Fitness instructor
Fitness instructors organise exercise programmes to improve people's health and fitness.
What you'll do
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 and progression
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
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- a desire to help people
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to teach and motivate people
- 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
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have insurance
- have a first aid certificate
- pass enhanced background checks
You'll usually need public indemnity and professional liability insurance, if you're self-employed.
How to become
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
You can do a recognised qualification in gym instructing or fitness instructing.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this route.
More Information
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.
More Information
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.
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:
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.
Related videos
Suggested videos
Coffee With is in early release mode with a limited number of videos. New videos are being added every week, so please check back for updates.
External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.