How to become a Fitness Instructor
How do I get started in a career in fitness?
You first step is becoming a qualified fitness instructor.
This isn’t as complicated as it sounds – and you can be fully qualified in a matter of weeks.
Then you’ll be able to start helping people of all shapes and sizes become fitter and improve their health.
You can start writing basic workout programs and helping improve people’s fitness – and it lays the groundwork to become a fully-qualified personal trainer.
But what qualifications do you need? How long does it take? And what are your career options in fitness once you have your fitness instructor qualifications?
This article explains everything you need to know to get started...
What qualifications do you need to be a fitness instructor?
Ultimately, there are a number of routes you could take towards your goal of becoming a fitness or gym instructor.
You will need to a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing at the very least.
Once you have completed this course, you can move on to a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training.
These qualifications can be completed 100% virtually with THFI, either full-time, or part-time around your current job or work schedule without having to step foot in a physical classroom.
The Level 2 certificate concentrates on anatomy and physiology, and the components of fitness.
As well as the obvious fitness techniques you’ll acquire, you’ll also be taught other important aspects of becoming a fitness instructor.
For example, the courses help build up your confidence so you can work effectively with you clients. It’s no use possessing the knowledge and technique, without the communication skills to deliver it.
You’ll also be taught how to create a safe environment, both in terms of correct training techniques for clients and also general health and safety in the training environment.
The two courses are assessed through examinations and practical assessment, and can now be taken fully online.
How long does it take to become a fitness instructor?
If you’re wondering how long it takes to become a gym instructor, the answer is really down to your ambition.
It could take as little as six weeks on a fast-track basis, or you can fit it around your other commitments like work or study.
Get in touch with our THFI course advisors to see what they suggest as the best option to fit your career goals and schedule.
Further fitness courses?
There are many different directions that you can take once you’ve got your fitness instructor qualifications to build upon your skills and CPDs (Continuing Professional development).
For example, the Level 3 in Pre- and Post-Natal Exercise diploma is the path to take if you want to work directly with pregnant women and new mothers.
Other Level 3 courses could include the exercise referral diploma, which teaches clients to specifically manage illness and conditions, and sports massage to incorporate assessment, soft issue techniques and post treatment advice.
Beyond that, there are more specialist courses at Level 4. These can give you the knowledge and skills to more prescriptive issues such as back pain, recovering from strokes, cardiac disease, and obesity and diabetes.
If you want to focus more on the science of nutrition and using diet to elicit better results with your clients, THFI offers a Level 4 Nutrition Transformation Coach.
The Level 4 Strength and Conditioning Coach course is the pathway for trainers who want to work more with athletes or in professional sports.
