Interview with a Fitness Trainer

Stacy Berman is a certified fitness trainer and founder of Stacy's Bootcamp in the New York City area. Stacy took a moment to answer some questions about the life of a fitness trainer.

CareerBuilder: What is the best part about your job?

Stacy Berman: The best part of my job is that I help people reach their goals. It is motivating for me to see people get to where they feel and look great. I help people build strength and confidence that reach far beyond the physical realm. That, to me, is very fulfilling.

CB: What are the challenges of your job?

SB: The hardest part of my job is getting people to realize what they are capable of. It is hard when I know they can do something when they don't know it yet. On a side note, I train all my clients outdoors in Central Park, so the winter is a bit of a challenge, too.

CB: What's it like working as a fitness trainer in a big city like New York?

SB: Because I work for myself, and work outdoors, I have a different perception of what an athletic trainer in New York City is. I don't have to deal with corporate nonsense that some might experience while working in big-name gyms. I get to be outside all day, which is something most people in New York City cannot say, ever. With Central Park as my office, and with my clients being the amazing and motivated people they are, I might be one of the luckiest people living their dreams.

CB: What is a common problem you have to help solve for your patients?

SB: A common problem I help my clients with is correcting their eating habits. It is so surprising, but most people don't know what they should be eating to live optimally. They think because they eat granola or salad that they are being healthy. They never take into account the amount of alcohol they consume or how much water they drink. There are so many factors that go into proper nutrition, so that is one of the biggest problems we have to overcome.

CB: What are the most important skills to possess for someone in your position?

SB: Patience and knowledge are the most important skills to possess. First you need knowledge of the body, how it works and how to apply that to training programs. Once you have that, patience is a necessity! For the amount of silly things people do -- like going out drinking the evening before, sleeping only four hours, then showing up to train without eating breakfast -- you need to be able to take a deep breath and work them out.

CB: What qualities make for successful patients?

SB: Qualities that make for a successful client are motivation, determination, consistency and will power. Sometimes beginners are the best because, even though they are out of shape, they really want it. The quality that is most important is consistency. As long as they are consistent and come to train, I can work them out enough to make a difference.