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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Fitness Workers In Somerset CLCI: GAG CRCI: MB Fitness workers are found in gyms, fitness clubs and leisure centres. They work with individuals and sometimes run classes. They may also look after equipment, work on reception, clean up afterwards and do all sorts of other duties. There has been a big growth in this type of work in recent years. It's popular work but the pay isn't wonderful and many jobs are part-time. You could find yourself working shifts or doing two jobs to make ends meet. To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT FITNESS WORKERS IN SOMERSET Fitness is becoming more important and more popular amongst more people. As a result there are more gyms and fitness clubs in Somerset than ever before. These are usually private businesses. Some of these are locally owned and may only have one or two branches. Others are larger and part of national chains operating throughout the country. It’s a competitive business and facilities are getting better all the time. Several new gyms open in Somerset every year. Leisure centres tend to be run by councils (together with many swimming pools). HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go college/sixth-form full-time to do a general course or something sport and recreation-related   Start as a trainee – or apprentice – and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in maths, English and science are a good starting point   A levels, Vocational A levels and BTECs and in subjects such as PE, sports science and leisure & recreation help for some jobs   NVQs in sport and recreation provide good practical training (either full-time at college or through an apprenticeship)   Specific fitness and coaching awards (gained in your own time or as part of your job) More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? Some doctors now refer patients to gyms and leisure centres for health reasons. Working with these people may need extra skills and knowledge. WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. When you are experienced you might earn around £10,000-13,000 a year (more at some places). Often pay rates are not too much above the minimum wage. FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Most places only employ a handful of fitness workers. These are normally aged between 25 and 35   The number of jobs is growing (but more people are interested all the time)   Special qualifications in weight lifting, gymnastics and exercise to music are worth gaining   There are opportunities to work for yourself. Good self-employed people can earn more in the long run   You need to be fit and interested in people. Patience and a sense of humour helps   You’ll be working with equipment and obeying rules and regulations. Explaining and showing people what to do is a big part of the work   The work isn’t particularly glamorous and can be tough. Customers can be awkward   It’s good to have a career plan. What will you be doing in a few years time? WHO DOES THE WORK? Lisa (21) works in a leisure centre in Taunton. She did a BTEC at college and a foundation degree at university. Lisa started at the bottom and has been promoted already. She is also adding to her qualifications by doing fitness teaching courses in her own time. Next year Lisa hopes to become an assistant manager Sachin (26) is a fitness instructor in a hotel in Burnham-on-Sea. He worked in an office for several years and gained fitness qualifications in his spare time. At first he did fitness instructing in the evenings and weekends alongside his day job. Now he has gone full-time and has ambitions to open his own health club. More Info: A-Z Careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use