Become a personal trainer at 40?

[Bedsidedrawer]

I've been a SAHM for years but want to get back to work.
I'd love to become a personal trainer.
Silly at my age and stage?

Not at all silly! In fact you may find that your life experience is more attractive to potential clients, particularly those of a similar age. Go for it!

40 isn't old - you'll have loads of clients!
How do you go about becoming a personal trainer out of interest?

I did a PT course at 40. About half the class were 30s/40s, mostly teachers/accountants looking for a change of direction.

Level 2 gym instructor course followed by level 3 PT course. Most courses are flexible.
I have a background in working with people and I'm a good listener/empathetic.
I'm wildly enthusiastic about fitness and mental well being.
I've had kids, struggled with body image and fitness but I turned my life around by getting involved in sport and fitness.
I would really love to help other women achieve the same because really if I can then anyone can!

I don't know about how you get into it, or any of that stuff, but I have recently become a client of a personal trainer. There was a choice of trainers at the gym and I realise I chose the one who was most 'like me'. However she is decades younger. Had there been an older woman she would probably have been my first choice. And I have joined a gym specifically to help with the problems of ageing - to support arthritic knees by building muscle and to try to regain some suppleness and to guard against osteoporosis. I would (rightly or wrongly) expect an older trainer to have more insight into that sort of thing.

Why not?

Not at all; I trained at 38 years of age - many of my clients appreciate the perspective that my age and prior life experience have given me.

I think so many women are focused in the wrong direction of cardio and unrealistically low calorie diets.
I transformed my body and health through more of a focus on strength and fun with creating a calorie deficit but flexibly. I have always had wine at the weekends!
If you build muscle (women don't get bulky muscle it's impossible so you aren't going to look like a female Arnold Schwarzenegger unless you eat steroids for breakfast) it helps bone density, posture, metabolic rate etc

Those that have trained, what are your hours like?
How do they fit with children and school hours?