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
• the armed forces

College

You can do a recognised qualification in gym instructing or fitness instructing.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

Apprenticeship

You could do a Leisure Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, to give you some of the skills needed for this role.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Work

You could work as a leisure centre assistant and do part-time fitness 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
• group based training
• gym instructing

You could train in a similar role as a physical training instructor in the armed forces.

You can find out more from the:

• Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy
• Army

More Information

Career Tips

It's useful to have a basic level of fitness and to know about how to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity for professional recognition and development.

Further Information

You can find more information about working in fitness and leisure from CIMSPA.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• customer service skills
• physical fitness and endurance
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and 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.

Day-to-day tasks

As a fitness instructor you could:

• assess people's fitness and create personal exercise programmes
• demonstrate activities, exercise machines and weights
• help people exercise safely and give advice on having a healthy lifestyle
• lead group exercise classes
• update client records
• follow health and safety guidelines and maintain equipment

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.

You could:

• take further training to become a personal trainer
• take a course so you can teach extra activities
• become a senior instructor or manager
• start your own fitness club