By: Joan Tupponce, Joan Tupponce & Associates, Inc.

Ike Pethtel was tired of his job in corporate America. The 50-year-old had been working in the computer sales and marketing field for 20 years.

"I was burned out," he says. "I was looking for a career change."

When friends mentioned that he should look into the fitness industry, Pethtel was intrigued. He had run competitively for 15 years, losing about 60 pounds in the process. Pethtel talked with trainers, learned how to get involved in the field and began studying.

"Now I have my national certification which allows me to train anywhere in the United States," he says. "I love being a personal trainer. It’s nice to get up in the morning and look forward to going to work."

Pethtel, now 59, works with clients at University of Richmond’s Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness. He utilizes his sales and marketing background in his job.

"We are selling clients the fitness concept," he explains. "We are marketing a healthy lifestyle through encouragement and motivation."

Personal trainers serve as a one-on-one coach.

"Every personal trainer has a different style of training to help clients reach their goals," Pethtel says. "One of the important aspects of the job is that you have to make a connection with your client and keep that client motivated."

Pethtel works with four to six clients every day. Some trainers work with up to eight a day. Pethtel starts each session with an accountability consultation, talking with the client about what is and isn’t working effectively.

"You have to hold your clients accountable for what you are trying to teach them," he explains.

Sessions include a warm-up, strength training, cardiovascular training, stretching and a cool-down period. Personal training sessions last approximately 60 minutes.

"You have to keep your clients focused and motivated," Pethtel says. "That is the challenge of the job. People have busy lives."

Pethtel’s work week also includes record keeping. He measures each client’s progress. As an independent contractor, he works at different facilities. Personal trainers can also be employed by a fitness center, large corporations, resorts or cruise lines. "The field is exploding," Pethtel says. "You read about health and wellness everyday."

Many certified personal trainers have a college degree in a related field such as exercise physiology. Certified personal trainers can receive their certification through several nationally accredited training organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and the International Fitness Professionals Association.

"After you complete the coursework, you take the exam, which is written and also hands-on, to complete your certification," Pethtel says. "You also need to take continuing education courses. You have to have a certain number of credits each year to keep your certification current. It’s a constant learning process."

Certified personal trainers must have excellent interpersonal skills.

"You need an outgoing personality and good communication skills," Pethtel says. "You also need patience." The field is extremely rewarding.

"It’s wonderful to see someone’s enthusiasm when they have lost a few pounds and their overall fitness is better," Pethtel says. "You can help impact someone’s life in a positive way."