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Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer

First things first and in case you didn't know...

A fitness instructor is responsible for guiding and motivating individuals or groups in various exercise activities to help them improve their physical fitness and overall health. The job involves creating and leading fitness classes, designing workout routines, and providing personalised training plans for clients. 

 

A fitness instructor plays a crucial role in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, and the success of their clients' is (generally, but not always) a reflection of their expertise and dedication.

Key skills/talents

Being a successful fitness instructor in the UK requires a combination of key skills, talents, and personal qualities. Here are some essential attributes for individuals pursuing a career in fitness instruction:

 

  • Technical Knowledge: Exercise Physiology: Understanding the principles of exercise physiology is crucial for designing effective and safe workout programs. Anatomy and Biomechanics: Knowledge of human anatomy and biomechanics helps in teaching proper exercise techniques and preventing injuries.

  • Certifications:Holding recognized fitness certifications, such as those from REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) or other reputable organisations, demonstrates professional competence.

  • Communication Skills: Clear Communication: Ability to articulate instructions clearly and concisely, ensuring clients understand exercises and techniques. Motivational Skills: Inspire and motivate clients to achieve their fitness goals, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

  • Interpersonal Skills: Empathy: Understanding and empathising with clients' individual needs, concerns, and goals. Building Rapport: Establishing a positive and trusting relationship with clients to enhance the overall fitness experience.

  • Adaptability: Flexibility: Being adaptable to various fitness levels, preferences, and health conditions among clients. Program Adaptation: Ability to modify workout plans based on individual needs and feedback.

  • Organisational Skills: Time Management: Efficiently managing class schedules, appointments, and ensuring punctuality. Planning: Developing well-structured and varied workout routines that cater to different fitness goals.

  • Motivational and Energetic: Enthusiasm: Displaying genuine enthusiasm for fitness to inspire clients. Energy: Maintaining a high level of energy during classes to keep participants engaged.

  • Customer Service Skills: Client Focus: Prioritising clients' needs and providing excellent customer service. Feedback Handling: Receiving and providing constructive feedback in a positive manner.

  • Safety Consciousness: Emergency Response: Being trained in CPR and first aid to handle potential emergencies. Equipment Safety: Ensuring the proper use and maintenance of fitness equipment for the safety of clients.

  • Continuous Learning: Stay Informed: Keeping abreast of industry trends, new exercises, and training methodologies through continuous education and professional development.

  • Passion for Fitness: Personal Commitment: Demonstrating a personal commitment to a healthy lifestyle and fitness, serving as a role model for clients.

  • Business Acumen: Marketing: Understanding basic marketing principles to attract and retain clients. Client Retention: Developing strategies to retain clients through effective engagement and programming.

 

Combining these skills and talents can contribute to a successful and fulfilling career as a fitness instructor in the UK. Continuous self-improvement and a genuine passion for helping others achieve their fitness goals are key factors in building a positive and sustainable career in this field.

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​Qualifications required

You can do a recognised qualification like:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing

  • Level 2 Diploma in Instructing Exercise and Fitness

  • Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training

(Course links further below)

 

Apprenticeships are a possibility and may give you another route in:

 

You can also do qualifications through private training companies who offer specialist courses like Fitness instruction, Personal training, Gym instructing. Anna is of course, trained specifically with PowerPlate: https://powerplate.co.uk

 

And of course, gaining experience is EVERYTHING in this job… Being confident and comfortable working with and training other people is key to your success; so if confidence is something you tend to struggle with, then you need to firmly bite that bullet and start tackling that early on. It could easily make or break your career as an Instructor or PT.

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Rules and regs

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) is the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector: https://www.cimspa.co.uk

 

UK Sport has a Code for Sports Governance: https://www.uksport.gov.uk/resources/a-code-for-sports-governance

 

It is also worth noting that anyone dealing with the general public and their personal data, will need to be aware of, and comply with, GDPR regulations: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection

 

And you will most likely to be and have a valid DBS certificate, particularly for working with vulnerable and/or young adults: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record

 

And of course, having the right insurance is key for a role like this and below are a few examples…

https://www.insure4sport.co.uk/covertypes/ptandfitnessinstructor

https://www.axa.co.uk/business-insurance/personal-trainers-insurance

https://www.comparethemarket.com/business-insurance/content/personal-trainers

 

NRPT also have details regarding insurance: https://nrpt.co.uk/join/insurance/index.htm

 

Educate Fitness is a good resource detailing rules and regs for those in the fitness industry: 

https://educatefitness.co.uk/personal-trainer-legal-guide-navigating-the-legal-landscape-in-the-uk

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Remuneration framework

The average salary for a PT/Fitness instructor is around £23-25k per annum, but geo variances will affect this.

 

The cost of hiring a personal trainer can vary based on different factors, especially location. In the UK, the rates differ from region to region because of the variation in market dynamics, demand, and living costs. In London, a personal trainer can charge between £50 and £150 per session, however the table at the bottom of the page gives a good overview on rates by region (but is by no means a comprehensive or conclusive view of rates)...

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How to get started

As previously advised, CIMSPA are the professional body for those working as fitness instructors and personal trainers. Therefore it’s worth looking at their accredited training partners when looking for a course, i.e…

 

 

Apprenticeship links have been given above, so that is also an option to get started.

 

It may be a grey area, but providing the establishment is covered insurance-wise, and provided you are DBS checked, you could offer to volunteer at a local gym/fitness centre, so that you get a first-hand feel for what it’s like and what’s involved. Volunteering is always a good idea for any career change and can prevent someone from going (and potentially paying to go) down a road, only to realise it's not for them once you’re there.

 

And don’t forget equipment… Unless you plan to only work at/for an existing establishment, you’ll need your own gear to take to clients. This can vary from weights and bands, to mats and massage rollers. Invest in gear wisely and only in-line with what you are doing with your career at this stage.

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Associations or official bodies to register with

CIMSPA is the officially recognised body for Personal trainers/fitness instructors in the UK, but this link, relating back to Origym, also gives information around other associations for a FI/PT to be aware of, including charities: https://origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk/blog/organisations-for-pts

 

The National Register of Personal Trainers are a membership organisation that you can join and benefit from joining their online directory of PT’s: https://nrpt.co.uk

 

UK Coaching is an organisation supporting anyone who ‘coaches’ any sport within the UK: https://www.ukcoaching.org


(They also have an insurance area: https://www.ukcoaching.org/coaching-insurance)

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Job site links

Future Fits website has a jobs page: https://jobs.futurefit.co.uk

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UK Sport also has a vacancies area: https://www.uksport.gov.uk/jobs-in-sport/search-all-vacancies

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You can also find jobs advertised through the usual job sites, such as Indeed: https://uk.indeed.com/q-personal-trainer-jobs.html?vjk=4f4d4c871eed98db and Reed: https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/personal-trainer-jobs

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Progression pathway​

There are a few routes to earn more money and/or diversify in this field/role…

 

  1. Is of course to train with a specific fitness brand (i.e. CrossFit, or Les Mills, a favourite of TWW founder, Chops), which then means you can teach their ‘branded’ popular classes and numerous different institutions alongside other PT work. Anna, of course, has qualified in and trains specifically with PowerPlate technology and offers this as a unique specialism in her area: https://powerplate.co.uk

  2. You could acquire further (qualification) skills so that you can enhance the services you provide to clients; i.e. as yoga, pilates, nutrition. 

  3. Lots of instructors/PTs learn about (and become qualified in) sports massage and elements of sports physiotherapy, so that they can offer post-workout care to clients either at their home, or at fitness establishments. Indeed some PTs move into this field fully in time (and perhaps with age!).

  4. Or, like Anna, you could brave it and set-up your own studio, either at home (to start and to keep costs down), or at a rented space. Anna runs classes and employs (and pays) other instructors to come and teach in her PowerPlate Studio. There is, of course, a decent cost outlay to doing this, in terms of investing into the equipment you need and to kit out a studio, however, if you do it well and your offering is unique and sought after enough, like Anna’s is, it can pay off ten times over.

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