Hi everyone, this week I have my buddy Chris. Chris is my long time good friend back from our secondary school days. We entered this industry together from wondering how to become a Personal Trainer, to what we are today widely qualified in various workouts program through sheer hard work.

Chris is one of the most qualified instructors in this industry and a very versatile one as well. Chris is also one of the few Exercise Fitness Trainer that is trained in both Personal Training and Group Exercise.

We have gone through many courses together from Body Combat, Body Jam, Yoga, and Muay Thai. We both gone through thick and thin in this Fitness Industry, so look out for what Chris has to say.

 

Here I present to you some precious insights to this industry from Chris.

 

 

Name:  Christopher Lim

 

Age: 31

 

Country: Singapore

 

Qualifications: 

 

 

• Personal trainer under American Fitness Professionals
• Sports Nutrition under  the International Sports Science Association
• Level 2 Muay Thai Instructor (Muay Thai Institute, Thailand & World Muay Thai Council
• Master of Yoga under the Sivananda Vedanta Centres in Uttar Kashi, Himalayas Body Combat, Pump and Jam instructor
• Reebok Core Systems Instructor
• Stomp (Freeclimber) Systems Instructor
• Wushu Coach under the SingaporeWushu Federation

 

Achievements:

• I represented Planet Fitness at the Maldives when they had a joint program with  Club Med.
• Established a yoga studio called Inner Room. Even though we eventually closed it, the lessons I have learnt were priceless.
• Establishing a clientele base ranging from 9 years old to 85 years old.
• Having had 9 beautiful years in this industry , 13 years if you count my wushu coaching years  

1) How long have you been in this industry?

 

9 Years

 

2) What are the pros and cons about this career and 

      how to overcome it?

 

It’s a great and vibrant industry to come into if it is your passion and desire not just in keeping fit and healthy but also in helping people achieve the same joy as you do through proper exercise and diet. You get to meet all kinds of people and have different experiences a normal 9 to 5 job can’t give you. 

 

However, it can be physically and mentally tiring too if you don’t pace yourself. Many instructors become very drained and unmotivated. That will affect your quality of instruction whether it is in group exercise or personal training. Just make sure you always take time out for yourself and invest in your own training and rest too. 

        

3) What do you think of about career in the fitness industry?

 

The potential is definitely greater than say 10 years ago. Someone wanting to come into the industry must be prepared to start from the very bottom like being a floor trainer of a well-established gym while being willing and open to constant upgrading through proper training and courses from recognized associations.

 

It’s always good to start working for a gym first before thinking about going freelance. There are many professionals who turn freelance without proper preparation and return to regular employment after a while.

  

4) What are your future plans like?

 

Continue my growth in the various areas I coach in. There is always so much to learn from the many areas of our industry.

            

5) You are successful in the fitness industry, tell me 

     what are your secrets to your success?

 

Staying grounded and trusting in God. Constant upgrading and an openness to new principles and discoveries be it in training, nutrition or other related areas.

 

 

Advance Yoga Teacher’s course in the Himalayas

 

 

6) What do you do in your free time?

 

I am very involved in my church dance ministry. I also love video games . I also train actively in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiujitsu. I am also continuously studying the scientific aspects of Yoga and anatomy.

 

7) What are your advice for people who wants to go

     into the fitness industry?

 

There are many knowledgeable professionals out there right now so unless you are truly passionate about this and willing to learn, you won’t last long in the industry just based on good looks and character. Be teachable and approachable.

 

Be prepared for a pay cut at first but if you are willing to work hard, the rewards are worth it, be it financially or otherwise.

 

8) How much do you think a fitness professional can

     earn in a month?

 

Ranges from $1000 to $15,000.

 

9) Do you advice to just focus on only personal

     training, only group exercise or both.

 

I would advise diversity but start building up each area slowly. Get really good in one area before starting on

another.

 

10) People tend not to see much of this career, what

       are your views on this?

 

When I first came into this industry, I got the same reactions from friends and relatives. 9 years later, I am still going strong and doing better than before.

 

Persevere not to prove anything to people but to yourself. 

 

 

11) What is the best thing that happens in your line

       as a fitness professional?

 

The people whom I manage to have a positive influence on. When someone comes up to me to thank me for helping them with a nagging back problem or that my classes are very educational, the sense of achievement is unbelievable.

 

12) What is the worst thing that happens?

 

When I see other less qualified instructors trying to bluff their way through, giving wrong advice or providing wrong training methods. Sad to say, there are many out to take advantage of the lack of knowledge by some to make a quick buck. That really saddens me.

 

 

Thank You so much Chris for sharing your views with everyone, I’m sure all of us or any Fitness Exercise Trainer will benefit from your invaluable insights in the industry.