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My younger brother and I have had it pretty rough growing up, we have little to no guidance. Thankfully I motivated myself to do well through school and into college, I have a pretty good paying job at the moment. My younger brother barely got himself through high school (he was very lazy, obese, depressed and did a lot of drugs). He is almost done with his 2 year associates degree as a Personal Trainer (he's working on his certifications right now). During this time, he's lost a ton of weight, doesn't do drugs, loves what he does and gets very good grades. He's doing some kind of part time/internship work at a gym and loves it.
He's not interested in getting his Bachelor's at the moment. With his current situation, he isn't really able to go to school during the day, he is going to be working full time during the day and can go to school at night. When I try to bring up evening bachelor degree programs up to him, he shrugs it off. He's not at all interested, he always says "I can get one later". The state schools (private is not affordable at the moment) offer pretty basic night time classes like business and such. He doesn't really get how important a bachelor's degree is. Also, if I keep nagging him, I know he will eventually go but not do well or drop out with debt. Maybe I'm wrong, he said he doesn't see himself working in the corporate world like I do. He also was a carpenter for a little while, so he has SOMETHING to fall back on. My family is very blue collar, so he frowns upon seeing me waking up every day to put on an ugly suit to come home complaining about office politics.
The thing I don't like about "getting my bachelor's later" is that the cost of education is rising fast, our state schools are raising it every semester, way higher than cost of living increases.
I'm not sure if being a personal trainer is a good career, could someone give me advice? We grew up very poor, so he doesn't have some kind of high materialistic lifestyle to maintain. He loves this fitness thing, our mother passed away 6 months ago, this interest of his has kept him going.
Any advice in how to motivate him? I'm 25 and he's turning 20, he's kind of a jock and I'm a nerd, so he doesn't really respect my advice in my opinion. I just don't want him to turn 30 and say "oh sh*t, I screwed up". Basically I'm moving out of state soon and he lives with my father (who isn't that well right now, he's recovering from drug addiction), so he's kind of on his own at the moment.
He lives in the suburbs of NYC, so I would imagine the demand for trainers exists and the area has money.
I found this website and salaries look pretty decent, but again I need some advice. Please be polite, a lot of negativity exists on this forum.This issue has kept me up late at night with worry. I want to make sure he's okay before I move.
Here's some good things I found from the site:
Average salary rates for full-time fitness professionals have increased since 2005.
Average salary rates for full-time personal trainers have increased by 19% since 2005.
The top 5 states/territories reporting the highest annual income for fitness professionals includes the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Kansas and Maine.
54% of fitness professionals with an advanced certification from ACE (Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist and Lifestyle & Weight Management Coach) feel their advanced credentials enable them to earn a higher income.
On average across all benefit categories, advanced health & fitness specialists and lifestyle & weight management coaches receive up to 7% more in employee benefits.
4 out of 10 personal trainers believe the recession has had a negative impact on their income.
69% of fitness professionals are paid hourly.
Over 1/3 of all fitness professionals work 21-40 hours per week, with 10% working over 40 hours.
51% of personal trainers work for a club/fitness facility while 49% work independently.
Resistance training, traditional aerobics and step training are among the top areas of expertise among group fitness instructors.
69% of personal trainers work with overweight or obese adults.
68% of personal trainers work with older adults.
Last edited by GettaJetta; 12-29-2010 at 09:57 PM..
My younger brother and I have had it pretty rough growing up, we have little to no guidance. Thankfully I motivated myself to do well through school and into college, I have a pretty good paying job at the moment. My younger brother barely got himself through high school (he was very lazy, obese, depressed and did a lot of drugs). He is almost done with his 2 year associates degree as a Personal Trainer (he's working on his certifications right now). During this time, he's lost a ton of weight, doesn't do drugs, loves what he does and gets very good grades. He's doing some kind of part time/internship work at a gym and loves it.
He's not interested in getting his Bachelor's at the moment. With his current situation, he isn't really able to go to school during the day, he is going to be working full time during the day and can go to school at night. When I try to bring up evening bachelor degree programs up to him, he shrugs it off. He's not at all interested, he always says "I can get one later". The state schools (private is not affordable at the moment) offer pretty basic night time classes like business and such. He doesn't really get how important a bachelor's degree is. Also, if I keep nagging him, I know he will eventually go but not do well or drop out with debt. Maybe I'm wrong, he said he doesn't see himself working in the corporate world like I do. He also was a carpenter for a little while, so he has SOMETHING to fall back on. My family is very blue collar, so he frowns upon seeing me waking up every day to put on an ugly suit to come home complaining about office politics.
The thing I don't like about "getting my bachelor's later" is that the cost of education is rising fast, our state schools are raising it every semester, way higher than cost of living increases.
I'm not sure if being a personal trainer is a good career, could someone give me advice? We grew up very poor, so he doesn't have some kind of high materialistic lifestyle to maintain. He loves this fitness thing, our mother passed away 6 months ago, this interest of his has kept him going.
Any advice in how to motivate him? I'm 25 and he's turning 20, he's kind of a jock and I'm a nerd, so he doesn't really respect my advice in my opinion. I just don't want him to turn 30 and say "oh sh*t, I screwed up". Basically I'm moving out of state soon and he lives with my father (who isn't that well right now, he's recovering from drug addiction), so he's kind of on his own at the moment.
He lives in the suburbs of NYC, so I would imagine the demand for trainers exists and the area has money.
I found this website and salaries look pretty decent, but again I need some advice. Please be polite, a lot of negativity exists on this forum.This issue has kept me up late at night with worry. I want to make sure he's okay before I move.
Getting a degree is no guarantee of anything. There are many, many, MANY degreed people out there on unemployment and working for minimum wage just to keep body and soul together.
Your brother (and anyone else, for that matter), can be a success in life by being passionate about what he does, and being persistent and NEVER GIVING UP his dream. It sounds to me like he has a very good start. He is learning his trade and is not afraid to pursue his dream.
Both of you should investigate some of the great and successful men of the past and understand that many of them did NOT even finish high school, let alone college. People like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, even Albert Einstein. Being successful has nothing to do with education, and everything in the world to do with faith in yourself, determination and a burning desire to succeed.
Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein were geniuses. His brother is an average person from what it sounds like.
Like you said, being a personal trainer isn't going to make one rich. However, if he enjoys doing it and could become good at it...he can make a decent living. The only problem is, I don't see many personal trainers over 45 at any of the gyms I've been too. If he gets alot of experience, he could get into management in the future.
"During this time, he's lost a ton of weight, doesn't do drugs, loves what he does and gets very good grades"
Doesn't sound like you need to motivate him at all. He already is. It just sounds like you want him to be like you and are having issues that he is choosing a different path.
Sounds like he's doing exactly what he should be doing if he's happy with it and it's been a catalyst for a major positive change in his life. Myself and many others who have been recently unemployed will tell you that a college degree isn't exactly a magic solution to all of life's problems. I've FINALLY found a new job in my career field (Product Design) again after 8 months of unemployment, but if I had to do it all over again I would be an Electrician, Boiler Maker, or Pipe Fitter right now instead.
As for his career path, maybe this would be a good in road to becoming a Physical Therapist at some point, or if he learns enough about the business side of things he could manage a gym someday when he isn't physically able to perform at the same level. Passion for something can be much better then a piece of paper saying you can do something your heart isn't into.
Things MAY all work out great. What's wonderful for you may not be be his cup of tea.
One thing I hope he knows is there are few 'older' personal trainers. I've never seen one over 40 something. Most of them are young and...ripped. After all, that's part of how they attract their clients. The older we get, the harder it is to look young and ripped. I would encourage him to have backup plans and continue his education over time.
I don't see what's wrong with what he's doing, he's near enough to getting his associates and has found something he likes and for which there is probably a demand. If he wants to change careers later on then he'll go back to college later on. Going now while he's not motivated or interested isn't going to do any favors.
Nobody said a degree is a guarantee of anything. It just increases your chances of getting a worthwhile job, and one that pays well. Sure, there are many people out there with degrees doing work that is technically below them, but that is just the state of the economy.
And besides, the people who are not educated and huge successes like the ones Branson mentions are very. very exceptional individuals with ground-breaking ideas. Also, many from a time where education was for the rich and not as common or accessible as it is today.
The 'believing in and being passionate in what you do' pep talk is fine, but these days, unless you're a phenomenon and very driven, you need a paper in your hand.
PS kudos to the OP for taking such an interest in their brother and to the bro himself for straightening himself out. Even if he can't be a personal trainer all his life, maybe down the road, he can manage or own his own health club. Sounds like he's on the right track, regardless of whether he goes back to school
Honestly I never understand this push for everyone to get a college degree. Who is going to collect the trash, work in the factory and be personal trainers?
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