10 Struggles Only Personal Trainers Will Understand
The struggle is absolutely real. Let’s see how many you can relate to.
1. HEARING THE SAME ABSURD EXCUSES EVERYDAY
One of the struggles only personal trainers will understand is hearing the same amusing (in a bad way) excuses. We just know you’re lying and bottom line, you just don’t want to train. You are not sick, you don’t have an urgent thing you need to do, and if you forgot your shoes, damn, I’ll let you use mine!
2. NOBODY IS PERFECT, EVEN YOUR PT
Let’s get this straight, nobody is perfect and there are those days you just want to indulge. Whether it’s your favourite ice cream, a slice or two of your fave pizza, or tuning in to the sports channel all day long, lifting a bottle of ice-cold beer instead of dumbbells – well, us too!
3. WE’RE NOT WORKING FOR YOU, WE’RE WORKING WITH YOU
Some clients think they own us. The first thing I want my clients to know is they are not my boss. That’s not what this is, it’s more of a partnership where clients and PTs are working together. We can be your friend, your support system, your coach, your drinking buddy, yes you pay us, but come on… we’re not your slaves.
4. SOMETIMES, I WANT TO GIVE UP
There are those times when you wonder if this is the life you want. You’re not getting enough clients, bills are stacking up on your desk, and at least one client is a pain in the arse. But then you think the reason why you chose this career, that is, your passion for health and fitness. Everything feels right again.
5. WE DEAL WITH THINGS BEYOND HEALTH AND FITNESS
I know the name of my clients’ children, ex-boyfriends/girlfriends or favourite brand of shampoo. I get invitations to family celebrations, parties, etc… It’s not a bad thing at all, I just can’t keep up!
6. WHEN EVERYONE IS AN “EXPERT”
Have you been in a conversation where everyone is an “expert” AKA self-proclaimed WebMD certified experts? It’s frustrating to argue with them especially when they start saying “I read on the internet that GVT isn’t yadda yadda…” – I could literally do a facepalm.
7. THIS JOB CONSUMES ALL OF MY TIME
There’s not enough time in a day! I train clients in the morning, afternoon and evening, and in between those, I do an hour or so of paperwork. Then I squeeze in some strength training, at the gym, and occasionally on the bad days, mental strength training, the ‘Lord give me strength’ kind.
8. WARDROBE OF GYM CLOTHES
Wearing stretchy, polyester fabric clothes, and training shoes every day. EVERYDAY. It’s a struggle to mix and match and you know, rock your gym clothes when they all look the same.
9. GOING HOME EXHAUSTED
Every day you go home so tired, brushing your teeth is a true test of will power. It’s exhaustingly fulfilling if that makes sense.
10. FEWER CLIENTS MORE COMPETITION
They say the more the merrier, right? Wrong! Thousands of new personal trainers enter the industry every year on top of the existing ones that means more competition, fewer clients, less profit.
We hope you found a few of these relatable struggles entertaining and take solace in the fact you are not alone in your frustrations. If you could relate to every single one of them, from the bottom of our hearts, we feel for you.
