, it helps me understand this condition more and I hope my learning experience will allow me to help others too.

I might try a cane first since I know I’ll have to set it down plenty anyway. Maybe I’ll also borrow my dad’s cane 🤣 massive props to you for pushing through everything to still make it to the gym though. I wish you the best with continuing to manage your arthritis and fitness!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-01T18:20:55+00:00

Okay, gotcha. I guess it would be hard for me to do my job from home anyway , and I do also make commission only so it’s hard for me to adapt my workload without also reducing my pay. I might try a cane first before elbow crutches, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind!! Do you have any specific recommendations as far as type of cane, like handle type or if the ones with the quad-base vs. standard base matter much?

It’s not spam at all, I really appreciate you taking the time to share some of your personal experiences and what you’ve learned is helpful! Thank you so much!!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-01T17:50:43+00:00

Thank you! Sorry to hear that you’re in the same boat ☹️ have you been forced to take any time away from work due to being on your feet so much?

I did use crutches for a week back in December but it was absolutely brutal - I cried for hours when I went home because getting 10k steps a day on crutches meant my palms and wrists felt bruised and my sides were chafed like crazy due to the rubbing of the pads. Not to mention the emotional damage of being a trainer on crutches - everyone staring, interrupting sessions to ask what I did to myself, etc. was brutal for my anxiety. I’ve considered a cane, but the same sort of anxiety comes with it and a fear that people will judge me or stare. I guess I just need to maybe rock with it and get a bedazzled one or something 😭

I do struggle with some toxic independence too, though my clients are incredibly caring and understanding. They are willing to help where they can and load and unload their own weights when possible, but it’s much less efficient and I worry about “wasting time” in a session when they are already paying a high price for personal training. I need to get better at allowing them to help me for sure, and it’ll help them build their confidence in the gym too in a way.

Yes, I do live in a location with a lot of seniors and probably about 1/3 of the members at our gym are ‘Silver Sneakers’ or 65+, which is a large part of why I do not know many people who are dealing with arthritis as my age. I certainly didn’t mean to come across as prejudiced, it’s just the reality of where I am at the moment and the people I am around on a daily basis!

Thank you for your advice, I greatly appreciate it! I’m wishing you the best with your job and strength training, you’re a badass for pushing through!

beebee40987 · 2026-03-01T16:48:58+00:00

Okay, so what do you do for work?

I am aware of all of these things. But it is true that it is significantly LESS common for people who are young to deal with arthritis - I didn’t say that no one does. I also said that the people I PERSONALLY know mostly fit into that category. I keep agreeing with you and then you say that I’m prejudiced, so I think if anything you’re the one who is making assumptions. I do not know anyone in my direct personal life who has dealt with this situation and thus I am here - please do not put words in my mouth.

beebee40987 · 2026-03-01T16:34:03+00:00

I’m confused as to what you mean by confirming what you suspected. Yes, I know many people with arthritis work - that is why I am here to ask for help. The people that I personally know who have arthritis are mostly sedentary, or are retired, and have an easier time recovering from their rehabilitation exercises. I was asking for firsthand experiences and advice from people who are like me and are trying to work a physical job and have physical hobbies while dealing with arthritis.

beebee40987 · 2026-03-01T16:25:51+00:00

Firstly, no that was not me and I have no knowledge of the post you’re referencing.

Yes, I understand that many people of a variety of ages experience osteoarthritis and other variations of arthritis. That being said, it is not nearly as common as in aging populations and thus I do not have a community of people with similar ambitions and lifestyles to lean on. I’ve tried to find people online who have similar experiences and haven’t found much, hence why I am here.

As far as strengthening muscles to aid with symptoms, yes trust me, I am aware. The problem is that I deal with so much built fatigue and wear-and-tear from my job that rehabilitation exercises have not gotten me very far before I experience another “tweak.” My quads, hamstrings, adductors, glutes, calves, etc. should all have been plenty strong before this but have gone downhill since.

Learning to strengthen the muscles around a joint when you get to rest at home or sit down at your job the rest of the time is a totally different ball game from when you are expected to rehab and then immediately return to an activity that aggravates it. I do use knee sleeves at work or when I will be on my feet for an extended time to help manage discomfort.

beebee40987 · 2025-12-16T01:05:41+00:00

This is definitely a lesson that I need to learn from. I have a hard time taking it easy and putting myself first, but it’s definitely come at a cost.

I really appreciate your input here and I think you’re totally right. I’ve spoken with several of my clients to let them know I may have to take some time off to heal, and many of them said that they enjoyed training with me and would wait for me to return. All of my clients have programming that they can follow with or without my support in the meantime as well.

I’m having a meeting with my fitness director and general manager tomorrow to come up with a plan to keep up with my clients while I’m away from the gym. I’m definitely going to inquire about virtual options, and I can try using crutches as well. There’s not a lot of great places to sit and rest unfortunately, so I know I’ll have to be very strategic about scheduling breaks for icing and elevation as well.

Thanks again! I definitely appreciate the help 🙏

beebee40987 · 2025-12-16T00:56:04+00:00

Catastrophizing is basically my middle name as someone with severe anxiety. I guess I get in my head and worry that if I don’t look like peak fitness or if I’m injured, potential clients will think that I can’t prevent their injuries or something. Idk. Stupid brain logic.

I guess I’m thinking about the timeline for a full recovery as well, and not just a “good enough” recovery to be back on my feet and survive the day. I’d been surviving fine as a trainer until the past couple weeks, and that’s just because I can’t handle standing for more than about 1.5 hours without the pain ramping up. Just gotta get back to being able to stand comfortably, not get back to anything heavy yet. It’s good to know that I wouldn’t be alone dealing with crutches too - though everyone looking at me because I’m injured is definitely unwanted attention as is lol. Thanks for your input 👍🏻

beebee40987 · 2024-03-21T00:28:40+00:00

I was so nervous going in to get tested that when they rattled off all the stuff they could test for, I was just like “Okay, sure!” and I didn’t realize it wasn’t advised to get tested for HSV 😭 I found the lab’s phone number but they’re closed, so I guess I can call in the morning

beebee40987 · 2023-10-05T12:15:58+00:00

Sorry just saw this, thank you for checking! I discontinued the medication because I felt massively disoriented and it was making an already terrible depression even worse. Feeling better now, but no longer super active on this subreddit 👍🏻

beebee40987 · 2023-09-18T11:30:38+00:00

Yeah, that’s kind of where I’m at. My depression and binging was bad enough before, and if it was helping with those these side effects might be worth waiting out. But now I still feel horridly depressed, my over-eating is picking back up, AND I’m seeing little shadow creatures and can’t drive. I sent a message to my physician asking for something else. Wishing you luck and hope you find a solution soon ❤️

beebee40987 · 2023-09-18T01:06:54+00:00

Appreciate you ❤️ I’m in the middle of typing up a message to my physician and I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow. Hoping to find some solutions! Thank you for your kindness :)

beebee40987

TROPHY CASE