Fit for a career
For some, personal training means riding the train to work by themselves each day. But for these characters, it’s much more interesting than that. Smart Start investigates Rachelle Bittar and Tom Livingston. Each came to the industry from different paths, but have in common that they work in a fitness centre and know that personal training is the job for them.
Bittar not bitter about choice career choice
Rachelle Bittar remembers when she first discovered that personal training could actually be a long-term career.
“I was in Year 10 when a personal trainer came to our school to give a presentation,” says Rachelle. “When he spoke about helping clients make their goals and dreams come true, I was sold straight away!”
After completing her HSC last year, Rachelle enrolled with the Australian Institute of Fitness. Within eight weeks she had graduated with a master trainer certification, enabling her to take on a full-time personal training position with Fitness First in Parramatta.
“I love that my job is never dull – that every one of my clients has a different personality and a different goal,” says Rachelle. “It’s a great motivation for me that I can help make a difference in their day.”
Rachelle recounts the story of one of her clients who was overweight and suffering from stress. He was having trouble losing weight so Rachelle focused on ways to reduce his stress and inject as much fun as possible into his training.
“My reward came when he told me how much he looked forward to our sessions because not only was I helping him get fi t, but also taking his mind of his problems. Once he had lowered his stress levels, the weight just fell off.”
Aged 18, Rachelle has a strength and passion to succeed well beyond her years. As one of the youngest women to successfully compete in power-lifting for her country, Rachelle is no stranger to challenges. Only six months into her personal training career, she has set herself the goal of working her way up until she reaches the top of the industry.
Each morning as soon as she wakes, Rachelle sends an SMS to all her clients greeting them for the day and reminding them about their PT session. She understands the importance of customer service and client care for building her career reputation. “You need to take a genuine interest in your clients and try to make each and every one of them walk away from your session with a smile.”
Pathways
Personal training is unique in that it can be an entry level job as well as an advanced job – it depends on where you take it, and where you want it to go.
Gym management and expanding your own business can be ways to go, as can personal training to the rich and famous.
To get started, TAFEs and private providers offer a range of courses that go under different names: from certificates to diplomas in things like fitness, training, health & leisure, instruction. A university degree in anything from exercise science to applied fitness is going to be a big help too.
Perhaps personal training might be a good way to get yourself through uni? There’s many ways to approach it.
Cousin careers
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