What Is Personal Training?

By: Janine Frank- CEO & Co-Founder of 2 Health Nuts

There is rarely a day that goes by when I am not hearing someone talk about fitness. From the person in front of me at Starbucks, talking to the barista about the workout class they just came from, to the person behind me in line at Neiman Marcus sharing they are going to be late to meet their trainer, we live in a society where fitness is a “thing.”

It’s posh.

There is something about “name-dropping” where you workout, the trainer you work with, how many miles you have run, the amount of weight you squatted, etc., that makes you feel part of something. It’s a community, and one that has greatly evolved over the past 18 years since I stepped foot in the industry.

If this is your first time reading one of my articles or the first time hearing my name, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Janine Frank, a Baltimore native with a B.S. in Exercise Science, as well as a certified Personal Trainer & Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Level 1 Precision Nutrition certified, YogaFit Level 1 certified, and Co-Founder/Owner of 2 Health Nuts – a corporate health & wellness company specializing in on-site group fitness, nutrition seminars, behavioral change programming, customized wellness events, corporate program roadmaps, and personal training.

In fact, personal training is where I got my start and one of the very reasons I am the person I am today.

The concept of personal training started in the early 1900s. In its most basic sense, the term simply means when one individual works with another individual in a gym setting (or of varying degrees) to benefit their own personal health & wellness needs. While the idea of personal training was new at this time, fitness had been around for centuries. Earlier civilizations – think ancient Greeks – had already touted and showcased their athletic prowess. The difference lies in that they were doing so in an effort to get ready for battle, not their own, personal initiatives. In the 1700’s, the “grandfather of German gymnastics,” Johann GutsMuths, was responsible for creating fitness equipment gymnasts would use based on the program(s) he devised. As both a teacher & educator, he is acknowledged and known as the developer of physical education.

Fast forward to the 20th Century when celebrities and TV personalities were paving their way in the fitness industry. A household name at the time, the “godfather of fitness,” Jack Lalanne, became the 1st personal trainer to personally train his own clients when he opened up his health club at the age of 22 (late 1930’s). Growing up as a self-proclaimed “sugar addict,” it was through his own, personal journey of eating right and exercising that not only made him feel better & stronger overall, but wanting to help others do the same. About 18 years later, the American College of Sports Medicine was formed, and they began certifying fitness professionals. Prior to this point, a (formal) personal training certification was not needed.

By the 1980’s, it was evident the positive impact personal training was having, along with the popularity and viability among interested individuals. In addition to Jack Lalanne, public figures such as John Basedow, were growing their fitness empires by leaps and bounds. To this day, Jack is credited with being the very reason WHY this industry has been so pivotal & successful. Through nationally accredited certifications, anyone can learn about health & fitness, and be an impactful role model in the lives of so many!

Reference: Smith, Diana. “The History of Personal Training & Its Role In Fitness.” Physical Culture Study. https://physicalculturestudy.com/2019/03/27/guest-post-the-history-of-personal-training-and-its-role-in-fitness-today/

I remember when I got my first job at a local health club in the Baltimore area. I was very excited, “omg” nervous, and a little timid. Are people going to like me? Are people going to invest in me as their trainer? Am I good enough to do this? As personal trainers/fitness professionals, we are not reinventing the wheel.  What we are reinventing is ourselves, and becoming a better version of who we were when we entered the space 18 years ago, 10 years, 5 years, etc. We all have to start somewhere, and this is the very advice I give to those who are interested in pursuing a profession in health & wellness.

While having a handful of credentials behind your name is, of course, very beneficial, so much of this industry is built on experience & connection with clients. Having worked with hundreds of individuals in the course of my tenure, I have gained so much knowledge and perspective on life itself…and this is the very reason why I am the person I am today.

Whether you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, or hiring a personal trainer for yourself, here is some advice to help you achieve your goals!

How to Become a Personal Trainer?

• There is no “right” way to go about this process. Maybe you have always had a passion for fitness, or it’s a 2nd career and something you find interesting. There are so many avenues you can go down; try to hone in on what excites you the most and use this as your springboard.
• Research nationally accredited fitness certifications and choose one that best suits you and your learning approach.
• Set a study schedule that fits your current schedule so you can stay on track.
• See if your local health club or fitness boutique is hiring; you can start by shadowing other trainers, engaging with members, working some floor hours/front desk, etc.
• Once you get your certification, start getting your name out! Don’t be afraid to say you are a new trainer as well. Everyone brings a different perspective and approach!

I am interested in hiring a personal trainer. How do I go about finding the best fit for me?

• Referrals are always one of your best sources!
• Talk to someone at your local health club/fitness studio who could guide you. Even the person behind you in line at the store could probably share their experiences too!
• Do your research! Is there something specific you want? Are you looking for someone experienced in postnatal? Marathon training? Sports specific training?
• Interview! Fitness can be very personal (and even a bit intimidating); as I mentioned before, connection is huge and finding a trainer that matches your personality is key to success.
• You can always reach out to me to learn more! In fact, if you mention this article, your 1st personal training session will be on me!

Look forward to hearing from you! Contact Email: janine@2healthnuts.com