Trainer Spotlight: Rashidi Gibson

NFPT:  Tell us about yourself as it relates to personal training. When did you get started in personal training and why?

Beginning in early childhood I became exposed to the importance of health and fitness because my step father taught martial arts, participated in gymnastics, worked part time for SWAT and was the Chief of the Fire Department.  I took an early interest in being fit watching my step dad train and prepare for his various work assignments and interests.  So, naturally I gravitated towards it.  I worked out at various junctures in my life and the more I worked out, the more my body started to develop and that motivated me to educate myself so I could better understand how to continue to develop my body.  After I had reached a certain level of fitness people started to naturally gravitate towards me for guidance.  The more I worked out, the more others wanted to workout with me.  The more people I trained the faster my results came,  so it became a natural transition for me to get in the business.

NFPT:  How long have you been in the business?

I’ve been in the business as an established personal trainer for the last four years, but as I mentioned I’ve been involved in fitness since before I can remember.  Now, I have my own gym approximately six thousand square feet.  My facility “The Spot” is located in Tampa, FL and offers members free motion equipment, free weights and a boxing cardio area. I host boot camps at the facility.  We also have a space for Cross Fit and Zumba classes.  I aspire to open a number of gym facilities that specialize in my style of training which is a concentration on cardio muscular endurance and core stability exercises.

NFPT:  What demographic of client do you serve? 

I have no specific demographic.  My style of training is universal.  I cater to the professional athlete, the mom and pop, the old, young, woman or man.  It’s my objective to make everyone stronger, healthier, more agile, and faster and in the most efficient time possible. Most of my clients train with me for two to six months before reaching their individual goals… then set new ones.

NFPT  What advice or tips do you have for personal trainers who are just getting started?  

My main piece of advice is to have a plan of action or what I call a destination of goals.  You definitely need direction. They should know if they want to be independent or work through a franchised gym.  They should also know the national and local average rates for personal trainers in their area.  I would advise they visit all the local gyms in their area to get perspective on ways to market themselves, any new or different exercises or workout equipment they may incorporate in their style of training.  A personal trainers regiment and style of training should never be predictable, you should always be able to keep the clients guessing.  A workout should never become a repetitive or just a formality.   If it does you’re in the wrong business.

NFPT: Why I chose NFPT? 

I chose NFPT because NFPT simplified what you needed to know in order to become a certified  trainer.   Unlike a lot of certifications that are either gimmicks, aren’t recognized or over priced,  NFPT is nationally recognized, economically they have good rates and the staff assisted me from beginning to end through getting my certification.