STEP 1
Ask Yourself – is this the career for me?
Your Personal Training course will give you all the information you need to qualify. A selection of topics included are:
Anatomy and physiology for exercise.
Know how to support clients who take part in exercise and physical activity.
Health, safety and welfare in a fitness environment.
Principles of exercise, fitness and health.
Planning gym-based exercise.
Instructing gym-based exercise.
Applying the principles of nutrition to a physical activity programme.
Programming personal training with clients.
Delivering personal training sessions.
Personal Training Business Acumen.
Other ‘real-life’ skills are also necessary to become a successful personal trainer Practitioner
- Communication and listening skills
- Time management and problem-solving skills
- Coordination, balance, and endurance and
- How to practically motivate people and people management
- Basic marketing and sales skills
- Basic IT and computer skills
STEP 2
Research the Industry – get CIMSPA Registered
It is important that you choose the best Personal Training course. There are many training providers like us (HFI Training) competing for your business. The most important factor is the training provider must have a CIMSPA recognised ‘awarding body’ for the qualification you receive to enable you to register as a CIMSPA Personal Trainer “Practitioner”. We have Focus Awards as our awarding body who are CIMSPA approved. Other approved awarding bodies are Active IQ and CYQ. The next thing to consider is the training provider who will be guiding you through your study of theory knowledge and practicals skills is a right match for you.
The CIMSPA recognised qualification you need may be called any of the following but ensure that you are getting the Personal Trainer Practitioner Diploma as this is what CIMSPA will require you to have:
- Level 3 Personal Trainer Course
- Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
- Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training & Fitness Instructing
STEP 3
Get Qualified
Our Level 2 Gym Instructor Course is the first step on your journey. However, to become a Personal Trainer, you need to achieve the industry standard Personal Trainer Practitioner (previously called Level 3). All of our Personal Training courses have been designed for those who want to become Personal Trainers and be able to provide high-quality Personal Training above industry standards.
- Level 2 Gym Instructor Course -Ideal for beginners training to become a Fitness or Gym Instructor or as a starting point for a Personal Training qualification.
- Personal Trainer Practitioner Course (was called Level 3) – Perfect for anyone who wants to become a respected, specialist fitness professional.
- Level 4 Elite Personal Trainer Course – Gain the highest industry status as an Advanced Personal Trainer with Level 4 status.
- Global Personal Trainer Course – Gain both the highest industry standard in the UK (PT Practitioner) and Globally (ACSM Certified Personal Trainer) too.
STEP 4
Get Insured
Without insurance, you won’t be able to train people in most gyms, and if your client is injured, you will be liable for any costs. Find yourself a reputable insurance company and make sure that you update this annually. CIMSPA have access to the UK’s largest insurance scheme.
By getting insured, you protect yourself against claims arising from third parties or damages. Insurances also cover public liabilities, professional indemnity, sports equipment, personal accidents and loss of earnings.
STEP 5
Gain Work Experience
You can begin your PT career by seeking employment as a Gym Instructor, or volunteering at your local health club, shadowing the trainers there.
The other option to earn a personal trainer salary is to get job interviews through HFI’s guaranteed interviews scheme.
STEP 6
Start a business or seek employment
Kickstart your Personal Training career with some of the UK’s leading gyms and health clubs who are recruiting our course graduates such as Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and xercise4less.
Self-employed Personal Trainers can either pay rent to a gym to work in their space, or they may have their own personal training studio. Some also choose to train in public spaces or could go to their client’s homes to train.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both types of work:
- A self-employed person gets to keep all the money they earn and has much more freedom over who, when and where they train.
- An employed person has job security and a steady income.
You gain all the skills and insight you will need with our Career Consultation Package – please contact us for details.
STEP 7
Build your client base
Personal Trainers, of course, require customers. Although raising your profile through social media is a wonderful place to start, you’ll likely need to be more active if you want to attract new ones.
You can build a fitness blog, and of course, you have to learn also how to promote it.