Personal trainers at a gym and freelancers have similar jobs but different opportunities. As you can imagine, working in a gym means you have many more resources at your disposal than if you worked as a freelancer. However, if you're looking for more freedom and flexibility in your career path, then freelancing might be the right option! Here are some pros and cons of each profession:
Pro - Work/Life Balance
One of the biggest pros of freelance personal training is that you can set your hours. This means no more commuting to and from a gym, which can be a major time suck. You also don't have to worry about office politics or dress code--you get to do what you want when you want. If working out at home gets boring after a while, there are plenty of options for where else to train: beaches and parks are great places for outdoor workouts; gyms offer amenities like showers and locker rooms (and sometimes free Wi-Fi).
Pro - Money, Money, Money
One of the biggest pros of freelancing as a personal trainer is that you can get paid more for the same job. As a freelancer, you can negotiate your rates based on how much experience and skill you have.
If you're good at what you do and can prove it by getting results with clients, then there's no doubt that people will be willing to pay more for your services--and who wouldn't want those kinds of results?
Pro - You Are Your Own Boss
The pros of being a freelance personal trainer are simple. You are your boss, meaning you can set your schedule, take time off when needed and choose whom to work with. If you're looking for a way to make some extra cash on the side or as an additional revenue stream for your business, this may be your route.
The cons, however, can be tough to swallow. You'll need to invest in your equipment and have more of a financial burden than if you worked for someone else. Worst of all is that it's hard to make money when you're starting because clients are only sometimes willing to pay for services when they don't know who you are or what you offer.
Con - Freelancing Isn't Always Fun and Games
The greatest benefit of freelancing is the freedom to choose your clients, but there are some downsides to this as well. You can only sometimes pick your hours or the clients you want to work with, for example. You may get stuck with difficult personalities and unpleasant working conditions (like working outside in 100-degree weather).
If you're careful about how much time and money you spend on marketing yourself as a personal trainer, people will only find out what an amazing job they could be getting from you!
Con - The Downsides of Being a Freelancer.
As you can see, the pros of freelancing far outweigh the cons. The biggest downside is that you are your boss and must be self-motivated. You also need to handle stress well, as there will be times when things get tough. It could prove extremely rewarding if you're willing and able to put in the effort required for this career path!
Becoming a freelancer could be the perfect solution if you're looking for a career change. The opportunities available to independent workers are almost limitless, and the potential to earn money is very real. The key is to start small, build your skills and reputation slowly, then expand into larger projects as you become more comfortable with your role as an entrepreneur.
If you can balance the pros and cons of being a personal trainer at a gym vs. freelancing, you'll find yourself happier and more productive in your career choice.
If you can balance the pros and cons of being a personal trainer at a gym vs. freelancing, you'll find yourself happier and more productive in your career choice.
- Pros: You will be able to work with multiple clients every day. You may even have access to facilities that are not available for use by outside trainers (e.g., pools).
- Cons: Your income will likely be less than if you were working as an independent contractor or running your own business because of how much money goes into running these gyms/studios/studios-and-gyms. Your employment status could also make it difficult for customers or clients who want to hire you directly instead of through their employer's network - especially if they prefer not having other people know they're hiring personal trainers!
Conclusion
So, which is better: being a personal trainer at a gym or freelancing? The answer depends on what you're looking for. If you want more flexibility in your schedule and an opportunity to make more money while doing what you love, then freelancing might be right for you. However, if stability and steady paychecks are important factors when considering career options, working at one company may be preferable over working freelance jobs here and there. But no matter what route you choose - whether staying put in one place or going solo - just remember that both options have positives and negatives associated with them!
