Grow a Business that Gives People Physical Autonomy
Rigorous Physical Training
Personalized Coaching
In-Depth Teaching Practice
Proven Business Building Support
After completing all the requirements you’ll be certified as a GMB Trainer and get access to our world-class Trainer community to help make sure you succeed.
I went through the GMB apprenticeship in 2016. At the time it was a big investment and I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or not. Within the first week I knew I’d found my people. There is a good balance of quality coaching with banter which is important! Over the course of the apprenticeship my body opened up and strengthened more than I could have imagined in such a short time.
Since graduating I have been teaching workshops and selling them out consistently. The thought of selling out workshops in a city as competitive as Melbourne seemed unfathomable before I certified with GMB Fitness. This has taken my career to the next level and I don’t feel like I am competing with the gym floor trainers any more.
I am also working full time as an online trainer and have clients contact me from all over the world who have found me through GMB. I even have a client from Saudi Arabia now! This would never have been possible if I wasn’t certified with GMB.
I’ve been a trainer for close to a decade and done a lot of different certifications. What sets GMB apart is the ongoing support. I qualified 4 years ago and I’m still being supported and backed by them. I haven't experienced anything close to this in any of the other certifications I've done.
Unlike lots of certifications, this isn’t a weekend diploma mill that takes your money and sends you away with a piece of paper to hang on your gym wall.
Because when you’re a GMB Trainer we’re committed to your success.
So instead we spend 4 months investing in you personally. You get an in-depth education in the GMB Method that improves your physical abilities, shows you how to coach more effectively, and gives you concrete, proven tools to build and grow your business.
Become a Skilled, Confident Coach for Any Client
Great coaching is about a lot more than just encouraging a client through your programming. It means knowing how to meet clients right where they’re at and help them take efficient steps towards where they want to be. Here’s how we help you get there.
Complete Training in the GMB Method
Behind our thousands of successful clients and global network of trainers is the GMB Method. You’ll learn how to apply it in all your training.
- Use the AAA Framework for efficient results
- Write effective programming using the 5 Ps
- Ensure efficient progress with autoregulation
- Learn both the theory and the practice
In-Depth Coaching Instruction
We’ve boiled down decades of coaching, studying coaching, and being coached into the most effective methods for any client.
- Accurately assess your clients’ biggest needs
- Learn technical cueing that they understand
- Motivational coaching strategies for success without burnout
- And much more
Build Your Physical Autonomy
The best way to help clients develop their strength, flexibility, and control is to first experience it yourself.
- 4 months of intensive training
- Personalized coaching with video technique review
- Practice hand balancing, locomotor movement patterns, and mobility exercises
And that takes practice.
So we’ve designed the Apprenticeship with a combination of study and practice to help take you from the basics to mastery.
Structured Learning for Complete Trainer Development
All your learning and coaching take place online so you can do the Apprenticeship anywhere. All you need is some space to train, a phone that can record and upload video, and the ability to work in 7–10 hours of training and learning time per week.
Here’s how the 4 months break down:
- Orientation (2 weeks) – We’ll help you get familiar with how the Apprenticeship platform works and what to expect from each module.
- Module 1: Introduction to GMB (4 weeks) – You’ll learn the essential concepts of GMB training. As you train and put these concepts into practice, you’ll also develop your strength, flexibility, and motor control.
- Module 2: Learning the GMB Method (4 weeks) – This is where you’ll start to go deep into the study of the GMB Method and learn more about the central values that make this training effective and accessible. During this time you’ll also refine your strengths and shore up weaknesses through your daily training.
- Module 3: Application of the GMB Method (4 weeks) – In this module, you’ll learn how to apply this training and creatively adapt it (for yourself, and for teaching others).
- Module 4: Business & Continued Growth (4 weeks) – This module will teach you how to develop your business, set up classes and workshops, and further utilize your certification in a professional setting.
It’s a pretty intensive learning experience. But you’re not just tossed in and left to fend for yourself. In fact, one of our top trainers will be right there with you at every step.
Meet Your Guide: Rose Calucchia
Rose is a Lead GMB Trainer and one of the best all-around coaches out there.
She has a background in acrobatics and circus skills, and she’s a sought-after handstand coach.
And when you’re in the Apprenticeship, she’s your coach, too. So you can be confident that whether it’s minuscule movement details or coaching and business strategy, you’ll get expert insight throughout your training.
After You’re Certified: Get the Support You Need to Grow Your Business (and Your Skills)
Where most certifications end and send you on your merry way, we’re just getting started. As soon as you graduate from the Apprenticeship you get a year of free access to our private social network for Trainers, which includes all of the following.
Class and workshop templates showing you exactly how to organize and run GMB events and training
Actually useful business and marketing advice on things like how to do online training and how to get more people in your workshops
Inclusion in our referral network that sends you clients who are specifically looking for GMB Trainers
Monthly office hours with Ryan, Andy, Jarlo, and Lead Trainers to get all your questions answered
Free monthly continuing education workshops to expand your skillset (with more extensive CE courses available at an additional cost)
Free attendance at our annual Trainer-only seminar ($600 value)
Let’s be honest. This intensive approach isn’t for everyone—some people prefer the quick and easy way.
But if you’re willing to commit yourself to four months of hard work and in-depth learning, then the Apprenticeship will help you develop skills that will serve you for the rest of your life.
If that sounds like your kind of thing, here’s how to get stared.
What to Know Before You Apply
Since supporting apprentices requires a lot of time and energy from our staff, we only want people who are going to invest themselves in the process. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a gifted athlete to apply.
We’re more interested in great people who want to learn and grow, and who love what GMB has to offer.
There is no cost to apply. Here’s how the application process works:
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Step 1:Complete Elements
Doing our Elements program is a pre-requisite for the Apprenticeship. Please finish Elements before moving on to the other steps.
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Step 2:Fill Out the Application Form
By filling out the form below you officially start your application for the Apprenticeship. You also help us understand your goals for the Apprenticeship and what experiences you bring to it.
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Step 3:Make Us a Video
If your application looks like a good fit, we’ll ask you to submit a video demonstrating proficiency in certain physical skills (and helping us start getting to know you a little).
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Step 4:The Interview
The final step is an interview with our Lead Trainers where we can hear more about your goals, answer your questions, and make sure you understand the time and training commitments.
Here’s what a couple alumni have to say about it:
The Apprenticeship enabled me to grow as a mover, an educator, and a human. It was a challenging four months, but my coach was supportive and gave me tools to manage the work of the Apprenticeship among my numerous other responsibilities.
I learned how autoregulation facilitates a sustainable movement practice, and how spending more energy on foundational work translates to a stronger skill set than only practicing the hardest thing all the time. I feel confident in my ability to teach the GMB philosophy now that I have deeply experienced the benefits of this method.
The business module was invaluable. The work that went into considering my marketing strategy for a mock workshop directly translated to my first real class as a GMB trainer.
From teaching movement, to organizing a class, and promoting myself as a fitness professional, the GMB Apprenticeship prepared me for everything involved in the industry.
I'd been considering becoming a coach for some time, but wasn't sure where to begin. Most certifications I'd found were weekend seminars, and felt like they were either a final exam for people who already had experience in the field, or were more of a money grab than an actual opportunity to learn.
I'd heard about GMB through some friends that I respect greatly. I was so impressed with the approach I found in Elements, Integral Strength, and Vitamin that I applied for the apprenticeship before I had even finished them.
The Apprenticeship experience was phenomenal. The lessons were short and to the point, while being deep enough to make going over them more than once worth the time. The work was always challenging, but not so much that it ever felt unachievable.
I thrive on schedules. The Apprenticeship made it easy to add to mine on top of whatever else was going on, while the coaches were exceptionally flexible when competing needs arose.
The coaching was excellent. I learned more than can be easily summed up. But the most important pieces are, first, a focused approach to training that's broadly applicable. I've applied it to the martial arts I practice outside of GMB to great effect. And second, the constant reminder that more isn't always better, something I've struggled with for most of my life.
Apply for an Upcoming Apprenticeship Cohort
Our next cohort starts in early February 2022. Sign up below to get notified when we open up applications again in Fall 2021.
👋 Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve also taken the liberty of including the answers here, since the questions aren’t very enlightening on their own 😉
Can I get CEUs for this?
Nope. If picking up CEUs is the most important thing to you right now you’ll have to look elsewhere. But if you’re more concerned about becoming a great coach and having a community that’ll help you grow and succeed, then you’re in the right place.
I'm not a computer person. Can I still do this?
If you can post videos to social media and write updates on a blog or website, you can do this. But if that sounds overwhelming or you just hate spending time on a computer, then a 4-month online training program probably isn’t the right fit for you.
Are there certain times that I have to be somewhere?
Negatory. All your training and learning happens on your own schedule. You just have to keep up with the course.
Office hours video calls are the only “live” events. They rotate global timezones to accommodate the cohort. And they’re all recorded so if you can’t make it you can catch up later.
What if I don't like it? Can I get my money back?
No. The Apprenticeship is a big investment on both sides so there are no refunds.
There’s no cost to apply, so if you’re interested but aren’t sure yet you can use the application process to feel it out. If you get all the way through the interview and still aren’t sure this is a great investment for you, go find something you’re really excited about. No hard feelings.
What happens if I get sick or life gets crazy?
Listen, life happens and if you have to miss a day or two it’ll be fine. Just communicate with us so we know what’s up and can help you catch up.
If you break your leg or get COVID, you can pause your Apprenticeship once for up to six months. After that you’ll have to re-apply and start over.
Three things were important to me in choosing the Apprenticeship: learning handstands and locomotion, the personal coaching, and the fact it was 100% online. My daughter was just 2 months and it was impossible for me to go outside.
The apprenticeship was great and I enjoyed every day. The fact that I got coaching every day was a great help. The coaching was so encouraging and the cues I got were fantastic.
The most important things I learned are:
- physical autonomy
- AAA framework
- The 5Ps
- using the concept of autoregulation
- using a timer instead of reps and sets
- focussing on one cue at a time
- reflecting on your workout with video and asking yourself what have you learned
It is quite a list, but I use it all the time.
But more important is life after the apprenticeship—the community. I get so much support. If I have questions about how to teach something or about marketing, I immediately get a response. It is great to be a part of it.
When I applied for the apprenticeship I wasn’t sure if I was suitable because I don’t have a personal training background. And although I loved playing sports I never was into fitness.
The apprenticeship was pretty intense! It was probably the most intense skills and strength training I ever did in my life!
I didn’t just learn the GMB method in detail. I also learned so many training tactics and teaching methods to help me when coaching others.
However, it was also one of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had. The biggest impact the apprenticeship had on me is the awareness and mindfulness I developed.
Now I focus on what lies directly ahead of me instead of having expectations towards an outcome. That makes me more patient, compassionate towards myself, and more motivated! Exercising is not a sprint nor a marathon I have to compete in. It’s a life’s journey I love to take.
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