Personal training and Physical therapy?

[jimmydicks101]

Hello all,

I am 3rd year PT student. I was wondering the possibility of pursuing a private personal training job on the side once I graduate.

Are there any PT's who do this? What is a reasonable price to charge given our background in biomechanics, anatomy, rehab, etc. I'm not saying we are above personal trainers in any way, but I'm sure our skill sets are appreciated by clients who are seeking some training.

How far can we go as to consulting and giving advice in within the session, without violating any ethical codes?

Any response would be appreciated!

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[PTMattI]

If you graduate and are not yet licensed, make sure you get a PT certification....its not very hard to get one. And if you continue training on the side after you are licensed realize that your DPT trumps your CPT and you should have adequate liability insurance to cover yourself.
Basically if you are training and you are not a licensed DPT yet, you have to stay within the scope of a personal trainer...which varies slightly from state to state. In general, you can prescribe and teach exercise to improve fitness / wellness and give general nutritional guidelines (may vary state to state)
Once you are a licensed DPT however, you always have the scope of the DPT and all the responsibilities that come with that.

I just finished school and I started training again part time while I wait to take the boards. Depending on where you live, many private trainers charge 60-70~ and hour.

 

[Apollo#1585...]

Are you looking to do it to get some extra scratch or because you enjoy it?
If its the former, pending on where you're at you might just do some PRN work and make extra cash that way (if you're in a smaller city/town people might not be willing to give you $60-70/hour for a personal trainer, whereas a SNF or Hospital/Outpatient would probably be willing to give you $45-60)

If its the latter - As they say, if you enjoy what you do you'll never work a day in your life. If it all works out financially and time-wise and everything, go for it.

Give credit where credit is due: I feel like DPT is definitely above CPT, at least in terms of time spent in academics and expertise. Part of the "problem" that has arisen (as far as what I've read on here) is that some people dont consider DPT to be a "real" doctor and shouldn't use "Dr. (insert last name)." My principle in HS wanted everyone to refer to her as "Dr. Perez" instead of "principle" because she got a doctorate in secondary education or some crap. If she can get people to call her Dr for being able to teach History and Geography really well, DPTs should be able to call themselves Drs for helping people to walk again and return to normal lives. People sometimes downplay a DPT when it takes a ton of expertise to become one. I'm purely talking the title, not the individual person.
While there are some anecdotes of CPTs that are just pure geniuses, as well as some similarities in how you operate, you'll have a doctorate good sir/maam. Give yourself some credit in terms of your knowledge and expertise.

 

[Apollo#1585...]

Secondary note, I just realized I kind of went on a rant there. My bad. Lol 😀

 

[Azimuthal]

Secondary note, I just realized I kind of went on a rant there. My bad. Lol 😀

I do that regularly.

 

[Kreb]

Charlie Weingroff, Gray Cook, Dan John, Mike Boyle. Just a few resources to look into if you want to train on the side....hell, if you want to be a better PT as well. If you can teach the basic movements you'll be a great trainer and a better PT.