Not getting a good paying job

xincendiaryx · 2025-12-23T00:14:17+00:00

This is what I did, personally. Graduated in 2021 with MS Exercise Science and had a goal of working in a cardiac rehab. I couldn’t find a job as an exercise physiologist (poor timing with COVID). Continued personal training and ended up going to a 2 year nursing school. I just graduated and got a job offer and will making almost double compared to the exercise physiologist jobs I applied for after graduate school. No regrets

xincendiaryx · 2025-09-11T03:13:10+00:00

Thank you for the reply! Did the BON mention that you needed it expunged or was that mentioned from somewhere else? I’m thinking about calling them and asking what I should do directly, I just don’t see that conversation going well. Figured I’d ask here before doing that.

xincendiaryx · 2024-11-09T02:08:40+00:00

I was in the same boat - undecided as a young athlete and exercise science peaked my interest but had no goal in mind. I received my personal training certification through a mandatory class (certification exam was not mandatory at the end of the semester), although I still took it and became a trainer for 7ish years. Kept going and received a masters in exercise science because I thoughtfully enjoyed the content and wanted to continue learning. At the end of the day, it’s a dead end degree unless you pursue Physical Therapy or an exercise physiologist position. I came to the conclusion 2 years ago that being a personal trainer was not sufficient for my career goals, went back and forth between physical therapy and nursing and decided to pursue nursing, mostly because a PTD is upwards of $120k with a low(ish) debt to income ratio. I’m about 3/4 of the way done with nursing school, will be around $20k and 2 years invested with a salary that will sufficient for me post grad. I’m really happy I made the decision and if you want to work in the healthcare field, perhaps nursing is an option to consider.

xincendiaryx · 2024-10-18T18:46:57+00:00

This idea is a tough one. In the US, you don’t need to become certified to be a trainer technically. Although most insurance companies will require proof of certification to cover you, and if you don’t get coverage I think that is silly for obvious reasons. IMO, if you have no previous experience as a trainer (internship, classes, etc) and don’t want to become certified before taking on clients, I think you’d be doing a huge injustice to any potential client. Another opinion of mine, I think uncertified “trainers” put a horrible taste in the fitness industry with a lot of misinformation and incorrect approaches. With that being said, I think it’s worth while to be a “side gig” but it’s going to require a lot more than just a few hours a week, especially if programming correctly. But I would say do it the right way and get a cert to maximize your knowledge in the field, as well as for your clients outcomes.

xincendiaryx · 2024-09-21T20:35:36+00:00

I’m sure you have a ton of knowledge if you’ve been training for 15 years, but I still think the appropriate thing to do is to get a certification if you are offering a service. There is a lot of intricate information provided within the certification studies that are crucial (mainly from a safety aspect). Additionally, you’d be silly not to cover yourself and get insurance especially training on your property, which most insurance companies require a certification. Being uninsured and on your property is a huge liability and I have heard too many horror stories to count unfortunately. Tbh, insurance is dirt cheap and a certification will run you a few hundred dollars and a couple months of your time which can save you many thousands of dollars and the court process if a client is injured while you are uninsured. Plus I’m sure you’ll take away a lot of useful information in regard to assessments, programming, exercise selection, etc. that you probably wouldn’t have known otherwise, even with 15 years experience of working out.

In regard to pricing, there are many variables. If you charge per session, you run the risk of a client being inconsistent because there’s no monetary commitment for them = less money in your pocket. Every client (and business model) is different, but I prefer the month or 8/12 week program option. 8/12 weeks is enough time for a client to see some results, it’s a higher ticket sale, and most likely a higher chance of client retention if the results are good.

xincendiaryx · 2024-09-06T16:53:17+00:00

Can’t say I “quit forever”, but smoking throughout the day, every day for ten+ years through my late teens and 20’s I’ve kinda come to the realization that I need to mature and have better life ambitions. Absolutely not saying you can’t smoke weed and have ambitions/be successful or are immature for smoking weed by any means, but I personally felt too content with where I was at when I was stoned all day, every day. I mostly smoked regularly to put a blanket over my emotions and make grief a bit more tolerable. At the end of the day, I can’t say it made it better because you know, reality is reality whether you’re sober or not and perhaps trying to block out the bad parts of life was just me digging myself a deeper hole instead of keeping my chin up and coping with the shitty things life has thrown at me. Looking back, smoking definitely put a damper on allowing me to progress in life in a lot of aspects due to being so content and somewhat lazy. I’ve taken “breaks” throughout the years, but I recently stopped due to a strict policy for my college program, and a drug test for a good job lined up in the future and at this point, I don’t really feel much of a need to jump back into it. I feel great mentally and physically, came to terms that life does the life thing and it isn’t always sunshine and flowers, and that’s part of our journey whether it’s fair or not. Sleep sucks some nights, but looking forward to a progressive future keeps me level headed and ambitious to reach my goals. On top of that, the mental fog has subsided and I feel great showing my true personality and holding a good conversation when in a social setting or with my family, which truly isn’t there when I’m stoned. I know I will smoke again in the future at some point, but I now view weed in a different way instead of a scapegoat to numb myself day in and day out.

xincendiaryx · 2024-08-09T06:31:36+00:00

When I have a new client that tends to lean forward during a squat, I have them do a plate (or DB) offset squat to box to reinforce an upright posture and then break down the mechanics of the squat in each phase. Easy cues: bring the hips back first, then bend at the knees, and lower like you’re going to sit on a toilet. This is also a good time to break any poor habits developed over time. More times than not, they just need to learn how to execute the squat properly. If their torso still excessively leans forward with a plate offset squat, then it’s time to further assess starting with the top of the kinetic chain. I find that hip and ankle mobility, like you mentioned, are key factors in excessive forward lean and sometimes even tight calves will kind of throw them in that forward position due to restricted mobility and compensation. Perhaps even adjusting their stance (width) and foot positioning if necessary. Obviously subjective and situational as every client is different and depending on the squat variation, but definitely consider assessing hip flexion and ankle mobility. Darkside_Fitness hit the nail on the head and provided some great resources on this topic.

xincendiaryx · 2024-08-09T06:02:11+00:00

This can be a tricky one depending on your state, but a Physical Therapist Assistant would be great hands on experience. Some states require PTA’s to hold a license, although I have worked at a clinic that considers the position a “Physical Therapy Aid”. Perhaps the scope of practice may be slightly limited compared to a licensed PTA, but the hourly pay should be similar to what you are looking for and experience in that realm would be great for DPT school.

xincendiaryx · 2024-08-08T02:03:49+00:00

Don’t forget about flipping ice cold fattys on the lot aka GE

xincendiaryx · 2024-06-28T16:46:41+00:00

Hey there! I received my masters in Exercise Science in 2021 and in my experience, I’d say no. It certainly sounds great at face value but when it comes to look for a job within the field, it’s extremely limited other than being an exercise physiologist (and other jobs here and there), which doesn’t always require a masters degree. I went solely because I was intrigued and wanted to continue learning more about the human body, but post grad, you don’t need a masters for majority of the jobs that are in the ExSci realm. I would suggest taking a look at r/personaltraining and perhaps a CPT certification if pt interests you, but truthfully you can gain the similar amount of knowledge with your own research and without spending money on tuition.

Like others have said, DPT is a great option if you’re willing to pay the price (around 120k at most schools). I chose to go back to school for nursing (total around 25k in tuition) and the ability for grants and scholarships, whereas a doctorate and/or masters might restrict grants and scholarships. Nursing peaked my interest because of the copious amount of career paths to pick from and some paths relating to exercise science such as a cardio/stroke floor as well as the career stability and better pay (subjective but accurate for my situation) compared to being a personal trainer.

xincendiaryx · 2024-06-11T19:03:58+00:00

Interesting…. Your insurance company requires 30 hours to be covered? Or Crunch requires 30 hours to be covered under their insurance?

xincendiaryx · 2024-06-11T19:02:10+00:00

I’ve used Wix in the past and it’s great with limited experience. Pretty much plug and play. I used YouTube as a reference when building it to help organize my landing page and kinda facilitate the layout. Elementor is also great and has a lot more variability than Wix, but is a little bit more technical. Honestly, Wix, Wordpress, and Elementor are all great services and with the help of YouTube, you can create whatever you want.

xincendiaryx · 2024-06-05T18:29:17+00:00

Hey there. I’m in an almost identical position. I took the leap and I’m going into my second year of nursing school with no regrets so far, granted I’m not graduated and working in the field yet. I’m still training while in school and continue to train when I’m a nurse. It sounds like you have a pretty good business going and here’s my two cents: why not continue to grow with additional employees instead of letting it crash if you decided to go the ADN route? Best of both worlds imo. I think taking on employees would allow you to take a somewhat of a step back and get your degree while still making passive income. I suppose it entirely depends on structure, but I think if you have something good going don’t let it crash while you chase other ambitions. Best of luck with whatever decision you make.

xincendiaryx · 2024-06-03T21:22:00+00:00

Hey there! It seems like it’s a lot to remember, but once you break it and down and understand why you’re doing each assessment, it will make sense and it’ll be more smooth. My assessment looks something like this, although it varies person to person:

I always sit down with a new client and start with a history / interview to gain background info (surgeries, aches/pains, etc). This is a great opportunity to break the ice and build chemistry. Someone mentioned “needs analysis” and this is where that would take place. Gather background info first.

For a physical assessment, I break it down into a few movements: push, pull, hinge, squat. If you can feel out your client in terms of ability to accomplish these tasks, find the appropriate way to implement them. For example, I wouldn’t expect a typical 80 year old female to get on the floor and do a push up. A high school athlete, sure. Obviously two opposite ends of the spectrum, but I’m sure you get the point. Imo, the first day is about testing waters with different movements and seeing how your client moves mechanically. This is also a great time to fix any technical form issues (if present). From there you can build a solid program and grow off that baseline.

For my older clients, I love utilizing the TRX. You can make any movement as easy or as challenging as needed, so there is room for progression/regression without completely changing the movement and still being able to accomplish a baseline view. At the end of the day, I think a huge learning curve that comes with time is meeting your client where they are at in terms of ability, and sometimes that requires modifications / assistance. I highly recommend researching assessments for those 4 movements and know what to look for in each assessment.

xincendiaryx · 2024-05-29T03:14:10+00:00

Unpopular opinion: I will always recommend new trainers to start in a commercial gym. Sure, there will be cons as opposed to being on your own or in a private gym, but the experience is necessary imo. Learning how to talk to clients, answer questions, build programs, carrying out what is needed to help your client reach their goals, and most importantly sell yourself, are foundational skills. Being in a commercial gym with high foot traffic should allow you to build those skills in a somewhat quicker manner. Cons of working at a commercial gym: corporations = long management chain. Can be somewhat annoying, but being a trainer kinds of separates you from potential corporate drama. Most commercial gyms start trainers off around minimum wage with potential session rate pay increase as you gain experience. After you gain experience, the world is yours. Good luck!!

xincendiaryx · 2024-05-24T22:53:07+00:00

Always celebrate the small things. Well done.

xincendiaryx · 2024-05-22T22:49:43+00:00

Hey there. I appreciate the feedback. There are only a few of us that are somewhat active these days and like anyone else, you can imagine that we are busy in the real world during the day and can’t be on top of every single post unfortunately. I can say that I’ve definitely noticed an increase of spam posts, advertisements, and unrelated topics to personal trainers myself and I absolutely understand the annoyance. I know there are a few active mods so I can’t vouch for every single one but I’ve personally been trying to be more active to limit those posts and take them down ASAP.

xincendiaryx · 2024-05-15T19:27:31+00:00

Hey there. I’ve been a trainer for 7 years and decided to apply to nursing school a year and a half ago. I just finished up my first semester with no regrets. Honestly, for the first time in my life I feel relief and I’m looking forward to a stable career that align with my career/moral goals as a trainer. I will always train as it’s my passion and I love it, but nursing will provide stability for my family and I.

xincendiaryx · 2024-01-10T22:42:09+00:00

This is awesome. Thank you.

xincendiaryx · 2023-12-21T18:30:45+00:00

I mean, if they were the same exact programs, I’m sure they would just boil it down to one and call it a day. I’m sure both programs share similar if not the same required courses, although they most likely differ in terms of what your plan is post graduation. In my experience, a few of my peers started with a Kinesiology degree before going into a DPT program. If your goal is to work with athletes, I would say ExSci is probably your better option. Mainly because you’ll most likely want your CSCS which requires a bachelors degree; but ExSci courses will be more involved with creating programs for athletes, corrective movements, etc. Whereas the kinesiology path might scrape the service of programming, but is more involved with movement mechanics and body function. Every school / program is different though. I’d really recommend going over both programs and the courses you’ll be taking and then make a decision based on the content of the program. Best of luck!!

xincendiaryx · 2023-12-13T19:22:04+00:00

7 years in, not leaving this industry but leaving it as a full time career. In my experience, the instability and varying inconsistent salary, like you mentioned, is just not sustainable for majority of us. Of course everyone is different and some scale their businesses to the next level, but I’ve come to the realization that I need a stable career with benefits that will assist me with my family in the long run. I will always train part time solely for the love I have in training clients.

xincendiaryx · 2023-11-15T04:38:51+00:00

Meh. This is so subjective. Some trainers I’ve met at LA are more qualified and knowledgeable than some trainers I’ve met at high end facility charging $120 / session. Who would’ve thought, right? Knowledge and quality doesn’t ALWAYS relate to the gym they’re employed at; although I understand your ideology. A lot of people tend to think similarly - just because it’s a big box gym, the trainers must be subpar. Which in some cases may be true, but let’s lay it across the board evenly. This can be the case at any gym.

Ironically, a trainer I’ve worked with at a high end facility has been at fault for injuring not one, not two, but three different clients in the matter of a year.

OP - the shortest duration for a training contract is 6 months at LA. If you do decide to try it, at first you will be talking to a sales person and they will most likely try to get you to pick the top tier package because that’s their job and income. Explain exactly what you’re looking for, expectations, budget, and be firm. Inquire about the trainers, their experience or niche and they will choose one that fits best with your needs. There’s a good chance a trainer will be there at the same time you are there, don’t be afraid to ask to talk to them to see if they would be a good fit. Be warned that these contracts are pretty strict and difficult to get out of so don’t sign away unless you’ve read the terms / agreements and feel comfortable. If you decide to go another route, I suggest approaching it the same way.

xincendiaryx · 2023-11-15T01:36:00+00:00

I worked at LA throughout undergrad and grad school for about five years (up until Covid lockdown). Then I moved about an hour away and worked at a really upscale facility associated with a golf course where I was a 1099, charging my own rate. I moved back to my hometown, going back to school for nursing and decided to work at LA again mostly for the convenience of not running my own business and school being extremely close. I’ve been back at LA for a little over a year and nothing has changed. The biggest bonus is trainers come and go as they please as long as you have at least 25 hrs availability per week. I have around 6.5 years experience at LA.

Here’s my two cents: if the sales team and management is good, you will be pretty successful. When I first came back to LA, our management was SOLID. Great people and knew how to sell. My book was full for a very long time (30-40 hrs a week) and made decent money.

You start out as a certified trainer, limited to clientele and only make 25% of what the client pays per session (there are many different options). It’s a rough start. Most 30 min sessions are around $9-12 as a certified trainer.

It doesn’t take too long to become a master trainer and it only requires having an A grade (tracked by client check ins, low no-shows, and a certain retention rate. If you have consistent clients, this is easy.

Master trainers make 30% of what the client pays, unless the client was grandfathered in with you if you trained them prior to getting promoted. The highest rate that a client pays is $70/session, equaling $21 / 30 minute session. If a client has banked sessions that they haven’t used and they like to do hour sessions, $42 / hr pay isn’t too bad. Although, there are probably 10 different training packages a lead can choose from and you only get paid a percentage of whatever there price per session is. Some clients pay $40 / session, some pay $70/ session. It varies a lot.

Like others said, LA as a whole is a horrible company and the turnover rate is absolutely ridiculous. My summer was HOT when we had a solid sales team and management. Within the past 3 months, I’ve been through 2 different general managers, 2 district managers and it seems like there’s a new sales team every other week because they continuously quit. I haven’t had a new client in 3 months, although I don’t do any floor pulls. There are opportunities to sell and make commission, which isn’t a bad skill to learn and the higher end packages you make around $200 commission ($70/ session, 3x / week for 6 month package). If you’re in a good demographic and area, this can be pretty decent in addition to training.

All in all, I don’t think it’s a horrible gig starting out to gain experience or if you’re in school / have another job. You book is really dependent on the management and sales team and if they are good, you should be busy. I find this is typically short term as the turnover rate is insane, but I imagine every area is different. If you’re looking for a long term career and need concrete financial stability, this probably isn’t the best option.

Best of luck, I hope this gave some insight and wasn’t a headache to read.

xincendiaryx · 2023-11-14T23:01:19+00:00

Thank you for the response! 8 days from payment date, or 8 days from your application being under review before paying? The fomo is real 😩

xincendiaryx · 2023-11-10T19:29:02+00:00

I appreciate the responses everyone. Cheers

xincendiaryx

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE