Leisure centre assistants set up and supervise activities like fitness and exercise classes, gym sessions and swimming lessons.
Average salary (a year)
£19000.0 to £27000.0 (starter to experienced)
Typical hours (a week)
30.0 to 40.0 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course, which may help when looking for work.
Courses include:
Other sporting qualifications, for example in fitness, swimming and coaching, will also be acceptable to employers.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Leisure Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
As well as learning how to support the daily operations of a leisure centre, you'll also cover areas like:
This apprenticeship can take up to 2 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
You could improve your chances of employment by getting practical experience in a leisure centre, either through seasonal work or by volunteering.
You can apply directly for jobs. You'll find it useful when looking for work if you've got customer service experience and an interest in sport, exercise and fitness.
Some employers may prefer you to have a qualification in first aid, gym instruction or lifeguarding.
You can join the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) for professional development and learning opportunities.
You can find more information about working in leisure from CIMSPA.
You'll need:
You'll need to:
As a leisure centre assistant, you'll:
You could work at a fitness centre or at a gym.
Your working environment may be physically active.
You may need to wear a uniform.
With experience, you could become a leisure team supervisor or manager. You could also move into fitness instruction, lifeguarding, swimming teaching or sports coaching by taking the appropriate qualifications.
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