What Is a Fitness Trainer (and How Do I Become One)?

Fitness trainers coach individuals or groups in exercises and other fitness-related activities. This might include cardiovascular training, strength training, or stretching and mobility exercises. If you're self-directed and enjoy working with people, a career as a fitness trainer could be a good fit.

Fitness trainers are in demand due to several factors, including an increased awareness of the importance of health and fitness. Learn about this growing field and the required skills and experience to become a fitness trainer. 

What does a fitness trainer do?

A fitness trainer leads and instructs individuals or groups on proper exercise techniques, form, and routines, monitoring progress and offering motivation and resources when needed. As a fitness trainer you’ll demonstrate various movements and safe alternatives to minimise the risk of injury whilst helping people reach fitness and health goals. You may also teach group fitness classes, coordinate routines, and develop exercises. As well as being an expert in exercise, you should be able to perform emergency first aid and follow health and safety procedures. 

Fitness trainer salary

According to Glassdoor, fitness trainers or instructors in the UK make an average annual base salary of £22,412, with a range of £17,000 to £27,000 [1]. 

What skills do fitness trainers need?

Fitness trainers' skills centre around achieving health and fitness goals and understanding the impact of exercise on the body. In some cases, you will offer nutrition and lifestyle guidance and should be able to provide clients with support, guidance, and advice to safely perform exercises that may include cardio, strength training, stretches, or other forms of movement. 

If you're interested in pursuing a career as a fitness trainer, focus on these key skills:

Knowledge of health and fitness

To be an effective fitness trainer, you’ll need to understand how exercise and nutrition work together. This will likely include knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. People will seek your expertise to help them reach goals that may include weight loss, muscle gain, or improving cardiovascular health. 

Leadership

Fitness trainers often lead group exercise routines or classes. Leading a group may require an energetic presence, a positive and encouraging attitude, and empathy for others. Your goal in a group fitness setting is to create a team mentality and supportive environment where people want to work hard but also enjoy the exercise.

Relationship management

Good communication skills and the ability to tailor workout routines or programmes based on individual needs are crucial. It’s also crucial to maintain an encouraging attitude and listen to client feedback. 

Motivation

Create an environment that helps people meet their goals. Fitness trainers should have the skills to inspire and motivate their clients, including creating targeted fitness programmes that are engaging and fun. 

Business skills

Having essential business skills and an understanding of customer service can be very beneficial in this career. Some trainers start their own businesses after building a loyal client base whilst working for a gym or fitness centre. Some trainers start by building an online presence and grow their business from there. Some essential business skills include:

• Filing taxes as freelancers or business owners 

• Methods for managing and accepting payments

• Scheduling and time management 

• Creating legally binding contracts

• Marketing and brand building 

How to become a fitness trainer

To become a fitness trainer, learn about the industry, consider specialising in a particular area of fitness, and earn the appropriate certification for your fitness career goals. 

Learn about the fitness industry.

As a fitness trainer, it’s important to stay updated on the latest fitness trends to stay relevant in the industry and grow as a professional. It’s your job to stay on top of trends and learn ways to meet your clients' needs and goals. 

Consider a specialisation.

Many fitness trainers have a specialisation. Certified personal trainers, for example, may choose a speciality when getting a certification. Specialities may include prenatal and postnatal exercise, youth fitness, senior fitness, weight loss, group fitness, or strength and conditioning. If you’re looking to become specialised in a specific fitness area, getting certified may be the most effective method for becoming an expert in a particular field. 

Earn a level 2 gym instructor certification.

To work as a fitness trainer in a gym or leisure centre, you need to achieve your level 2 gym instructor certification, endorsed by The Chartered Institute of Sports Management and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). From here, you can progress to a personal trainer by completing your level 3 or level 4 certifications if that’s your goal. 

Earn a certification or certificate.

Fitness trainers have many certification options from different professional organisations to add to a level 2 gym instructor certification. Certifications may enhance your CV and give you credibility in certain areas such as nutrition and first aid.

The following are some examples of certifications to consider:

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) 

• Level 3 Nutrition and Weight Management

• Level 3 Sports Massage

Do I need a degree to become a fitness trainer?

The minimum requirement to become a fitness instructor is a Level 2 gym instructor certification. You don’t need a degree, but if you do choose that route, look for CIMSPA approved degrees such as sports science with a level 2 gym instructor certification built into the course. 

Getting started as a fitness trainer

As a fitness trainer, you have the ability to help people improve their lives through exercise and a healthy lifestyle. You can qualify relatively quickly and don’t need to study for a degree.

Explore whether fitness may be a good career path for you with a course like Hacking Exercise for Health: The Surprising New Science of Fitness from McMaster University or the Science of Exercise, delivered by The University of Colorado, Boulder, both offered on Coursera.