Are you a fitness enthusiast? Maybe you are looking for a great career option in the fitness industry? If this defines you, then you can become a fitness instructor (gym instructor) & help people to improve their fitness and health! You can now achieved qualifications online with sites such as International Home Study
Over the years, people have become more aware of their fitness and physical health. And with the rise in obesity and various health problems, more people are moving towards gyms and exercise to improve their health. This means there are a lot of opportunities for someone who is a gym instructor, and not to mention that are several progression options too!
Who is a Fitness Instructor (Gym Instructor)?
A fitness instructor (gym instructor) works in a gym, leisure center, health club, or any place where people come to exercise.
As a gym instructor, most of your time will be spent instructing and showing members how to use different exercise machines. Besides that, a gym instructor also motivates people to exercise and fitness.
A fitness instructor can also work independently as well if they do not want to work in a gym or a health club. If you look around, a lot of famous people have their own dedicated fitness instructors who tell us that there is a great demand for this profession.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a gym instructor are given below:
Teaching new members of the gym.
Giving advice on healthy eating and exercise.
Demonstrate the correct use of exercise machines.
Help members learn how to exercise safely.
If required, carry out basic admin duties.
How to Become a Gym Instructor (Fitness Instructor)?
If you want to become a qualified gym instructor, then you will need to acquire a “level 2 certificate in Fitness Instructing”. Some of the other names for this course are Level 2 Personal Trainer or Gym Instructing Certificate Level 2 – Despite the difference in names, they are the same qualifications.
The only requirement to join this level 2 course is that you must be at least 16 years of age. And as far as the difficulty of this course is concerned, it is fairly easy to pass. In fact, we say that the content of this level 2 course is on the same level as any GCSE or IGCSE course. So, in short, it is as easy as passing an IGCSE or GCSE!
Once you have completed the Level 2 certificate in Fitness Instructing, then you will become a certified gym instructor or a fitness instructor.
One thing to remember is that you should choose a course that is accredited and recognized by the relevant bodies! There are some institutes that are offering fitness instructor courses, but they are not accredited at all.
Average Salary of a Gym Instructor
The starting salary of a gym instructor is £14,000 and can go up to £25,000 if you have sufficient experience. And if you go into the field of becoming a personal gym instructor, you can earn a lot more than that!
The typical working hours per week are around 32 to 34 hours, and you can work either as a contractor or as a self-employed.
How quickly can I become a Gym Instructor?
On average, it takes around 6 weeks to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing. However, this is not a fixed time frame, and you can take this course at your own pace.