Want to become a corporate personal trainer and work alongside organisations looking to better the health of employees? Our definitive guide will explore this role in great detail, covering topics such as:

Contents

• • What is a Corporate Personal Trainer?
  • What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Corporate Personal Trainer?
  • What Do Corporate Fitness Trainers Do?
  • Where Do Corporate Personal Trainers Work?
  • How Are Corporate Fitness Trainers Employed?
  • What is The Average Corporate Personal Trainer Salary?
  • Before You Go!

The first step in chasing this dream career is earning a Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma. Once qualified, you can create and demonstrate bespoke workout programmes suitable for training clients 1-to-1.

What is a Corporate Personal Trainer?

The International Schools Athletic Association defines a corporate personal trainer as a professional who:

‘…helps companies create and deliver wellness programmes – to help employees boost their overall health’

It’s believed when employees are healthy, they feel better physically and mentally leading to improved work performance, fewer absences and increased positivity.

Corporate personal trainers can train clients one-on-one, offering tailored fitness plans and expert advice that align with each individual’s goals. Alternatively, they can also lead group sessions, allowing employees to exercise in a supportive environment where they encourage each other.

Alongside delivering fitness programmes for employees, corporate personal training can enhance the well-being of clients by focusing on:

• Nutrition
• Stress management
• Recovery techniques

By aligning bespoke workout programmes with a client’s professional demands, they can see improvements in their physical fitness, focus, energy and productivity at work.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Corporate Personal Trainer?

To become a corporate personal trainer there are two essential qualifications you need. These are:

#1 Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification

This entry-level qualification is the minimum requirement held by fitness industry employers in the UK. Upon completion, you will be qualified to work in a gym/fitness centre and able to choreograph and lead group workout classes.

You’ll need this qualification before you can enrol on a Level 3 Personal Training Course.

#2 Level 3 Personal Training Qualification

With this qualification, you’ll be a fully certified personal trainer, able to design and deliver bespoke workout programmes for your clients.

When looking for a qualification that’s right for you, OriGym’s Personal Trainer Diploma is the best-value option. This gives you both Level 2 and 3 qualifications in the fastest and most affordable way.

For more information on these courses, be sure to check out our in-depth guide on How to Become a Personal Trainer.

How Do I Choose a Credible Course Provider?

Not all Personal Training Qualifications are the same, before your enrollment you’ll need to choose a course provider that meets the following requirements:

• Ofqual Regulation – Ofqual is a government body that regulates vocational training. Having this stamp of approval ensures that your course meets the standards held across the UK.
• CIMSPA Endorsement – CIMSPA is a professional development body which works with training providers and employers to ensure that students qualify with the highest standard of education.
• Awarding Body – Your qualification should be awarded by a body like Focus Awards or Active IQ, which will confirm that the qualification meets the learning outcomes set by Ofqual.

Our article comparing the best Personal Trainer Courses in the UK explores a variety of training providers in greater detail and will help you make an informed decision.

What Do Corporate Fitness Trainers Do?

Corporate fitness coaches are responsible for designing and leading fitness programmes that promote employees’ overall health and productivity.

Research from the American Psychological Association shows that employees engaged in wellness programs are more productive and satisfied with their jobs.

Corporate fitness jobs involve carrying out a range of tasks to make their wellness programmes a success. Here are the key responsibilities corporate fitness trainers typically handle:

#1 Creating Bespoke Workout Programmes

Personalised training programmes can enhance a client’s workout experiences as they are tailored to their fitness levels and overall goals. They can be amended over time to factor in things like progress or injuries, always aligning with ever-evolving fitness targets.

#2 Leading Group and One-on-One Sessions

Corporate personal trainers can lead workout classes and small group pt sessions attending to several clients at once.

In this instance, PTs will guide their corporate clients through workouts such as HIIT and circuit training as part of a group. It will still run in the same manner as 1-to-1 sessions, with the trainer offering demonstrations, corrections and feedback to each attendee.

Working in this manner can help create a sense of community, where the corporate clients can encourage their colleagues, offering additional motivation.

However, as a corporate trainer, you may also run standard private sessions. Here you will work with clients individually, creating and delivering bespoke workout sessions that meet their individual needs and goals.

#3 Monitoring Employee Performance and Progress

A corporate personal trainer will assess the performance of employees attending the wellness programme. This will help them recognise improvements, identify weaknesses, and adjust their workouts accordingly.

Trainers will assess these areas by keeping records of important metrics such as strength, flexibility, and body composition. This will allow them to refine and adjust strategies to meet the evolving needs of employees and guarantee their ongoing improvement.

To learn more about how you can compile these reports, check out our exploration of ‘Personal Training Progress Reports’

#4 Providing Feedback and Instruction

Trainers will offer feedback to their corporate clients whilst they’re working out to make sure they are following the proper form and technique. This can help reduce the risk of injury and improve the effectiveness of their exercise.

They also provide motivational support to boost confidence and encourage employees to push their limits in a safe and controlled manner.

#5 Equipment Maintenance

Corporate personal trainers will also need to make sure that equipment is well-maintained, safe to use, and in good working order, especially if you’re self-employed. If you’re employed by a gym, there may be a specific member of the maintenance team that you can work alongside.

If you run your own business, it’s recommended that you invest in a personal trainer insurance policy that includes equipment coverage. This will help protect your tools in the event it’s damaged and need replacing.

#6 Organising Wellness Workshops

Beyond fitness classes, corporate personal trainers are also responsible for running wellness workshops and education seminars. These will educate employees on topics such as:

• Stress management
• Nutrition
• Mental Health

These workshops can also be an opportunity to offer team-building challenges focused on wellness to create a more engaged active workforce.

#7 Working with HR and Management

Corporate personal trainers will have to work closely with HR and Management Teams of their associated clients. This will help to make sure that the wellness programme aligns with the company’s overall goal.

During these meetings, trainers can report on:

• Programme participation
• Progress of the employees
• Employee engagement
• Feedback on overall performance

In return, the HR and Management team may provide insight into the positive effect of the wellness programme. Such as how it’s affecting employee productivity and retention rates among staff.
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Enjoying this article? Take a look at these other OriGym blogs on similar topics:

• The Different Types of Personal Trainer: Explained
• How Long Does it Take to Become a Personal Trainer
• How to Get Personal Training Work Experience

Where Do Corporate Personal Trainers Work?

Corporate fitness professionals are typically employed by gyms and fitness centres that offer comprehensive corporate wellness packages.

Part of the programme may determine where the corporate trainer works, for example on Next Step Personal Training they list their corporate packages available from three different locations:

In this instance, the corporate personal trainer can conduct their sessions from a variety of locations.

However, some gyms may specifically host their corporate wellness sessions from a primary location. Take ABS Liverpool for example, who use their gym to host health & fitness seminars, as well as brunch workouts from their gym floor.

Therefore, you can see that as a corporate PT, you have the opportunity to work from a variety of exciting locations, which can vary depending on your employers and the clients you work with.

How Are Corporate Fitness Trainers Employed?

#1 Contracted Employment With Gyms and Fitness Centres

It is common for corporate personal trainers to work as contracted employees for gyms and fitness centres. In this instance, trainers will work with corporate clients assigned to them by their employers, offering services such as:

• Bespoke workout programmes
• Group workout sessions
• Informative seminars

All of which will meet the unique needs of the corporate clients. An example of these jobs can be seen below, where MotivePT state that they are looking for a candidate to work from a variety of locations:

Contracted employment for corporate PTs comes with many benefits, such as fixed working hours and a guaranteed source of income that you can depend on.
These trainers also don’t have to worry about sourcing new leads to build a client base, as their employers will be responsible for getting corporate clients through the doors. In contracted roles, corporate personal trainers can also receive regular performance reviews and feedback from employers, which in turn can help improve performance.

#2 Self-Employed Personal Trainers

Alternatively, personal trainers can decide to run their own business, creating and delivering corporate programmes themselves. Tony Larkman is one of many PTs who has taken this career route:

Larkman demonstrates the many benefits that can come from being self-employed as a corporate PT. For example, by running your own business you can control your working hours, choosing when you wish to operate, meaning you could work to your client’s availability e.g. after office hours, to ensure your schedule is always filled.

You can also set their prices, having complete control over the pricing structure for corporate packages. As a result, self-employed corporate trainers have an unlimited earning potential, meaning they can earn a significantly higher income compared to those who have a predetermined work schedule and salary.

On top of this, you could even launch online corporate packages too, targeting potential clients outside of your local area, to expand your reach and increase your potential client pool.

As a self-employed trainer, you could even market corporate wellness as your niche, much like Larkman above and charge increased fees for your expertise.

What is The Average Corporate Personal Trainer Salary?

Indeed states the average salary for a personal trainer in the UK is £31,037 per year. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, such as:

• Experience
• Location
• How You’re Employed – e.g. Contracted or Self-Employed.

For example, as with many other industries, newly qualified personal trainers tend to earn less than those with several years of experience.

Additional qualifications can also boost your earning potential as a corporate personal trainer. For instance, if you have a Level 4 Advanced Sports Nutrition certification, you could charge higher fees for your expertise.

Personal trainers who live in larger cities, such as London will also earn more due to higher demand and living costs, for example, the fees will offset expenses such as higher rent.

Check out these stats from Indeed, which highlight that PTs in London earn an average of £33,759 per year, whereas those who live in Reading earn £30,714:

You should also consider that the stats presented by Indeed will largely be influenced by those in contracted positions. Corporate personal trainers who work on a self-employed basis could earn a significantly higher wage, as their earning potential is uncapped due to the fact that they can set their own fees and working hours.

Whereas contracted trainers have a fixed, dependable wage every month and set hours they must meet, as predetermined in their contract. Check out our article calculating ‘the average salary of a personal trainer’ to see what you could be earning in this role.

Before You Go!

Now that you know how to become a corporate personal trainer, you can go out and take the industry by storm. In this position you can work with exciting corporate clients, helping their employees to achieve their fitness goals!

This all begins with completing a Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma, which will set you up for future success and kickstart your career in the fitness industry.

Download our FREE course prospectus to learn more about this qualification!