Requirements of an Exercise Referral Instructor
Above all else, exercise referral requires excellent communication skills, more so than any other position in the health and fitness industry. Many clients/patients will have a completely different lifestyle to yourself, so a professional, empathetic and non-judgemental approach is required at all times. It’s important you have a genuine passion for working with people and a desire to improve their health.
In order to practice as an exercise referral instructor, you must possess a Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral. This qualification is also mandatory for progressing to a Level 4 discipline (Low back pain, obesity, diabetes etc). Exercise referral also provides a useful addition to a personal trainer’s skill set, widening the range of clients they can work with.
Exercise Referral Employers
Those involved in exercise referral schemes are usually employed by:
- NHS
- Local authorities
- Primary care trusts
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Self-employment
- Private health clubs
- Charitable trusts
Exercise Instructor Pay
Salaries can range significantly, starting at around £19,000 and can reach up to around £30,000. This varies dependant on the type of scheme, experience and qualifications. The average salary of someone with some experience is around £25,000.
In recent years there’s been a significant increase in the number of exercise referral vacancies, making a career in this role incredibly viable.
