A Swedish trainer who is currently working as a manager at InterContinental Fitness Center shares her experiences in the job, giving tips on how to become a successful professional fitness trainer.

Maria Ahlberg Carlswärd left Stockholm, Sweden, in 2008 and moved to Cambodia. She decided that she wanted to bring something fresh and new to the country’s fitness training offerings.

“Being a professional fitness trainer requires one to have a passion for the job, an interest in training and a love of helping people to be better,” she said, adding that trainers “also need to read more to gain knowledge” about health and fitness. The expert said that a trainer is happiest when he or she sees a client lose weight.

“It is still quite a big challenge for those who want to be professional fitness trainers in Cambodia to do so because there is no school that provides full education and licensing on the subject.”

Carlswärd, 44, added that “the salary range for a fitness trainer – which is a lower class of personal trainer – is usually between $300 and $500”.

“Besides working out at the gym, proper eating also plays an important role” in getting fit, Carlswärd said. She added that most people in Cambodia eat a lot of rice and may drink some alcohol later in the day. She said that neither of these dietary habits is helpful for those looking to trim fat and build muscle.

Carlswärd advised that people should eat less rice and increase the amount of vegetables and meat in their diet, as both are rich in vitamins and protein. In addition, people should cut down on alcohol and instead increase their water intake, she added.