Should I go to school?

[deezytide]

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A little backstory, I'll keep it as short as I can.

I'm 27, have a master's in Biomechanics, dabbled in collegiate strength and conditioning, and have fallen into the perfect job as a trainer at a private fitness studio. It is in the most affluent, growing area of a large city's metro, and there is potential to make 75-100k. The best part is, I don't have to sell a single thing. The owner(who I have grown to really trust) was one of the top grossing trainers in the country for a very large chain before he went out on his own, and does ALL of the selling. I've always had a "prehab" niche to the way I train clients, and have the platform to develop my own corrective exercise system and grow into a managerial type of role.

Now, before I got this job, I decided that PT school was the route to go because I love rehab. Now that I've started personal training again, I realize how much I love the lifestyle and environment compared to a typical physical therapist. Ideally, I would come out of PT school and work in the same type of environment, as I don't think I would ever actually enjoy working in a clinic.

I'm VERY torn, my heart tells me to keep working in the business that I'm with now, but a close family member has offered to pay for the schooling as a "personal investment". My wife makes enough to pay the bills so we would incur absolutely no debt. It SEEMS like a no brainer, right? However, three years of missed income(and the fact that I would like to start a family in the next couple of years), and the potential to make MORE money as a trainer than as a PT, makes me think I might regret going to school. Then again, there's something to be said about the stability of having a DPT.

Could anyone give me any advice? I have a week to put down my down payment for school, and I'm legitimately split 50/50.

 

[DPThopeful1859]

Well, considering you have to be in clinical settings for your rotations for school, I'm not sure how well going the PT route fairs for you if you don't think you'd enjoy the clinic setting. Yes, having an offer like that would make me seriously consider it as well, but do YOU think you'd be happy? It sounds as if you definitely make more money, which is always a bonus, but are you concerned about the stability of the work place you're at? If this fitness studio is as profitable to you as you say it is, I wouldn't see why losing money or business would be of concern? I know people who've just gone the Athletic Training route so they can do a mixture of fitness and aspects of PT....

 

[PTMattI]

@deezytide

 

[PTMattI]

Sorry, when I wrote my first reply I didnt see that you already got into school..... If I were you I would try to defer my acceptance to the following year and see how it goes with the job you already have. It sounds like you have a great gig and you can always go back to school.....would the owner let you come back and work for him after you finish PT school?

 

[jblil]

OP - try to look 10, 15 years into the future (I know, easier said than done) and imagine different scenarios: the owner of the gym could die or sell out, and his successors may run the business into the ground; or you and he have a falling-out and he asks you to leave; or the economy takes off and you get so many clients you decide to open up your own place, etc. Try to imagine "good" as well as "bad" scenarios.

After you have come up with those alternate futures, see how you'd fare if 1) you continue on your present trajectory and 2) you go to school and get a DPT. Be sure to take into account your spouse's job/income and wishes, e.g., she may want to move in a few years because she has better job opportunities elsewhere or because she wants your kids to grow up in a different environment.

Then, see which route (DPT or no DPT) would give you the most stability and flexibility.

(FWIW, in business this is called upside/downside planning. You want to select a path that can handle most scenarios well: withstand the bad ones and still leave you standing, and reap rewards from the good ones). Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[starrsgirl]

I'll go rogue here with my answer....in your case, I would possibly consider one of the flex curriculum schools where you could keep working AND go back to school (I was in a similar position to you and initially looked at Nova's flex program a few years ago). That way you don't have to choose....it will only cost you your time but would be a great experience.

For what it's worth, I was also a very successful trainer. I got out of it primarily because all my best clients were early-early morning and afternoon-evening or Saturday mornings.. It just wasn't working with my family, but I loved what I did (I also did pre-hab stuff...in fact, I would get a lot of people who were either prepping for joint replacement surgery or PT ran out but they still needed help getting back into things). Anyway, come to find out that all the "hot" PT ortho (athletic) places around me are seeking therapists to work the 1pm to 8pm shift Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. Basically the same schedule I was working before. So please don't let hours be a factor if your target population is outpatient ortho....I feel burned on that one, haha.

I will earn less as a PT than I did in my first career. That's a hard reality for me as I get ready to graduate. I ultimately did it because I wanted a flexible job to find employment when my spouse moved. So for us, ultimately we will be better off (assuming I would have struggled to transition my job with my spouse's).

 

[DPTinFL]

Congrats on landing a good gig. I'm also a "successful" personal trainer with a masters in exercise science and a DPT (went to back to get a DPT at 27). I would recommend you to go for it, specially if it's "free". The knowledge and skills you learn in PT school are significant. Also the PT profession needs more people like you with a solid background in S & C. Some reasons I got the DPT: 1. I wanted to be able to use my hands on people (soft tissue work, manipulations, etc) 2. Entrepreneurship, I think the DPT gives me a better chance in becoming my own boss and employer in the future. 3. Able to serve more people, ortho, neuro clients. 4. I was tired of being compared to a $10/hr trainer. I did a flex DPT program so I was able to work and make $40K a year while getting my DPT.

 

[NewTestament]

I'll go rogue here with my answer....in your case, I would possibly consider one of the flex curriculum schools where you could keep working AND go back to school (I was in a similar position to you and initially looked at Nova's flex program a few years ago). That way you don't have to choose....it will only cost you your time but would be a great experience.

That sounds like the best option. Be a part-time student and work a job or do a flex program where you only meet one weekend a month. Is that the optimal way to learn and retain information? Of course not, for the same reason I don't like three-day courses. U of Saint Augustine and NOVA both have these types of programs. I would avoid the prestigious private schools that only serve full-time students.

 

[DrHomieKwan]

A little backstory, I'll keep it as short as I can.

I'm 27, have a master's in Biomechanics, dabbled in collegiate strength and conditioning, and have fallen into the perfect job as a trainer at a private fitness studio. It is in the most affluent, growing area of a large city's metro, and there is potential to make 75-100k. The best part is, I don't have to sell a single thing. The owner(who I have grown to really trust) was one of the top grossing trainers in the country for a very large chain before he went out on his own, and does ALL of the selling. I've always had a "prehab" niche to the way I train clients, and have the platform to develop my own corrective exercise system and grow into a managerial type of role.

Now, before I got this job, I decided that PT school was the route to go because I love rehab. Now that I've started personal training again, I realize how much I love the lifestyle and environment compared to a typical physical therapist. Ideally, I would come out of PT school and work in the same type of environment, as I don't think I would ever actually enjoy working in a clinic.

I'm VERY torn, my heart tells me to keep working in the business that I'm with now, but a close family member has offered to pay for the schooling as a "personal investment". My wife makes enough to pay the bills so we would incur absolutely no debt. It SEEMS like a no brainer, right? However, three years of missed income(and the fact that I would like to start a family in the next couple of years), and the potential to make MORE money as a trainer than as a PT, makes me think I might regret going to school. Then again, there's something to be said about the stability of having a DPT.

Could anyone give me any advice? I have a week to put down my down payment for school, and I'm legitimately split 50/50.

What did you decide to do?

 

[SVDPT_91]

Yeah what's the verdict?

Many physical therapists who are cash pay have been venturing into performance and wellness. It may be something similar to what you are currently doing. In the more affluent areas of CA, home health trainers bring in around 50-150 k before taxes and Physical Therapists around 150-250k. But some don't make it for long. (*my observations) Again, before taxes so say goodbye to nearly half and housing may take the rest (in CA). At this point, success is reached based upon who is better at running a business. So both paths can reach similar spots but PT has a leg up. Also, pay attention to contracts with employers, I have noticed that some will prohibit you to take on your own clients on the side or as your own business within a certain proximity for several years.

It is a reality that high wage trainers depend on a good economy and healthy clients. In addition, schedules may need to be spaced out throughout the day in order to reach a "full schedule". Physical Therapists have the benefit of serving traditional clinical clientele as a means to make their business more sustainable.

Nowadays, many have their background in Exercise Science and have a passion for S&C as well as corporate wellness. A DPT will allow such provides to exploit their full potential in whatever passion they have while falling back on the full scope of practice of PT to help them along the way. And who knows maybe you will fall in love with a more clinical application but still be able to do both.

Exercise Science is a great field which looks to make some growth in the coming years. But I think trainers and physiologists will begin to hit a ceiling where PT takes over.

But debt, years out of the work force, working years left, and many other personal situations make this a hard decision for everyone if finances are of main concern.

Don't forget about benefits and salary...a job with retirement contributions, predictable income, and health plans are worth a lot.