Hottest Business Ideas for 2002

Personal Trainer

BY Laura Tiffany | January 1, 2002|

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Personal training isn't a lot of things: It isn't just teaching aerobics. It isn't sweatin' to the oldies. What it is is a field that requires a great deal of experience, education and knowledge of the human body, how it works, how it hurts and how you can help someone recover from injuries and/or get into the best shape of their life.

Ayrn Singler studied sports medicine at Michigan State University and has a host of letters behind her name that spell out only one thing: how experienced she is. And those letters make all the difference in her eponymous training business. "I attribute my success to the fact that I do have a sports medicine background and rehab-based knowledge," says Singler, who has an office in her Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home and rents space in a local studio for training sessions. "I know a lot more than the normal personal trainer."

Singler suggests that anyone seriously interested in personal training get a bachelor's degree in a health-related field like exercise science or kinesiology. This is also a must if you want to get certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association Certification Commission, the only nationally accredited personal training certification--and one of the sources for all those letters behind Singler's name.

Another helpful way to get a feel for the industry is to get a job in it. "Find a job that gives you the chance to learn without spending great amounts of money to get in the field," advises Mark Occhipinti, M.S., Ph.D., with American Fitness Professionals & Associates, a membership association that provides resources and training. "If you really enjoy the work, then it is good to pursue further education and training."

As for startup costs, they're minimal. Singler got started for $4,000, which included office equipment and clothing for sessions. She stresses the importance of image in an industry where you often work with higher-end clientele. She has also saved money by benefiting from the cheapest marketing method of all--word-of-mouth--by letting her experience and skills speak for themselves.