5 ways to become a personal trainer

If you have a passion for health and fitness, why not work as a PT? You’ll need to complete a fitness instructor qualification, and gain a personal trainer qualification. Here are five ways to do it…

College
Many colleges now offer the Active IQ Diploma in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance. This two-year, full-time course is designed to provide a direct pathway to employment within the health and fitness industry. The course also carries UCAS points, enabling students to keep their options open and progress into work or take a university pathway at the end of their studies. 
“Students study the gym instructor qualification in year one, and the PT qualification in year two,” says Kristoph Thompson from Sideways8 Training, who delivers the course in partnership with Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne. “Students also complete units in areas such as employability skills, as well as gaining certifications such as suspension training, circuits and group cycling. The combination of skills, qualifications and work experience is excellent preparation for working within the fitness industry.”
To find a college offering the Diploma in Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance please visit www.activeiq.co.uk/students

Students also complete units in areas such as employability skills, as well as gaining certifications such as suspension training, circuits and group cycling

Apprenticeship
A personal training apprenticeship combines on the job training with study (usually one day per week) and typically lasts 12 months. You’ll work full-time for a gym, leisure centre or health club, shadowing those performing the role you’re preparing for, taking on more responsibility as you become more experienced. You’ll also earn while you learn; the minimum wage for apprentices aged 16-18 is £3.40 per hour.
“At Everyone Active we are always searching for enthusiastic, energetic 16-24 year olds with a keen interest in fitness, to join our apprenticeship scheme,” says Group Fitness Manager Mark Tally. Everyone Active have taken on 1000 apprentices in the past four years across their 140 sites nationwide. “With our Personal Trainer apprenticeships, we are looking for dedicated young people with friendly and hardworking attitudes who are willing to work as part of the Everyone Active fitness team in a positive and supportive environment.”
For more information on apprenticeships and to search for apprenticeships near you visit www.getingofar.gov.uk to apply for an apprenticeship with Everyone Active visit www.everyoneactive.com

“At Everyone Active we are always searching for enthusiastic, energetic 16-24 year olds with a keen interest in fitness, to join our apprenticeship scheme.”

University
Some university degrees are recognised by REPs, with the units of the PT course embedded into the degree. You’ll complete the assessments associated with the PT qualification as part of your university coursework and exams. Other universities offer the PT course as part of an additional CPD programme.
“The job market for university graduates is very competitive, so having a PT qualification in addition to a degree can give students the edge in finding employment,” explains Thompson. “The PT courses we offer at universities are very popular, with many students working as a PT on a part-time basis whilst they finish their degree. Working in a field related to their studies allows them to put the concepts from lectures into practice straight away, benefiting their studies and their part-time work.”
To search for universities that offer personal training as part of a degree course please visit www.ucas.com. For Sideways8 university courses nationwide visit www.sideways8.co.uk

“The job market for university graduates is very competitive, so having a PT qualification in addition to a degree can give students the edge in finding employment.”

Full-time
Full-time study is perfect for those wanting to start work as a PT in the shortest possible time. This option typically takes around six weeks to complete and will involve attending lessons five days a week, eight hours a day. You’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in your studies.
This is perhaps the most expensive option, with the cost anything upward of £2,000. In addition to the cost, you should also factor in the cost of any travel to and from the training venue, and potentially any overnight accommodation.
Any centre delivering the course needs to be accredited by an awarding organisation such as Active IQ or YMCA Awards. You can search for your nearest centre on both of their websites.

“As you receive less face-to-face tuition than the full-time approach, part-time study is a little cheaper. “

Part-time study
This will involve independent study, completed using e-learning or a workbook, or a combination of the two. This is usually combined with attendance days for additional tuition and the completion of any theory and practical assessments.
It will take longer to gain the qualification than the full-time option, but gives you the flexibility to fit study around your existing commitments and allows you to progress at your own pace.
As you receive less face-to-face tuition than the full-time approach, part-time study is a little cheaper. Some centres offer more than one part-time option, involving a sliding scale of independent study. If you opt to do more independent study and less face-to-face tuition, the price is typically reduced. Factor in the amount of face-to-face tuition and support vs. price when comparing different courses.
The part-time approach is not for everyone, before committing you need to be confident you have the discipline to study independently.