Personal trainer salaries can vary widely, and there are a number of factors that influence them. If one of your New Year's resolutions as a personal trainer is to earn more, start here.

"Where do you see yourself in a year?"

Although it might sound a bit cliché, this job interview question holds true for personal trainers, even the many who are self employed. The good news is that even with a sluggish economy, personal fitness is becoming more and more a concern of mainstream culture, not just a luxury for an elite few. Personal trainers are uniquely positioned to cater to both markets. According to a recent study conducted by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) study on personal trainer usage, four million Americans were using personal trainers in 1999 and by 2004 the number of Americans who used personal training services had reached the six million mark. 

According to PayScale.com, an online survey of salary, experience and the workplace, salaries for personal trainers are nearly double that of a waiter or waitress, while the director at a fitness club earns nearly twice that of what a sales associate makes. Think of it this way: Even the lowest paid personal trainer makes as much as the highest paid waiter.

 Location, Location -- Vocation?

Personal Trainer Salary Snapshot powered by NFPT

Based on the chart above, it might seem that the hot spots for personal trainers are located in urban settings -- often in sunbelt areas with many months of good "outdoor weather." While it is true that the market for personal trainers tends to center around such areas, it is important to realize that location is only one factor in personal training. Personal trainer salaries can vary widely based on a number of other factors, including education/credentials, experience level, and extent of specialization. And, as mentioned earlier, as the public perception of personal fitness changes from a luxury to a necessity , expect a continued growing demand among an increasingly diverse marketplace for personal trainer services. 

Some of the most common places for personal trainers to work are fitness clubs, in health care services, community centers, and in colleges and universities, but opportunities continue to open up outside these institutions.

Going Mobile

Not everyone wants who wants to maintain or improve their level of fitness wants to join a health club or gym, however. For the certified personal trainer, this represents an opportunity to bring the workout environment directly to the client. An increasingly common and quite literal way to achieve this is known as mobile personal training. As the name suggests, this means holding sessions outside of a club or gym setting, such as in a client's dwelling, garage, or backyard. This typically means that the equipment involved in these workouts is supplied by the trainer, and should therefore be portable enough to stow in the trainer's vehicle.

Another way for personal trainers to reach a large number of training clients is to record their own video workout demonstrations. Whether tailored for specific individuals or general populations, these videos can be used to reinforce in-person sessions, as well as serve as a testimonial for a personal trainer's competence in order to attract new clients.  

Going Solo

If working on your own is your goal, consider the existing supply and demand principles that apply to your market.

For example:

• How many clubs and private studios are there in your area?
• What are the demographics of your market?
• What can you do stand out?

Being a successful independent trainer, or health and fitness instructor of any type, takes the business savvy in more than one field, so be prepared to study and make education an ongoing goal.

So, where do you see yourself a year from now? The answer is up to you.

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