What Do Gym Owners Really Look for When Hiring a Personal Trainer? Chris Kraszewski Shares His View

Summary

In this episode, I sit down with gym owner Chris Kraszewski to talk about what he looks for when recruiting PTs, and why qualifications and technical knowledge are only part of the picture.

Chris shares why engagement, honesty, communication and authenticity matter so much, how he judges whether someone is likely to connect well with members, and why he would rather employ someone genuine and develop their weaknesses than hire someone who simply gives the “right” interview answers. 

We also discuss the importance of understanding how intimidating gyms can feel for new members, recognising different personality types, and creating interactions that feel helpful rather than sales-driven. Chris also explains why he personally checks in with new members and how that feedback helps him understand what his staff are doing well. 

Key Takeaways

In this episode, we cover:

•  What Chris looks for when hiring a Personal Trainer 
•  Why total engagement is such an important quality 
•  The value of honesty and transparency in interviews 
•  Why you do not need to be perfect at everything 
•  Developing staff strengths and weaknesses 
•  How PTs can make nervous gym members feel more comfortable 
•  Why eye contact and communication matter 
•  The difference between genuine engagement and forced selling 
•  What Chris calls the “feel factor” when recruiting 
•  How aspiring PTs can make a stronger impression on gym owners 

If you are working towards becoming a Personal Trainer, newly qualified, or trying to land your first role in a gym, this episode gives you a useful insight into what employers may actually be looking for beyond the certificate.