Do Expats Workout?

[finy]

Hello, Im wondering if you can help me out.

Ive been to Thailand a few times in the past to stay at muay thai camps and I want to go back this year.

Im a qualified personal trainer by trade and i'd like to know if there is any scope for gaining a few personal training clients.

I have no idea about whether this is possible so it would be great to hear the views of people who live there now, preferably Phuket or Samui.

I have no idea whether expats even work out, what with living in paradise .

So do you think its possible to pick up clients or even run some hour long bootcamps.

I can train people at apartments, parks or their local gym (if allowed).

Thank you

[garyh]

Your biggest challenge will be to a work permit which may be next to impossible.

[robblok]

Your biggest challenge will be to a work permit which may be next to impossible.

Agreed, and because your doing it out in the open you have a big chance of being caught if you work without one. It just takes one angry competitor or client and your having problems.

[mstribling]

Your biggest challenge will be to a work permit which may be next to impossible.

Agreed, and because your doing it out in the open you have a big chance of being caught if you work without one. It just takes one angry competitor or client and your having problems.

OP, sorry, but there it is.

[longway]

Check the website fitcorp asia or pro-fit asia something like that, they have personal trainers in bkk ad other locations. I know personally at least one foreigner doing this. I've also come across foreigners taking fitness classes at local gyms. Not often but it obviously does happen.

Then there are loads teaching martial arts. No idea how it all works re the WP situation.

[IanForbes]

"Do expats work out?" you ask? Are you talking about horizontally or vertically?

[doggie888888]

Your biggest challenge will be to a work permit which may be next to impossible.

Some of the PTs in California in Pattaya are Filipinos...presumably they have work permits?

[Forethat]

I have a Thai personal trainer. I cant see why I would want to have a farang as a trainer, especially if Muay Thai is the excercise of choise (it is in my case). Diet and nutrition, on the other hand, there's an area where Thais lack knowledge completely.

[StreetCowboy]

I brought out a chap to HK who was a bit of a disappointment; I'd relied on recommendations of my home country staff who had recommended him. He thought he was better than the local staff, whereas he was just better paid. And he lacked commitment - as I said to him

"The locals live here - you're here to work"

So unless you are careful about motivation and commitment, I would say that ex-pats don't work, and you are better off hiring one of the 'hired-gun' mercenary drifters that you will find on the fringes of Soi Cowboy; but make sure to check out references, track record and achievements!

I suppose it also depends on your corporate environment and business - what works for a China Seas pirate like me might not work for you

(I thought he said 'pilot'! NO wonder it all went Pete Tong!)

SC

[finy]

Well thanks for all your advice.

I will just enjoy the holiday.

[oldsailor35]

I normally live on Samui and use the local gym most days, never seen a personal trainer there yet, and i expect your rates from "farangland" would be too high here. And yes , there are quite a few ex-pats using gyms here. I suppose it might be worthwile putting a notice on the board at Tesco Lotus or Big C.