This study examined the psychological changes experienced by personal training participants and identified the life skills acquired through this process, with the aim of suggesting directions for improving personal training services. A qualitative res...
This study examined the psychological changes experienced by personal training participants and identified the life skills acquired through this process, with the aim of suggesting directions for improving personal training services. A qualitative research design was applied, and ten individuals with more than three years of personal training experience were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using a constant comparative method.
The findings indicated that participants initiated personal training primarily for weight loss, physical fitness improvement, and injury recovery, with weight loss serving as the most common motivation. Although many initially expressed low confidence or negative attitudes toward exercise, they reported psychological improvements, including enhanced health awareness, increased vitality, and higher motivation, while some participants experienced negative emotional responses. Long-term participation contributed to the development of transferable life skills, particularly in health management, self-regulation, interpersonal communication, and personal growth, which were associated with an enhanced quality of life.
The study concludes that positive personal training experiences were largely influenced by trainers’ professionalism and responsibility. Therefore, continuous professional development and adherence to ethical standards among personal trainers are recommended to reinforce the positive outcomes associated with personal training participation.