Finding the Right Personal Trainer Job

With literal thousands of gyms currently operating in the UK, the chances are you won’t have to look very far if you’re looking for personal training jobs. Furthermore, annual sales revenues from personal training alone have exceeded a massive £650m. So not only is there a wealth of employment opportunity in this industry, but there’s also plenty of money to be made for PTs looking to establish themselves.

Research undertaken by HFE found that across the UK, there are over 12,000 personal training jobs currently being advertised. The highest concentration of these opportunities is in England, but there are still plenty of jobs also to be found in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Breaking these stats down by region, we found, as you might expect, that London comes out on top with over 2,000 vacancies.

If you’re looking for a personal training job, whether this is in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, or any other major city or town then you’re in luck, as there is no shortage of opportunities available.

Types of employment

Before we explore the volume of personal trainer jobs by area, it’s important to shed some light on the two main types of employment opportunity open to you as a qualified PT. You can either work for yourself on a self-employed basis or find work in a gym or health club as an employee.

If you’re unsure about the difference and which opportunity would best suit you, we encourage you to read our comprehensive employed vs self-employed guide. This article explores in more detail the pros and cons of both options and will give you the knowledge and confidence to make the decision that’s right for you.

If the self-employed route is the most appealing to you, we also have guides exploring starting your own personal training business and everything you need to know about PT insurance.

Personal trainer jobs near me

As we alluded to earlier in this guide to personal trainer jobs, there are a wealth of vacancies available to personal trainers throughout the UK. The availability of personal trainer jobs will vary depending on your location, the types of fitness facilities nearby and the requirements of individual employers.

Where to find personal trainer jobs in your region?

When searching for personal trainer jobs, remember that not every opportunity will be advertised under the same job title. Searching for terms such as personal trainer, fitness coach, gym instructor and fitness instructor can help you identify additional vacancies, although you’ll need to check the responsibilities and qualifications required for each role. There are several places to look when searching for personal training opportunities in the UK:

• Indeed: Search for personal trainer vacancies by location and filter results by date posted, job type and salary where available.
• Reed: Explore fitness-related vacancies across the UK, including employed positions advertised by employers and recruitment agencies.
• LinkedIn Jobs: Search for vacancies while researching fitness businesses and connecting with employers or recruiters.
• The Fitness Group: Browse fitness industry vacancies by role and location, including personal trainer and fitness instructor opportunities.
• Gym operators’ careers pages: Check employers such as PureGym, JD Gyms and The Gym Group for recruitment opportunities at individual locations.

How to search for personal trainer jobs effectively

By combining job board searches with direct applications to local fitness businesses, you can explore a wider range of opportunities and find roles that align with your qualifications, preferred working arrangements and long-term career goals. To get the most out of your job search, try the following steps:

1. Search using different job titles

Not every relevant opportunity will be advertised as a personal trainer job. Try searching for terms such as personal trainer, fitness coach, gym instructor and fitness instructor. Read each job description carefully, as some positions focus on general gym-floor duties rather than delivering personal training sessions.

2. Narrow your search by location

Enter your town, city or postcode and adjust the search radius to suit how far you’re willing to travel. If there are limited opportunities nearby, widen your search to include neighbouring towns or areas with larger gyms and leisure facilities.

3. Set up job alerts

Many job platforms allow you to receive email notifications when new vacancies match your search criteria. Set alerts for your preferred job titles and locations so you can review new opportunities without repeatedly running the same search.

4. Check the employment arrangements

Before applying, establish whether a role is employed or self-employed. Employed positions may offer a set salary and workplace benefits, whereas self-employed personal trainers may pay rent or fees to operate from a gym and need to generate their own income through clients. Check the advert for details of pay, working hours, responsibilities and any associated costs.

5. Check the qualifications required

Review the essential qualifications and experience listed in each advert. Some employers recruit newly qualified personal trainers, while others require previous experience, additional specialist qualifications or particular skills. Tailoring your CV to the role can help you demonstrate why you’re a suitable candidate.

What is a personal trainers salary?

Pay and salary is always an important feature of any job because it determines your standard of living. Personal training is like other jobs and industries in the fact that geography, demand for the service, demographics and competition will play a crucial role in determining the rate of pay and salary that is available.

It is important to recognise that different personal training courses will provide different levels of knowledge, skills and expertise, which will feed directly into how much you can charge as a PT. For example, if you complete a low back pain course alongside your studies (as is available in our Master PT Package), then you’ll be able to target your marketing and recruitment at clients with  these conditions, allowing you to charge more for your services and expertise. This is definitely something to consider when starting out in the industry, as there are several specialist personal training roles out there.

Read our comprehensive guide to find out more about how much you can earn as a personal trainer working in the UK health and fitness sector.

Alternative places of employment

The majority of personal trainer jobs being advertised are what you might call ‘traditional’ – working on the gym floor with a mix of other responsibilities on top of training your clients, like membership sales, cleaning equipment, and covering group exercise classes. There are however a couple of other opportunities well worth considering for qualified personal trainers.

Firstly, there is an increasing demand for online personal trainers. Having an online presence can bring great value to your current clients, and it’s also a great way to increase your overall client base. Some of the UK’s most well-known personal trainers have found great success by first establishing themselves on the gym floor, before branching out to the next level with online personal training services.

For the more adventurous trainers, especially those who don’t want to be tied to a particular location but still want to work with clients face-to-face, there’s always the option of securing employment on a cruise ship or in a holiday retreat. Attitudes have changed in recent years to staying fit while on holiday, and this can seriously work in your favour.

Typically, you might associate an exotic getaway with kicking back, relaxing and overindulging with fine food. However, there is a fast-growing market for specific ‘fitness getaways’ that could provide an exciting opportunity for any personal trainers looking to broaden their horizons.