Fitness instructor job information | national careers service
1. 15/08/2015 21:04Fitness instructor Job Information | National Careers Service
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Hours 38-40 per week
Starting salary £13,000 + per year
Job profiles
Fitness instructor
If you are keen on health and fitness and enjoy meeting different people, this could be ideal for you.
To be a fitness instructor, you could complete a recognised qualification before starting work. Or you
could start as an assistant instructor and complete on the job training.
To become a fitness instructor, you will need to be outgoing and friendly. You’ll also need to motivate
and inspire people.
The work
As a fitness instructor, you would lead and organise group and individual exercise programmes to help people (clients) to improve their health and fitness.
Your work could involve a range of activities or you could specialise in a particular one, like:
keep fit
aquacise (exercise in water)
weight training
yoga
Pilates
You could also work with specialist groups of people, such as older adults, children, people with disabilities or people referred by doctors.
Your job could include:
fitness assessments, consultations and introduction sessions for new clients
demonstrating activities for clients to follow
showing clients how to use exercise machines and free weights properly
supervising clients to make sure that they are exercising safely and effectively
leading group exercise classes, such as circuit training, aerobics or spinning
creating personal exercise programmes
giving advice on healthy eating and lifestyle
In smaller health or fitness clubs you may also carry out routine duties, such as at reception and the swimming pool, and health and safety checks.
Hours
As a full-time fitness instructor, you would usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, often on a shift or rota basis covering early mornings, evenings and
weekends. Many instructors work part-time or freelance (self-employed).
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You could work in gyms, health clubs or leisure centres. If you are self-employed, you may also run classes in places like school halls or community centres,
so you will need to travel locally.
Income
Starting salaries can be around £13,000 a year. This can rise to between £14,000 and over £20,000 a year.
Freelance instructors can earn £10 to £20 an hour.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Entry requirements
To become a fitness instructor you can either complete a nationally recognised qualification through a college or private training provider before starting
work, or start as an assistant instructor with a sports centre or gym and complete work-based training to qualify.
One of the main recognised qualifications that is widely available is the Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing, which has four optional pathways to
choose from:
gym-based exercise
exercise to music
water-based exercise
physical activity for children
There are also other valid qualifications that you can take, such as the Level 2 Diploma in Health, Fitness and Exercise Instruction. Check with colleges and
private training providers for more details about what they offer.
After completing your qualification, you can apply to join the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). This shows employers that you are competent and
qualified to do your job and is likely to improve your career prospects.
See the REPs website for more information about registration and for a list of approved training providers.
Register of Exercise Professionals
If you train while working, you would start as an assistant instructor and complete your training under the supervision of a qualified instructor. You would
normally work towards the Level 2 (NVQ) Diploma in Instructing Exercise and Fitness, which includes the same pathways as the Certificate above.
You may be able to start in this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. For more
information about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
Apprenticeships
Before you can work as an instructor, you will need public liability insurance and a first aid certificate, which includes a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
certificate. You might also need a lifeguard qualification for some jobs.
If you plan to work with children or other vulnerable groups, you will need to pass background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). See the
DBS website for more information.
Disclosure and Barring Service (Home Office website)
Training and development
Once working as a fitness instructor you could take further training to develop and broaden your teaching skills. A number of awards are offered by training
providers in, for example circuit training, outdoor fitness, Pilates and yoga.
You could also take a qualification to become a personal trainer, such as:
Level 3 Award in Conversion of Advanced Fitness Instructor to Personal Trainer Status (allows you to be listed as a personal trainer on the REPs)
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Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training
Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
If you want to work with people recovering from illness or who have medical conditions, there are several specialised courses available, such as:
Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral
Level 4 Certificate in Exercise for the Management of Low Back Pain
Level 4 Certificate in Exercise and Nutritional Interventions for Obesity and Diabetes
Level 4 Certificate in Weight Management for Individuals with Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus and/or Metabolic Syndrome
See the REPs website for more details.
Register of Exercise Professionals
Skills, interests and qualities
To become a fitness instructor, you will need to have:
good communication and 'people' skills
an outgoing and friendly personality
a tactful approach
the ability to motivate and inspire people
a responsible attitude to health and safety
knowledge of nutrition and healthy diet
good fitness levels
More information
Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
3rd Floor
8-10 Crown Hill
Croydon
Surrey
CR0 1RZ
Tel: 020 8686 6464
www.exerciseregister.org
SkillsActive
Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300
www.skillsactive.com
Opportunities
You could work in gyms, health clubs or leisure centres, or you could be self-employed. Competition for jobs is strong.
With experience and higher qualifications, you may be able to progress to senior instructor, then to management. Other options could be to move into
providing training for other instructors, or coaching a sport. You could also start your own fitness club or work as a freelance personal trainer.
You may find the following links useful for vacancies and general reading:
Leisure Opportunities
leisureweek.com
Leisure jobs
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Median income: Sport ＆ culture
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£27008
£27017
61%
39%
49%
36%
15%
23%
24%
