With the recent 2020 worldwide Covid-19 outbreak you might be wondering about the future of personal training and whether personal trainers will still have a job after Covid-19.
We absolutely think the future is bright!
In fact, the need for personal training may actually increase as people are starting to get more and more aware of the importance of maintaining health both physically and mentally in order to protect themselves from illness.
The idea that there will be some hesitation when gyms start opening back up is a valid concern.
However, it’s also quite clear that being stuck inside during quarantine has caused many people anxious and itching to get out of the house and back into the gym (at least that’s how we feel).
While many fitness professionals have moved their services online, it’s likely that only a fraction of this online business will continue indefinitely while a substantial portion will want to return to some sense of normalcy.
No matter the case, there’s no doubt that there will be some significant differences between being a personal trainer in Covid-19 versus being a personal trainer after Covid-19.
Personal training after Covid-19
General Outlook and Personal Trainer Covid Guidelines
In general, we believe that after Covid-19, people will be more and more aware of the importance of washing hands, wiping down equipment after use, and being more careful of covering their coughs and sneezes.
These behaviors will help improve the cleanliness of the gym, preventing other illnesses from spreading. This increases the quality and safety of your personal training sessions in regards to Covid-19.
This may also serve as a potential for you to differentiate yourself by showing your clients how aware you are in maintaining a safe, hygienic environment by preparing equipment before use, washing your hands often, wiping down equipment after use, and maintaining a safe distance (of at least 6 ft) whenever possible.
It’s clear that following the personal trainer Covid-19 restrictions outlined in your local city or state will ensure that you have success in your personal training business. Clients will trust you and enjoy the fact that you have their well-being in mind.
The “Quarantine Fifteen” and General Weight Gain
As mentioned earlier, we believe there will be an influx of clients looking to lose weight or to get fit.
The extended quarantine has led to what is known as the “quarantine fifteen”. In other words, there are a ton of people out there who have put on at least 15+ lbs in just these past few months.
Staying indoors and prolonged periods of inactivity can really take a toll.
If you are not aware, one of the greatest risk factors of serious complications for patients with Covid-19 is obesity.
Covid-19 has shown us that those with underlying conditions such as being overweight or obese are at a greater risk of getting admitted into ICU and requiring artificial ventilation.
People are starting to get more and more aware that being overweight could lead to serious health effects in the future which will cause more people to seek personal trainers.
Clients Who Recovered from Covid-19
Another change we expect is seeing clients who recovered from Covid-19 who are looking to improve their cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
As of this writing, there are currently 6 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the United States, and close to 27 million cases world-wide!
That’s insane.
Covid-19 affects the respiratory system and many people are not aware of how to train their respiratory system which is where the need for fitness professionals comes in.
You may want to study up a bit more on the different ways to gradually build up cardiovascular endurance, especially for someone who is currently weak or recovering in that area.
We suggest brushing up on how to use the exercise bike, elliptical machine, treadmill, how to measure and monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and perhaps even heart-rate zone training.
Marketing yourself to this type of client can be a way to differentiate yourself from other personal trainers, especially post-Covid.
Expansion of Online Personal Training
One thing that Covid-19 has shown us is that many jobs can be performed at home. And that includes personal training (to an extent).
Because of the quarantine, online classes and online personal training have become more popular and people are seeing results.
This means that the competition for online personal trainers is also growing at an exponential rate.
Online training through Zoom, Skype, etc. is now being seen as a valid alternative for in-person personal training.
This could increase your number of clients as those who want personal training but are not able to do so in-person can do so online.
However, keep in mind that for many individuals, this is a temporary solution as a portion of your clients will be eager to return to in-person training. There is no true substitute for face-to-face human interaction.
Conclusion
Though times are tough right now, you must stay optimistic and see the potential opportunities in the future for personal training post Covid-19.
Don’t let negative beliefs drag you down. There will still be people seeking your services after the virus is all settled and done.
Stay strong and remain positive. We will get over this soon, together.
Remember that your clients are relying on you during these times and the more that you can prove to them that you are there during the challenging times, will make them more likely to come back to you during the good.
Be sure to check out our other articles on how to train a client online!
Business Savvy Personal Trainer
Matt is fitness professional and has experience training across multiple styles and with different goals in mind. His passion for fitness started at a young age through sports and other physical activities. His goal is to help others in their journey - both personal and professional - because he knows just how much of a challenge it can be.
