Five steps toward becoming an ELITE Personal Trainer

Just recently I was asked by a conference attendee what it took to become an elite level personal trainer. She was inspired by other trainers she connected with during the conference and the vast knowledge of the presenters. I pondered this question for a while trying to consider what someone had to accomplish in order to reach elite status in their field. Here are five points to consider on your road towards becoming an expert.

1) 10,000 hours or ten years experience. While it may seem incredible to think that it takes so much time to become an expert, think about the people who you consider to be at the top of their game. They didn’t magically get there overnight but in fact it most certainly took them years to develop their expertise. Bill Gates for example, spent years and thousands of hours learning how to code computers before he ever founded Microsoft. If you want to be considered an expert you are going to have to put time into it.

2) Become a life-long learner. Experts are life-long learners who don’t have a know-it-all attitude. They concede that the more they know, the more there is to know. The elite spend time reading, learning and engaging with other experts in order to continue to build their knowledge. To become an expert commit to learning or practicing something new everyday.

3) Network with other experts in your field. If you want to be good at anything you need to model yourself after people who have already achieved what you are setting out to achieve. Find a mentor who has achieved elite status and learn as much as you can from them and others within their circle of influence.

4) Maintain your professionalism. Experts not only have a high degree of professionalism but also an exemplery reputation. Take the time to build a solid reputation and be professional.

5) Do what others don’t take the time to do. I’ve observed that experts spend a lot of time doing what others simply do not take the time to do. For example in Lance Armstrongs’ book It’s Not About The Bike he talks about training on the worst weather days. He knew that other cyclists wouldn’t be out on those days but he was. It’s those extra things that others don’t do on a daily basis that serve to set the elite a part from the ordinary. How will you go above and beyond today to do the things that other trainers don’t take the time to do?

To be truly successful and call yourself an expert you have to continuously seek to improve yourself not only personally but professionally. Look for ways to give back to the fitness community and help build the success of others. That’s what true experts do once they have achieved elite status.

With a plan and solid focus you can set yourself on the path towards becoming an expert at the top of your game.