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Future Fit Traning
how to become a personal trainer- future fit

How To Become a Personal Trainer

The first steps to becoming a Personal Trainer can be daunting that's why we have written this guide, to make this process easier.
So if you want to work as a Personal Trainer in a gym or as a freelance, you are in the right place.

how to pt bundle

Downloadable

Getting Started Bundle

Download all the resources you need to help you to become a Personal Trainer. This bundle will give you access to 4 of our most requested guides. Giving you full information on how to become a PT, changing careers, comparing courses & a breakdown of our courses and pricing options.

  • ‘How to become a Personal Trainer’ guide
  • ‘Career Change’ guide
  • ‘Course Comparison Checklist’
  • Course Information & Price Guide

Download Your Free Getting Started Bundle

Fill in your details and we will email you this exclusive bundle.

You’ll also have the opportunity to speak with one of our expert Career Advisers, who can provide friendly, no-obligation advice about your options and help you get started if you’re ready.

Step 1

Research Essential Skills

Your Personal Training course should give you all the information you need to qualify. An understanding of the required skills and knowledge, however, is also very helpful:

  • Persuasive communication and listening skills
  • Time management and problem-solving skills
  • Coordination, balance, and endurance
  • Theories of motivation and people management
  • Basic marketing and sales skills
  • Basic IT and computer skills

Step 2

Invest in Education

It is important that you choose the best Personal Training course. For this reason, we have developed a complete comparison checklist to help you find the right Personal Training course and provider for you. We have compared the top UK personal training courses providers.

To fully qualify as a Personal Trainer you would also need a Level 3 Personal Training Qualification recognised by CIMSPA. These may be known as:

  • Level 3 Personal Trainer Course
  • Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
  • Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training & Fitness Instructing

You don’t need a University Degree to become a personal trainer in the UK.

pt coach showing students an exercise

Step 3

Get Qualified

Our Level 2 Gym Instructor Course is the first step on your journey. However, to become a Personal Trainer, you need to achieve the industry standard Level 3 Personal Training qualification. All of our Personal Training courses have been designed for those who want to become Personal Trainers and be able to provide high-quality Personal Training above industry standards.

  • Level 2 Gym Instructor Course -Ideal for beginners training to become a Fitness or Gym Instructor or as a starting point for a Personal Training qualification.
  • Level 3 Personal Trainer Course – Perfect for anyone who wants to become a respected, specialist fitness professional.
  • Level 4 Elite Personal Trainer Course – Gain the highest industry status as an Advanced Personal Trainer with Level 4 status.
Gym instructor advising client

Step 4

Get Insured

Without insurance, you won’t be able to train people in most gyms, and if your client is injured, you will be liable for any costs. Find yourself a reputable insurance company and make sure that you update this annually.

By getting insured, you protect yourself against claims arising from third parties or damages. Insurances also cover public liabilities, professional indemnity, sports equipment, personal accidents and loss of earnings.

Personal training client on a treadmill

Step 5

Gain Work Experience

You can begin your PT career by seeking employment as a Gym Instructor, or volunteering at your local health club, shadowing the trainers there.

The other option to earn a personal trainer salary is to get job interviews through Future Fit’s Employer Partner Opportunities with our exclusive job board.

4 people in a gym sessions (three in a lunge position)

Step 6

Start a business or seek employment

Kickstart your Personal Training career with some of the UK’s leading gyms and health clubs who are recruiting our course graduates such as Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and xercise4less.

Self-employed Personal Trainers can either pay rent to a gym to work in their space, or they may have their own personal training studio. Some also choose to train in public spaces or could go to their client’s homes to train. 

There are benefits and drawbacks to both types of work:

  • A self-employed person gets to keep all the money they earn and has much more freedom over who, when and where they train.
  • An employed person has job security and a steady income.

You gain all the skills and insight you will need with our Career Accelerator Package.

Personal training tutor advising client

Step 7

Build your client base

Personal Trainers, of course, require customers. Although raising your profile through social media is a wonderful place to start, you’ll likely need to be more active if you want to attract new ones.

You can build a fitness blog, and of course, you have to learn also how to promote it.

learning online

Fancy a takeaway?

Download all the resources you need to help you to become a Personal Trainer.

The latest insights from across the industry

Keep up to date with the world of personal training, the latest trends, tips, hints, and insights right here.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about becoming a personal trainer. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Call us on 01329 829444