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I want to coach...but not qualified..

by Stegz
16 replies
Hi guys,
I want to coach clients a bout fat loss, how they can get into shape via diet and workouts. I practice what I preach and am in great shape and am asked all the time by friends and family if I have ever considered becoming a personal trainer, they want to know how I get my abs, tooting my own horn here :p. So I think I want to coach what I know, via online 1 on 1, skype, emails, webinars etc.
Problem is I am not certified as a dietician or nutritionist. Am I treading on thin ice if I do not get certified and give out some diet and workout plans etc that are similar to what I use?
Anyone else on here do this?
What would you suggest I do?
I don't think I want to go through years of schooling if I can help it.

Thanks
Steve
#coachbut #qualified
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
    There is nothing remarkable about most "qualified" personal trainers.

    If you feel you have enough viable content to contribute to deliver results then just go for it sticking the relevant disclaimers in place.

    Your biggest concern should be that the niche has been done to death, so you'd need a USP of some sort. One that doesn't suggest that ab exercises burn fat in the stomach region!
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    • Profile picture of the author Stegz
      Thanks, yeah I for sure I have a USP and a exciting plan in place, but there is always something that takes the wind out of your sales. I think I'll just give it a shot with the appropriate disclaimers. Also I think if I send the clients through an application process this should minimize any troubles.
      Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    You certainly have to be careful when giving health advice of any sort. For example, if you gave me a seemingly benign piece of advice to take a multivitamin daily, that advice may kill me (literally - because of an interaction between a vitamin and another drug I take).

    If you write an ebook you can give the appropriate disclaimers (check with a knowledgeable attorney such as Brian Kindsvater about how to do this) but if you tell me this 1-1 that may be a whole different set of headaches.

    You are smart to want to get all your ducks in a row before you start but don't let getting all your ducks in a row cause you to just sit on your knowledge and never do anything with it. There are ways to make it work and it sounds like you have some good experience that can help others.

    Mark

    Originally Posted by Stegz View Post

    Hi guys,
    I want to coach clients a bout fat loss, how they can get into shape via diet and workouts. I practice what I preach and am in great shape and am asked all the time by friends and family if I have ever considered becoming a personal trainer, they want to know how I get my abs, tooting my own horn here :p. So I think I want to coach what I know, via online 1 on 1, skype, emails, webinars etc.
    Problem is I am not certified as a dietician or nutritionist. Am I treading on thin ice if I do not get certified and give out some diet and workout plans etc that are similar to what I use?
    Anyone else on here do this?
    What would you suggest I do?
    I don't think I want to go through years of schooling if I can help it.

    Thanks
    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author RyanLima
    If you know more than your client, can provide incredible value then you can coach. Great thing is that when you start coaching others... that in of itself will make you a better coach, you learn more as you go AND youll be getting paid! Makes sense!!
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidAllenNeron
    You're absolutely fine... ride on your results.. and be VERY upfront about the fact you aren't "qualified"

    If you can actually help people.. and you can get results and you're not asking anyone to do anything drastic that might harm their health .. like purging or not eating or something like that... You're set.. just tell people you aren't a nutritionist or a trained coach etc.. you can even use that in your ad copy.. like.. "Find Out How A Normal Guy Gets These Results!" ... etc.. you get the idea..
    But I don't think it really matters.. half the people out there teaching stuff online don't have any teaching degree or any training.. Just make sure if there is anything "extreme" or that "could" be dangerous you let people know with a CLEAR and PRECISE warning.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      You might want to consider using the fact that you aren't "qualified" as an additional USP in the sense that "If I can do it anyone can do it".

      That also serves as a mild disclaimer (in addition to your more formal and important disclaimers).

      Two birds. One stone.
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      • Profile picture of the author Stegz
        Awesome. I'm feeling a little more excited again
        Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author Kingshouse
      You have proof but you might come up short when people just don't see the qualifications and wonder if they should go with you or not. It does not mean you can't do it bur why start rowing with one paddle?

      I would not like to take you on just because you have abs. What happens if I hit the deck gasping for breath? I would like a qualified person to help me.

      I don't see a problem with being qualified. It just adds to your expert status...besides it does not cost that much to become a Personal Trainer.

      I hope this makes sense?

      WD
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        Originally Posted by Kingshouse View Post

        What happens if I hit the deck gasping for breath? I would like a qualifies person to help me.
        You'd need a qualified medic?

        He's planning on putting out a digital product / service so he's not going to be with you in person whilst you train.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve B
          Stegz,

          Thank you for posting your thoughts. You are a breath of fresh air . . . a person that is actually concerned about being qualified to offer coaching!

          How many newbies want to start coaching Internet marketing right out of the gate when they have zero experience and zero clue about the field?

          Good luck to you,

          Steve
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          • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
            Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

            Stegz,

            You are a breath of fresh air . . .
            Sounds like that medic won't be needed after all! :p
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        • Profile picture of the author Kingshouse
          Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

          You'd need a qualified medic?

          He's planning on putting out a digital product / service so he's not going to be with you in person whilst you train.
          Nice one Daniel.

          There are a number of other things that a qualified PT offers as I am sure you are aware. One of them is giving First Aid. It's a must have a for a PT and that was the point I was trying to make. Just having the abs is not enough in my opinion.

          In some places I believe you have to have a licence to actually coach.

          WD
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          • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
            Originally Posted by Kingshouse View Post

            Nice one Daniel.

            There are a number of other things that a qualified PT offers as I am sure you are aware. One of them is giving First Aid. It's a must have a for a PT and that was the point I was trying to make. Just having the abs is not enough in my opinion.

            In some places I believe you have to have a licence to actually coach.

            WD
            Certainly true and valid for a PT instructing in person, otherwise the limitations of the Internet deem first aid an impossibility and thus not a complimenting factor.

            A qualification is pretty much only used as an entry pass into a job anyways so a good chunk of quality research would be more than ample for anyone to teach basic levels of catabolic focused physiology via remote means.
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            • Profile picture of the author Stegz
              Great responses guys appreciate it. Where would one get disclaimers from for in my niche (diet & workouts)?

              Can you buy these or do you see a lawyer to get them? Or do people just copy from one another?

              Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    You could look into completing an online Personal Trainer Certification Program. Not sure how long those courses are, but I think they are closer to 6 and 12 weeks instead of years. It sounds as if you might benefit from such a course in order to gain confidence in order to feel qualified. However as others have stated, if you can help others with your current knowledge and experience, then just go do it. (with all relevant disclaimers in place of course).
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  • Profile picture of the author danlew
    Before you do some coaching, the most important thing that you should know about is "knowing your stuff", so that you will be prepared for some questions being asked by your students. Always remember that knowing what you are talking about, might give you a great advantage. Study or review first on what you are about to coach before coaching others.
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