Hi, I’m Jaz and I've been in the sport and fitness industry for the last 14 years.

My journey began coaching football for a local under 12's team, which ignited my passion for training other people.

I am a level 2 gym instructor and a level 3 personal trainer - these qualifications are compulsory to be ensured and fully qualified as a PT in the UK. There are many training providers, so I recommend getting recommendations from other personal trainers.

I qualified as a self-employed PT and began working at a chain gym. I was contracted to work for the gym 10 hours a week, which let me use the facilities to build and coach my client base.

Once covid hit, the fitness industry underwent a huge change and I began taking online clients. Since lockdowns have lifted, I now take a variety of online and in-person customers.

Designing my home gym was a carefully considered process, tailored not only to my own training as an Olympic weightlifter but also to meet the diverse needs of my clients. Essential equipment included a Squat Rack, Barbell, Dumbbells, and Bumper Plates, and over time adding tools like a C2 bike, Battle Rope, and a Weight Sled. Each item was chosen with purpose.

Most Important Soft Skills as a PT

There are a lot of obvious skills you need as a PT to become successful, like programme design, nutrition knowledge and general health and fitness knowledge. However, often overlooked are the soft skills as a PT. Are often learnt along the way in your career rather than taught.

Leadership

As a PT and coach you need to be ready to lead from the front, as you are the north star for your clients, someone they can look up to, trust and be inspired by.

Motivation and Encouragement

This is a big one especially as a gen pop PT, a lot of clients look at you as the PT for motivation and encouragement.

Clarity of Instruction

Clients should know exactly what you’re asking of them, and it helps to know what learning style a client might prefer. For example, explaining how to do a squat vs showing clients physically by demonstrating how to do a squat. I’ve found a combination of both is the best approach.

Empathy and Understanding Your Clients Needs

Having a good understanding of different personalities helps hugely when coaching. For example some clients need a hug and lots of care whereas some clients respond well to a cooler, authoritative approach.

I would encourage “walking the walk” when it comes to training protocols and diet. A lot of what I expect from clients I have done and experienced myself. This means I can relate to my clients better and understand their feelings.

Pros and Cons of Being a PT

Online Coaching

Pros

• Bigger reach - potential to work with more people from all across the world.

• Flexible schedule - work on your own terms and manage your own time.

• Lower overheads - greatly reduced costs, with no need to rent gym space Regular communication - clients are able to communicate with the coach throughout the week which can keep them motivated and yield great results.

Cons

• You are responsible for your own schedule - a downside if you're not good at managing your time and staying on task.

• Technology dependent - both you and your clients need to be able to access the right technology. This can be a limitation for some people.

• Lack of face-to-face interaction - some clients (and coaches) will prefer 1-1 personal interaction.

• Accountability - some clients could struggle with accountability within the gym without a face-to-face coach.

Self-Employed in a Gym

Pros

• Build a personal brand - more freedom to grow your own brand.

• Control of the business - choose your own pricing, business hours, marketing strategy and the types of people you work with.

• Unlimited earnings - your earnings are not capped like an employed PT.

• Access to equipment - saves the expense of purchasing your own equipment.

Cons

• Overheads - paying to use a gym or facility (paying with your time on the gym floor or financially).

• Direct competition - gyms allow several PTs to rent from them, increasing competition for clients.

• Opening hours - less freedom, as you will have to work within the gym operating hours.

Employed at a Gym

Pros

• Access to equipment - saves the expense of purchasing your own equipment.

• Steady income - a predictable monthly income giving security.

• Employment benefits - this could include a pension, sick pay etc.

• Clients provided - clients will be given to you by the gym, alleviating the stress on marketing and promotion.

• Structure - having a routine and set working hours.

Cons

• Fixed Schedule - you are often bound by gym operating hours, limiting your flexibility.

• Fixed earnings - this will be capped based on the hours you can work.

• Corporate policies - having to follow the rules that the gym set.

• Lack of entrepreneurial freedom - it’s much harder to grow an individual business.

Other options include visiting clients at their home for sessions, or using public spaces such as parks for PT or class sessions. These can be great options as they don’t add any expenses for the PT, but may be limiting in terms of equipment, travel time and weather.

Consider starting your career with less risk by taking an employed position or self-employed position with contracted gym hours. This will give you freedom to start to build your craft and develop the skills to become a great personal trainer. As you become more established in the industry you can transition into a more independent role like owning your own gym or going online.

Overall, being a PT is a fulfilling and rewarding job. It takes a lot of hard work as well as skills, qualification and a commitment to ongoing learning. Along with staying on top of your technical skills it is just as important to learn fitness trends, marketing, sales, and interpersonal skills to be able to connect with your clients. Personal training is a fun and exciting career, ensuring that no two days are ever the same.

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Tags: Misc > Lifestyle ; Misc > Gym Planning