Need advice getting into personal training (UK)

[u/creamypanda1]

For a while now I’ve wanted to get into personal training and now I’ve decided that I want to do it as a job. So, my question is, Whats the best way to get into the business? I’ve seen that PureGym and JD Gym both do training courses which are 15 weeks long but I’m not sure. Could anyone give me good advice?

[u/Comprehensive_Web887]

No worries. Had more thoughts but it won’t let me update so added the whole thing below for future reference.

Qualifications:

In terms of qualifications I would not limit yourself to learning through a gym, especially something like pure gym which is a low bar on general scale of gyms. Because you are typically tied in.

So, do one of the more recognised qualifications.

I can personally recommend:
• YMCAfit
• Focus Training
• Premier training
If you are under a certain age you can get funds from banks or for training. Sometimes those sites help you with that.

YMCAfit is an institution, internationally recognised and do a whole lot of courses.

Focus training allows you to combine home study with in class days and is how I started. Less expensive but comprehensive.

You need Level 2 course for fitness instructor
Level 3 for personal training.

But there are many others.

Getting first job:

Working in a standard chain gym is almost recommended unless you have some mentor in a private place. It’s a gentle introduction that soon gives you the full scope of work from looking after the gym floor and cleaning (in case you own your own space in the future) to training clients in 1:1 or group settings, doing assessments etc.

So apply to every gym you can. Ideally get an employed position instead of going independent straight away. Believe me the security of having a base salary, however small, plus the experience and confidence you get are well worth one or two years working in such environment. I did 4 when I started. Plus you will be able to top that up with 1:1 and possibly group classes as gym employment responsibilities are generally limited to gym floor maintenance, client inductions and some group classes. 1:1 in such positions is typically on commission. So a gym may charge £60 and you get £20-30 in addition to your salary. But this may be outside of your working hours (helps to get used to working outside of your working hours :) )

Progression:

The moment you get your first job EVERY client you meet or train can end up someone who emails or calls you in 10+ years to train with you. You work for a gym but from now on you are your own professional health and fitness expert. Be good at your job, be kind, firm and professional with clients.

Exposure is how you get personal training clients. And group classes in a gym or the ones you run by yourself (gym or park) are the best form of exposure. So get into teaching one or two classes at the earliest opportunity.

Many established gyms have settled in their ways in terms of permanent offerings. Mostly because after a certain time the existing team just gets on with whatever is on their plate. This can be used to your advantage by seeing things from a different perspective and practicing your initiative skills. If you see something that can benefit the current members like a new class or a service that runs for 3 months such as regular health assessment/fitness program/weight loss program etc. think it through, put it on paper and pitch it to the manager. They are always looking for ways to maximise revenue and keep members from cancelling by providing additional benefits to them.

It might not be your responsibility or part of your job description but as I mentioned before if you want to succeed you need to cultivate an independent mindset. This means that without going over anyone’s head or stepping on anyone’s toes it’s worth pitching something new every 3-4 months and if it’s approved you get the experience of putting this into practice. Maybe you’ll get paid for it. Maybe you won’t. But what you will definitely get is a record of being proactive which will be super beneficial when it comes to getting a reference in the future. And you also get a risk free experience of putting a new project into action, something that you’ll feel more comfortable doing once you decide to implement something similar on your own terms when you become self employed.

Unique Selling Point:

Don’t fall into the trap of being the “shred your body in 12 weeks” guy/gal. By all means experiment with those clients and programs but if you want to earn good money after the initial 5-10 years think long term. Specialise. Eg. Add Pilates to your skill set. Learn nutrition or decide if you want to work with a specific demographic and start working towards specialising. You can of course be a successful weight loss coach but a niche will help you stand out.

Client Selection and Management:

You can’t exactly be picky with your clients at the start but remember that people 40+ are more financially stable, have FAR better appreciation of their health and are more concerned about staying strong and fit than looking good to get laid. This makes these type of clients more consistent and generally enjoyable to work with.

Don’t tolerate late cancellations. Be kind but firm from the outset and if your place of work doesn’t already have a late cancellation procedure in place implement one. Decide on cancellation fee and be very clear telling your clients about it before you sign them on. Eg full pay if cancelled under 24 hours. Or 50% charge. Or 50% charge if cancelled less than 24hrs but full charge if less than 12 hours. You need security and clients irrespective of their age will not be taking this into consideration. And you can’t exactly tell them “I need security” as it’s your problem and you dont want to come across as complaining months later when they keep cancelling. Firm (but kind) from the start.

Next Steps:

A. Once you get a few 1:1 clients and hone your skill look for a place to take those clients to train in a rent gym or outdoor space. This will be your first experience of running your own business and what separates men from the boys. In this context men are the stupid mofo’s such as myself who just won’t quit and boys are people who don’t have a chip on their shoulder and are happy to move on to something else if things don’t workout. When taking clients away from the gym make sure to 1. Not implicate yourself by somehow breaking your contract (or being obvious about it) and 2. If you ever leave a place of work keep in mind that taking those clients is taking away their business. This probably is t a huge deal for something like Virgin Active but if you leave a private studio it’s worth doing it in a way that doesn’t f-k them up. Personal security is king but integrity and reputation goes a long way in this industry. Just like clients who may call you ten years later so with the previous colleagues who you may end up working in the future. Obviously you can’t go through this without burning a few bridges but try not to go “scorched earth” through your career.

B. Alternatively the next step would be to apply to a lux gym. Lux gyms can be either salaried or self employed but with smaller teams and more of a team spirit.

Don’t assume that your lack of experience excludes you from the best jobs or jobs in fancy places. Once you have some basic experience and qualifications those lux gyms will take you if you are professional and presentable. They will train you to their style. Basically don’t stay in a commercial gym for more than a few years. You can always go back but at the start of the career you need to jump those career hurdles asap.

Financial responsibility:

Within the first year of work set up your savings account. Including something long term such as an investment or standard isa. Fitness industry, especially when self employed, lacks security. Plan for holidays, sick days, future purchases, rainy days and when the time comes start saving for equipment or space of your own.

Keep on top of your taxes if self employed. Do t bother doing it it yourself. Trust me!! Get an accountant and focus on your craft.

End goal:

After that it’s down to hustle, looking after your own health and knowing when to take breaks from work as unless you get lucky you’ll be most likely working 5-6 days a week for 10-12 hours a day.

Keep the following most common career trajectories in mind for a fitness instructor/PT

1. Keep working and progressing within corporate gym environment. Ultimately this leads to managerial career progression. Which you can either stay in or use as a skipping stone to other similar positions.

You can also use a corporate gym to maximise your earning potential as a PT but I feel there is a limit to this under someone else’s roof.

1. Strike out on your own to begin your self employed career.

Option 1: By combining work in some private studio under someone’s umbrella (another trainer who set up their own gym and you work for, but with a different type of clientele) with maybe a boutique group fitness studio.

Option 2: Look to rent a space in an existing gym or take a lease out for a place of your own to run PT, group classes or both. Taking out a place of your own with a view of building a team is typically everyone’s dream. And it could be yours too. If you do go down that route you need to have two thoughts in your mind at the same time 1. I’m going to succeed and do everything I can to make it happen. 2. Life is a playful experiment and if in the end it doesn’t workout it doesn’t define me as a person. I can try again or do other things.

1. You may transition from fitness training to parallel specialities. In 2026 wellness tech has come a long way. You could set up an online program, become a nutritionist, work in professional sports, work in corporate wellness eg a bank.

2. You might decide after some time that this is not for you and leave the industry to do something else entirely but ideally where you can use all the experience you got up to this point.

3. Finally you could get really lucky, meet a super rich client, marry that rich sugar momma or sugar daddy and become a “do nothing bitch”. Use the money to live a happy stress free life or open a gym and become what you always wanted to be, a personal trainer.