The majority of people want a career in fitness because they are passionate about fitness, and this alongside the desire to help others is the very best reason I decided to give up my corporate role and train as a PT. I worked as an Estate agent and enjoyed it but there was always this niggling feeling that I wasn't doing what I was meant to do. Eventually, I decided to go with my gut and train as a PT - that was 4 years ago and I've never looked back, I saved my commission for 6 months, quite my job and enrolled in a full-time course.
A roller-coaster is one way to describe it!
After the completion of my training there was a very much a 'now what' moment; luckily for me the scenario wasn't too dissimilar to that of my old role, my approach to securing work was the same as I had done many a time in a competitive sales industry - get your head down and graft, don't be shy, ask for the opportunity as the worst answer you'll get it no and you have a no anyway!
I secured work as both a PT on the gym floor at Virgin Active and as a Group trainer at F45, this was great as it let me decide what I enjoyed the most, the skill set is very different and it's not a one size fit's all, very few people are good at both. I preferred the group trainer role so focused all my efforts on gaining as much experience in this discipline as possible, which is where I met Heloise at Core Collective and how I became their Head of Sales.
After 1-2 years on the gym floor, I realised i need to think about longevity and progression in the industry with knowledge and experience in fitness and related topics, I was in a great position to sell gym memberships, subscriptions to classes or group sessions, and even gym and workout equipment essentially a Sales is a career that allows me to keep working with people but in a different way, working as trainer was great but I missed the business and strategizing of my old job, as the market place got more competitive after Covid, there was a need for fitness spaces to secure membership base as a priority, many sales positions are based on commissions, so the more you sell, the more you earn - which is a big tick for my competitive nature, It’s a career that requires self-motivation and a strong work ethic to be successful but I love it.
The obvious Low is the long operating hours of the industry, but this is not un-like many service industries, it's important to remain flexible with your working hours but also ensure you are getting enough rest, you can't pour from an empty cup. The best way to secure a career in fitness is to start making connections, attend industry events, and reach out to those you admire for advice and introductions, it's a small industry and there is always someone who is willing to support you.
I've always remained very open minded in any line of work, I'm very much focused on self-development to excel my career and spend a lot of time developing a greater self-awareness of my strength, skills and abilities to allow me to perform at my best in high pressured situations, the sales World is hugely very competitive and you are measured only by your KPI's - my goal is to continue to perform and learn from every opportunity.
Everything - but if I had to name one thing it's the community, by harnessing this power, you can encourage people to form bonds that will last longer than their workouts - it really is a very special place.
