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Fitness instructor
Gym instructor, group training instructor
Fitness instructors organise exercise programmes to improve people's health and fitness.
Average salary (a year)
£17000
Starter
£27000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 37.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
as customers demand
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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 at: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.
      What it takes
      Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
      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
      Digital Skills Level
      to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
      Other Requirements
      You'll usually need public indemnity and professional liability insurance, if you're self-employed.
      Related Restrictions
      have insurance
      have a first aid certificate
      What you will do
      Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
      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.
      Career Path & Progression
      Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
      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
      Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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