Once you complete your personal fitness training program, you will be presented with plenty of career opportunities. Some trainers choose to provide mobile training services, working directly with clients in their homes, in different gym locations, or outdoors. Others set up their own fitness studios at home while some offer virtual coaching services.
No matter which path you choose, having the right set of personal training equipment plays a central role in ensuring your success. The equipment you require might not always be available in the places where you train and could also differ significantly from one client to the next.
What equipment should you invest in to make sure you are always prepared for your training sessions? Let’s find out.
Strength and Resistance-Training Equipment
The terms resistance, strength, and weight training are often used interchangeably as the three overlap in certain aspects. They describe an approach to fitness that focuses on improving endurance and power as well as building muscular strength. These techniques also help to tone muscles, improve bone density, and improve metabolism.
Here are some of the equipment you can include in your inventory to serve this purpose:
- Dumbbells
These versatile, handheld weights come in diverse sizes and weight, and are a highly versatile choice for different fitness levels and exercises. You can easily adapt their use for beginners and advanced clients alike, gradually increasing the weight as a client progresses. For space-saving purposes, choose adjustable dumbbells with a range of weights in a single set.
- Kettlebells
Kettlebells are ideal for both strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. With this flexible piece of equipment, you get an extensive range of movement options. Choose between adjustable models or single-weight options according to your clients’ needs.
- Resistance Bands
Besides being easy to use, these bands are affordable and easy to carry, convenient for on-the-go training. They typically come in five levels of resistance and are useful for both beginners and seasoned fitness enthusiasts.
For advanced clients, use them for rehabilitation and warm-up or to add resistance during bodyweight exercises. Newbies can start from the lowest level of resistance and gradually work their way up, increasing strength and endurance.
- Suspension Kit
With this set of adjustable straps, it is easy to perform a variety of exercises, using gravity and bodyweight as resistance. It is lightweight, easy to set up both indoors and outdoors, and customizable for varying fitness levels. Modify the body position to adjust difficulty levels for different clients.
- Sandbags
If you are always on the move, sandbags are a great alternative to barbells because they are a lot more portable. They come in varying weights, and can therefore accommodate varying client fitness levels. As a client advances, you can modify the load by adjusting the amount of sand.
Sandbags are flexible and can withstand rugged training conditions without taking a hit.
Conditioning Equipment
Conditioning exercises are full-body workouts focused on improving cardiovascular health and strengthening muscles. It targets muscles all over the body to shape, tone, and strengthen them so as to improve endurance and increase flexibility. By developing every area of the body, this type of exercise improves overall physical performance.
These are some of the tools you should include as part of your conditioning equipment:
- Skipping Rope
A skipping rope is lightweight, portable, and highly versatile for a variety of exercises. Choose from beaded, weighted, and speed ropes depending on the focus and intensity of the workouts you have in mind. You can use it for high-intensity training sessions as well as warm-ups, and progressively adjust the intensity by changing techniques and speed.
- Battle Rope
Battle rope exercises cover numerous bases, and your personal training equipment inventory would not be complete without one of these ropes. A routine with battle ropes combines strength training and cardio and is suitable for varying fitness levels. Simply change the movement type or adjust the length to suit your client’s ability.
- Step Box/Plyo Box
Include a foam step box in your collection for jump training and step exercises. To vary the intensity of the workout, adjust the height of the box or change sides, depending on the design. This adaptable tool is suitable for cardio training and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) circuits.
- Cones
Marker cones are a cost-effective choice of conditioning equipment commonly used for warm-ups or as part of a workout. They are portable, take up very little space, and offer remarkable flexibility in fitness options. Use them for agility and speed drills, HIIT circuits, balance training, and to improve coordination and body control.
Mobility Training Equipment
Mobility training aims to improve joint health, flexibility, muscle health and the range of movements that your body can handle. It includes agility exercises, yoga, dynamic stretching, and myofascial releases. Here are several tools to consider:
- Foam Roller
Foam rolling focuses is one of the best ways to release tightness in the connective tissues under the skin. Tight tissues limit mobility during workouts and hinder recovery.
A foam roller can help to prevent workout injuries, boost muscle recovery, and increase the range of motion. It comes in compact sizes, ideal for on-the-go training and is relatively lightweight.
- Exercise Mat
Homes and studios rarely have suitable surfaces for yoga or bodyweight training. An exercise mat is one of the most important mobility training tools to include in your equipment inventory. Choose one that is big enough to accommodate a variety of activities, easy to grip, and comfortable.
- Medicine Balls
Medicine balls primarily focus on trunk activity and support different capability levels. They are highly functional, and can be used as a weight, for catching and throwing. Their rubber exterior makes them suitable for use indoors or outdoors, even in muddy or snowy terrain.
Administrative Equipment
This equipment category aids in projecting a sense of professionalism and maintaining clear records of client performance and progress.
- Timer/Stopwatch
Using a stopwatch or timer is a lot more professional than using your smartphone to time activities. It is also suitable for outdoor use during inclement weather.
- Client Logbook
Using a physical client logbook promotes an organized way to keep a record of daily training activities and the client’s progress. You can also prepare for the program for upcoming sessions in the same book. While records can be kept on your phone, a physical book projects a more professional image.
Always Be Prepared
Regardless of the location where your clients are and what the conditions call for, having a comprehensive set of personal training equipment is the best way to always be prepared. Depending on the preferences and needs of the clients you train, you might need to expand your inventory or remove items that are seldom used. Having the right equipment on-hand portrays a professional image and can increase client confidence.
Another important aspect of personal training is to expand your skillset by enrolling for an advanced personal fitness training program. National Personal Training Institute, Inc. provides intensive hands-on courses to equip you with the skills needed to establish a career and thrive in this competitive yet highly lucrative personal training field.
