Personal training career paths: What are your options?

If you're passionate about helping others get fit and healthy, becoming a qualified personal trainer (PT) could be your ticket to a rewarding and versatile career. Once you’re certified, the possibilities are endless.

In this blog, we'll explore the various career paths available to you, so you can find the one that best fits your lifestyle and ambitions.

What we'll cover:

• Work for a commercial gym
• Work for yourself in a gym
• Run your own gym
• Become a strength and conditioning coach
• Become an online PT

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Working as a PT in a commercial gym can be a fantastic way to kickstart your career. You'll have access to a wide range of clients, state-of-the-art equipment and a structured setting that can help you build your skills and experience.

Typically, you'll start by providing one-on-one training sessions, group classes and maybe even specialised fitness programmes. The gym will handle the marketing and client acquisition for you, allowing you to focus on delivering top-notch training and building relationships with your clients.

Over time, you might have the opportunity to move into higher positions, like a fitness manager or even gym manager. The best part is that working in a commercial gym gives you a steady stream of clients and the chance to network with other fitness professionals.

What experience or qualifications do I need?

You'll need specific qualifications and experience to work at a commercial gym. The primary qualification required is a Level 2 or 3 personal trainer certification. Here’s a brief guide on how to obtain this and kickstart your career:

• Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing: This is the entry-level qualification and a prerequisite for the Level 3 certification. It covers the basics of fitness, anatomy and working with clients.
• Level 3 Personal Trainer Certification: This advanced certification delves deeper into personal training, including designing workout programs, nutrition, and advanced anatomy. You can achieve this through accredited training providers such as YMCAfit, Premier Global NASM or Active IQ.
• CPR and First Aid Certification: Most gyms require trainers to be certified in CPR and First Aid to keep clients safe during training sessions. Search for courses near you at the British Red Cross or St. John Ambulance.
• Practical experience: Gaining hands-on experience is crucial. You can start by working as a fitness instructor or assistant in a gym, shadowing experienced trainers or volunteering at fitness events. This experience will help you apply your theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

Learn more about How To Become a Personal Trainer in-depth with our step-by-step guide.

What are the responsibilities?

A gym manager typically has a very varied and hands-on role. You might be in charge of overseeing staff, handling customer service, maintaining the facilities, managing finances and ensuring health and safety compliance amongst your colleagues.

Your day-to-day might also include recruiting and training staff, addressing member inquiries and complaints, making sure equipment is functional and the facility is clean, and monitoring the gym’s budget.

At some gyms, you could also be asked to develop and implement marketing strategies to attract and retain members, create fitness programs and handle administrative tasks like managing member records and payroll. Strong organisational and leadership skills are essential for effectively managing these varied responsibilities.

What’s the typical salary or income?

Your salary will vary based on a number of factors, like your experience, and the location and quality of the gym you work at. Check out our PT salary guide to get a better idea of how much you could take home each month.

What are the progression opportunities?

There are several progression opportunities, such as promotion to gym manager, becoming a lead PT, specialising in areas like nutrition or rehabilitation or moving into corporate wellness roles.

But it’s important to consider the limitations of this career path, too. For example, you might struggle with income ceilings due to the gym’s pay structure, restricted autonomy, long and irregular work hours and a limited client base. Balancing these factors is essential for finding a career you love in a gym environment.

How can I get there?

The typical path to becoming a PT in a commercial gym involves obtaining relevant qualifications, like a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing followed by a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training.

Gaining practical experience through internships or part-time work in a gym will also be beneficial. Once qualified, you can apply for positions in commercial gyms, where you may start as a fitness instructor and gradually take on personal training clients as you build your reputation and client base.

Want to go solo?

Becoming a self-employed PT still involves obtaining the necessary qualifications, such as a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, and then setting up your own business.

This path offers greater flexibility, higher earning potential and autonomy over your schedule and training methods, which some people love. However, it isn't without its challenges. You'll need to find somewhere to work from, find your own clients and do everything else involved with running your own business.

What experience or qualifications do I need?

Working for yourself can be tough and requires serious dedication.

Beyond the standard PT qualifications, strong business acumen is crucial. This includes knowledge of marketing strategies to promote your services effectively, understanding financial management to handle income and expenses, and organisational skills to manage client bookings and schedules efficiently.

Building a client base requires networking, a solid understanding of client needs, and the ability to maintain professional relationships to ensure ongoing business growth and success.

What are the responsibilities?

As a self-employed PT, you’ll have a range of responsibilities beyond just fitness instruction.

Your job is to assess clients' fitness levels, set personalised goals and create tailored workout plans. During training sessions, you’ll need to lead exercises, ensure proper form and motivate your clients. Nutritional guidance is often part of the full service, offering dietary advice and meal plans to support fitness goals, but this is up to you.

Risk management is crucial, as you must ensure client safety during workouts. You might also handle various business operations, including scheduling, maintaining client records and managing finances. Marketing and client acquisition are vital for business growth, so you’ll have to promote your services to build a strong client base.

A typical day for a self-employed personal trainer might start early with morning sessions and fitness assessments. By midday, you could get started on programme planning and administrative tasks. Your afternoons are likely often filled with more training sessions and nutritional consultations. Evenings may be dedicated to marketing efforts and professional development, such as studying new fitness trends or attending workshops.

Continuous learning is essential in this field, as you must stay updated with the latest fitness research and techniques in order to remain competitive. It’s all about balancing fitness expertise with business acumen.

What’s the typical salary or income?

Your salary depends on a number of things, such as where you’re based, how much demand there is for your services, and whether you specialise in anything. It ultimately comes down to how many clients you train and what you charge. Take a look at our PT salary guide to find out more.

What are the progression opportunities after?

After establishing yourself as a self-employed PT, you might want to explore specialisation, where you focus on a specific niche or clientele to become an expert in that area. This could include sports-specific training, pre/post-natal fitness, senior fitness, weight loss and nutrition, rehabilitation or corporate wellness. Specialising allows you to target a specific market and potentially charge higher rates for your expertise.

Expanding your services to include online personal training can also increase your client base and income potential. Similarly, transitioning from one-on-one sessions to small group training or boot camps can help you work with more clients simultaneously, earning you more money. Creating digital products like e-books, workout plans or online courses can provide passive income streams and expand your reach beyond just local clients.

As you build your reputation and client base, you might consider opening your own fitness facility or studio. With experience and a solid reputation, you could progress to coaching elite athletes, celebrities, or high-profile clients who require specialised training. Or leverage your expertise to develop wellness programs for companies or conduct workshops and seminars for corporate clients.

Your experience as a self-employed PT could also translate into management positions within larger fitness facilities. As you gain experience, you could progress to teaching and mentoring aspiring personal trainers, potentially working with certification organisations or fitness education providers.

How can I become a self-employed PT?

Ready to make it on your own? Thorough planning is key. Follow our 10 steps to starting a PT business to set yourself up for success.

Starting your own gym gives you full control over the business, including design, equipment selection and branding, allowing you to create a truly unique fitness environment.

It also has the potential for greater long-term profitability and building equity. But it does require a significant upfront capital investment for location, renovations, equipment and initial operating expenses. And then there’s the marketing to build a member base from scratch, which is crucial yet challenging.

In contrast, renting gym or studio space (like renting gym space at UNTIL) involves a lower initial investment and quicker startup. This option allows you to kickstart your business faster and with fewer financial risks.

However, renting offers less control over the space, potential restrictions on modifications and the risk of rent increases or lease termination. You also miss out on building equity through owning a property.

What experience or qualifications do I need?

Here are a few of the things you’ll need to get your gym off the ground, beyond the standard PT qualifications:

• Finances: Consider obtaining capital upfront for location, equipment, renovations and initial operating costs. Ongoing expenses and the need for funding or loans present yet more financial challenges.
• Business knowledge: Running a gym requires skills beyond fitness expertise, including business operations, financial management, marketing and regulatory compliance.
• Competition: The fitness industry is seriously competitive, requiring new gym owners to differentiate themselves and build a unique brand in a saturated market.
• Client acquisition: Building a membership base from scratch involves extensive marketing and the ability to attract and retain clients beyond your existing clientele.

What are the responsibilities?

As a gym owner, your responsibilities will span everything from business management and staff supervision to facility maintenance and member relations. You’ll oversee the finances, ensure compliance with regulations and strategise for growth.

A typical day would involve a mix of operational and strategic tasks. You might open the gym, handle administrative duties, address member concerns, review business metrics, lead fitness classes and develop marketing initiatives. The role requires constant shifting between hands-on tasks and high-level planning.

Owning a gym combines business acumen, fitness industry knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. You must learn to balance operational details with strategic vision, all while prioritising member satisfaction and business growth.

What’s the typical salary or income?

As a gym business owner, your earnings potential is not limited by a fixed salary. Instead, your income can vary significantly based on your gym's performance and profitability. You can choose to pay yourself through a combination of salary and dividends from the business profits, and as the business grows and becomes more profitable, your potential earnings are limitless.

How can I become a gym or fitness club owner?

Typically, you’ll start out as a personal trainer or gym manager. But even if this isn’t the case, with sufficient funding or investors, it's possible to start a gym business without extensive industry experience.

For PTs transitioning to gym ownership, the journey involves honing your business skills, creating a comprehensive business plan, securing funding, finding a suitable location, obtaining necessary licences, purchasing equipment, hiring staff and marketing the new gym. If you’re in the fortunate position to have immediate funding, you can speed up this process by hiring experienced professionals and investing heavily in marketing.

You can also make this transition by gradually building your client base and savings, networking with potential investors, gaining management experience and developing a unique gym concept. The key to success lies in combining fitness expertise with business acumen, either through personal development or by partnering with those who have complementary skills.

A strength and conditioning coach specialises in designing and implementing exercise programs to enhance clients’ performance and reduce risk of injury. Your responsibilities would include developing tailored programs, assessing physical capabilities, teaching proper exercise techniques and collaborating with other sports professionals like physiotherapists and coaches to improve your clients’ physical health.

There are various career routes available for strength and conditioning coaches. You can work with professional sports teams or individual athletes, coach at universities or colleges, train amateur or recreational athletes, specialise in young athlete development or work in rehabilitation settings, for example.

What experience or qualifications do I need?

To become a strength and conditioning coach, it’s likely you’ll need additional qualifications, such as a Level 4 strength and conditioning certification or a related undergraduate degree. Remember that the role requires a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and sport-specific training principles.

What are the responsibilities?

Your primary responsibilities would include developing tailored training programs, conducting fitness assessments, teaching proper exercise techniques and monitoring athlete progress. You might also educate athletes on nutrition, recovery and injury prevention, depending on your experience.

A typical day for a strength and conditioning coach is diverse, which is why some people enjoy the job so much. It might begin with early morning training sessions, followed by analysing performance data and adjusting programs. Afternoons could involve meetings with coaching staff to discuss client progress and strategies, followed by more training sessions or individual consultations. You might wrap up the day with planning future sessions and updating athlete records.

Bear in mind that this job demands a thorough understanding of exercise science, sports-specific training principles and strong communication skills. Strength and conditioning coaches work in various settings, from professional sports teams to universities and private training facilities. Of course, your daily activities will vary depending on your workplace and the clients you’re working with.

What’s the typical salary or income?

The national average salary for a strength and conditioning coach is £26,165 a year. Many strength and conditioning coaches charge by the hour, at an average rate of £14.60. It all depends on your experience, the level of the position, your location and how many people you’re training.

What are the progression opportunities?

A strength and conditioning coach has loads of progression opportunities. With more expertise, you can expand your role and even become business owners or self-employed.

One route is working with higher-level athletes, such as professional sports teams or elite individual athletes, which often comes with higher pay and more recognition. Another option is to move into academic or research roles, contributing to the field through studies and teaching.

Strength and conditioning coaches can also specialise in areas like youth development, rehabilitation or specific sports, making them highly sought after in niche markets. You could also transition into gym or fitness facility management, where you would oversee operations and staff.

If you’re entrepreneurial, starting your own training facility or consultancy is an option. This allows you to leverage your expertise to build a business, offering specialised training programmes and services. The flexibility of being self-employed means there is no cap on your earnings, as income can grow with the success of your business.

Want to open up your career possibilities? With UNTIL’s multifaceted spaces, the options are endless. You could become a nutritionist, a massage therapist or a PT to high-paying clients. With professional and high-quality space to train your clients, you’re opening yourself up to various career paths you might not have thought possible

How can I become a strength and conditioning coach?

The career path for a clinical specialist in nutrition or rehabilitation, for example, typically begins with a strong educational foundation.

For nutrition specialists, this might involve a degree in nutrition, followed by becoming a registered dietician. Rehabilitation specialists usually start with a degree in exercise science or kinesiology, potentially advancing to a master's in occupational therapy. Both paths require relevant certifications and clinical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions in healthcare settings.

If you’re looking to transition into these clinical roles, you’ll probably have to pursue higher education in your chosen field, gaining clinical experience through volunteer work or part-time positions and obtaining specialised certifications.

Networking with professionals in this field and seeking mentorship opportunities are also crucial steps. The transition might take a while, as you maintain your current work while gaining the necessary qualifications and experience.

Online personal training offers a flexible and accessible alternative to traditional in-person training. In this role, you’d provide customised workout plans, nutrition advice and coaching support through video calls and fitness apps.

Unlike in-person training, online trainers can't offer hands-on form correction and rely heavily on technology, which requires your clients to be more self-motivated. But the benefit is that this format allows you to work with clients globally and offers greater scheduling flexibility.

A hybrid approach, combining in-person and online training, can be highly effective. This way, you can maintain local clients, expand your reach, offer varied pricing and adapt to changing circumstances, all while increasing income potential.

What experience or qualifications do I need?

Becoming an online PT has a relatively low barrier to entry. Typically, you just need a certification in personal training, a good understanding of fitness and nutrition and basic digital skills to create and manage online content. Although building a reliable online client base can be challenging without strong networking efforts.

Be sure to network with clients and other personal trainers both online and in person. This helps build credibility and trust, which are essential for attracting and retaining clients in a virtual setting.

Combining online and in-person training might work better for you, allowing you to maintain local clients while expanding your reach globally.

What’s the typical salary or income?

The beauty of working for yourself is that your income could be unlimited. It really depends on how many clients you train, how much you charge per session, and the demand for PTs in your area (or online).

What are the progression opportunities?

Progression opportunities for online PTs typically involve expanding their services and expertise. Most people would agree that the most effective path includes mixing in-person training with online support, rather than relying solely on online training.

Here are some ways you could expand your services:

• Developing specialised programmes or niches, like weight loss or post-natal fitness
• Creating digital content like e-books or video courses
• Offering hybrid services that combine online coaching with in-person sessions
• Building a personal brand through social media and content creation
• Expanding to group online coaching rather than one-on-one

Renting a space with UNTIL allows you to take your online personal training to new levels and provide a better experience for clients – both in person and online. Powerful growth opportunities for you, and a world-class workout for them.

How can I become an online personal trainer?

To start with, you’ll need the recognised certifications in personal training (and potentially in specialised areas). It’s important to gain experience as an in-person trainer to build skills and a client base. But you’ll also need to develop digital skills necessary for online training platforms and content creation.

Next, create an online presence through a website and social media profiles, showcasing your expertise with workout plans, nutrition guides and instructional videos. Begin transitioning to online services by offering them to your existing in-person clients so you’re not starting from scratch.

Consider investing in quality equipment for video calls and content creation. Network both online and offline to expand your client base and professional connections. While online training has a low barrier to entry, building a reliable client base can be challenging, so promote your services wherever you can.

Learn more about training online and offline with our Hybrid PT Guide.

How can UNTIL help me expand my career as a PT?

As you can see, the progression opportunities for personal trainers are endless. So if you’re not sure which career path is right for you, there’s plenty of time to do your research and explore every avenue.

One of the simplest ways to get your PT services off the ground is to have your own space for training clients, allowing you to grow your business and your earnings. Once you’re qualified, check out our state-of-the-art facilities and join a community of supportive, like minded professionals when you rent a space at UNTIL.

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