Fitness instructor
Love exercise and fitness? Turn that passion into a career that makes positive changes to people's lives.
Also known as: health and fitness instructor
About the job
What it's like
Fitness instructors lead people in exercise activities and advise them on healthy eating. You'll motivate and inspire them to become fitter and healthier.
In this role, you'll organise group and individual exercise programmes for your clients. You may offer a range of activities or specialise in a particular area, such as:
keep fit
aquacise or aqua aerobics (exercise in water)
weight training
yoga
pilates
Some fitness instructors specialise in working with a specific group of people. For example, you could focus on older adults, children, people with disabilities or those who have been referred by doctors.
Fitness instructors should be outgoing and friendly. After all, you may have to encourage people who're not used to exercise to enjoy it and continue coming to the training sessions.
As well as being fit and healthy yourself, you'll know about nutrition and healthy diets. You should also have a responsible attitude to health and safety.
In small health and fitness clubs, you may carry out routine duties alongside fitness instructing. For example, you could work at reception, supervise the swimming pool or carry out health and safety checks.
Many fitness instructors work part-time or are self-employed. As a self-employed fitness instructor, you'll deliver classes at different gyms, health clubs or leisure centres. There may also be opportunities to run classes in school halls or community centres.
Some fitness instructors also work as a personal trainer.
Your tasks might include:
assessing a person’s fitness and asking them about their goals
leading tours of the health club facilities and demonstrating exercise activities
showing people how to use exercise machines and free weights properly
making sure people exercise safely and effectively
leading group exercise classes, such as circuit training, aerobics or spinning
creating personal exercise programmes and advising people about healthy eating
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) – explore careers in the sport and physical activity sector
Like the sound of this career?
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Select qualification level(s)
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Related industries
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- empathising
- building relationships
- verbal communication
- listening
- developing a plan
- time management
- mentoring
- coaching
- positive attitude
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Health and Food Technology (Home economics)
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Science
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PE (Physical education)
There are a few routes you can take to become a fitness instructor.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job. Useful subjects include:
Fitness, Health and Exercise
Sport and Fitness
Sport and Exercise
Sports Coaching
Sport Science or Exercise Science
Use the My World of Work course search to find opportunities at college.
Complete core gym qualifications
You'll need a Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Exercise and Physical Activity.
This is the minimum requirement to work as a fitness instructor. Most college courses and apprenticeships will help you achieve this but you can also study the course through a private training provider.
Once you've gained your Level 2 Certificate, you can apply for fitness instructor vacancies.
Many fitness instructors go on to study a Level 3 Personal Training qualification.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Work
You could get started in this career by working as a leisure centre attendant.
Employers may give you the opportunity to work towards your Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Exercise and Physical Activity on the job, which will allow you to apply for fitness instructor roles.
Use the My World of Work job search to find leisure centre attendant vacancies.
Gaining additional qualifications can help you specialise and stand out from the crowd. For example, you could study group exercise, children's exercise or older adults exercise.
You may want to become a member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) as a Personal Trainer Practitioner.
Volunteering is a great way to develop skills and experience in the industry. Search for fitness or sports-based opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You may also need a First Aid certificate, which includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Most gyms expect fitness instructors to have some workplace experience when they apply for jobs. You can gain this by shadowing qualified fitness instructors, working as a gym assistant or offering to support class leaders.
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