Shahbaz Haider has a lot of sympathy with his clients for his performance and word-of-mouth promotion.
Personal trainer Shahbaz Haider is training Mysha Omer Khan UAE, ranked number one among badminton girls under the age of 15, at AB Fitness in Dubai. Photo by Neeraj Murali.
Born in Lahore, Shahbaz Haider has been a fitness freak since his formation. After graduating from Punjab University of Commerce (PCC) in Lahore in 2004, Shabaz continued his passion for fitness training at a local health studio the following year.
However, fitness training in Pakistan more than 17 years ago was hardly a profession due to low awareness of getting in shape.
Shahbaz had few options other than looking for a viable career. He worked as a quality assurance supervisor at Warid Telecom while working as a fitness trainer as a part-time gig.
When he first visited Dubai in July 2010, he was barely aware that his aides would make a living. During his short trip, he quickly realized that there was a booming but undeveloped fitness market in the most vibrant international cities of the Middle East. ..
Shahbaz Haider, ABFitness personal trainer in Dubai. Photo by Neeraj Murali.
Indulging in a sedentary lifestyle and a high-calorie diet is a powerful combination for some Dubai residents to quickly become obese. Armed with a four-week accredited course from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Shahbaz found a job at a fitness center in Dubai.
He changed jobs in March 2012, stayed on the course for the next three and a half years, hone his skills, got a driver’s license, and then took the plunge to become a personal fitness trainer.
Personal trainer Shahbaz Haider is training Abdulla Al Olama at ABFitness in Dubai. Photo by Neeraj Murali.
“It was an opportunity at that moment. The country introduced REPSUAE — exercise expert registration. I was the 23rd member of REPSUAE, but now there are thousands,” said Shahbaz. ..
“REPSUAE membership can provide more than just a badge to enhance the professional image of an instructor. It distinguishes qualified and dedicated instructors from those who have little or no training. Being a member of REPS means that fitness professionals retain recognized and approved qualifications and work on ongoing professional development, “he added.
Personal trainer Shahbaz Haider is training Abdulla Al Olama at ABFitness in Dubai. Photo by Neeraj Murali.
In 2013, there were about 3-4 schools offering functional training courses in Dubai. Shahbaz took a number of functional training certificate courses from MeFit Pro, which cost about Dh20,000.
Shortly after, he received certificates for TRX suspension training, ViPR, kettlebell (boxer size), and trigger point massage to bridge the gap between exercise and strength training, and made him a solo champion personal fitness trainer in November 2016. I made it.
Personal trainer Shahbaz Haider is training UAE Taabia Khan, who ranks in the top three women’s badminton at ABFitness in Dubai. Photo by Neeraj Murali.
“Fitness has become an organized sector. It’s primarily incentive-driven. If you can name yourself in this market, it’s easy to maintain,” he said. Shahbaz was one of the Pakistani expatriates who dreamed of becoming a personal fitness trainer in a highly competitive market where Filipinos and Europeans predominantly roost.
“The Personal Training Module (PTM) is a rigorous procedure. Normally, a client signs up for 20 sessions a month with Dh5,000. This will be Dh250 per session. Trainer provided by him. As good as the results you can do. The goal is for the client to never lose 20kg in a month, but gradually lose 3-4kg in the next 5-6 months, “he said. rice field.
Photo by Neeraj Murali.
He made big chords with his clients for his performance, and word-of-mouth promotion brought him a good world.
“I had time to work 6 days a week from 6am to 11pm. I had 228 sessions every hour a month, but 100% when training my clients. It was exhausted because I gave it. Now, to save energy, I reduced my workload to 6 sessions a day, “said clients primarily Emiratis, South Asians, and the wider Arab region. Shahbaz, a person, said.
Photo by Neeraj Murali.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a paradigm shift in personal fitness training regimens. More and more people are becoming more aware of their personal health and more focused on dietary supplements.
“We had to struggle for about six months in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, but since then it has been a normal business,” he said. Shahbaz wants to use his PTM beyond Dubai and is tinkering with the idea of digitizing for a larger global audience.
“It will be convenient and cost effective. Despite the fact that many personal fitness trainers have boot camps in Dubai, we hope to be heading in that direction within a year,” he said. Added.
His ambitions are in sync with the global trend of PTM applicants.
