Unlock Your Career Potential: Becoming a Personal Trainer

John Hardy MSc

Are you looking for a career that is both rewarding and challenging? Becoming a personal trainer could be the perfect fit for you. Personal trainers help people reach their fitness goals and improve their health and well-being. As a personal trainer, you can make a real difference in people’s lives.


This blog post will discuss the steps you need to take to become a personal trainer. We will look at the qualifications and certifications you need, the skills you should possess, and the job opportunities available. Read on to learn more about unlocking your career potential and becoming a great Personal Trainer.

What experience do I need to become a personal trainer?

If you're looking to become a personal trainer, there are several qualifications and experiences you'll need to have. First, you'll need to have a certification from an accredited program. This will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to help clients reach their fitness goals. You'll also need to understand anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and exercise science well. Additionally, it's essential to understand how to motivate clients and help them stay on track with their fitness goals. Finally, having a few years of experience in the fitness industry can be beneficial when it comes to becoming a personal trainer.

Qualifications and Certifications Needed

Qualifications and Certifications Needed: To become a personal trainer, you must have a valid certification from a recognised organization. In the UK, you must have a personal training qualification recognised by CIMSPA. This body registers everyone in the leisure industry, from fitness instructors to any professional that works within the business.

CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK's sports and physical activity sector, committed to supporting, developing and enabling professionals and organisations to succeed. If you work in the sport or physical activity sector, you can benefit from a CIMSPA membership or partnership. To learn more, visit their website here.


When you first look at courses on 'how to become' a personal trainer, it is essential to ensure that the courses are certificates that CIMSPA recognises. This means that an official awarding body, such as Focus Awards, has recognised them. You will be recognised as a level 3 personal training practitioner when you complete the study.


Studying for these courses will take up to 12 weeks, although if you push hard to complete them, you may be able to complete them within two months. The faster courses are accredited through Focus Awards and can be learned online, where you will be supported by a tutor who has a passion for helping you become successful. The tutor works 1-1, so you won't have the usual cons of waiting for a group assessment or being slowed down by part of a group.


What type of support is available to personal trainers?

Personal trainers can access various support resources to help them succeed. Faster has built a catalogue of exercises and a community of trainers that will help Personal trainers to stay on the right track in their careers. As part of the course, you will learn how to market yourself and build a financial plan to sustain your career and lifestyle. The support from our community will mean that whatever route you decide to take your career down, we will be around to help you.

Personal Trainers who have graduated from Faster have gone on to open their own studios and gyms and work in fields such as rehab, sports performance and nutrition. Once you have completed the course and started to find your passion, someone in our community can help you make the next step into the career you want.


How do I find work as a personal trainer?

If you're looking to become a personal trainer, the first step is to get certified.

One of the best ways to find work as a personal trainer is to network. Reach out to local gyms, fitness centres, and other health and wellness centres to let them know you're available for hire.


You can also look for job postings online. Many fitness centres and gyms post job openings on their websites or job boards, like
leisure opportunities or leisure jobs.


There are several different types of opportunities available for Personal Trainers in Health Clubs, including


Fully Employed -
Clubs such as David Lloyd Leisure and Nuffield Health and Fitness tend to employ trainers and then pay them a higher rate for Personal Training hours than gym floor hours. Some of the more exclusive clubs in London, such as Equinox and Third Space, also run this model.


Hybrid
(Employed on the Gym Floor and Rent for Personal Training) - Clubs such as Pure Gym and The Gym Group offer opportunities to be paid almost the same amount as the rent for the month. The trainer takes personal training revenue without a split applied, but the trainer must take on the tax burden, insurance, and other components of working for yourself.


Full Rent
- Private Personal Training Studios and some Health Club chains such as Fitness First offer Personal Trainers the opportunity to be self-employed Personal Trainers.


Alternatively, you could consider being a self-employed Personal Trainer, where you can work in numerous places,

  • Clients Homes
  • Trainers Homes
  • Parks
  • Church Halls
  • Dance Studio's
  • Crossfit Gyms


All roles as a Personal Trainer will require you to build a service that stands out and clients.

How can I market myself as a personal trainer?

Marketing yourself as a personal trainer can be a great way to gain more clients and build your business. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Create a website: A website is essential for any personal trainer. It should include information about your services, your qualifications, and your contact information.

2. Utilise social media: Social media is a great way to reach potential clients. Create accounts on popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and post regularly about your services and any special offers you may have.

3. Network: Networking is vital in any industry, and personal training is no exception. Attend local events, join professional organizations, and reach out to other personal trainers in your area.

4. Offer free classes: Offering free classes or seminars is a great way to get your name out there and attract potential clients.

5. Promote yourself: Don't be afraid to promote yourself and your services. You can create flyers or business cards and distribute them in your local area. You can also reach out to local gyms and fitness centres and offer free classes or seminars.


By following these tips, you can create a successful marketing strategy that will help you gain more clients and grow your business.

With the business accelerator course in all of our Personal Training packages, we cover how you can build a lot of your content and social media presence using simple techniques from writing combined with story structure and, most excitingly, using AI to speed up your content creation.

You will also get access to
Bob Esquerre from EFGI, who has worked with almost all major chains and innovative Personal Training products worldwide. He will help you plan your marketing, so you get the rewards you deserve from the industry.


How much money can I make as a personal trainer?

The money you can make as a personal trainer depends on several factors, including your experience, work area, and the services you offer.

Generally speaking, personal trainers can make anywhere from £20 to £150+ per hour, depending on their experience and the services they offer. Additionally, personal trainers may be able to make more money by offering additional services such as nutrition counselling, group classes, and online training. Ultimately, the money you can make as a personal trainer will depend on your services and the demand for those services in your area.

Services which Personal Trainers offer can include -

  • In-person training sessions
  • Online training sessions via video call
  • Customised workout plans
  • Nutritional guidance
  • Strength and conditioning training
  • Cardiovascular fitness training
  • Flexibility and mobility training
  • Sport-specific training
  • Rehabilitation and injury prevention
  • Body composition analysis and measurement
  • Accountability and progress tracking
  • Mindset and motivation coaching
  • Group training sessions
  • Corporate wellness programs
  • Home gym setup and equipment recommendations
  • Outdoor training sessions
  • Virtual reality training
  • Online coaching and programming

What type of insurance do I need as a personal trainer?

As a personal trainer, you must ensure you are adequately protected with the right insurance. Depending on the type of services you offer and the environment in which you provide them, you may need to consider different types of insurance.


For example, suppose you are running a gym or fitness studio. In that case, you may need to consider public liability insurance to protect you from any claims made by members of the public. This insurance covers you if someone is injured or their property is damaged due to your business activities.


You may also need to consider professional indemnity insurance, which covers you if a client makes a claim against you for negligence or if you make a mistake in your professional advice.


Finally, you may need to consider personal accident insurance, which covers you if you are injured while working.


Speaking to an insurance provider to ensure you have the right coverage for your business is essential.