Finding full-time personal training jobs requires experience, qualifications, and diligence. While there are lots of freelance positions available, full time personal training jobs are much harder to come by.
To a large extent this is due to the nature of the work - many clients are only available on evenings and weekends, thus requiring you to work irregular hours.
Full time personal training jobs therefore tend to be restricted to up-market health clubs, or perhaps corporate gyms where employees can attend at different times during the day.
For many, the reality is a steady position as a gym instructor, with some private clients fitted in around their shifts at the gym.
To work in this field you need a recognised qualification, ideally one that will allow you entry to the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). Examples of qualifications that would allow you to join REPs at level 3 include:
- NVQ Level 3 in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise (awarded by City and Guilds, Active IQ, OCR, VTCT and CYQ)
- Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing (awarded by Active IQ, City & Guilds, CYQ, NCFE, VTCT and OCR)
- Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training (awarded by Active IQ and CYQ)
However, if your goal is to make yourself more marketable, then you will need to consider further training at Level 4 - as your technical skills increase this will open up a variety of other positions.
