How I Broke Into the Top 5% of Personal Trainers (And What It Actually Takes)

Let me be honest with you.

Most personal trainers don't make it past year two.

Of the ones who survive, the majority plateau at 10-15 clients, working 50+ hours a week, burning out, and making $40K-$60K annually.

That's not what I wanted.

And I'm guessing it's not what you want either.

After 13+ years in this industry—building FYTS Fitness, training hundreds of clients, surviving market crashes, pandemics, and personal failures—I can tell you this:

Breaking into the top 5% of personal trainers isn't about certifications, marketing funnels, or Instagram hacks.

It's about something deeper.

It's about becoming the kind of person people trust with their health, their pain, and their goals.

It's about mastering people, not just exercise science.

And it's about operating with a level of character and integrity that 95% of trainers never reach.

Here's what I've learned.

The Hard Truth: Most Trainers Focus on the Wrong Things

When I started training in 2011, I thought success was all about knowledge.

I got my NASM certification. I studied the OPT model inside and out. I could talk about muscle fiber types, periodization, and biomechanics like I was teaching a university course.

And I was broke.

Because here's what nobody tells you:

• Clients don't hire you because you know anatomy. They hire you because they trust you.
• Clients don't stay because your programs are perfect. They stay because they feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Clients don't refer you because you're certified. They refer you because you changed their life—and they want their friends to experience the same thing.

The trainers who succeed long-term aren't the smartest.

They're the ones who understand people.

What Actually Got Me to the Top 5%

Looking back, here are the things that made the difference:

1. I Treated Every Client Like Family

Early on, I made a decision:

No client is just a number. No client is just a paycheck.

Every person who trains with me gets:

• My full attention during every session
• Customized programming based on their goals, injuries, and life circumstances
• Check-ins between sessions (not automated—real texts, real care)
• Adjustments when life gets messy (because it always does)

I remember their kids' names. I ask about their work stress. I celebrate their wins—big and small.

People can feel when you actually care.

And they remember it.

2. I Built My Business on Character, Not Hype

In an industry full of flashy transformations, overpromises, and shady marketing, I decided to do the opposite:

Tell the truth. Set realistic expectations. Deliver more than I promise.

When someone comes to me wanting to lose 30 pounds in 30 days, I don't take their money.

I tell them the truth: sustainable fat loss takes time, consistency, and lifestyle changes. And if they're ready for that, I'm here to help.

Some people walk away. That's fine.

The ones who stay? They trust me completely. And they get results that last.

3. I Invested in Mastering People, Not Just Fitness

The turning point in my career wasn't another certification.

It was learning how to read people.

• Understanding when someone needs to be pushed vs. when they need grace
• Recognizing when a client's "lack of motivation" is actually depression or burnout
• Knowing how to communicate differently with different personality types
• Learning to listen—really listen—to what's not being said

I studied psychology, emotional intelligence, and communication just as much as I studied anatomy and programming.

Because the best program in the world won't work if your client doesn't do it.

And getting people to do hard things requires mastering human nature.

4. I Operated with Faith and Service

I'm a Christian. My faith shapes everything I do.

For me, personal training isn't just a business—it's ministry.

Every client is someone God put in my path for a reason. My job is to serve them well, love them genuinely, and help them become the healthiest version of themselves.

That perspective changed everything.

Instead of chasing money, I focused on serving people excellently.

Instead of competing with other trainers, I collaborated and referred clients when someone else was a better fit.

Instead of burning out, I found purpose and meaning in the work.

And ironically, that mindset led to more success than any "hustle harder" strategy ever could.

5. I Built Systems That Let Me Work Less, Not More

Early on, I was the classic overworked trainer:

• Training clients from 5 AM to 8 PM
• No time for my own workouts
• No time for my family
• Exhausted, stressed, and resentful

I realized: this isn't sustainable.

So I made changes:

• Raised my rates and worked with fewer clients who valued my time
• Added group training to increase income without more 1-on-1 hours
• Systemized my onboarding so I wasn't reinventing the wheel with every client
• Set boundaries around my schedule so I had time to rest and recharge

Now I work 30-35 hours per week, make more than I did working 60, and I'm healthier and happier.

Top 5% trainers don't grind themselves to death. They build businesses that serve their lives, not consume them.

6. I Never Stopped Learning

Every year, I invest in my own growth:

• Advanced certifications and workshops
• Business coaching and mentorship
• Books on psychology, leadership, and communication
• Conferences where I can connect with other top trainers

The moment you think you've "arrived" is the moment you start declining.

The best trainers are perpetual students.

7. I Gave Generously and Built Community

Instead of hoarding knowledge or seeing other trainers as competition, I decided to give freely:

1. Building Strategic Partnerships

• Partnering with local chiropractors for injury referrals
• Collaborating with nutritionists for holistic client care
• Connecting with other trainers to cover vacations/emergencies

2. Mentoring Newer Trainers

• Sharing what I've learned freely
• Answering questions without gatekeeping
• Investing in the next generation of coaches

The Result: When you operate with generosity, opportunities come back to you tenfold.

The Numbers: What Top 5% Actually Looks Like

Let me be real with you about the financial side.

At my peak, I've earned $200K+ per year. Some years more, some less. It depends on how many clients I take, what services I offer, and how much I'm traveling for speaking or consulting.

Here's a realistic breakdown:

• 1-on-1 In-Person Training: $120K-$150K (15-20 clients at $150/session, 3x/week)
• Group Boxing Classes: $30K-$40K (2-3 classes/week at $50/person)
• Wellness Evaluations: $20K-$30K (premium onboarding program)

Total: $170K-$220K annually

And I work 30-35 hours per week. Not 60.

But here's what matters more than the money:

• I love what I do
• I work with people I genuinely care about
• I have time for my family, my faith, and my own health
• I'm building something sustainable, not burning out

That's what top 5% really means.

What It Takes: The Non-Negotiables

If you want to break into the top tier of personal trainers, here's what you need:

1. Character First, Competence Second

Be someone worth following. Live with integrity. Show up with humility.

2. See Clients as People, Not Paychecks

Every person you train is a unique creation with a unique story. Treat them that way.

3. Invest in Your Own Growth

Read. Learn. Get coached. Never stop developing yourself.

4. Operate with Faith and Service

Whether you share my faith or not, operate with love, patience, and a servant's heart.

5. Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions

The best clients stay for years. Treat them like family.

Final Thoughts

The top 5% of trainers aren't there because they're smarter or more talented.

They're there because they:

• Invested in themselves
• Served with integrity
• Loved people well
• Stayed consistent over years, not months

You can do this too.

But it starts with a decision: Are you willing to become the person your clients need you to be?

If the answer is yes, I'm here to help.

Let's elevate this industry together.

— CJ Critney
Founder, FYTS Fitness

Live that. And watch what happens.