The Business of Personal Training [Paperback]

Scott Roberts (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873226054 | ISBN-13: 978-0873226059 | Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Whether you are considering a career as a personal trainer or searching for ways to increase revenue and gain new clients for your existing business, you'll find The Business of Personal Training to be an indispensable reference. Written by some of the most successful personal trainers in the country, this book provides the foundation for building your personal training business.

While many books address the subject of exercise training, few have been written about the business side of personal training. This book covers the topic more thoroughly than any other existing publication, discussing not only how to build a solid business but also how to be an effective trainer.

Part I defines personal training, outlines the history of the profession, and reviews the qualifications for being a personal trainer. You'll also find important information on the certifications offered by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, and National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Many personal trainers have no formal business education and must learn the business aspects of their trade through trial and error. Part II helps you avoid common business mistakes, describing how to create, market, and manage a personal training enterprise. You'll learn how to
-develop a mission statement and business plan,

-set business policies,

-create strategic and creative marketing plans,

-establish prices for services,

-hire and train staff members, and

-much more.
This section also explains a personal trainer's legal and professional responsibilities, such as giving clients a health screening, obtaining informed consent, and inspecting facilities and equipment.

Part III offers techniques for becoming an effective personal trainer. Since there's more to helping your clients achieve their fitness goals than simply prescribing a program, Part III discusses
-how to maintain a professional relationship with clients,

-the psychology of personal training,

-teaching techniques and tips for improving client-trainer communication,

-how to motivate clients and help them set goals, and

-how to design appropriate, individualized exercise programs.
Nineteen sample forms in Parts II and III make it easy for you to put the ideas presented into practice.

Learn from veteran personal trainers what it takes to succeed. The practical advice provided in The Business of Personal Training is valuable for new and established trainers as well as for health and fitness administrators who supervise personal trainers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A brilliant introduction to an exceptionally important and fast-growing component of the club business. Though it focuses on fundamentals, it deserves to be an essential component of every club's staff-learning library. The legal, psychological, and medical implications of personal training, as presented in this short, well-organized, and readable text, are exceptionally important and valuable. Scott Roberts is to be congratulated. He has grounded the 'business' of personal training on sure and solid footings."

John McCarthy
Executive Director, International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association

"Provides a broad overview for the beginning personal trainer and touches on aspects of the business that even experienced trainers will find valuable."

Richard T. Cotton, MA
Editor in Chief, American Council on Exercise

About the Author

Scott O. Roberts, PhD has worked as a personal trainer for special populations, including people with chronic disease and disabilities, since 1986. A member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), he serves on the Committee on Personal Training for both organizations. He also helped to develop the first ACE certification for personal trainers.

Scott has spoken at many national personal training conferences and has written several books and articles on the topics of fitness and exercise science. President of Scott Roberts Enterprises, Ltd., a fitness and education consulting company, he also is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and a certified exercise program director through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Scott received his PhD in exercise physiology in 1995 from the University of New Mexico. He lives in Lubbock, where he is an assistant professor of exercise and sport science at Texas Tech.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873226054
• ISBN-13: 978-0873226059
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,454,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Business Of Personal Training, April 12, 2000

By 

"hardbodymi" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of Personal Training (Paperback)

I just recieved my copy of "The Business Of Personal Training". I was recently certified by ACE to be a personal trainer and was interested in gathering more knowledge on how to get my business started.

This book was VERY HELPFUL! It explained how to establish client policies up front, so there are no misunderstandings down the road; it explained how to best handle clients with special needs; it offered a lot of insight into client/trainer relationships and how to best communicate and listen.

A lot of the book elaborated on what I already knew. So it was redundant for me, but still helpful. This book is perfect for someone studying to be a personal trainer or maybe just considering it as a career.

The best chapter, for me, was Marketing & Managing your business. It offered suggestions on how to "sell yourself" to perspective clients. How to price yourself, etc.

Overall, I found the book a useful tool and rated it 4 out of 5.

[e-mail]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Business of Personal Training, May 26, 2009

By 

Alphonso White (New York NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Business of Personal Training (Paperback)

Good reference for new and established personal trainers. Although photos give the book a dated feel the information is timeless and essential. Practical information about the business of personal training. I recommend to newbies and pros.