How to Become a Physical Fitness Instructor: The Realities of Training, Influencing, and App Building with Abs By Amy
Amy Williams
Abs By Amy - Founder/Owner
Quick Start Guide: Breaking Into Physical Training
How do you become a physical fitness instructor? Most trainers start by obtaining a NCCA-accredited certification like NASM (CPT) or ACE. However, as Amy shares, the technical knowledge is only half the battle. Success in the modern fitness world requires radical consistency, a genuine desire to help others over seeking personal fame, and the ability to bridge the gap between home workouts and professional strength training.
From Home Workouts to Gym Confidence
You don't need a professional background to start—you just need a "Why." Amy’s journey didn't start in a high-end athletic facility. It started at home, managing a household of six children and realizing she needed to take control of her own health.
The Barbell Pivot: Amy highlights her first "barbell experience" as the moment everything changed. Moving from generic cardio to structured strength training provided the physical and mental transformation that eventually went viral.
The Unconventional Path: Many trainers feel they started "too late." Amy proves that a personal transformation in your 30s or 40s can be your greatest marketing tool because it makes you relatable to your target audience.
The Reality of the "Fitness Influencer" Life
Going viral is a tool, not a career. With the rise of the Abs By Amy community, Amy has a front-row seat to the "dark side" of social media fitness:
The Comparison Trap: Fitness influencing often emphasizes aesthetics over health. Amy encourages aspiring trainers to focus on functional strength and long-term wellness.
Community Over Content: Going viral doesn't build a business; building a community does. Amy’s success came from interacting with her followers and solving their specific pain points (like "post-baby" fitness).
The App Transition: Moving from social media to a dedicated platform (the Abs By Amy app) is the ultimate step in "owning" your business and providing a structured roadmap for clients.
Actionable Advice for Aspiring Personal Trainers
If you’re ready to turn your passion for fitness into a career, follow Amy’s "Real-World" blueprint:
Start with Consistency: Before you can train others, you must prove you can train yourself. Consistency is the only way to build the "proof of concept" your future clients need to see.
Get Certified, but Stay Educated: A certification (like NASM) gets you in the door, but continuing education (specializing in pre-natal, senior fitness, or powerlifting) is what keeps you in the room.
Be the Helper: Don't enter the industry to be "the hottest person in the gym." Enter it to be the person who makes the gym less intimidating for everyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fitness Careers
Q: Which certification is best for personal trainers?
A: NASM and ACE are the industry standards. If you want to work in a commercial gym, check which they prefer, but for independent coaching, NASM’s "OPT Model" is highly regarded.
Q: Can I be a trainer if I’m not "shredded"?
A: Yes. Clients look for empathy and results, not a six-pack. Being a "real person" who understands the struggle of a busy life is often a competitive advantage.
Q: Is it better to work in a gym or start an app?
A: Start in a gym to learn human movement patterns and communication. Once you have a proven method and a small following, transition to digital platforms to scale.
Watch the Full Story with Abs By Amy
To hear Amy discuss how she manages a business with six kids and what it's actually like to go viral in the fitness world, watch the full episode:
Watch on YouTube: Watch the Full Episode!
Follow W2GS: @wheretogetstarted
Hosted by: Colton & Tyler Crump
CONTACT AMY:
https://www.absbyamyfitness.com/
https://www.instagram.com/absbyamy
Abs by Amy App: https://www.absbyamyfitnessapp.com/
https://my.playbookapp.io/amy-williams/checkout
