Fitness trainers are passionate about health, wellness and exercise and use their skills to help motivate others in reaching their fitness and weight goals. Fitness trainers, or personal trainers, work with people from many different backgrounds and abilities, from professional athletes to elderly people. A job as a fitness trainer can be rewarding and fulfilling as trainers help others to improve their health through exercise and nutrition.

Fitness instructors play a significant role in the lives of those who wish to lose weight, get and stay in shape and, in some instances, recover from injury.

Tasks:

1. Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment
2. Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness
3. Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations
4. Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion
5. Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels in order to maximize benefits from exercise routines
6. Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment such as trampolines and weights
7. Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements

Key skills for fitness instructor:

• Good communication and 'people' skills
• An outgoing and friendly personality
• A tactful approach
• The ability to motivate and inspire people
• A responsible attitude to health and safety
• Knowledge of nutrition and healthy diet
• Good fitness levels

Average salary (2014):

The United Kingdom: £27,000 per year
The United States of America: $31,030 per year
Australia: AU$39,731 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Anyone who wants to work in this occupation must have a high school diploma. From that point, the educational requirements vary by employer, by whether one works with individuals or groups, and by specialty. Many employers prefer to hire trainers who have an associate or bachelor's degree in a health or fitness field.

Personal fitness trainers (those who have individual clients) first take classes and then work alongside experienced trainers. Aspiring group exercise instructors train to teach classes and then audition for jobs.