How to become a personal trainer (in the UK)

petithamu
petithamu Posts: 582 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Evening all,

This is something I've always kind of thought about ever since I had my first PT session more than 10 years ago. At the time it was more thinking, 'I can do better than this guy because he just doesn't care' followed by, 'can't believe I pay him obscene amount of money to be so crap at this...'. Anyway, life moved on, I thought about it once in a while but never pursued it. I know PTs are a dime a dozen but I do think this is something not only I'd be good at but also enjoy.

I'm sick of taking on jobs that might pay decent but I don't get any personal fulfilment. I want to do something that means something...I want to help...

So how do I start? I know, look into getting certified but there are so many! There are courses that say I can become certified in 6 weeks! That sounds ludicrous...

So should I sign up to one of these professional Personal Training courses or should I go back to school?

I'm in the UK by the way...but I'm from the States so just in case I'd want to move back to the States in the future, I'd need a certification that's both valid in the UK and the US.

Hope I get some valuable answers! Would love to get some feedback from PTs and share their experience!

Thank you.

Tiffany

Replies

  • HelloDan
    HelloDan Posts: 712 Member
    Can't tell you about the US, but in the UK, you will need to do a REPS level 3 course.

    You'll also need to be awesome at sales, as the most successful PTs tend to be the ones who are salesmen, rather than the ones who have awesome knowledge. Its a tough gig, especially if the gym you're at charges a high rent.
    Check out some of the UK strength and fitness and bodybuilding forums to hear from people who have done it before or are doing it. Most go in with similar idealism, and many end up hating it.

    That's not to say you won't be successful or don't do it, but just make sure you know what you're getting into first, rather than just having an ideal that you've pictured in your head.
  • petithamu
    petithamu Posts: 582 Member
    Hi Dan,

    Thanks for responding!

    Are there any particular forums you'd recommend?

    I agree with you, I do want to do more research before I just shell out some cash and devote my time to it. This has been something on my mind for the last 10 years and I just thought maybe now would be a good time to start...

    Are you a trainer yourself?
  • HelloDan
    HelloDan Posts: 712 Member
    I think most of them would be fine, muscletalk.co.uk is probably the one I would recommend, just because I read it the most.

    Just be prepared for what appears to be negative responses, similar to my previous post. It's not because people are mean, it's just that it's one of those jobs where people imagine making a real change and glamour, but the reality may be a little different.

    I'm not a PT, I am doing coaching certifications for sports though.

    Like you, I like the idea of being a PT, but knowing friends who do it, and having asked similar questions, I am too greedy in terms of my salary, and know that I would hate both the sales and training people who only really want to be there for a chat, or because it's what all the housewives do etc.. rather than because they want to learn and train.

    This is why I am doing the coaching certifications, so that I can train and encourage people, ideally getting kids into sport, but just as a volunteer in my free time. I get to give something back and help people, but not rely on it for a career.
  • lwoodroff
    lwoodroff Posts: 1,431 Member
    Not a PT but have used them, I'd second the point about needing to be a salesperson, and the cost of renting at the gym. The gym I go to charges their PTs several hundred pounds a month (I think £350) and they have to give the gym 20 hours a month for inductions, and caps their hourly charge at £30. So before you make a penny you have to do a good couple of full days of PT a month, just to pay the rent. Then you have your own living costs, say £500 for rent and bills, and another £200 for food. That's over £1k or 33 plus the 20 hours you have to give hours of training before you make any profit. Most people want to use a PT first thing last thing or weekends, and I don't think I've ever seen a PT who is in there all day every day. You also have to factor in the time to build up a clientele, and the competition with the other PTs.

    Unless you could find a gym who employs their PTs (my previous gym did, the PTs were pretty much on min wage and then got a few quid commission from the gym on clients) It would probably have to be a live-at-home-with-parents or second-job-on-the-side kind of thing, at least while you built your clientele. And the attitude of the gym is that PTs are 3 a penny, it's the leisure industry and just as clients come and go so do PTs. I went through 4 in 6 months, none of whom lasted more than a few weeks, one of whom introduced himself to me but had gone by the time the session I'd booked rolled around!

    For what it's worth I think it's shocking. I think the gym should employ them at min wage for the 20 hours a month to cover the inductions, and split the PT 50/50 with them..

    Sorry to be negative, it just seems like the PTs get the worst end of it.
  • petithamu
    petithamu Posts: 582 Member
    Thanks for the information. This is exactly what I wanted to know before I just dive into this profession. I will definitely look into the forums and see what people say. I think for me, I'd really like to lead group exercises, not so much 1 to 1s. I also know that I probably won't be making much money but I still have a job right now and maybe I can do this on the side? I would like to be my own boss one day and I just thought this could be a good lead in...

    Anyway, a lot to think about, thank you so much for answering my questions!

    Tiffany

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