Fitness Career Tips

Tempted by a career in the fitness industry? Our fitness career tips are here to guide you through how to get your essential qualifications and land your dream job.

It starts with solid fitness qualifications

The fitness industry qualification standard for future Fitness Instructors is the level 2 certificate in fitness instructing. If personal training is where you’re headed you’ll need the level 3 certificate in personal training. A popular option is to combine both your level 2 and level 3 with a personal trainer certificate course.

Your training provider, like us here at the Academy of Fitness Professionals should be CIMSPA and REPs accredited and have their training recognised by an external awarding body, such as the NCFE. This gives you the confidence that you are making a sensible choice in training provider that meets the highest standards in personal trainer education.

This means you can rest easy with the peace of mind that once you’ve passed your course your certificate ticks all the right boxes for you to work in the industry.

In summary, choose the right course and devote the time to get qualified properly.

Knowledge is power

During your fitness course you should expect to study both theory and practical skills The knowledge you learn and gain from your course will ultimately define how successful you will be so look for robust course materials, tutor support, practical workshops and don’t be tempted to take what seem like quick fix short cuts.

We provide in-depth training that starts with the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, exercise principles, client exercise selection and programme design all the way through to hands on practical training sessions in a gym. By being equipped with the need to know knowledge and skills you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in the workplace.

In summary, absorb all the information you learn like a sponge for it will be invaluable to your clients’ later on.

Say yes to work shadowing

It is never too early to shadow a PT. Think about how you can free up some time in the gym to observe the art of personal training for real.

In summary, the more experience you have under your belt the more you’ll be job ready.

Avoid guaranteed interview promises

The old adage typically rings true here that if something seems too good to be true it most probably is. Most personal trainer jobs are freelance so you are paid based on the clients you secure and work with. Typically there will be rental, commission, or a similar payment arrangement from you the trainer for use of the gym facilities. Once you are approaching the final stage in your fitness qualifications gyms will be interested in interviewing you in your own right. We believe there is no need to feel tied to a training provider or pay higher course fees for the privilege of an interview.

In summary, look for a CIMSPA and REPs accredited course with theory and practical training and think carefully about entering into excessive fees or complex loan agreements.

Your fitness career is a journey not a destination

Most fitness professionals move jobs a number of times in their fitness career and many even start up their own businesses. Our most successful graduates already know where they are headed once they achieve their personal trainer qualifications. What’s more they know where they’d like their career to be in 1 and 3 years’ time and beyond.

In summary, to maximise your success know where your fitness career is going and have a clear plan of how to get there.