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GUNNAR PETERSON ON HOW TO SET YOURSELF APART IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY
- MARCH 20, 2018
- ASHLEY MCCULLOUGH
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George Washington. Sir-Mix-A-Lot. Your mom. Yes, the list of people that Gunnar Peterson hasnโtworked with is much shorter than the list of people he has.
Petersonโs website outlines the most impressive accomplishments, from working with almost every professional sports league and countless celebrities, to writing articles for the industryโs biggest magazines, to innovating his own gym and gym equipment. Petersonโs experience coupled with his understanding and practice of functional fitness makes him one of the most sought-after personal trainers in the business.
So, when the question, โHow do you set yourself apart from other trainers in the fitness industry?โ popped into my head, I couldnโt think of a better person to ask. His advice can be most useful for rookies and veterans alike.
Keep the education goingโฆ
โI entered the personal training world with my freshly printed ACE Certification and having read years and years worth of bodybuilding magazines, which doesnโt necessarily translate to a large demographic of clients. I continued (and still do) reading everything I could about fitness, exercise, nutrition, etc., and I took as many seminars as I could find. [Iโd fly] somewhere for the weekend to hear people like Vern Gambetta, Mike Boyle, Paul Chek, Juan Carlos Santana, and others speak. That kind of ongoing education opened my eyes to a lot of different approaches. It made me better and better able to deliver quality training and service to my clients.โ
โฆ And meet as many people as you can
โI love meeting like-minded and passionate people! I meet people with no pre-judgment and talk a little and listen a little more than I talk. It has to be genuine, the conversations are real, and any opportunity that may come from those conversations and that time spent is organic. There is no substitute for face time with others in your industry.โ
Try everything thatโs already there for youโฆ
โYou have to keep learning and keep trying new things. Even the hokey things! You canโt speak with any authority about something unless youโve tried it. I try everything.โ
โฆ And then make your own mark on the industry
โFind the good, pool all of that good, and make your own contribution to the field. That is one way to rise above. Giving back to the field that provides you with your livelihood is profound. Giving, not taking, is the new blackโฆโ
Try something newโฆ
โGet uncomfortable in a discipline that isnโt your go-to. If you teach group exercise, learn about personal training. If youโre a personal trainer, take three monthsโ worth of Pilates classes. Take up boxing and learn to hold focus mitts and cue clients.โ
โฆ But also have a strong understanding of the old
โLearn your fitness history. Read about the people who paved the way for you in this industry. If you donโt know the names I listed previously, Google them. They made a difference and you can too.โ
Master the balance of remaining well-roundedโฆ
โWatch Democratic news, Republican news, SportsCenter, an episode of two of new shows, blockbuster movies, Academy Award nominated movies. At least read the reviews.โ
โฆ While remembering your clear and specific focus
โBe able to converse on todayโs issues, but donโt bludgeon anyone with your opinion. Just keep the conversation going and stay open. At the end of the day, your opinion only matters to a select few so relax about converting people. Thatโs not your job. Your job is to help them get and stay healthy and to avoid injuries. Period.โ