Personal Trainer

Being a personal trainer involves helping people to meet their fitness goals by helping to devise workout plans and providing support for people trying to improve their overall health.

The best personal trainers have an excellent understanding of the human body, and experience of providing individual advice and instruction based on every person’s unique circumstances and goals. This work is often carried out in person and good social skills are needed to communicate effectively.

Key Details

£21,000

Entry

£30,000

Average

£42,000

Senior

40 / Wk

Average Hours

Average Rating

Summary

Becoming a personal trainer is all about helping people be healthier, and it can be very rewarding when people hit their goals.

Most people who thrive in this role are good with people, too. If you become a personal trainer, you’ll have to deal with people pretty much all day in your career.

Attention to detail may be needed as well as the knowledge of the human anatomy, recovery methods, and nutrition. Good trainers provide individualised tuition, tailored to each client’s needs.

The job has a lot of benefits. Some people can manage their own diaries (especially if they are self-employed) and this is also a job that helps you to stay in good shape yourself. Personal trainers don’t need degrees, and a Level 2 Gym Instructor Certificate, or a Level 3 Personal Trainer Certificate may be enough. Experience is also helpful, and some people have worked in the armed forces before going into this field, where their fitness is closely monitored.

Besides the qualifications that can be used to get into personal training, there is a professional directory called the National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT). NRPT can also help with advice and insurance, plus help trainers to get new clients.

Responsibilities

A personal trainer is responsible for devising and overseeing training plans and workouts for groups and individuals. Their responsibilities include:
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    Designing Personalised Fitness Plans Personal trainers create tailored exercise plans based on clients' fitness levels, goals, and health conditions to ensure effective and safe workouts.

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    Educating on Technique Trainers teach correct form and exercise techniques to minimise injury risk and maximise the effectiveness.

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    Motivation and Accountability Personal trainers inspire and encourage clients to stay committed to their fitness journey and help with staying motivated – something many people struggle with.

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    Monitoring Client Progress They track clients' performance over time, adjusting routines as needed to align with their fitness goals and prevent plateaus.

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    Nutrition and Rehab Advice Personal trainers may also provide help and advice with things like nutrition and even rehabilitation from injury.

Key skills & traits

Here we've listed some of the key skills you'll need to thrive as a personal trainer. 

Good Communication

Personal trainers must clearly explain exercises, provide feedback, and maintain open dialogue to ensure clients understand and stay motivated.

First Aid

It is very possible that a personal trainer will need to give first aid treatment at some stage and all trainers should learn these skills. Basic first aid and CPR are essential skills.

Organisation

Managing multiple clients, keeping progress records, and sometimes even managing your own accounts are all jobs personal trainers may need to do. Being organised definitely helps.

Motivating Others

It is very useful to have the ability to inspire and encourage clients and help them to maintain their commitment to long-term fitness goals.

Adaptability

Personal trainers work with people from many different backgrounds. There is a skill in adjusting plans on the fly to accommodate each client and their goals.

Fitness

People who work in this field need a good level of fitness themselves in order to demonstrate and accompany people.

Knowledge of the Human Body

A solid understanding of anatomy and physiology is essential for creating safe and effective fitness programs.

Time Management

Effectively managing schedules ensures that trainers maximise time with clients while balancing your diary commitments and achieving the most with your time.

Education & qualifications

This is a career that there are multiple routes into, and people from a lot of different backgrounds may go into personal training. Some relevant qualifications include:

Lifestyle

Becoming a personal trainer can be appealing for lifestyle reasons, especially for those who want the power to manage their own diary. Sessions can often be arranged to fit around other commitments, especially if you are self-employed.
20%
Remote Suited
Though most of the sessions take place in person, some personal trainers also have clients who they connect with online via Zoom or other platforms.
60%
Stressful
The job can be very rewarding, but sources of potential stress include dealing with health issues, delivering first aid and finding enough clients. 
80%
Work Life Blance
Personal trainers can often retain a good work-life balance, though there may be some weekend work and unsociable hours required.
4.5Enjoyment
For those who enjoy fitness and exercise and don’t mind being outdoors, this can be an enjoyable role with many rewards.
40/hrs
Weekly
Typically, people work between 35 and 40 hours a week at this role but the self-employed will have more control over this. It can be a part-time role, too.

Salary data

The salaries for personal trainers can be variable depending on their experience as well as employment type. Self-employed trainers may be able to earn £30 an hour or more, but filling 40 hours a week can be a challenge, especially if travel is involved.
£21,000

Entry

£30,000

Average

£42,000

Senior

Career path

There are not as many progression routes and career paths for Personal Trainers, but there are some ways that Personal Trainers can advance.

Junior Personal Trainer

Even at an entry level, most gyms will still expect some form of qualification such as a Gym Instructor Certificate or Fitness and Personal Training Course, which are outlined in the Education & Qualifications section of this article.

Personal Trainer

With the necessary qualifications and knowledge, many people will be able to enter the field at this level and start work as a fully-fledged personal trainer - with all of the Responsibilities that come with it.

Gym Manager / Assistant Manager

Capable and qualified Personal Trainers will be well placed to apply for managerial positions within the gym or others nearby, as they will be familiar with the gym environment and knowledgeable about gym equipment, classes and operations.
People come into the role from varied backgrounds. Many have worked in sports or in the armed forces where fitness levels are incredibly high. They may also have studied related fields. 

Personal Training is a common freelance role, too, and many people work alongside other commitments. You may find that you can agree personal training times with clients before or after a 9-5 job, which is also a great way to find out if being a personal trainer is right for you. 

Promotions for a personal trainer are not necessarily linear. It's most likely that a personal trainer may take on a permanent role as a Gym Manager or Gym Assistant Manager as a form of promotion.

One thing to bear in mind is that expert or specialist Personal Trainers may be able to attract higher-paying customers, such as sportspeople or influencers. 

History of the profession

The progression of personal training is something that has grown a lot in recent years, but has its roots as early as ancient times - arguably evolving soldiers required training before going into battle. Listed below some of the key events that launched the rise of Personal Training as a career.

1,000 BC - 200 AD

Ancient Civilisations
Since the dawn of sports, coaches have played an important role for athletes. Of course physical training has always been an important part of the military - however it was in both the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece and gladiator competitions in the Roman Empire that trainers began to specialise. Ancient Greek athletes would have trained under specialised coaches for running, discus, equestrian, long-jump, combat sports and many more, whilst Roman gladiators would have had tailored fitness programs from their coaches.

19th Century

The Beginning of Physical Education
As societies began the process of industrialisation, physical activity declined in many places leading to sedentary lifestyles. For the first time, gyms became more common in Europe and the United States as places to counteract this. Early pioneers, like Friedrich Ludwig Jahn in Germany (the "father of gymnastics") began to promote the importance of physical education and exercise systems, but the concept of a Personal Trainer as we now know it was still non-existent.

1900s – 1940s

The First BodyBuilders
Strength training first gained popularity in the early 1900s, with Eugen Sandow considered the first professional bodybuilder around this time. However it was far from mainstream, and bodybuilding was still seen as a slightly strange niche. Regardless, by this time it was not unheard of for wealthy individuals or exclusive health clubs to employ private trainers that would devise personal training plans. Personal training was beginning to become a part of society.

1950s - 2000s

The Fitness Boom
After World War II there was a growing connection between fitness and health, which truly began to boom from the 1970s. The rise of aerobics, jogging and fitness programmes on TV made fitness fashionable, and bodybuilding became more mainstream (thanks in no small part to a Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger).From the 1990s, personal training became more professional, with the introduction of certifications - and also more accessible as gyms chains expanded globally.

Reviews

Wondering if this is a good fit for you? Other personal trainers can be the best resource for working out what life might look like if you pursue this role.

Personal Trainer – Gym

Simon

I left the army and took a job in a local gym where I provide personal training. I work some evenings, but generally speaking, the work-life balance is great and seeing people hit their goals is always really rewarding.

Freelance Personal Trainer

Mel

I started personal training once my kids got a bit older as a part-time position, but it has snowballed and I work full time now. I mainly work with women in a one-to-one environment and I love it, especially when people grow in confidence. I do travel a lot as a freelancer which is a downside, but a couple of my clients are even online in other countries.

Have you been a personal trainer? Leave a review of the career to help out others who are considering the role!
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Similar careers

The following careers have some connection to personal training and may be a progression route or alternative option.

Resources

Want to learn more about being a personal trainer? We’ve collected some brilliant resources that can help with training and understanding the career.
Article

How To Become A Personal Trainer - UCAS

UCAS handles university admissions in the UK and has a lot of knowledge for those who want to train as a personal trainer.
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Two people training in a gym using ropes
Book

Personal Training: Theory and Practice

This well-reviewed book provides an insight into the career and what it entails, including how to qualify, from James Crossley
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Personal Training: Theory and Practice book cover
Video

How to Become a Personal Trainer UK

Alasdair from The Fitness Group talks people through how to become a personal trainer in the UK and the a little about his experience in the role.
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YouTube video of how to become a Personal Trainer

Specialisms

A few personal trainers may have specialisms in certain areas that can be appealing to clients who are looking to achieve specific goals.

Regulatory bodies

Personal training does not have a huge number of regulations, but there is a professional body involved that helps to keep clients and trainers safe.