Fitness Instructor

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

32 to 34 a week

as a contractor / self-employed as customers demand

How To Become a Fitness Instructor

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
specialist courses run by private training organisations

College / University

You can do a recognised qualification like:

Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing
Level 2 Diploma in Fitness and Exercise Instruction
Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this career through an intermediate apprenticeship as a leisure team member.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could work as a leisure centre assistant and do part-time qualifications on the job, which would allow you to apply for jobs as an instructor.

Other Routes

You can do qualifications through private training companies who offer specialist courses like:

fitness instruction
personal training
gym instructing

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

a desire to help people
the ability to teach pupils how to do something
knowledge of psychology
physical fitness and endurance
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to work on your own
customer service skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

assessing people's fitness and creating personal exercise programmes
demonstrating activities, exercise machines and weights
helping people exercise safely
leading group exercise classes like circuit training or aerobics
giving advice on healthy eating and lifestyle
keeping records
following health and safety guidelines and maintaining equipment
marketing your classes

Working Environment

You could work in the community, at a school, at a health centre or in a park.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

Career Path & Progression

You could take further training to become a personal trainer or teach extra activities.

With experience and qualifications, you could become a senior instructor or manager. You could also start your own fitness club.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Register of Exercise Professionals and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity for professional development and to help with your career prospects.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

have insurance
have a first aid certificate
pass enhanced background checks

You'll usually need public indemnity and professional liability insurance, if you're self-employed.