A Day in the Life of a Trainer
Have you ever wondered what a personal trainer goes through in the average day? The amount of activity they engage in may surprise you! Here is a look at a day in the life of a trainer:
Waking up earlier than everyone -- Do you get up for a 6 AM training session? Well, in order to be at your training session on time, your fitness trainer has to get up EARLIER, commute to your home (for an at-home session) or the gym, and be there before you. This means for your 6 AM training session, they have to be up as early as 4:30!
Commuting a lot -- Personal trainers earn a steady paycheck from the gym, but the real money comes from at-home and personal training sessions. But that means a lot of commuting! They may have to take the bus, catch an Uber, or drive around town all day long. They can't book back-to-back sessions unless their clients live/work close to each other. Plus, if they work at more than one gym, it takes time to travel. Trainers often end up commuting A LOT!
Brown-bagging it -- You may be able to go out to a restaurant to eat lunch, but trainers don't get or keep their lean physique by going easy on their diet. Every fitness trainer has a very rigorous menu that they follow, which means they have to bring their meals to work every day. The meals are usually sparse (some whole carbs, plenty of protein and veggies, and some healthy fats), but they're a necessary part of staying in great shape.
Getting a break thanks to a cancellation -- If the trainer isn't on the clock (at the gym), they will usually try to fill their time with private clients and training sessions. If one of their clients cancel, they'll get a break. That break will often be spent trying to drum up new clients, filling out reports, upgrading workout sheets, or doing research. No such thing as a break during the workday!
Showering and changing multiple times -- Some trainers will work out with their clients (particularly HIIT/cardio/sports workouts). They can't go back to the gym or on to their next client all sweaty and smelly, so it's off to the showers and a fresh change of clothes! This may happen more than once a day.
Missing out on social activities -- While you're off at happy hour, your trainer is running through the last few sessions for the day, packing up, and heading home. If there are late-night clients, social activities get put on the back burner. Trainers often have to be available for their clients after the workday is done, which can be as late as 8 or 9 PM for some people.
Fitting in a workout whenever -- Finding a time to work out is NOT easy for anyone, and the same holds true for a trainer. Some trainers get up earlier, others stay up later, and others fit in a workout while training with clients. It can be tough to keep a regular schedule if you commute for at-home sessions. You can't train while on the clock at the gym or fitness club, so you have to find time around your regular work hours to fit in a workout of your own.
Being a fitness trainer requires dedication, sacrifice, and a lot of hard work! The life they lead is a lot more difficult than you might think.
Some people get lucky and are born with fit, toned bodies. Andy Peloquin is not one of those people. Fitness has come hard for him, and he's had to work for it. His trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, an NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise, diet and healthy living. He loves to exercise -- he does so six days a week -- and loves to share his passion for fitness and health with others.
