Becoming a personal trainer is an incredibly rewarding and dynamic career, with about 22,000 other UK PTs agreeing! If you think a career in health and fitness training is for you, enrolling on a reputable personal training course is an absolute must. Focus Fitness UK is London’s leading fitness training provider and training with us could be your first step towards embracing your passion for fitness, launching a hugely successful career as well as helping and supporting others to achieve their health and wellness goals.
Qualifying as a personal personal trainer with the UK’s leading training provider opens up a variety of career paths and Focus Fitness UK has partnerships with some of the UK’s biggest health and fitness operators such as David Lloyd and Pure Gym to make your first step into the fitness industry even easier.
Depending on your career goals, there are a number of options open to you once you qualify; you can decide whether you become a freelance personal trainer or opt for an employed position in a commercial gym or leisure centre setting.
Finding employment is easy with a Diploma from Focus Fitness UK. Our industry recognised qualifications are certified by Active IQ, the UK’s leading awarding organisations for the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector. The team offers valuable advice as well as hosting employer-led career events on a regular basis.
If you’re not sure which option would suit you and your lifestyle better check out our checklist which compares both the freelance PT and employed PT positions.
- Independence vs. Stability
One of the main attractions of freelance personal training is the freedom and independence it offers. Freelance PTs have the flexibility to set their own schedules, choose their specialisms and therefore clients, and determine their own rates. There’s even scope to work virtually and broaden your reach nationally or globally. When you train with Focus Fitness, our qualified and experienced tutors use their skills and experience to fully prepare you for the world of work by covering these topics within the courses. Focus Fitness UK graduates leave with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.
In contrast, 53% of our graduates opt for employed positions at fitness facilities, such as gyms, health clubs, or wellness centres. Focus Fitness UK has a number of partnerships within the fitness industry with operators such as Pure Gym and David Lloyd. Graduates who opt for employed positions benefit from a more structured launchpad into the sector with a ready-made customer base to appeal to. This route also offers a more stable income as well as company benefits such as paid annual leave. If you choose to progress your career, we have a range of CPD courses offering the chance to specialise in areas such as Sports Massage Therapy .
- Income and Earnings
Becoming a personal trainer offers excellent earning potential. The average salary for a PT in the UK is between £16k – £55k a year, with an average yearly wage of £33,017 according to Glass Door. If you become a freelance PT, you’ll have the potential to earn more money per session since you’re able to set your rates and keep all the earnings (minus expenses). Focus Fitness UK also runs free days covering topics such as ‘How to build a successful personal training business’ to give you amazing tips on how to gain and retain clients if this is the route you decide to take.
Employed trainers receive a fixed salary or hourly rate, providing PTs with financial stability. There’s also the option for further learning with Focus Fitness UK if you want to enhance your skills with our range of CPD courses, such as Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral or Sports Massage Therapy. Not only does Focus Fitness UK get your PT career off to the best start, it’s a great option for those looking to progress within the fitness industry.
- Added Responsibilities
Running a freelance personal training business involves various responsibilities beyond training clients. The courses we offer cover how to set up and manage a personal training business, setting you up to succeed from day one. Freelancers handle marketing, client acquisition, scheduling, invoicing, and accounting as part of their day-to-day tasks, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Building a strong brand image and effective marketing are often crucial for success too.
On the other hand, if you want to concentrate solely on training clients and putting your course knowledge into action, becoming an employed PT will be the best fit for you. Since the employer will take care of administrative tasks, marketing, and client management, you can focus on what you love most while honing your skills and delivering excellent service. To help you find job opportunities, Focus Fitness UK have an online Careers Hub and dedicated Employment Manager to make the process seamless.
- Clientele and Growth Opportunities
As a freelancer, you have the advantage of choosing your clients and specialising in specific niches or training styles. This flexibility can help you build a loyal client base and create stand out from competitors. Industry recognised qualifications are also appealing to clients and Focus Fitness UK graduates have an impressive 100% achievement rate.
In contrast, as an employed trainer, you can benefit from the gym or fitness facility’s existing clientele and resources. Motivating clients and building a rapport are key qualities to bring to your job, skills that Focus Fitness UK graduates have become known for amongst our partnership operators.
These are just a few of the main differences between the two fitness career paths. If you want to explore current career opportunities, take a look at our Online Careers Hub. A Focus Fitness UK personal training course will equip you with the skills you need to excel whichever path you choose. In fact 98% of our learners recommend Focus Fitness UK in their reviews as a gateway into the fitness industry.
If you’d like to start your fitness career path, we also offer government-funded courses for those eligible through our Advanced Learner Loans program.
Contact Focus Fitness UK to discuss our range of courses on: 0208 920 2114 or email enquiries@focusfitnessuk.com