From a young age, Indiana, 25, recognised the benefits of exercise for her mental health, having struggled with social anxiety. To help ease this, she threw herself into netball, basketball and running, training regularly and playing for her school’s team.
Indiana’s first job out of school was at a leisure centre, working on reception and handling sales. “I loved being in a health and fitness environment, it has such a positive feel to it because each member was there to improve themselves, both physically and mentally.
“I made great friends with the personal trainers there and would often train with them. It was actually my manager that suggested I become a PT, he knew I loved sport and thought I’d be well suited to the job. This was just the encouragement I needed.”
Focus Fitness UK was recommended to Indiana as a fitness qualification training provider by friends already working as PTs. Indiana was only 19 when she completed her first qualification and the government funded courses available through Focus Fitness UK enabled her to take this first step towards a career in the booming health and fitness industry.
Indiana completed both the Level 2 and Level 3 Active IQ Diploma in Personal Training. “I loved every bit of each of the courses, I was training alongside others with similar goals and interests so I made some great friends. The courses themselves were interesting and gave me the confidence I needed to start my career and my tutor Matt was brilliant! He was really knowledgeable and passionate about passing that onto the learners. He was really supportive throughout the course too so I never felt I wasn’t able to keep up.”
“Focus Fitness UK actually helped me get my first PT job. After I’d qualified, they emailed me a job opportunity at easyGYM, this was handy for where I lived and they also highlighted that I had all the skills they were looking for. This gave me the confidence I needed to go for an interview and I got the job!”
Indiana settled quickly into her new job and found her confidence as a PT grew every day. “I know how much exercise helps me with my anxiety so I absolutely love to help others discover the benefits of exercise. The more people I trained, the more my confidence grew and that’s still the case.”
Indiana returned to Focus Fitness UK to complete the Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy. “I knew I wanted to progress my career and look into working as a freelance PT and sports massage is something I regularly got asked about by clients. I didn’t hesitate to complete the course with Focus Fitness UK, the course didn’t disappoint and I was really happy to have Matt as my tutor again.”
Indiana now works as a freelance PT at Fitness Works in Balham and has also set up her own PT business, Scars Training & Sports Therapy.
“At the start of my training, I never dreamt I’d have the confidence to set up my own business but Focus Fitness UK gave me the confidence I needed to follow my dream. I absolutely love my job and feel lucky that I get to help people every day.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career as a personal trainer?
“Don’t worry if you’re not the most confident person, your confidence will come the more you learn and the more you train people. Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new, to improve and you’ll find you evolve as a PT over time as you find your unique style.”
Over 2,000 learners have graduated with Focus Fitness UK. 98% of those recommend us as a training provider and we have an impressive 93% achievement rate for 2022/23.
Start your own success story today, contact us to find out more about our government-funded courses on: 0208 920 2114 or email: info@focusfitnessuk.com