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Fitness instructors, sometimes described as personal trainers, support people to exercise, improve their fitness and live healthier lives. Learn more about a career as a fitness instructor, what the role involves and how you can work towards your first role.
Your career development in this field will depend on the skills and experience you choose to gain, along with your networking and marketing skills.
You’ll typically start with a role as a class instructor or junior personal trainer in a gym. With experience, you might specialise in a certain type of activity or build a wider client base for personalised services. You might train to run classes in different activities such as yoga, aerobics, circuit training, pre- and post-natal fitness or Pilates.
With enough qualifications and experience, you might decide to start your own fitness club or gym or work as an independent personal trainer.
Self-motivation and proactivity are important for developing your career in this field, as progression routes are open ended. You’ll often benefit from expanding your skills through specific courses which will certify you to run different activities or offer therapies.
You might also do training that allows you to move into other aspects of fitness. This could be in areas like nutrition, first aid, lifestyle support and safeguarding, which can help if you want to work with children. Training opportunities like these are available through portals like the UKActive website, along with other organisations.
Professional institutions you could join include the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
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