Fitness instructor

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by private training organisations
• the armed forces

Entry requirements:

College

You can do a recognised qualification in gym instructing or fitness instructing.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a Leisure Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, to give you some of the skills needed for this role.

Entry requirements:

Work

You could work as a leisure centre assistant and do part-time fitness qualifications on the job, which would allow you to apply for jobs as an instructor.

OtherRoutes

You can do qualifications through private training companies who offer specialist courses like:

• fitness instruction
• group based training
• gym instructing

You could train in a similar role as a physical training instructor in the armed forces.

You can find out more at:

• Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy
• Army

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to teach and motivate people
• customer service skills
• physical fitness and endurance
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work on your own
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• to enjoy working with other people
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Fitness instructors organise exercise programmes to improve people's health and fitness.

As a fitness instructor you could:

• assess people's fitness and create personal exercise programmes
• demonstrate activities, exercise machines and weights
• help people exercise safely and give advice on having a healthy lifestyle
• lead group exercise classes
• update client records
• follow health and safety guidelines and maintain equipment

Location : You could work in the community, at a school, at a health centre or in a park.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £27,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 37 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends as customers demand

Career Path:

You could:

• take further training to become a personal trainer
• take a course so you can teach extra activities
• become a senior instructor or manager
• start your own fitness club