PT - qualification necessary to practice as a PT? Internship only?

CoolGuy2000 · 27-12-2016 09:58PM #1

Hi - I was gonna do one of those online PT courses to start working, then someone said getting a good intern role is far more valuable learning wise.
In order to get insured etc - maybe practice in a lot of gyms, an actually cert saying one is qualified might be necessary though, no?

I know guys practicing that qualified years ago, never renewed, and they're super busy/popular.
I was thinking just an internship to learn the basic teaching ropes - but I know for myself, my standard of fitness and lifting is - not being cocky, but much higher than what I see a lot of popular PT's charging big money for.

Anyways - main question - can I practice without a cert, going on "experience" - or no?

COH · 28-12-2016 04:21PM

Where were you planning on working?

You can do whatever you like in theory - but good luck to you finding somewhere these days that will allow you to work without any formal qualification or your own insurance policy.

Becoming a PT isn't difficult... making money as a PT is another ballgame altogether

CoolGuy2000 · 28-12-2016 05:58PM

COH wrote: »

Where were you planning on working?

You can do whatever you like in theory - but good luck to you finding somewhere these days that will allow you to work without any formal qualification or your own insurance policy.

Becoming a PT isn't difficult... making money as a PT is another ballgame altogether

Work?
Here in Ireland, and also the Netherlands.

I had in mind one of the online qualifications - ISSA or ACE - cheapest and easiest to get.
I know loads of PT's who have them and practice with them.

So - what you're saying is - I have to go through the formality of getting the cert, one way or another, right?

Transform · 28-12-2016 06:50PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Work?
Here in Ireland, and also the Netherlands.

I had in mind one of the online qualifications - ISSA or ACE - cheapest and easiest to get.
I know loads of PT's who have them and practice with them.

So - what you're saying is - I have to go through the formality of getting the cert, one way or another, right?

get the cert at the same time

i wouldnt take you on unless i knew 100% for certain that you were going to actually work in the industry.

CoolGuy2000 · 28-12-2016 06:58PM

Transform wrote: »

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Work?
Here in Ireland, and also the Netherlands.

I had in mind one of the online qualifications - ISSA or ACE - cheapest and easiest to get.
I know loads of PT's who have them and practice with them.

So - what you're saying is - I have to go through the formality of getting the cert, one way or another, right?

get the cert at the same time

i wouldnt take you on unless i knew 100% for certain that you were going to actually work in the industry.

You mean - work for you?
Or work in the industry.

No smoke here but, my athletic background and physique, speaks for itself.
How would you verify 100% that I AM going to work in the industry?
Why would someone bother getting qualified if they WEREN'T going to work...?

CoolGuy2000 · 28-12-2016 07:00PM

The PT's I know that are a success, seem to have mainly a female client base - and the dudes are like, body builders, stacked/impressive physiques.
I'm banking on that as a means to being successful/popular as a PT.

CoolGuy2000 · 28-12-2016 07:01PM

And finally - do you mean to say - I should definitely have a good internship role nailed down, before I apply for the qualification?

LC2017 · 28-12-2016 07:14PM

OP you're not selling yourself very well if you're looking for the cheapest and fastest option. I have friends who are PTs and have spent years educating themselves and I also have friends who have an 'athletic background and physique'. I know who I would go to first.

You'll have immense competition trying to get clients so you need to assure yourself that you're doing everything to make yourself stand out. Good Luck

Dtp1979 · 28-12-2016 07:16PM

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/post/101872699

Alf Veedersane · 28-12-2016 07:20PM

LC2017 wrote: »

OP you're not selling yourself very well if you're looking for the cheapest and fastest option. I have friends who are PTs and have spent years educating themselves and I also have friends who have an 'athletic background and physique'. I know who I would go to first.

You'll have immense competition trying to get clients so you need to assure yourself that you're doing everything to make yourself stand out. Good Luck

I don't think the OP sees it as anything more than a way of getting a foothold in the industry - a starting point - rather than a route to success

GalwayGrrrrrl · 28-12-2016 07:39PM

Having a "good" body shape doesn't mean that you'd be a good trainer. I'd be asking - "who trained you!"

Get as much of a formal qualification as you can, including first aid certs etc.

CoolGuy2000 · 29-12-2016 04:45PM

Well - who trained me?
Just other dudes in the gym.
I learned quite a bit from this african dude that was a good powerlifter - and a lot of self research, Mark Riptoes materials, california strength, communication with good lifters, youtube vids - you know you bump into some dude in the gym, and he just so happens to be a strong man champion or something, and you spend hours hitting him with questions about this and that and have him spot you and correct your technique - just the usual ****.

I see some PT's and honestly - I'm sure their clients are loaded, but if they weren't, I'd feel bad that they're paying for what I see.
Then calesthenics - I used to train with a workout group called barstarzz - or a european division of them - pretty good.

And, yeah - I developed my own theories on lifting and approach to strength and physical development over the years - it's worked well for me so, that's what I'd be aiming to pass on.

I'm sure other PT's have routines and approaches that work for them, and I'd imagine that's what they'd be keen to pass on also.

But there's not doubt that, stacked dudes get more clients.
Just cause, well - do I have to even say it?

caviardreams · 29-12-2016 05:21PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

The PT's I know that are a success, seem to have mainly a female client base - and the dudes are like, body builders, stacked/impressive physiques.
I'm banking on that as a means to being successful/popular as a PT.

Because all females care about is a bit of eye candy when they're training, right? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Personally I would judge a trainer more on how their clients look (and obviously more importantly, how they move), rather than what they look like themselves.

d-gal · 29-12-2016 05:24PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

But there's not doubt that, stacked dudes get more clients.
Just cause, well - do I have to even say it?

Sorry bud but that's one of the most naive things I've read.
There's plenty of stacked guys with feck all clients and there is plenty of stacked guys who charge €20 an hour. Nearly every 'bodybuilder' is a wannabe PT and plenty have less than 20hours a week.

On the flip side I know plenty of guys in average or just decent shape that earn 6 figures a year.

Setting up your business model on the basis that you're 'stacked' is just setting yourself up for failure. Get yourself a proper qualification, get an internship with a proper, successful trainer. Not a juiced up instagram lover that is literally ruining the PT market

CoolGuy2000 · 29-12-2016 05:33PM

Well - regarding the qualification itself - I have financial and time constraints so, it's gonna be ISSA.
That being said, I know lots of successful PT's with that.

Regarding the internship - any pointers?

I e-mailed a dude there recently who said he'd get back to me in the new year.
Apparently he's good.

There's other dudes around my area but, I seriously don't wanna get in with some ****e hawk that has limited scope.

How long should/would an internship last?
Do I have to pay the dude?
What may influence him regarding a desire to take me on or not, as an intern? In other words, how should I present to him to have favourable chances.

And - what had been said - I shouldn't start the qualification until I have an internship nailed down, is that right?

CoolGuy2000 · 29-12-2016 05:35PM

20 an hour you say....

What would be considered a good wage for a PT?

The other thing is, I'm also a qualified boxing instructor, with a good background in that; I'd hope to incorporate that into training also - might give me an edge?

Dtp1979 · 29-12-2016 05:39PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

20 an hour you say....

What would be considered a good wage for a PT?

The other thing is, I'm also a qualified boxing instructor, with a good background in that; I'd hope to incorporate that into training also - might give me an edge?

If you're going down the self employment route then 20 an hour won't cover you. Not even close.
Out of curiosity, where or how did you become a qualified boxing instructor???

CoolGuy2000 · 29-12-2016 06:01PM

Dtp1979 wrote: »

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

20 an hour you say....

What would be considered a good wage for a PT?

The other thing is, I'm also a qualified boxing instructor, with a good background in that; I'd hope to incorporate that into training also - might give me an edge?

If you're going down the self employment route then 20 an hour won't cover you. Not even close.
Out of curiosity, where or how did you become a qualified boxing instructor???

Here in Ireland.
Boxed for a long time, and one day my coach said, "do this course" - which I did.
Maybe contact the IABA to find out where the next course in being run.

What I meant was - what would a good PT charge for one hour?

Dtp1979 · 29-12-2016 06:06PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Here in Ireland.
Boxed for a long time, and one day my coach said, "do this course" - which I did.
Maybe contact the IABA to find out where the next course in being run.

What I meant was - what would a good PT charge for one hour?

I've no interest in the course. I just didn't realise such a qualification existed tbh.

I'm certainly no pt but I am self employed so I understand the joys of it. Every situation is different ( premises, wages, insurance, overheads, equipment, maintenance, etc, etc, etc ) but you'd probably have to be taking at least 60 per hour.

Transform · 29-12-2016 06:44PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

You mean - work for you?
Or work in the industry.

No smoke here but, my athletic background and physique, speaks for itself.
How would you verify 100% that I AM going to work in the industry?
Why would someone bother getting qualified if they WEREN'T going to work...?

90% of the people that get qualified NEVER work in the industry or certainly never longer than 2 yrs.

I couldn't give a toss about your athletic level currently or previously, I would however care about you ability to explain things patiently to clients, be punctual and work around injuries etc

Transform · 29-12-2016 06:46PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Well - regarding the qualification itself - I have financial and time constraints so, it's gonna be ISSA.
That being said, I know lots of successful PT's with that.

Regarding the internship - any pointers?

I e-mailed a dude there recently who said he'd get back to me in the new year.
Apparently he's good.

There's other dudes around my area but, I seriously don't wanna get in with some ****e hawk that has limited scope.

How long should/would an internship last?
Do I have to pay the dude?
What may influence him regarding a desire to take me on or not, as an intern? In other words, how should I present to him to have favourable chances.

And - what had been said - I shouldn't start the qualification until I have an internship nailed down, is that right?

Simple - if you would not pay for a block of 10 sessions with a trainer you'd like to work/intern with then a) it's the wrong coach or b) the coach might not be interested in you

GalwayGrrrrrl · 29-12-2016 07:14PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Well - who trained me?
Just other dudes in the gym.
I learned quite a bit from this african dude that was a good powerlifter - and a lot of self research, Mark Riptoes materials, california strength, communication with good lifters, youtube vids - you know you bump into some dude in the gym, and he just so happens to be a strong man champion or something, and you spend hours hitting him with questions about this and that and have him spot you and correct your technique - just the usual ****.

I see some PT's and honestly - I'm sure their clients are loaded, but if they weren't, I'd feel bad that they're paying for what I see.
Then calesthenics - I used to train with a workout group called barstarzz - or a european division of them - pretty good.

And, yeah - I developed my own theories on lifting and approach to strength and physical development over the years - it's worked well for me so, that's what I'd be aiming to pass on.

I'm sure other PT's have routines and approaches that work for them, and I'd imagine that's what they'd be keen to pass on also.

But there's not doubt that, stacked dudes get more clients.
Just cause, well - do I have to even say it?

But without doing a course you only know how to train people like yourself! What happens if you have a client who has just had a baby and wants to get into shape, or an older person who wants to prevent osteoporosis- just two examples off the top of my head. If you want to have a career from this you can't pick and choose clients.

Transform · 29-12-2016 09:51PM

xfactorfan23 wrote: »

But without doing a course you only know how to train people like yourself! What happens if you have a client who has just had a baby and wants to get into shape, or an older person who wants to prevent osteoporosis- just two examples off the top of my head. If you want to have a career from this you can't pick and choose clients.

This is bang on ^^^
Too many trainers ACTING like coaches and not enough BEING coaches.
No question being in shape helps but I take that as a given in the same way I expect any car has 4 tires and a steering wheel

CoolGuy2000 · 30-12-2016 05:51PM

Transform wrote: »

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Well - regarding the qualification itself - I have financial and time constraints so, it's gonna be ISSA.
That being said, I know lots of successful PT's with that.

Regarding the internship - any pointers?

I e-mailed a dude there recently who said he'd get back to me in the new year.
Apparently he's good.

There's other dudes around my area but, I seriously don't wanna get in with some ****e hawk that has limited scope.

How long should/would an internship last?
Do I have to pay the dude?
What may influence him regarding a desire to take me on or not, as an intern? In other words, how should I present to him to have favourable chances.

And - what had been said - I shouldn't start the qualification until I have an internship nailed down, is that right?

Simple - if you would not pay for a block of 10 sessions with a trainer you'd like to work/intern with then a) it's the wrong coach or b) the coach might not be interested in you

You mean to tell me, I have to PAY - for an internship?
lol

Alf Veedersane · 30-12-2016 06:05PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

You mean to tell me, I have to PAY - for an internship?
lol

Did you think you'd get a good foothold in the industry for the cost of a cert?

It's training you're paying for. You'd be getting a hell of a lot more than you'd be giving.

Dtp1979 · 30-12-2016 06:35PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

You mean to tell me, I have to PAY - for an internship?
lol

You'd be paying for your education. Same way you'd pay to do a course or anything similar. Only this way the training is better than any course you'd do with a room full of students

CoolGuy2000 · 31-12-2016 08:38AM

So - i HAVE pay for the cert, first.
And I HAVE to pay for an internship?
Is that correct?
I can't just skip option number one?

Alf Veedersane · 31-12-2016 09:02AM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

So - i HAVE pay for the cert, first.
And I HAVE to pay for an internship?
Is that correct?
I can't just skip option number one?

You'll probably need the former for insurance reasons.

Transform · 03-01-2017 07:03AM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

You mean to tell me, I have to PAY - for an internship?
lol

and im out.

You have zero idea of the industry and how to get a foothold in it.

bridges burned

CoolGuy2000 · 03-01-2017 02:43PM

Transform wrote: »

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

You mean to tell me, I have to PAY - for an internship?
lol

and im out.

You have zero idea of the industry and how to get a foothold in it.

bridges burned

correct- I have zero idea - and legend has it that, when you don't know about something, it may be beneficial to ask questions.
1000 pardons if that's wide of the mark.
Either way, try not to take it personally.

Anyone else who's not quite as sensitive care to give me the lowdown on PT internships?

Brois · 03-01-2017 09:44PM

CoolGuy2000,
Just be glad Hanley is no longer with us. His answer might have been sharper than others here. Guys like Transform and Alf Veedersane have been shelling out good quality advice to people such as yourself on Boards for years, if you cared to actually look you'd see there are some people on these forums with plenty credibility in the small Irish market (by small I mean, it's small in terms of quality so not a good idea to burn too many bridges)

Your attitude leaves a fairly sour taste if I'm being honest and that is the first sign of someone not cut out to coach people.

Good people make good coaches, not necessarily good athletes.

You seem to put far too much weight behind your own achievements in terms of physique...some of the most knowledgeable and competent coaches to come out of Ireland or anywhere that I've had the pleasure to meet, listen to, or observe coaching(I'd be counting myself as damn lucky to work with many of them) aren't in exactly great shape. Does that make them any less capable coaches? Not a hope, it might, however, lose them some bro points with the masses out there who think your ab pics on Insta mean more than the knowledge in your head or simple empathy for their fellow man/woman. (believe me, getting into this 'game' you'll be working with lots of VERY out of shape people who are better off learning to move correctly and strengthen now so they can wipe their own a$$es at 80 rather than get ripped or swole or whatever it is that's deemed necessary to aspire to society's fitness 'norms', so empathy (or sensitivity as you put it) and a good knowledge bank of biomechanics/physiology and simple exercise prescription is FAR more important than the number YOU can bench/squat. See it's not at all about you and it's absolutely about THEM. The best coaches in Ireland/the World are likely ones who's name you've never heard)

But, if you insist, go ahead and do a course.
But I'd advise you to really ask yourself WHY are doing the course. There are literally hundreds of PTs out there who really don't have a clue what they are doing, but thought that a piece of paper gave them the right to prescribe exercise to their clients (One day I hope that these clients learn enough themselves to seek out the good coaches). Deep down you are either a coach or you're not. You feel the need to help others or you don't. I know it sounds corny, but it's true. Lots of people are getting into this already crowded market (esp more lately) for all the wrong reasons.
Make sure you are not another one of those.

SteelyDanJalapeno · 05-01-2017 12:15PM

For somebody that knows "loads of PT's" you don't know anything about the industry, would it not make sense to talk to them?

CoolGuy2000 · 05-01-2017 11:21PM

Talk to them?

Wouldn't that mean venturing outside my parents basement?

*joke*

A lot of PT's seem to spout the same thing; "everyone has a qualification, but no one really knows how to teach - except me, and maybe one other guy I know".

I think it's important to understand that everyones body type is different, so we can't apply the same style of exercises as one-fits-all.
I mean - basic forms, no back rounding, not bouncing on the chest, explaining the diversity of exercises - muscle hypertrophy with fast twitch fibre activation - they've been my approaches and have worked very well for me.

Like I mentioned - most PT's I see - they're just doing brainless exercises and being used as motivational tools.

I think I could add a new flavour with the inclusion of high level boxing coaching, in a addition to strength and fitness exercises.

cc87 · 06-01-2017 09:41PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

Talk to them?

Wouldn't that mean venturing outside my parents basement?

*joke*

A lot of PT's seem to spout the same thing; "everyone has a qualification, but no one really knows how to teach - except me, and maybe one other guy I know".

I think it's important to understand that everyones body type is different, so we can't apply the same style of exercises as one-fits-all.
I mean - basic forms, no back rounding, not bouncing on the chest, explaining the diversity of exercises - muscle hypertrophy with fast twitch fibre activation - they've been my approaches and have worked very well for me.

Like I mentioned - most PT's I see - they're just doing brainless exercises and being used as motivational tools.

I think I could add a new flavour with the inclusion of high level boxing coaching, in a addition to strength and fitness exercises.

What if they don't like boxing?

Alf Veedersane · 06-01-2017 09:47PM

Understanding that there are many different exercises to address issues is one thing and yeah it's probably more than some PTs know.

But knowing why, how and when to apply them is very different.

jimbobaloobob · 06-01-2017 09:48PM

CoolGuy2000 wrote: »

I was thinking just an internship to learn the basic teaching ropes - but I know for myself, my standard of fitness and lifting is - not being cocky, but much higher than what I see a lot of popular PT's charging big money for.

Anyways - main question - can I practice without a cert, going on "experience" - or no?

You could answer this question yourself really. You just want to learn the basic teaching ropes?
And what when the non basic client wants to train? What about when something goes wrong?

If i was going in for brain surgery next week, id want the qualified brain surgeon with the most current skills, not some one that studied it years ago, didnt bother to renew their licence and was focused on making a load of money. I think you'd be better spending the money on something different altogether.

Deshi Basara · 09-01-2017 07:25PM

Need a cert to get insured.

Need insurance to work in a gym or licensed premises.

Answers itself really.

You can get most certs here in under 3 months - wouldn't do any harm investing in your own education; even if you're already quite knowledgeable.

It's worth noting that you'll need an EQF level 3 in Fitness Instruction before most places will accept you onto an EQF level 4 for personal training.

Best of luck, all the same.

CoolGuy2000 · 13-01-2017 11:34AM

Deshi Basara wrote: »

Need a cert to get insured.

Need insurance to work in a gym or licensed premises.

Answers itself really.

You can get most certs here in under 3 months - wouldn't do any harm investing in your own education; even if you're already quite knowledgeable.

It's worth noting that you'll need an EQF level 3 in Fitness Instruction before most places will accept you onto an EQF level 4 for personal training.

Best of luck, all the same.

Cheers - short and sweet - exactly the info I was looking for.

I see that regarding the fitness instructor prior to PT - but online PT certs can be got, are you familiar with them?
ISSA seems to be the cheapest.
Then ACE.
They appear to be do able without any fitness instructor qualification...?

Deshi Basara · 13-01-2017 07:01PM

I'm not familiar with them, unfortunately.

I'd check out what governing bodies recognise the cert before paying for anything.

Are you planning to work in a commercial gym or rent a private facility? If the former, it may be worth calling them & seeing what certs they accept.

CoolGuy2000 · 15-01-2017 10:05AM

You wouldn't perchance be familiar with the "National Training Centre" PT qualification?

They seem to offer an immediate PT cert without having a gym instructor cert done first - unlike, Image fitness and a lot of them other supposedly high end qualifications.

The cost of them are exorbitant, in contrast to ISSA - which is like, 500 dollars - whatever that is in euro.
REPS Ireland seems to be the governing body in Ireland, which i don't think recognize ISSA but, the best gym in town here - most of its PT's are ISSA qualified - but they all have an outstanding reputation, as good lifters themselves, and good coaches.

I'd imagine the awarding body makes a relatively marginal impact on the ultimate quality of coaches it turns out.

Deshi Basara · 15-01-2017 08:40PM

NTC are great from what I've heard - no first hand experience though.

I 100% agree - you cannot train somebody to be a good coach. All the academic knowledge & coaching roleplay in the world won't make somebody good at the job. I know from getting my own certs; most of the class got the qualifications but could barely write a programme.

The biggest thing here is just getting your foot in the door - if you have an idea of where you'd like to work you'd honestly be better suited get in touch with them directly.

PT - qualification necessary to practice as a PT? Internship only?

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