The UK fitness industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Between 2011 and 2020, the number of gyms and fitness centres more than doubled. When you include health clubs and fitness centres, there are over 7,000 gyms in the UK.
Despite a brief setback during the pandemic, which also caused a lot of independent gyms to close, the industry is expected to bounce back and exceed previous levels once the official figures are released. It’s thought that around 16% of the population, roughly 11 million people, have a gym membership.
Nowadays, gyms aren’t just places for bodybuilders and those looking to build muscle. In fact, the main reasons people join a gym according to Pure Gym’s UK Fitness Report are:
- To improve overall health
- To lose weight
- To enhance mental well-being
As the industry continues to grow, there are a number of positive fitness movements, such as women’s strength training and newcomer fitness events like Hyrox, helping to reach new audiences.
And with more people looking to hit the gym on a regular basis, it means more gym jobs for those with a passion for health and fitness. This article will explore the various gym jobs available, their requirements and the best places to find these exciting opportunities.
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Why gym staff make a difference?
Gym staff are important. They play a crucial role in creating a positive, friendly and motivating environment for members.
As someone who has visited many different gyms over the years, the staff make such a difference to your overall experience and whether you want to come back or not. When you visit a gym 2-5 times a week, you become familiar with the faces of the staff, and they should become familiar with you too – a simple hello or acknowledgement can go a long way in making you feel welcome and valued. All too often this doesn’t happen, even when you’ve seen the same gym staff for years!
It’s important to remember that even if you’re self-employed, as a gym staff member, you’re representing the facility you work in. So, if you do land a gym job, make sure to take the time to acknowledge and interact with members. Straight away it makes you more friendly and approachable. It’s a simple gesture that can make a significant difference to people’s experience and to your career in getting clients.
How to get started in a gym job?
When considering a career in the fitness industry, it’s important to assess what qualifications, if any, you’ll need.
The answer is that it depends on the specific role you’re interested in. If you’re looking to work in a fitness environment but not directly with clients or class members, you may not need any specific qualifications. In fact, most non-instructional positions, such as gym receptionist or cleaner, require basic qualifications like English and Maths GCSEs, along with good administrative experience and communication skills.
However, if you’re reading this, I expect that you want to work as a fitness instructor in a gym or how to become a personal trainer.
To become a fitness or gym instructor, enabling you to teach group classes on the timetable, you’ll need to get your Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification. To train individual clients and create fitness programmes as a personal trainer, you’ll need to get your Level 3 Personal Trainer certifications. You can do a course like our Level 3 Gym & Personal Training Course Diploma which combines both Level 2 and Level 3.
You can choose to study online with our flexible study options or in person at one of our UK locations. For example you can study our industry leading level 3 personal training courses in London, our Glasgow Personal Trainer Courses, Bristol PT Course, Manchester Personal Trainer Course or any other of our UK locations.
Alongside getting the right qualifications, you’ll want to increase your chances of landing a gym job too. It’s always a good idea to gain as much practical experience as possible to build both your skills and valuable relationships within the fitness industry. Whether this is volunteering, attending events or connecting with gym professionals, the networking side of things is always more important than you think.
Lastly when applying for gym jobs, make sure to write up a strong CV and cover letter tailored to the specific role you’re interested in. Highlight your relevant qualifications, experience and passion for the fitness industry to stand out from other applicants.
Types of gym jobs
With a gym setting, there are a variety of gym jobs available. You might be able to apply for these already, or for others, such as managerial positions, you’ll have to gain further experience and potentially new qualifications. Let’s take a look at the most common gym jobs.
Gym Instructor
A gym instructor is responsible for teaching a variety of fitness classes, such as indoor cycling and kettlebell classes. You’re also required to help members with equipment on the gym floor and conducting gym inductions.
To become a fitness or gym instructor, it’s a requirement to have a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification. This is your first step into a career in the fitness industry, aiming to give you a professional competency to deliver safe and effective exercise classes.
When choosing a course, make sure that it’s backed up by CIMSPA and regulated by Ofqual. CIMSPA endorsement guarantees that the course content meets high-quality standards, whilst Ofqual regulation ensures consistency across different course providers.
Most gym instructors will be employed by the facility on a part time or full time basis. Successful gym instructors possess excellent communication skills, a passion for fitness and the ability to motivate and inspire others. With experience and further qualifications, gym instructors can progress to roles such as personal trainer or gym manager.
Personal Trainer
Level 3 Personal Trainer Personal trainers work one-on-one or with small groups to design and deliver bespoke fitness programmes. This role requires a Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification, as it involves more advanced knowledge and skills compared to a L2 fitness instructor.
Personal trainers assess clients’ fitness levels, set goals and create personalised exercise and nutrition plans to help them achieve their objectives. They also provide guidance, support and motivation throughout the client’s fitness journey.
In addition to the Level 3 qualification, personal trainers should have excellent interpersonal skills, a good understanding of anatomy and physiology and the ability to adapt to different clients’ needs and preferences. You can hone skills and further knowledge by completing additional qualifications to set you apart from the competition. Good ideas here are nutrition courses, level 4 PT qualifications and sports massage courses.
Personal training can be a lucrative career, with the potential to earn a significant income through a combination of employed and self-employed work. It can be one of the highest paid jobs without a degree. Have a read here on how much personal trainers can make.
It’s worth saying that around 80% of PTs are self-employed, so it’s also a good idea to have an in-depth understanding of running your own business. You’ll also need to have other things in place such as personal trainer insurance to make sure you’re covered.
Assistant Gym Manager
An assistant gym manager plays a hands-on role in the day-to-day operations of a gym. They focus on member engagement, personal trainer support, PT hiring, maintaining good standards on the gym floor and supporting commercial performance.
They work closely with the gym manager to ensure the smooth running of the facility and the development of a successful group exercise programme.
An assistant gym manager is a role for those who want to progress further towards being a gym manager. It’s a great gym job too as you’ll naturally learn a lot about running a gym, attracting members and keeping them. The job requires strong leadership, good communication and organisational skills.
Gym Manager
A gym manager is responsible for the overall operation and success of a fitness facility. They oversee staff performance, sales, marketing and the delivery of high-quality services to members. To become a gym manager, you typically need to have experience as a personal trainer and have worked in a gym environment for a good amount of time.
Most gym manager positions require a minimum of a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification, with a Level 3 Personal Trainer certification often being desirable. This shows that you’ve been there and have the knowledge to support staff in the gym.
Additionally, sound business understanding, sales experience and experience in a managerial role will be key to landing this gym job. Some gyms may ask for extra qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like Business Management, but it might not be essential to others if you can show some excellent experience.
A gym manager has a strong customer service side, great communication and good leadership skills. Eventually, an experienced gym manager with true passion for fitness may even consider opening their own fitness facility.
Other gym jobs
Although many of the 24 hour gyms no longer have them, a gym receptionist is still the first point of contact for many members going to the gym.
A receptionist plays an important role in setting the tone and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Their responsibilities include greeting members, handling inquiries, managing bookings and maintaining the reception area.
Whilst no specific fitness qualifications are required, gym receptionists should have excellent customer service and organisational skills.
You can also get other related gym jobs. For example, some forward thinking independent gyms have nutritionists to help clients out on the diet side. If you’re technically minded, you might be able to get a job as a fitness equipment technician where you head out to fix broken kit in gyms.
Where to find gym jobs?
If you’re looking for a gym job, you’ll want to know where the best places are to find one. The good news is that there are several places you can start your search.
One of the best options is to explore the career pages of major gym chains in the UK. These companies often have a dedicated ‘work for us’ section on their websites, listing available positions across their various locations. In my experience, gyms are always on the look out for core roles such as gym instructors and personal trainers.
Some of the top gym chains to consider include:
- Pure Gym – With 380 locations across the country, Pure Gym is the largest gym company in the UK. They offer a wide range of employment opportunities. Take a look at Pure Gym careers here.
- The Gym Group – Boasting 236 locations, The Gym Group is another major player in the UK fitness industry, providing plenty of gym job opportunities for fitness enthusiasts. You can find the Gym Group careers page here.
- JD Gyms – This growing chain has around 70 gyms nationwide, making it a great place to start your fitness career. The gyms are nice, sleek and well kitted out. Check out their work for us section.
- Nuffield Health – With 114 gyms, Nuffield Health combines fitness facilities with wellbeing services, offering a unique work environment. You can find their careers page here.
- David Lloyd – This premium gym chain has 103 clubs across the UK, providing a high-end fitness experience for its members and staff. More on David Lloyd careers.
- Everlast Gyms – Everlast has 55 gyms throughout the country, offering a range of fitness services and employment opportunities. Find Everlast Gym jobs here.
- Virgin Active – although smaller in scale, with 32 gyms around the country, Virgin Active is known for its luxurious facilities and high-quality services. Take a look at the Virgin Active careers page.
- Better Gyms – Operated by the charitable social enterprise GLL, Better Gyms manages 250 sports and leisure facilities, providing a variety of job opportunities. Find Better Gyms job opportunities here.
- Anytime Fitness – With 190 locations, Anytime Fitness offers 24/7 access to its gyms, requiring dedicated staff to maintain operations.
- Snap Fitness – This international chain has 95 locations in the UK, making it the 6th largest gym chain in the country. It offers a welcoming atmosphere for both members and employees.
As well as the jobs and careers page of the gym chains, you can also find a lot of gym jobs on popular job sites such as:
These platforms bring together job opportunities from various sources, making it easier for you to find and apply for gym positions that match your skills and preferences.
Where are all the gym jobs?
When it comes to the distribution of gym jobs across the UK, London takes the lead with a 20% market share. The Greater London area itself has over 1,000 gyms. However, it’s clearly not the only area and several other cities across the UK have emerged as fitness hubs, offering a high concentration of gyms and job opportunities.
For example, the north-west cities of Preston, Bolton and Manchester have some of the highest gyms per residents ratio in the UK. You can read up on the best gyms in Manchester here.
Glasgow is also another city with a high number of fitness facilities compared to residents. This makes it a great place to find a gym job. You can find our take on the best gyms in Glasgow here.
The Midland cities of Birmingham and Nottingham are also high up on the list in terms of gym numbers, making them attractive options for those looking to start and progress a career in fitness.
Looking to get started with your next gym job?
Are you ready to turn your love for fitness into a fulfilling and rewarding career? With gyms gaining more and more importance within society, getting started with a gym job can be a great move for you.
Look no further than The Fitness Group’s comprehensive range of personal training courses. Our CIMSPA-accredited programmes are designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to excel in the dynamic world of fitness.
Kickstart your journey with our Level 2 Gym Instructor course, which requires no prior qualifications. This foundation programme will set you on the path to success, providing you with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of fitness instruction. Once you’ve completed this course, take your career to the next level with our Level 3 Personal Training course, which will transform you into a fully qualified, industry-ready personal trainer.
To help you stand out in a competitive market, we also offer a variety of specialist courses, including pre and post-natal fitness, kettlebell instruction and our popular level 4 strength and conditioning. These additional qualifications will expand your skill set and allow you to cater to a wider range of clients with specific needs and goals.
At The Fitness Group, we are committed to your success. That’s why all of our courses come with unparalleled expert guidance, ongoing support and flexible 0% finance options to make your training affordable and accessible. By earning an internationally recognised PT qualification through us, you’ll be setting yourself up for a thriving career in the fitness industry, with limitless opportunities for growth and financial success. Get in touch with us today to discover more about our courses and take the first step towards becoming a qualified, in-demand fitness professional.