Officially Certified - Now what?

[Ryan]

Ok guys, I recently got certified by the ACSM as a personal trainer. I did this as more of a means to an end really (because ultimately I'd like to be a strength coach in a team/school setting), but this is a first step to starting a business with my wife who's a licensed nutritionist and endurance athlete. The idea is that I do the training and conditioning coaching, she does the nutritional coaching, etc.

The question I have -and I realize this is somewhat far afield from PLing- is where in the heck do I start? I mean, from a business standpoint: Can any of you suggest a way to leverage my PLing experience to get clients or is our sport too recreational for me to tout a handful of years worth of lifting heavyish weights as a key differentiator for why someone should pay me instead of the next guy/girl?

I guess I'm trying to figure out who to target and whether or not my PLing background is valuable leverage or if it will simply confuse the avg person who's just looking to get in shape?

Down the line when I'm a licensed strength coach (which is next on the docket for me), I am sure that a PLing background will add value to my resume, but is it useful now?

I know that's a lot of stuff coming from and going into 17 different directions, but if anyone can offer any suggestions I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks,
Ryan

[3speed]

I'm afraid I don't have any advice at the moment, I want to wish you the best of luck. You have a pretty good handle on training due, I believe, in large part to an analytical approach. It should serve you well in your endeavor.

[dbunch]

I know a hand full of personal successful personal trainers and it seem to me that the bulk of their clients are middle aged housewives. Most of the trainers are powerlifters or involved in some sort of strength sport. I also know that while they do not train their clients specifically for powerlifting they have uses powerlifting movements in their training. They have even convinced some of their clients to enter a competition as a way of setting a goal and giving them something tangible to shoot for. So I do think using you powerlifting background as part of your credentials would be helpful.

[dbunch]

I know a hand full of personal successful personal trainers and it seem to me that the bulk of their clients are middle aged housewives. Most of the trainers are powerlifters or involved in some sort of strength sport. I also know that while they do not train their clients specifically for powerlifting they have uses powerlifting movements in their training. They have even convinced some of their clients to enter a competition as a way of setting a goal and giving them something tangible to shoot for. So I do think using you powerlifting background as part of your credentials would be helpful.

T

[Ryan]

Right, so I guess where my PLing experience would come into play specifically would be in teaching correct technique and such.

This is good. Thanks Dan.