..to want to become a Personal Trainer at 37?

[yankey]

I love working out and think I would enjoy becoming a PT. However I am already 37 and am therefore a bit anxious about my future in this field. There also seems to be a lot of PT's living in my local areas. Has anyone become a PT after or before) having their kids who could shed some light on what I can expect. The course I am intending to take will cost about 3k so I dont really want to throw the money away.

One of my friends has recently become one and she is in her 40s :) A lot of people might find it more appealing to have a personal trainer who is nearer in age to them - I know I would!

As a woman in her 40's I would much prefer a PT around your age. Go for it.

Getting paid to keep fit is brilliant! :o) It's long hard hours though, you have to work in other people's leisure time.
Are you planning on working in a private gym, council run gym, self employed or any or all af the above?
I wouldn't shell out all that cash straight away, you can go on a gym instructor course and start from there, there used to be two main ones, YMCA and RSA, the two then became OCR, far as I know that's still the one to have. Add strings to your bow as you go, nutrition, exercise to music, zumba, aqua running, BTS courses, you can learn as you earn. I'd recommend the ETA and Gym Instructor courses are the most necessary to get your foot in the door....apart from passion, energy, enthusiasm and a joy in helping people improve their lives. And, No, 37 isn't too late to do it, I'd say bloody well go ahead, enjoy, exercise is the cure-all, prevent-all in society, you name it, there is NOTHING in life that can't be helped by some sort of physical activity, and the government are realising this and putting money into education and prevention rather than cure.
I've done it before, during and after having kids,sometimes working til 10pm then being back on shift at 7:15am, so it's hard if you don't have a lot of support, or if your kids are very young.
There may be some way of getting a grant to help you pay for retraining, I'll see if I can dig out any info. Good luck! :o)

I think an "older" PT is quite appealling. All mine have been early 20s himbos with no concept of how sitting at a desk for 10 years using a computer fvks with your physique. I would appreciate having someone who understands that it all gets a bit tougher in your 30s training me!

Thanks very much for the supportive remarks. Its nice to know some people who use trainers think they could benefit from 'more experience' .
knobbysEx I was thinking of hopefully working through a private gym (which is why I was planning on the pricier course) to build up some clients whilst also working self employed. But I suppose it makes sense to gain the gym instructor course and then to move on, I will definitely give that some thought. My only concern was that I heard you couldnt earn much money instructing or even working as a trainer through a gym. Are you a Trainer then?
ChristineP - do you know if your 40s mate is making a go of it?

She's doing bits and pieces but is in the midst of a horribly messy divorce so it's a bit on the back burner at the moment :(

I know two women who qualified as gym instructors in their mid thirties. One used it to supplement her regular income teaching classes in the evening.

The other also did extra qualifications to specialise in ante & postnatal fitness care and runs her own business offering buggy fitness type classes. She is really fantastic and her classes are genuinely great - the business seems to be going well but I couldn't tell you how much money she is making though!

I agree with everyone else. The only PT at my gym is a really fit early twenties guy and while I am only 23 myself I would feel a bit embarrassed asking him for help with my love handles and stuff. I just se him running about every time I am there while I have issues to get up the stairs

Not saying that PT shouldn't be fit but you probably know what I mean.

I think it would be especially nice for other women, and for people a bit older and maybe with kids?
I think you should go for it if you think it would be the right career for you. I have to be honest though and have no idea about the field, how hard it is to get work and training.

I'd much rather have a woman or man who was a similar age to me than some twenty something hunk

My PT is in his late 40s and has 4 kids. Having been through pregnancy with his wife 4 times, he was excellent in helping me regain definition after my first pregnancy and was very supportive in the second pregnancy. His experience seemed to add something - hard to put my finger on how. He tells me that his gym either employs people on its staff or has PTs who pay them rent. The latter makes more money.

Thanks again for all your comments. I am planning to start my course part time in September. Just need to do some last minute checks on qualifications as dont want to throw money away on unnecessarily expensive courses. Then I'll be up and running! yippee.

@yankee I know this thread is years old but wondered if you did your course and if you made a go of PT'ing? I'm currently 38 and considering training to do the same thing

I think there's a huge market for trainers who

1. Aren't stunningly perfect 22 year olds who think everyone is like them and will snap into shape after 2 cardio sessions or we're obviously not trying.
2. Understand that a beginner can't do 100 squats, 200 star jumps and lift 10kg on the 1st day so don't make you feel pathetic when you can't.
3. Don't have that condescending look of "I'll never let myself go like that"'.
4. Understand older bodies have aches and pains already thank you very much. (My hips just don't do certain exercises, I need alternatives without being made feel I'm just wimping out!)
5. We are not the Kardashian generation and are not just obsessed with getting bigger asses.
6. Do home PT sessions for those not ready to face the stunningly fit 22 year olds in the gym yet.
7. Understand what childbirth, weight gain due to hormones and menopause do to a woman's body and how best to counteract those. (My PT has really helped target my menopausal waistline. )
8. Actually have a difference between their before and after photos. Photos of you slim, young, beautiful/handsome and fit looking before you started exercising, does not reflect my starting point AT ALL!

Bloody hell a Zombie!

All that early morning typing effort for a zombie! Ffs.