How to make a career in Fitness?
How to make a career in Fitness? This may be the perfect time to convert your passion for health and fitness into a career. To top that, the pay is not that bad either, with the average fitness trainer in the UK making close to £25,000 annually. Below is a list of courses to embark on your journey as a personal fitness trainer.
- Level 2 Gym Instructor Course
Type: The most fundamental fitness course in the UK is the Level 2 Gym Instructor Course. If you have had no prior experience in fitness training courses, this course is the starting point. It is the same level as school GCSE in the UK.
Objectives: The course provides you with 20 REP (The Register of Exercise Professionals) points and entitles you to work as a gym instructor for a gym, health club or any other kind of fitness establishment in the UK.
Duration: It can be completed within six weeks (part-time) or eight days (full-time).
Contents: This course covers the following topics.
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Principles of Exercise and Health
- Maintaining Health, Safety and Welfare in Fitness Environments
- Key Programming Principles
- Instructing Safe and Effective Exercises
- Effective Use of Gym Equipments
Cost: The full-time course typically costs £650.
- Level 3 Personal Training Course
Type: This is an advanced level course and the prerequisite to this course is the Level 2 Gym Instructor Course. It is similar to an A-level or a BTEC National Diploma in the UK. Hence it is slightly more challenging than the Level 2 course.
Objectives: The course provides you with a REP membership, a Level 3 Personal Training and a Level 3 Nutrition Certificate. It also entitles you to practice as an independent personal trainer in the UK.
Duration: The course can be completed within five months (part-time) or three weeks (full-time).
Contents: In addition to the topics covered in Level 2, this course covers the following topics.
- Programming Safe and Effective Exercises for a Range of Clients
- Effective Communication & Motivation When Working with Clients
- Principles of Nutrition and the Importance of Healthy Eating
- Creating and Designing Personal Training Programmes
Cost: The full-time course typically costs £1800.
In addition to the above 2 courses, it is also recommended to acquire a First-Aid Certificate (some fitness institutes provide this as part of their Level 2 and Level 3 courses) and a Personal Trainer Insurance, before you embark on a career in personal fitness training.