In our review of different careers we take a look at how to become a qualified personal trainer. A personal trainer can work for themselves, in a health club or a personal training facility or online via their own web site or by giving advice via Facebook, YouTube and other social media sites.
What Does a Personal Trainer Do?
A personal trainer is a person who works with individuals, usually on a one to one basis, to help them identify their goals and create personalised plans to help them achieve the targets that have been set.As a personal trainer, you will usually work in a gym environment. When you don't have clients booked in you will be over seeing the day to day tasks that working in a gym entails, such as assisting customers in how to use the machines, dealing with customer queries and signing up new members.
When you are working with a client your job will be to oversee their use of the machines, ensuring they are able to use them correctly, continue to motivate them and adapt their fitness plan to their needs and sometimes overseeing group exercises and activities.
There is also potential to work as a self-employed Personal Trainer, allowing you the freedom to work as and when you choose.
Is Becoming a Personal Trainer Right For Me?
The following skills are required for anyone who wishes to be a personal trainer:
- An absolute passion for health and fitness.
- You must maintain a healthy life.
- An extremely advanced knowledge of anatomy.
- The ability to design individual and group fitness plans.
- Patience, not all of your clients are as passionate and motivated when it comes to fitness as you are.
- Excellent communication skills.
- The ability to motivate.
- A good understanding of food, nutrition and how different diets impact your body.
How Much Can a Personal Trainer Earn?
The average hourly rate for a self-employed personal trainer is approximately £35.
The average salary for a Personal Trainer is just under £20,000 and if you go on to become a specialised fitness coach or a gym manager you have the potential to earn up to £40,000 a year.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Personal Trainer?
If you have a degree in a sports and fitness related subject you would be qualified to work as a personal trainer, however a degree is not necessary and you can also complete various industry-specific qualifications, such as a level 3 personal trainer certificate.
