Personal Trainer Job Profile
Role and Responsibilities
- Provide individual programmes to help clients achieve their health and fitness goals
- Educate, motivate and coach clients to ensure they follow their programme safely and effectively
- Offer personalised health, nutrition and lifestyle advice
Hours and Environment
- Personal trainers may work a 37-hour week, but hours are client centred and can include evenings and weekends
- Many trainers are self-employed and work hours to suit themselves and clients. Other trainers work as gym instructors and personal train outside their normal hours of work
- Personal trainers may rent space in a gym, have their own facilities or visit clients in their own homes
Key Skills and Interests
- Be determined and enthusiastic
- Have good organisational skills
- Have patience and tact
- Be able to motivate and enthuse people
- Be able to work with people from varied backgrounds
- Have a responsible attitude towards health and safety
- Understand the importance of nutrition and a healthy diet
- Be committed to your own professional development
Getting Employed
- Personal trainers are fitness instructors with a high level of experience and advanced qualifications
- You must have a recognised L3 qualification in order gain entry onto CIMSPA
Income Guide
- Personal trainers are usually paid by the hour for each session with a client
- There are no set salary scales. Earnings depend on location, number of clients and on whether the trainer is independent or works for a gym
- Freelance instructors could earn between £20 and £40 an hour. Some popular instructors with high profile clients may earn between £50 and £100 an hour
- Trainers in full-time employment will typically earn between £18,000 and £24,000 a year
Industry Overview
- Personal trainers are often self-employed. It is possible to work in settings such as health clubs owned by large chains, in spas, resorts, on cruise ships and for large companies providing workplace fitness facilities
- Some trainers may work exclusively for a single prestigious client