How Becoming A Female Bodybuilder Can Boost Your Personal Training Career
Entering the world of female bodybuilding isn’t just about building muscle—it’s about building a powerful personal brand and unlocking new opportunities in your fitness career.
As a female bodybuilder, you bring a unique perspective and level of expertise that can set you apart in the crowded personal training industry.
Whether you’re looking to inspire others, gain credibility, or expand your client base, embracing bodybuilding can be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.
In this article, we’ll explore how becoming a female bodybuilder can supercharge your personal training career and help you reach new heights both personally and professionally.
Ready to flex your potential? Let’s get started!
The rise of female bodybuilders
Female bodybuilding initially began as a way for women to showcase their muscle tone, and it was significantly different from male bodybuilding. By the late 1970s, women realised they could build extensive muscle, paving the way for bodybuilding contests.
The first official bodybuilding show for women was the Ohio Regional Women’s Physique Championship. What made it different was that female bodybuilders were judged on their physique and muscle size, not on their faces.
In the following decades, we saw women who inspired others to take up bodybuilding, including:
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Joan Marie Laurer: Known to wrestling fans as Chyna, Laurer began her career as a professional female bodybuilder and transitioned to become one of the world’s most popular wrestlers throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
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Andrulla Blanchette: Most fitness professionals have heard of Andrulla Blanchette, the British former Ms Olympia champion. Today, she owns a successful gym in London.
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Nicole Bass: Another professional wrestling alumni, Nicole Bass, was renowned for her bodybuilding prowess in the 80s and 90s.
The life-changing experience of women’s bodybuilding
Women’s bodybuilding is more than just a sport; it’s a journey that profoundly impacts both the body and mind. Many women see bodybuilding as a chance to test their boundaries, build confidence, and take control of their lives.
Physical transformation
The most visible effect of bodybuilding is the physical changes it brings. Every successful female bodybuilder knows diet, discipline and an extensive training program are key to building muscle and sculpting the body.
It’s important to remember that bodybuilding isn’t just about building muscle; it’s about learning how to make physical changes that boost your health. Women with a lot of muscle can work harder and faster for longer.
Emotional growth
Women often take up bodybuilding when going through a hard time in life. Whether that’s dealing with mental illness, the breakdown of a relationship or feeling lost, building muscle and changing your diet requires a great deal of willpower.
When people are able to break through mental barriers and push their limits, they feel accomplished. Mental strength can boost self-esteem and help you achieve more in life, resulting in high levels of empowerment.
Support and a sense of community
While bodybuilding is a competitive support, the community is highly supportive of members. Taking up bodybuilding often results in a sense of belonging when you share achievements with others and receive support from more experienced bodybuilders.
Many build lifelong friendships and find a network of supporters when attending competitions.
Overcoming stereotypes
The women’s empowerment movement saw ladies step away from traditional homemaker roles to build careers. It’s no secret that women still struggle to enter certain careers and often earn less than men, but female bodybuilding breaks down traditional gender roles.
These athletes demonstrate that women can be strong and feminine, powerful and graceful, broadening the definition of what it means to be a woman.
How becoming a professional female bodybuilder can lead to a successful personal training career
You don’t need to become the most successful female bodybuilder to enjoy a lucrative personal training career, as the work that goes into building muscle highlights your expertise.
According to research published by the UK Parliament, over 60% of women aren’t happy with their bodies, but personal trainers help people reach their goals and turn fat into muscle.
Personal trainers are also in high demand, with LinkedIn stating that the industry will increase steadily between 2023 and 2030—that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of competition, though.
Clients expect a professional service and want to know that their personal trainer will help them reach their goals. Let’s look at how your bodybuilding career can turn you into a successful personal trainer.
Expertise and credibility
No client will trust a personal trainer who isn’t in good shape themselves. Prospective customers want to know that you understand fitness theories and can teach them proper nutrition and exercise techniques.
Female bodybuilders work hard to push past their limits and lift heavy weights, highlighting their fitness commitment. When you showcase your results and demonstrate your experience with advanced training methods, clients are more likely to trust your expertise.
You’ll still need a Level 3 Personal Training diploma, but many female bodybuilders are highly sought-after specialists.
Build a brand
The personal training industry is crowded, with numerous fitness enthusiasts deciding to turn their passion into a career. Between 2011 and 2022, the number of trainers in the UK skyrocketed from just over 15,000 to 25,350 (Statista).
Standing out is vital to a successful career, and female bodybuilders can offer a unique service. With extensive experience in weight training and reducing body fat, clients will automatically trust that you can support their goals.
Establishing your authority in women’s bodybuilding can build a brand. For example, Andrulla Blanchette was a famous bodybuilder who now co-owns a gym in London.
Reviews of Dowe Dynamics rave about its unique setup and expertise in weight training, making it a go-to brand for people who want to build muscle.
Build and expand a client base
Traditional personal training clients range from beginners to intermediate experience levels, each with different goals. Some might want to lose weight, while others might be recovering from an injury or preparing for a marathon.
Most female bodybuilders can attract a wider and more specialised client base because they have advanced fitness knowledge. For example, amateur bodybuilders or athletes who rely on muscle mass need more support than someone who wants to lose a few pounds.
Successful female bodybuilders can help clients reach their goals and gain muscle. Some clients want to compete in female bodybuilding competitions and will seek support from an experienced specialist who will get them into shape.
You can establish yourself as an expert and work with high-value clients.
Networking and professional growth opportunities
As we mentioned, the bodybuilding community is a close-knit group of professionals and athletes who encourage each other to reach new goals. Joining this community makes it easier to connect with others and develop your skills.
There are professional networking opportunities where you might become an influencer for fitness and nutritional brands, building a huge social media following. Not only does this mean your name gets out there, but you can also attract more clients and receive lucrative employment offers.
Sure, advertising has benefits, but you can save a lot of money by building a successful reputation and receiving word-of-mouth recommendations.
Enhancing your offering
Bodybuilders aren’t all about muscle; they must understand nutrition and have a great deal of resilience. With this knowledge, you can create personalised fitness plans for clients that integrate numerous disciplines, including cardio, protein intake, and weight lifting.
Most importantly, clients who reach their goals from your expertise are more likely to recommend your services to others. If you want to demonstrate your special knowledge, investing in a Level 3 Nutrition course proves you have the skills to support fitness objectives.
Motivation and achievement
Every professional bodybuilder knows this feeling: smashing through boundaries and achieving more than they ever thought was possible. While many people focus on the physical demands associated with bodybuilding, the mental strains are just as challenging.
It’s similar to being a personal trainer, where you need to support clients with their body weight and help them push through boundaries. When a client reaches their goals, it gives you a sense of achievement and inspires others to thrive.
Remember, clients are drawn to trainers who are confident and able to motivate them. Muscular female bodybuilders also defy popular beliefs that women can’t build muscle, resulting in enthusiastic clients who know they can achieve results.
Income streams
Personal trainers can earn a lot of money when they work for themselves, but there are other income streams to explore. For example, many trainers inspire people through social media, but you could also run online courses and create bespoke nutritional plans for clients.
Some former bodybuilders also create their own apparel line or become fitness models, highlighting their physique. These ventures can supplement your personal training income and provide more financial stability.
How competitive bodybuilders transition to personal training:
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Leverage Your Experience: Professional bodybuilders must maintain a healthy weight and understand their nutritional needs. You don’t need to be the best female bodybuilder ever, but the skills you learn during your competitive career will ensure you support clients.
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Get Certified: Personal trainers must have extensive qualifications, including the Level 3 diploma. If you want to expand your skills, investing in a Level 4 Personal Trainer qualification will prepare you for senior positions.
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Know Your Clients: Champion bodybuilders with fans find it easy to attract clients, but you might need to network and build your authority within the industry. Understanding how to market yourself online is vital, but working for a gym can help you build a client base.
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Specialise: Former bodybuilders don’t just focus on muscular development; they can also work with athletes, children and post-natal women. Specialising will also help you establish your authority and ability to work with particular groups.
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Focus On Emotions: Never forget to inspire your clients by showing them what they can achieve. It’s easy to focus on the physical side of things, but mental strength and perseverance are vital to building muscle and reaching your weight loss goals.
Ready to build your skills and become a personal trainer?
Female bodybuilding isn’t just about winning awards and showcasing your physique; it’s an opportunity to show the world what you’re made of. When the time comes to turn your bodybuilding career into a personal training profession, acquiring knowledge and building your skills can help you succeed.
Investing in a course from The Fitness Circle gives you access to specialist training and a complete learning experience. Here’s why our students succeed:
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Expertise: Each course from The Fitness Circle is created to provide extensive knowledge about personal training, giving you vital equipment for success.
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Support: Feel confident you’ll thrive with expert support from our tutors. They’ll be there whenever you need them and can keep you on track with the course.
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Growth: Many of our students go on to work in some of the UK’s most successful gyms, including Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and Anytime Fitness. As a highly respected course provider, qualifying with us means you have access to a range of opportunities.
If you’re interested in a fitness career, please browse our courses today or feel free to contact us with any questions.
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