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 the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)

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