How to Become a Fitness Instructor | 10 Tips

Fitness instructors lead and motivate individuals or groups through exercise activities. This role allows you to help people of all abilities and fitness levels believe in themselves, build confidence, and achieve greater well-being. 

Becoming a fitness instructor: 10 tips

Just like our bodies, fitness programs come in all shapes and sizes. That means you’ll find multiple paths towards starting or advancing your career. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives through physical fitness, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Do your research.

The first step towards a career as a fitness instructor is deciding what type of instructor you’d like to be. Would you like to be a group fitness instructor leading small group exercise classes, a personal trainer, or a hybrid instructor? Do you see yourself working at a health club, recreation centre, small studio, or from home as a virtual fitness instructor? Having a clear idea of what you want your career to look like can help you develop a clear roadmap of how to get there. 

2. Consider a degree.

Fitness instructors typically have at least a college qualification. Still, some employers will also look for candidates with a diploma in fitness instructing and personal training or a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, physical education, or kinesiology. Coursework on biology, anatomy, nutrition, and exercise techniques can help you develop the skills and knowledge you’ll use while assisting clients. 

3. Develop your people skills.

No matter what setting you choose to work in, you’ll be working with people every day as a fitness instructor. Developing these skills can empower you to be more effective at helping others:

• Motivational skills: Achieving fitness goals can be hard work. By learning motivational techniques, you can inspire your clients to stick with them.

• Communication: A huge part of your role will be demonstrating exercises, explaining their benefits, or correcting issues. 

• Active listening: This will help you better understand your clients’ abilities, limitations, and fitness goals.

• Customer service: Treating your clients with respect, kindness, and care can help you win them as loyal customers.

• Problem-solving: No two clients are alike, and problem-solving skills will help you determine the appropriate fitness solutions for each person’s needs. 

4. Get your CPR and AED certification.

Many professional certifications in the fitness industry require that you have up-to-date cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certifications. With these skills, you’ll be ready to give first aid assistance in an emergency.

5. Choose a specialism.

Look at the class schedule at a gym, and you’ll likely see all sorts of specialised classes—yoga, spin, pilates, HIIT, dance, kettlebell, and weight lifting, among others. Choosing to specialise may help you narrow down the types of facilities you may want to work at or give you focus when finding clients for personal training. Take a look at some options:

• Strength training focuses on exercises designed to build muscles. It’s also known as resistance or weight training. 

• Cardio fitness instructors might lead cycling, running, step aerobics, or dance classes.

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a method of interval training that alternates between short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of recovery.

• Functional fitness, which includes CrossFit, focuses on exercise that helps with activities you perform in day-to-day life.

• Yoga combines physical poses with breathing techniques and meditation principles.

• Pilates aims to strengthen muscles while improving flexibility and postural alignment. 

• Senior fitness instructors design exercise programming around the needs of older adults. 

• Corrective exercise instructors help clients address imbalances or disorders through targeted programs.

• Sports performance trainers help competitive athletes achieve peak performance and avoid injury.

6. Get certified. 

Certification helps validate your skills and abilities to potential employers and clients. Most fitness professionals start with a general certification. Gyms typically require certification for group fitness instructors, and personal trainers need to be certified before working with clients one-on-one.

Several organisations offer general fitness instructor certifications. Industry-recognised certifying agencies include the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and Exercise, Move & Dance UK (EDMUK).

You can often get certified in specialised fitness methodologies as well. You’ll find certification options for yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, and Olympic weightlifting. 

7. Start part-time.

It’s common for fitness instructors to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends. You can start with a part-time position pursuing your education or continuing a separate career. If you’re just starting in fitness, working part-time is often a good way to get established, gain experience, and build a client list before moving into full-time work. 

8. Get social.

If you’re freelancing as a fitness instructor or personal trainer, ensure you have a social media presence. Posting on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter helps you get the word out about your services and showcase your expertise. 

9. Consider liability insurance.

Before you begin teaching fitness classes or working with individual clients, research whether you’ll need liability insurance. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of a legal expert.

10. Keep learning.

As we learn more about the human body, the fitness industry will continue to evolve. Commit to becoming a lifelong learner, and you’ll be able to instruct based on the latest in exercise science. Many certifications require continuing education credits (CECs) to stay current. Use this as a perfect opportunity to learn a new skill or brush up on a technique.

Get started as a fitness instructor with Coursera

Being a fitness instructor can be a lucrative and fulfilling career as you help others improve their health and well-being. Learn more about this field and build your expertise with related online courses.  Consider the Science of Diet and Exercise Specialisation by NASM on Coursera to learn how the body reacts to exercise and nutrition, or the NASM Personal Fitness Trainer Professional Certificate to help launch your career as a fitness instructor within two months when you devote 10 hours per week to learning.

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