Found mainly in health and fitness centres, gym instructors work with groups and individuals to ensure that they are exercising safely and effectively. They can also teach classes such as circuit training, aerobics or spinning, conduct inductions for new members, and design personal programmes.
There has been a big increase gyms and fitness centres in recent years, and they can now be found all over the UK, in both urban and rural areas. This has created a corresponding need for more gym instructors, though there is still competition for good jobs.
In addition to working in a local club as a gym instructor, there are other possibilities for those with ambition or training:
Senior instructor
Supervisory and management positions
Training other instructors
Sport coaching
Club ownership
Working abroad (e.g. for international hotel chains, or running fitness activities for tour operators)
Many qualified practitioners choose to work on a self-employed basis. This requires that you dedicate time to building up your business - the best way to do so is by word of mouth, so satisfied customers are essential.
Giving salary figures is difficult given the wide range of positions available, but a newly qualified trainer at a health club would start at around ?11,000 per year. Senior trainers can earn from around ?14,000 up to ?30,000, while those who work freelance usually charge from ?10 to ?20 an hour.
For more information on training, certification and job opportunities, contact the following:
All information on thefitmap.co.uk web site is for information only. Neither thefitmap.co.uk nor its parent company, thehealthfinder Ltd, offer any medical advice or information. Always consult your GP before undertaking any form of weight loss, fitness or exercise.
