Sometimes we think we want something, but the idea of it is far more appealing than actually having it.  A while back I decided I wanted to take the Certified Personal Trainer course.  I had been itching to take some kind of class.  I half thought about going back to school in general and getting a degree in something, but I couldn’t think of something I was passionate about that could pay the bills.  I decided that I would go for the CPT because I would find value in the knowledge itself.  I knew I had an interest and would enjoy the material and I could use it in my own training or to help family and friends with their goals.  I also thought that maybe I’d eventually take on a client or two for some extra cash.

Now that I am just weeks away from taking the test, I realize that it’s probably not something I really want.  That could just be me talking myself out of it, because I honestly don’t know that I will pass the test.  I’ve been having issues retaining the parts of the curriculum.  Some of it has to do with the fact that it doesn’t interest me, some of it just doesn’t stick.  I knew I would have issues with the sales portion of the course.  That’s a given for me since I really dislike sales.  The funny part about that is most of it is common sense if you know anything about business, so I will probably pass that part with flying colors.  What I am not interested in and having issues with, is the information about choosing the career path.  There are chapters about how small facilities differ from big box facilities and rules of sales, teaching classes and care for the equipment.  I have no plans to be a trainer in a facility of any size, so all those details just pass in one ear and out the other.  There’s also some really technical information that interests me, but isn’t something my brain has decided is worth retaining.  I don’t really care how many milli-whatevers are on phosphates.  That’s not at all what I read about, but to my point I don’t remember any of it!

As I read about how to create a training plan for someone and how to help them stick to it, I also started thinking about retention.  I’m not a sales person, but suppose someone did sign up with me.  Do I really want to put my energy into keeping them motivated?  How would I react if they were a no-show one day, or were one of those people who whines the entire time they are working out.  I cam to realize that this was not going to be my strong point either.  In the personal trainer world, you can sell a set of sessions with the person along with a plan they follow when you aren’t with them.  The goal would be to keep them motivated and in turn, sell more sessions, but often times they quit.  It would seem that them quitting is also ok with some trainers, because they paid in advance and there are no refunds.

I don’t think my methods would work for a large population of people.  I don’t think I can tolerate someone whining all session long.  I have a hard time when my kid whines on a run.  I could take the drill sergeant approach.  I would probably like that most, but I doubt I would have clients lining up for that kind of treatment.  I have a hard enough time motivating myself sometimes.  How would I motivate someone else regularly?   I know myself and if they quit, I would take it personally.  I’m not sure it’s worth it.

Then I thought about the time.  Working with someone takes a lot more than that half hour or hour session.  The assessments, the planning, the motivation, the sessions…. It all adds up.  It could add up to a lot.  When would I have time?  I have been chomping at the bit to start a new, more intense training plan, but I put that aside to study.  I cannot see how I would have time for someone else, when I have issues making time for myself.   It’s just not coming together.  If I felt like I had a great chance of passing, would I feel differently?   I don’t think so, but who knows.  I am going to do my best over these last couple weeks but as time passes, it’s harder and harder to even open the book.

I thought this was something I wanted, but I think that it was more about hope.  The hope that I could find something I loved to do every day, as my job.  I thought that since I love training, I could love training others.  I’d be glad to help friends or family with anything they need, but it’s much different when someone is paying you.  I don’t think this path would make me happy, and that’s ok.  I have tried so many new things over the last few years, some worked out and others didn’t, but I don’t plan to stop now!