Module 1: Beginning a Career

in the Fitness Industry

In this module you will learn:

How to start a career in the fitness industry
The skills you need to become a fitness instructor
The role of a fitness instructor
How much you can earn
About useful training courses and qualifications

1.1 Introduction
Taking a course to qualify as a fitness
instructor is a very good choice, especially
these days.

The demand for fitness instructors is increasing, and there

are so many different disciplines within this field that there
will always be room for more professionals. The industry has
grown at a very remarkable pace, creating opportunities at
various levels.

If you are interested in physical exercise, are passionate

about health and wellbeing, are a people person, and like to
share your knowledge and expertise, then you are a good
candidate for pursuing a career in the fitness industry.
FACT

Only 20.6% of the US population gets the recommend amount of

exercise.

Source: www.cbsnews.com

1.2 Need for Fitness Trainers

People are becoming more health and image
conscious, and to have the perfect body
shape is important to be involved in some
sort of physical exercise.

Most people find it easier to stick to an exercise regimen

when they are working out with other people, who keep the
motivation level high.

A large number of people are turning towards physical fitness

professionals who can help them to exercise properly, guide,
encourage, and motivate them towards better health and body
shape.

The memberships to gyms, health clubs, fitness centers, and

fitness studios are constantly increasing, and there is enough
demand for professional fitness trainers to sustain a
dedicated career in this profession. The good thing about
having a career in the fitness industry is that you can work
anywhere.

You can work at your client’s home, from your own home, a
studio, or even a park. You can work as a fitness instructor
in a facility, or a personal trainer who provides one-on-one
training for individuals or small groups.

1.3 How Do You Start a Career in

the Fitness Industry?
Since this is such a vast field, there is no
simple answer.

There are so many parts to this industry that it can be

confusing for most beginners if they are not focused or sure
of what they want to do. You have to decide whether you want
to work in marketing, personal training, physiotherapy, health
and wellness coaching, open your own gym, or run a fitness
center or a club. For each of these you will need different
skills and qualifications. For most people, the first step is
to study to become a fitness instructor, and then advance from
this stage onward to other higher qualifications and different
disciplines.

There are a number of companies that offer courses in fitness

training. You can study through any of these to obtain your
qualifications. There are several online courses also
available that offer certificates in fitness training. Though
it is better to get your qualification before you apply for a
job, it is not essential to be qualified for the job.

Many fitness instructors obtain their qualifications while

working on the job. Some feel it is better this way as you can
be absolutely sure that this is the career you want to follow
before spending money on a professional certificate.

1.4 Do You Really Want to Be a

Fitness Instructor?
To become a fitness instructor, you will
have to have a certain set of skills and the
right attitude if you are going to be
successful.

The main parts of your job are teaching, motivation, and

communication. An outgoing, yet friendly, persona is essential
and you must be supportive and tactful; judgmental or arrogant
people do not bode well in the fitness industry. It will also
be your job to motivate and inspire people, this will keep
your clients coming back. Having a responsible attitude
towards health and safety regulations is important too. Last
but not least, you will need extensive knowledge of the human
anatomy, first aid, exercise routines, and nutrition.

You will also be expected to practice what you preach, so good

fitness levels are also essential. Before you begin you have
to be sure you truly want to be in this field.

Here is a checklist to determine whether you want this career

or not.
 You are active and always on your toes.
You are mentally and physically strong enough to
withstand rigorous exercise.
You are prepared to put in hard work day in and day out.
You are happy to assist people with their exercise
routine.
You are a leader and a motivator.
You are constantly learning and improving.
You are in excellent health and great physical shape.
You love physical activity.
You like being your own boss.
You are determined and dedicated.
You do not mind working long hours.
You do not mind working in the early morning, late
evenings, or on weekends and holidays.

1.5 What Does It Involve?

To become a fitness instructor or a personal
trainer, your main purpose is to help people
with their exercise routines.

Encourage, guide, and motivate others to continue with their

exercise schedule. There are many different career options
within the industry.

The most popular options are:

Personal Training
Health and Wellness Coaching
Physical Training for groups
Fitness Management
Diet and Nutrition
 Owning and running a fitness center/health club/spa.

Not only does the industry provide many different career

options, it also offers a lot of disciplines that you can
choose to specialize in and create a niche of expertise for
yourself.

Some of these are:

Gym workouts
Boxercise
Aquatic Exercise
Pilates
Yoga
Other fitness classes such as military circuits or cross
fit
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation, etc.

You have to remember that the job is people-centric and you

have to be a people person and a good teacher to be good at
your job. You will encounter people from all walks of life
during your course of work.
They will range from healthy to sick, advanced to beginner,
older to younger, and you have to know how to handle them
successfully and treat everyone with equal dedication to be
successful in your job. The entry level qualification in the
industry is that of a Fitness Instructor.
Job roles may include:

Regular fitness assessments.

Introduction and induction of new members to the Gym.
Guiding the clients to perform the exercises and use the
machines.
Helping clients to use the equipment and free weights
properly and safely.
Ensuring the safety and security of the customers,
employees, and the property.
Teaching clients how to improve their lifestyle and
become independent in the gym.
Creating and tutoring personal exercise and nutritional
 plans.
Giving regular, up-to-date advice to clients on how to
maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Routine duties such as health and safety checks, life
guarding the pool or reception duties.
Designing exercise plans for the client based upon their
need.
Setting realistic fitness goals for the clients at
various levels.
Maintaining client progress records and adjusting
exercise according to the progress made.

Weekly hours of work

There are no fixed working hours or schedules for a fitness
trainer.

The schedule can change every day and the number of hours a
trainer works can also vary. You may have a full 8 – 10 hour
schedule one day and have only an hour of work another day.

A typical day for a physical trainer will certainly begin very

early in the morning. Most trainers work from 6.00am – 10.00am
and then again from about 4.00pm – 9.00pm.

The working week is from Monday to Saturday, and sometimes

even Sunday. The trainer has to adjust his working days and
hours according to his clients and when they are available for
workouts. Most customers workout before or after work and on
weekends or holidays.

Full-time Physical Therapists and fitness instructors often

work 40 hours a week on a rotational basis that will cover
early morning, evenings, and some weekends. You can have more
flexibility if you choose to become self-employed. As a
fitness instructor you will be able to work in gym facilities,
leisure centers and health clubs. Self-employed people may
have to pay rent to use these facilities, but there is also
the option to do this in village halls, school halls or
community centers.

1.6 Expected Income

The salary or fee of a fitness instructor
depends upon a lot of factors.

The most important being the location, clientele,

qualifications, and work environment of the fitness
instructor. If you are working out of a higher income location
you can charge a higher fee. If you are highly qualified and
have an established reputation as a good trainer, you will be
better compensated than your lesser counterparts.

So there are no limits to your compensation and how much you

can earn.

On average, you can expect the starting salary for an entry-

level fitness instructor to be about $26,000 a year. With
extra qualifications and certificates this can go up to and
above $34,000 annually. Freelance instructors can earn up to
$10-$20 an hour. Freelance personal trainers can earn $20-$50
an hour depending on credentials.
The above figures are solely intended as a guideline. What you
are offered and paid depends upon your ability to sell
yourself and the points mentioned earlier.

1.7 Entry-Level Requirements

Though there is no need for a professional
qualification for a fitness instructor, most
people trust a professional certificate or a
degree more and your chances of being hired
are greater if you have the required
qualifications.

To start a career as a fitness instructor, you can obtain a

national qualification through college or private sector or
start a job as an assistant instructor at a gym or leisure
center and undergo work-based training to qualify. Fitness
Instructing Certificate, is one of the main qualifications you
would want to acquire.

There are four disciplines from which to choose the one you
wish to qualify in:

1. Gym exercise
2. Exercise with music
3. Water-based exercise
4. Physical activity for kids.

Another advanced course that can be taken is in Health,

Fitness, Exercise, and Instruction. You must check with
different companies or colleges to see if they offer these
courses. Upon completing qualifications, one can then apply to
join USREPs or the United States Register of Exercise
Professionals. This is a nationally recognized register that
shows people you are skilled, professional, and competent.
Making future job prospects much better for you.

According to the USREPs website, the United States Registry of

Exercise Professionals® will display all of the current NCCA-

accredited certifications that an individual holds from member
organizations. No specialty certifications or other
credentials will be listed on the Registry. However, at this
time, individual membership is not offered. Member
organizations are required to pay dues and registration fees
to support the Registry and the other work of the Coalition.

Information on legalities
Once you have chosen your preferred path, legalities require
that you obtain public liability insurance and first aid
certification. This should include cardiopulmonary
resuscitation or CPR. Some training may also require you to
get a lifeguard qualification.

When working with groups of children or people with

disabilities, you must have background checks cleared by the
Disclosure and Barring Service, please check their website for
more information.

Development and training

When you start working as a fitness instructor, there will be
opportunities to carry out further training and become more
qualified. A multitude of training bodies/companies offer
courses in outdoor activities, yoga, Pilates, and more.
Further advancement of fitness instructing usually leads on to
personal training courses.

To be eligible for the American Council of Exercise (ACE)

Personal Trainer Certification Exam, you must:

Be at least 18 years old.

Have completed high school (or the equivalent).
Hold a current CPR/AED certification with a live skills
check.
Present a current government-issued photo ID with
signature (driver’s license, passport, military ID).

To be eligible for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam, the

same list of requirements are needed.
Module Summary
Lessons learned

The different places you can work as a fitness

instructor
The skills needed to ensure you are right for the role
of a fitness instructor
The various career options available to you in the
industry
The hours of work and expected income
The many training courses and professional
qualifications available

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