the “6” QUALITIES OF AN EXCELLENT PERSONAL TRAINER

The less sexy an industry is, the more lucrative it tends to be. The “sexy” industries—the glamorous ones like fashion, media, and sports—are brutal. The only people who really do well are the top 1%. Personal training falls into that sports category. Every gym rat at some point thinks about going into personal training because it means they get to work in their favorite place in the world.

But what most people blinded by that love don’t realize are the challenges that come along with the job—if you actually care about your clients and your own personal success.

Personal training is an interesting industry because you can drastically influence someone’s health and get paid for it with virtually no credentials or formal education. Dangerous, I know. So, what separates the hoaxes and unintentional charlatans from the master coaches who can take someone from point A to point B?

Here’s what I’ve learned from my last decade of coaching and helping clients achieve transformation.

1. You Have to Be a Lifelong Student

You have to be genuinely curious about problems and solutions. People will come to you with unique movements or issues that aren’t in a textbook—maybe something buried in a random journal article—and you need to know how to process that information. Then, you have to figure out how to apply exercise to increase performance and prevent injury.You have to be curious about each client and work on making their program perfect for them. Tod o this, you must stand on the shoulders of giant. Learn from those who have achieved success already through books, courses, networking and collaboration. Every year I look back on my knowledge and realize what I could have done better.

2. You Have to Be Willing to Work at All Hours

As a trainer, your clients’ goals become your goals. It’s simple: help them succeed, and you’ll feel joy and earn walking referrals. But achieving a fitness goal with everyday people isn’t easy. People with families, high-stress jobs, and bills have limited training time. If you’re committed to their goal, you need to be available when they need you. Think early mornings and late nights.

That’s why I laugh when a trainer tells me it’s their “side hustle.” This job cannot be a side hustle. The barrier to entry is too low, and like I said earlier, most of the business goes to the best.

On top of that, if you’re part-time, you might only be coaching 10 hours a week versus an in-the-trenches coach putting in 40–60 hours. The gap in experience compounds massively over the years. If we’re talking mastery, this is essential.

I once hired a trainer with “10 years of experience,” only to realize he couldn’t perform the most basic tasks—even after I physically showed him. He may have had 10 years on his résumé, but in reality, his hours added up to less than one.

3. You Have to Be a People Person

You need to know how to interact with different personalities. You have to be curious about what your clients are into. A strange comparison, but it’s a lot like dating or flirting. With people who like to banter and talk trash, you match that energy. With clients who are quiet and reserved, you keep them focused on the work.

Then there are the ones going through tough times. You have to be an amazing listener. We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason—listen twice as much as you speak. I like that adage because a training session is about the client first. Your job is to help them. They have the best handle on their experience and how their body is responding. Listen to the cues and gently guide them along the path of greatest success.

4. Compassion Over Empathy

Empathy is important—you should be able to put yourself in your client’s shoes. But sometimes you also need to hold them 100% accountable. If you’re too nice, you’ll get nowhere, because the client will stay stuck feeling sorry for themselves while you keep allowing it. That doesn’t push them forward.

It’s important to know when someone needs a “kick in the pants,” as coach Martin Rooney says, and when they need love. Some clients are already extremely tough on themselves. Think about Gregg Popovich after the Spurs blew a 3–1 lead against the Miami Heat in the finals. Instead of tearing into his team, he showed love for the season they had and the journey they shared. That’s compassion in action—acknowledging effort, showing unconditional support, and then getting back to work.

That’s what we do as coaches. We don’t judge—we stay objective. You gave it your all, this is what we got, now let’s regroup and win next season.

5. You Have to Know How to Sell

Selling isn’t just about services—it’s about getting clients to buy into your approach. And I know people cringe at the word “sales,” picturing sleazy car dealers or slick real estate agents. But selling is simply helping someone commit to the solution they’ve been looking for.

Most trainers didn’t start out with trainers of their own. They were ex-athletes or gym bros who figured things out with friends. But not everyone gets that lucky. I didn’t.

I hired a coach—Jeff Alberts of 3DMJ—and worked with him for five years (three of those while I was already a personal trainer). He was one of the original online fitness coaches for natural athletes. Jeff gave me structure, metrics, and a system that worked.

That’s the point: people know they’re at point A and want to get to point B, but they don’t know how. Selling is about showing them that path.

Here’s the truth: if you’ve got the knowledge, the skills, and the unique personality to help people, you must put yourself out there. Otherwise, those clients will end up at the wrong gym, getting a bad experience, and wondering why personal training “sucks.”

Closed mouths don’t get fed.

6. You Have to Be a Great Observer

Your technical eye for movement and mechanics must be sharp. The difference between feeling an exercise properly and not feeling it is small. The difference between avoiding an injury and getting injured can be one misstep. Focus matters.

But observation isn’t just technical—it’s personal. Reading body language, confidence, and energy levels helps you say the right thing at the right time.

For example, I had a client who stalled after a trip. A younger version of me would’ve jumped to, “Switch your snacks to something healthier.” But I asked questions instead. Turned out, his snacking happened after work while spending time with his son. Stopping the crackers wasn’t the real solution—it would’ve killed a meaningful moment. Instead, we worked around it.

That’s what observation and listening can do. It helps you coach the whole person, not just their macros and lifts.

Final Thoughts

Personal training isn’t glamorous. It’s demanding, misunderstood, and requires more than just knowing how to lift. But for those willing to commit, it’s one of the most rewarding careers out there.

You get to transform lives, challenge yourself daily, and make a lasting impact in an industry that continues to grow every year. The key is to approach it with humility, curiosity, and commitment—not as a side hustle, but as a craft worth mastering.