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Personal trainer

Alternative titles for this job include

Personal trainers work with clients to improve their health and fitness.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

32 to 34 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations
  • the armed forces

College

You could take a college course in personal training or gym instructing.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Personal Trainer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply to become a personal trainer or set up your business, if you've got qualifications and experience as a fitness coach or gym instructor.

Other Routes

You can do qualifications through private training companies who offer specialist courses in gym instructing and personal training.

You could train in a similar role as a physical training instructor in the armed forces.

You can find out more through the:

More Information

Career tips

It's usual to have a certificate in first aid that includes cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Further information

You can find out more about careers in exercise and fitness from UK Coaching or the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to teach people how to do something
  • the ability to work on your own
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • knowledge of psychology like theories of motivation
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design fitness programmes
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a personal trainer you could:

  • help clients set short and long-term fitness goals
  • plan a fitness programme to help clients achieve their goals
  • teach, motivate and coach clients in how to follow their programmes safely and effectively
  • give advice on health, nutrition and lifestyle changes
  • help clients with their workouts
  • check and record clients' progress, like measuring heart rate and levels of body fat
  • promote your services and do business admin tasks if you are self-employed

Working environment

You could work at a fitness centre or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could take further instructor courses to learn new skills to offer clients, like:

  • yoga
  • pilates
  • nutrition
  • group training

With further training, you could also work with people recovering from illness or who have certain medical conditions.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

The Royal Navy - Physical Training Specialisation Direct Entry - Personal Trainer Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £33,000 a year Annually
  • Location: The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building, Portsmouth, Hampshire

RAF Sports/Physical and Training Instructor (PTI) - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £25,200 a year Annually
  • Location: WC1N 1NP
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Personal Trainer Level 3

  • Provider: THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 January 2026
  • Location: Oldham
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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