How to Become a
Personal Trainer
How to Become a Personal Trainer UK
With the careers in the fitness industry continuing to boom and personal trainer earnings becoming one of the highest paid jobs in the UK you might be starting to wonder how to become a personal trainer, and what steps you need to take to become an accredited personal trainer.
We have written this comprehensive 10 step guide to provide a complete step by step guide that’s easy to follow, providing the ultimate guidance on how to become a personal trainer in the UK.
How to Become a Personal Trainer in 10 Steps
If you are thinking about a new a new career as a personal trainer, then this 10 step is all you will need to follow to get started.
Here are our 10 steps to become a Personal Trainer in the UK. The 10 steps are a combination of understanding the role of a personal trainer, the career opportunities as a qualified personal trainer, how to choose the best accredited personal training qualifications and the steps you must take after graduation to launch your new career.
Our video on how to become a personal trainer.
In this video our expert tutor Alasdair explains how become a Personal Trainer in the UK, and why you should study with us at The Fitness Group. We will cover what qualifications you need to become a personal trainer in the UK and why when you study with us you will be gain the industry leading, internationally accredited personal training courses.
If you are thinking about a new a new career as a personal trainer, then this video combined with our 10 step guide below will give you a comprehensive understanding of what is required to become a personal trainer in the UK.
Our qualifications are internationally recognised, therefore, with our qualifications you can offer services around the globe!
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Step 1: Assess your passion and motivation to become a personal trainer
If you are reading this 10-step guide on how to become a personal trainer then you will already have a passion for the fitness industry and you will be considering becoming a personal trainer as a career option.
As a personal trainer you play a vital role in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals, improve their health and enhance their overall well-being. You will work closely with clients, providing guidance, motivation, and personalised workout plans tailored to their unique needs.
Before embarking on your journey to become a personal trainer, it’s essential to assess your passion and motivation for fitness and your prospective new career.
- Do you enjoy working with people?
- Are you passionate about health, fitness and well-being?
- Beyond your personal passion for the industry are you driven to make an impact on other’s lives?
- Are you ready to become a personal trainer in a side hustle to your full time job or do you want to change career?
Personal training requires dedication, empathy, and a genuine desire to help people reach their full potential.
Step 2: Research essential skills and personal trainer career opportunities
There are several career pathways you can follow once you complete your accredited personal training courses to become a personal trainer.
Your personal training course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to support your future clients with health, fitness and nutrition.
When you know how to become a personal trainer and you are qualified your next step will be to research your career direction, will you operate your own business or look for employed work?
Let’s consider the different career options and the complimentary skills and activities you will undertake in your new career.
2.1 How to Become a Personal Trainer that is self employed.
Over 80% of personal trainers are self-employed. Most of the UK’s big gym companies operate an unpaid, self-employed model in their facilities (Pure Gym, JD Gym, The Gym Group).
This means you will work for the operator on an unpaid basis for something in the region of 10-15 hours per week for free however you will have the freedom to operate your own personal training business from their facility.
If you decide you follow this pathway and operate your own business from a national gym you will keep 100% of the revenue without additional operator fees.
How to become a personal trainer with a paid employed role.
There are fewer employed personal trainer roles than self-employed positions with less than 20% of personal trainers in paid employed roles. There are still some big national brand gyms offering paid opportunities though.
You can research how to become a personal trainer with specific employers, and we at The Fitness Group can give you support and set you up with interviews too!
Some of the leading UK gym’s offering paid roles to our graduates include, Third Space, Ultimate Performance, Virgin Active and Nuffield Health.
The benefit of an employed role is that you will have an agreed employment contract where you are paid for an agreed number of hours each week.
Whilst you do not have the freedom to choose your own hours in this role and create your own brand, its big advantage it the certainty of income that it provides.
Step 3. Research your earning potential as a personal trainer
Whether you are looking to transition from an existing career, or this is your first step in a new career you should research how much personal trainers earn and forecast this against your required income.
Follow these 3 steps to accurately complete step 3:
- Collate and summarise your current expenses – what is the total cost of your personal bills per month. Include every outgoing in here and forecast for non-planned income.
- Consider whether you want to supplement your existing career with additional income from starting your new career as a personal trainer part-time or whether you want to start your new career by making the full switch.
- Look at our guide on how much personal trainers earn to calculate how many clients and sessions you will need to complete each month to meet your breakeven point. Your breakeven point should be enough income to pay all your bills and afford food and general expenses. You can then extend this to plan for desired income and set goals to achieve a higher income beyond breakeven.
Read our latest guide on the costs of hiring a personal trainer in the UK. This will support you to create a pricing strategy for your new business. It will give you examples of the differences between the JD Personal Trainer Cost Vs the David Lloyd Personal Trainer Cost.
Step 5. Invest in industry a leading personal training course.
Step 5 of how to become a personal trainer is obtaining the right certifications and education.
What Qualifications do you need to become a Personal Trainer?
To become a personal trainer you will need to obtain a Level 3 Personal Training Diploma.
It’s important that the qualification is awarded by a leading UK awarding body. At The Fitness Group our qualifications are awarded by the two leading awarding bodies in the UK, Active IQ and Focus Awards.
You should also check that the qualification is recognised by Ofqual and appears on the Ofqual Framework for Qualifications.
Finally, if your qualification is underpinned by a reputable Awarding Body and appears on the Ofqual Framework then CIMSPA will also endorse the qualification.
There are many training providers in the UK who will claim their personal training qualifications are accredited and recognised however the qualification they are offering is not fit for purpose and many employers will not accept it as sufficient. Its therefore always important you check that the qualification appears on the Ofqual Framework.
At The Fitness Group all of our qualifications appear on the Ofqual Framework and are recognised by CIMSPA.
All employers will accept and recognise your achievement of gaining your qualification with us as a marker of high quality and trust.
When it comes to selecting the right training provider, The Fitness Group sets itself apart. With a reputation for excellence, we offer comprehensive and industry-recognised education. Our commitment to providing comprehensive, flexible support from experienced expert tutors makes studying with us the leading choice for aspiring personal trainers.
We are the only Training Provider to offer a completely risk-free Rock-Solid Money Back Guarantee too. We know you love studying with us so you can do it with confidence, risk free.
In your search through the qualifications to be a personal trainer you should also consider independent review platforms like TrustPilot.
How to Become a Personal Trainer Step 5 – Get Qualified.
To become a personal trainer, you will need to obtain the industry standard of an accredited Level 3 Personal Training Qualification.
Our Level 2 Gym Instructor Course is the first step on your journey however if your goal is to become a personal trainer we recommend studying our Level 3 Gym and Personal Training Diploma or our Level 3 Specialist Personal Training Diploma.
Below is a breakdown of the qualifications to be a personal trainer:
Level 2 Gym Instructor – There is no Level 1 qualification required to be completed before studying at Level 2. Therefore, your first step in your journey to become a personal trainer is the Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification. This qualification can be studied as a standalone qualification and when you graduate you will have the skills, knowledge and qualification required to work as a gym instructor or fitness instructor.
Level 3 Gym and Personal Training Diploma – This is our most popular personal training qualification; it combines Level 2 gym instructor and level 3 personal training diploma qualifications. This course is the perfect if you wish to become a personal trainer with no prior experience.
Level 3 Specialist Personal Training Diploma – Everything included in the Level 3 Gym and Personal Training Diploma plus 2 x additional accredited CPD Courses. This creates an advanced package, allowing you to further upskill and invest in your knowledge. We allow our learners to mix and match their chosen CPD courses. Some examples include Level 3 Pre and Post Natal, Level 2 Indoor Studio Cycling and Level 2 Mental Health Awareness.
Industry Leading Personal Training Qualifications
Our student reviews will support you in your research into how to become a personal trainer.
Step 6. Plan your personal trainer career with support from expert mentors.
At this stage we advise our students to continue planning their next steps and begin extending on the initial research they carried out in steps 1-3 of this guide.
During your Level 3 studies you will study and qualify in our module, Professionalism and Business Acumen for Personal Trainers.
During this module you will plan your new personal training business and conduct market research. We will support you to research the various employment models that exist in the industry, and you will begin to plan your marketing strategy and your financial forecast.
It’s important to plan what services you will offer, the personal trainer marketing strategies you will use, the best apps that will support your client service and what personal training package pricing you will implement.
How to Become a Personal Trainer Step 7. Get personal training business insurance.
If you are operating as a personal trainer in a self-employed basis, you must gain commercial business insurance. If you are in an employed role you should check with your employer.
It’s important that you seek advice and work out what personal trainer business insurance is right for your circumstances.
By ensuring your business is sufficiently insured you are protecting yourself against claims from individuals, and any third parties (like gym operators) for damages. You can also choose to take out loss of earning insurance.
Your insurance will need to be updated annually. You will also want to update your insurance if your services change as your business grows.
Remember your insurance costs are also a tax-deductible expense for your business too.
Step 8. Launch your personal training business or move into an employed personal trainer role
About 80% of personal trainers in the UK are self-employed or are operating their own personal training limited company.
Most of major national gym’s operate with the support of personal trainers working for free, in return the personal trainer is given use of the club, the equipment and has access to all the members to operate their business.
Typical examples include working 12 hours per week, usually either three four-hour shifts or two six-hour shifts for the gym. In these shifts the personal trainer will undertake duties ranging from cleaning, member engagement activates and delivering group exercise classes, like spin.
The self-employed personal trainer is then free to conduct personal training sessions at any other time on the gym floor and keep 100% of the earnings.
Alternatively, you may want to launch your new personal training business from an independent gym. The employment options and personal training rental models vary from gym to gym, and there may be a greater degree of negation and flexibility with the gym owner.
Most gym operators, whether a national chain or a local independent gym, will have some personal trainer rental options where you can pay a fixed rental fee each month in exchange for use of the facility to run your business.
Finally, there are fully employed personal training roles available too.
Additionally, as the most trusted fitness education training provider in the UK, we can support graduates to secure an interview at any UK gym.
How to become a Personal Trainer Step 9. Invest in further education (CPD).
As the fitness industry continues to evolve, specialising in specific areas can set you apart as a personal trainer. Explore niche areas such as sports conditioning, pre and postnatal fitness or gain specific group exercise qualifications like Kettlebells or Spin.
By continuing to invest in your education with specific accredited CPD qualifications you will expand your market and set yourself apart from other personal trainers through specialism.
For example, after studying our Level 3 Pre and Post Natal Qualification you qualified to support females with training whilst they are pregnant and with their return to fitness after pregnancy. Not only does this give you the ability to market to new clients but it may also improve your retention of clients. If you support females as a personal trainer, then the chances are at some stage one of your female clients will give you their brilliant news that they are pregnant. As a qualified pre- and post-natal specialist, you can retain your client and continue to support her throughout her pregnancy.
Spin or indoor studio cycling classes continue to be one of the most popular group exercises in the country. If you are qualified to deliver this then you can meet new people, build new relationships, and once again take this opportunity to market your business to a new audience.
The Fitness Group offers a range of continuing education opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and online resources, ensuring you remain at the forefront of the fitness industry.
Step 10.1 Practical Application
Practical experience is invaluable for personal trainers. You will want to gain as much practical experience as possible, this will help you to improve your programme, improve your communication and it will provide you with real case studies that you can use to market your services.
Seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience through a mix of paid work, personal training rental models and offering taster sessions.
The Fitness Group assists in connecting you with industry professionals and facilities that offer practical training opportunities, helping you apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Shadowing experienced personal trainers is another opportunity that you can explore. This an excellent opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals.
Step 10.2 Marketing & Growing your Business
As you gain experience, collect client success stories and create case studies showcasing your ability to deliver results. Sharing these testimonials and real-life examples with potential clients demonstrates your expertise and builds trust in your capabilities as a personal trainer.
Understanding the Business Side of Personal Training Running a successful personal training business requires a solid understanding of basic business principles. Familiarise yourself with business planning, marketing strategies, legal considerations, and financial management. The Fitness Group provides resources and guidance to help you navigate the business aspects of being a personal trainer.
Effective personal trainer marketing is essential to attract clients and grow your personal training business. Develop a compelling personal brand, create a professional website, and utilise social media platforms to showcase your expertise and engage with potential clients.
Utilising social media and Online Platforms Social media platforms offer powerful tools to promote your personal training services.
Retaining clients and fostering long-term relationships is vital for sustainable business growth. Develop strategies to provide exceptional customer service, create personalised experiences, and establish yourself as a trusted fitness professional.
The Fitness Group understands the importance of ongoing support and mentorship for personal trainers.
How to Become a Personal Trainer -Summary
| How to Become a Personal Trainer | Action to become a PT |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Assess your Passion and Motivation to Become a Personal Trainer |
| Step 2 | Research Essential Skills and Personal Trainer Career Opportunities |
| Step 3 | Research your Earning Potential as a Personal Trainer |
| Step 4 | Invest in Industry a Leading Personal Training Course |
| Step 5 | Get Qualified as a Personal Trainer |
| Step 6 | Plan your Personal Trainer Career with support from expert mentors |
| Step 7 | Get Personal Training Business Insurance |
| Step 8 | Launch your Personal Training Business or Move into an Employed Personal Training Role |
| Step 9 | Invest in Further Education (CPD) |
| Step 10 | Practical Application & Marketing your Business |
Becoming a personal trainer is an exhilarating journey filled with personal growth, helping others achieve their fitness goals, and making a positive impact on people’s lives. With The Fitness Group as your trusted partner, you’ll receive industry leading, 5 star education, practical training, and ongoing support to kickstart your personal training career.
Remember, success as a personal trainer requires dedication, continuous learning, and a genuine passion for fitness. Embrace the opportunity to inspire and transform lives through The Fitness Group’s comprehensive programs.
Take the first step towards a rewarding career by enrolling in The Fitness Group’s personal training certification today. Let your fitness journey begin!
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FAQs
- Active IQ is the leading industry awarding body in the internationally.
- In the UK CIMSPA is the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, i
- In Europe EREPs help support the health health and fitness sector, promoting standards and providing endorsement and
- In the UAE, REPs UAE is a public register which recognises the qualifications and expertise of exercise instructors in the UAE.
Active IQ is the leading awarding organisation in the industry and their qualification standards are renowned as being the leading standard. Active IQ are recognised and regulated by Ofqual within the Active Leisure sector. The certifications they provide act as a benchmark for quality and credibility for those wishing to join the industry.
We use Active IQ as our chosen Awarding Body as we want to ensure our students achieve an renowned internationally recognised qualification that is fully recognised in the industry by all employers.The Fitness Group Education has consistently achieved the highest possible Education Centre Quality Approval Rating every year in all internal and external quality audits.We provide the highest standard in health and fitness education.