After more than 20
years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Fit Futures Academy
Founder and Director Korey Gibson has put together a list of the leading perks you
could have.
I’ve always spent time in gyms and participating in sport at
a high level, and so entering the health and fitness industry was always a
natural progression for me – it allowed me to help others live a healthier
life, but also earn a salary by working when and where I wanted. That freedom
has always meant I could continue my own training and pursue other endeavours
simultaneously. The innovation of the industry has always meant what I do is
exciting and ever-changing – I can’t imagine any other industry that would give
me such variety, stimulation and opportunity.
You’re literally doing the best thing for
you
As we all know, exercise has physical, mental and social
benefits. There’s no other one thing that’s going to make you sleep better,
have more energy, physically better cardiovascular and muscular health
and make you feel more confident and outgoing. Living and breathing exercise
and movement, and being around like-minded people, will make you prioritise
your health and that of those around you. Absolute win-win.
No day is ever the same
Whether you work in a gym/studio, own a facility or are a Personal
Trainer, every day is different. Every person we meet in the health and fitness
industry has unique goals and it’s our job to ensure we find the right solution
for them. I can guarantee no Monday is ever going to look the same and that’s
what keeps many trainers motivated.
You control your earning potential
Instead of waiting around for pay rise opportunities from
your manager, being self-employed or a contractor allows you to control your
hours and how much you earn. On average, a Personal Trainer working at some gymscan
earn about $90 per hour. For 40 30-minute sessions per week (that’s 20 hours),
they can make $1800 per week; this can increase if you open a studio/facility
and/or have trainers working for you. And, of course, you get freedom, which
really is invaluable.
You really help other people
The bottom line is that when people exercise they start to feel good, especially when you design a programme that puts them on a path to be the best version of themselves. Creating healthy habits in someone’s life is going to improve their wellbeing – physically, mentally and socially – and these behaviours are ones they can introduce to their whole family. Not only will this benefit your clients, but your family too.Through the knowledge you gain and by keeping your finger on the pulse with changes in research and science, you can adapt your home-life and lifestyle as things progress. Given that it’s likely that you’ll be self-employed, you will also have the ability to create business opportunities for others.
It’s easy to be your own boss
As I’ve mentioned above, the freedom that comes with being
your own boss is invaluable – you really can have the lifestyle you want. We’re
fortunate that as an industry, health and fitness offers many opportunities to
be self-employed or a contractor while retaining the security of regular,
well-paying work. You can own a facility/gym/studio, work as a Personal Trainer
or consult.
It’s a fast-moving industry – you’ll never
get bored
Trends in our industry are constantly changing. At the
moment,the likes of group training, high-intensity interval training and
personal training are high on the top 10 international trends.A lot of
community, healthcare and corporate wellness programmes are seeing the benefits
of personal trainers as PTs improve people’s engagement with exercise meaning
they attend the gym more and work harder as they respond well to motivation and
being held accountable. The industry is dynamic, and the next new thing is just
around the corner as we learn more about the best way to get the population
moving and seeing results.
An industry that technology will only
improve
While some industries worry about how technology will ‘take
over’ or replace people, we are embracing it. The more we can monitor, track
and share facts and stats about our health and fitness, the more engaged people
will become in their own health and fitness journey. Empowered people are more
likely to reach out for guidance and adhere to their programmes because they
can see the very real-time benefits. As technology in the fitness industry
grows and diversifies, I believe we will increasingly rely on the knowledge of
fitness leaders.
It’s a career that complements other
endeavours
If you control your own hours, you can fit your training,
and that of others, around other commitments or your desired lifestyle. If you
have children to care for before and after school, you can. If you want to
train people in the morning, leaving the afternoon and evenings to yourself,
you can. The choice really is yours
Korey Gibson is the owner of Christchurch’s The Health Hub fitness group, including Cadence Cycling Studio, MyFirstGym and Fit Futures Academy, the former CEO of Snap Fitness New Zealand, founder and owner of Snap Fitness clubs, former professional rugby league player and MMA fighter. Fit Futures was launched in 2015; created out of the need to ensure personal trainers were best prepared for the industry and give people a flexible, online education option by which to enter their new career.
Become a Personal Trainer with the Fit Futures Academy
Certificate in Personal Training. If you want to be part of an industry with
endless opportunities, and enter it in the most flexible and supporte