Needless to say, starting a career as a personal trainer can be invigorating. You’re helping others achieve their goals, whether it be changing their body, getting stamina, or just teaching the right form to prevent injury. So, the career itself can be super rewarding, but at the same time, you need to understand that, like all other businesses that provide products and services- you also need to be compliant.
Generally speaking, when it comes to the health, fitness, and wellness industries, there are a lot of regulations (which is understandable), and it means that you have to be compliant through all of this. Yes, even personal trainers aren’t an excuse for the need to be complaint. It’s not just you; all personal trainers (no matter what they teach or help with) must also navigate various legal considerations to ensure they operate their businesses ethically and within the bounds of the law.
However, with that all said, how can you ensure that you’re compliant? Well, since this is your business, you need to do this to protect it. So, with that all said, here’s what you need to know!
Get Certified and Keep Learning
So, you can’t just wake up and decide, “I’m going to start being a personal trainer as of today.” As nice as that would be, it doesn’t work like that. Like other professionals in the health industry, you have to work towards getting certifications. These certifications can’t come from anywhere either; you need to make sure you’re certified by reputable organisations like the Register of Exercise Professionals or the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.
Seriously, there are so many scammy “certification” programs online, and they’re not legitimate, so you need to make sure that the certifications you currently have are indeed legitimate. Gyms and wellness centers (basically most employers) will require this and want to see it. These certifications also show clients you know your stuff and give you a solid foundation to build on.
But why keep learning, though? Well, certifications aren’t always enough; you should, instead, keep learning with courses and workshops to stay up-to-date on the latest fitness trends and legal requirements.
You Need Insurance
All small business owners, regardless of industry or scale, need insurance. In fact, did you know that personal trainer insurance exists? While it might not be ideal to think, sometimes accidents just happen. In fitness, it’s pretty much inevitable. You don’t want these accidents to derail your business, so having liability insurance is a no-brainer.
It covers you if a client gets injured during a session or if property is damaged. Make sure your policy is tailored to your needs and meets industry standards—it’s your safety net in case things go sideways.
Stay in Your Lane
As a personal trainer, you’re not a doctor, so don’t pretend to be one. You’re better off sticking to what you know and leaving medical advice to the professionals. It’s not just about staying legal; it’s about keeping your clients safe. The same goes for dieting; many personal trainers will try to act as nutrition coaches even though they don’t have the credentials.
