A personal trainer’s role is to assess clients, create tailored fitness programmes, deliver sessions, monitor progress, and support clients in reaching their goals safely and effectively.
If you’re wondering what a personal trainer does on a daily basis, this guide covers their key duties, responsibilities, work settings, and career progression. This information will help you to determine whether the position is right for you:
Contents
- What Is A Personal Trainer?
- 9 Roles And Responsibilities Of A Personal Trainer
- How To Qualify As A Personal Trainer
- Where Do Personal Trainers Work?
- What Career Progression Will I Have As A Personal Trainer?
- FAQs
What Is A Personal Trainer?
A personal trainer is a qualified fitness professional who works with clients to assess their needs, deliver tailored exercise programmes, and support their progress toward specific health and fitness goals.
Typically, personal trainers will work with their clients on a 1-to-1 basis, offering encouragement, feedback, and if needed adjustments to their training programme.
Every client is different, but common goals include weight loss and building strength. Personal trainers may also work with athletes to help them improve their sporting performance.
9 Roles And Responsibilities Of A Personal Trainer
The main duties of a personal trainer include assessing clients, delivering 1-to-1 sessions, tailoring programmes, monitoring progress, giving general nutrition advice, and helping clients stay motivated.
#1 – Conduct fitness assessments with new clients
When taking on a new client, one of the first roles and responsibilities of a personal trainer is to carry out a fitness assessment. There are many elements to this, but typically it includes:
- Postural assessment
- Movement analysis
- Flexibility assessment
- Cardiovascular fitness test
- Body measurements (weight and height)
These assessments provide insight into a client’s current fitness levels. With this information, you’ll be able to create an progressive training programme tailored to their abilities.
More information on these assessments can be found in our article “What is a Fitness Test?”.
#2 – Tailor Programmes to Client’s Specific Needs
In order to plan a personal training session, it is important to establish what your client’s goals and expectations are.
Every client is unique, but some common goals include:
- Weight loss
- Strength building
- Improving fitness performance for a specific sport or event
During the creation process, it will help to have pre-prepared questions to ask your client and write down their answers so that you can refer back to them throughout the programme.
It’s also important to take a client’s health conditions, physical disabilities or injuries into account when creating their programme. This may affect their overall performance, so needs to be taken seriously.
#3 – Carry Out Safe 1-to-1 Training Sessions
This is arguably the most important role of a personal trainer. When your clients are following your guidance, it’s of great importance that you keep them safe during their sessions.
Sessions typically last between 40-60 minutes, where you’ll guide clients through their workout programme. This can involve:
- Demonstrating exercises
- Checking their form
- Counting reps and sets
- Motivating and encouraging them
It’s important to always check-in with your clients throughout the session. If they’re struggling for example, adjustments can be made to their workout.
Many professionals become personal trainers to help others, which is exactly what these sessions achieve. Through these programmes, you can transform the lives of your clients for the better.
#4 – Monitor client progress
A key personal trainer duty is to monitor your client’s progress. This can show the effectiveness of their workout programme or signal that changes need to be made.
There are many ways to conduct personal training progress reports, from writing things down on paper to inputting data into an app. You just need to find the method that works best for you and your clients.
You should also always refer back to the initial fitness assessment as a way to assess the client’s progress compared to when they started.
Progress isn’t always physical either and it’s important to also monitor your client’s mental progression too. If they came to you feeling unhappy about their body, for example, this could lead to more positive feelings such as increased confidence.
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If you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, here are 3 more articles that we recommend reading:
- Personal Trainer Salary Explained
- Should I Become A Personal Trainer?
- How Much Does It Cost to Become a Personal Trainer?
#5 – Offer advice on nutrition and lifestyle (but not meal plans!)
Diet plays an important role in fitness, so it makes sense many clients will ask advice on the topic. However, the type of advice you can give is very specific.
The short answer is: personal trainers can give nutrition advice and lifestyle but they cannot prescribe specific meal plans or nutrition programmes. Only registered dietitians can do this.
You can advise your client about nutrition if you feel it is relevant to their goals, but you should also be responsible and careful about the type of guidance you give.
If you’re particularly interested in nutrition, you can pursue your passion by taking OriGym’s Level 4 Sports Nutrition Course.
#6 – Attract and Retain Clients
You may not immediately think of the sales side of the job, but whether you’re working for a gym or running your own business, remember that you are ultimately trying to sell your services.
There various personal trainer marketing strategies to attract new clients, including:
- Social media
- Networking
- Referral schemes
- Build rapport on the gym floor
- Paid ads
- Setting up a Google Business account
You can even mix and match different approaches for maximum success.
Once you’ve onboarded these clients you need to retain them to ensure they keep paying for your services. For example, if you set up a referral scheme and incentivise clients to make recommendations with rewards like discounted sessions, free merch, vouchers etc.
Explore this topic in greater detail within our article on ‘PT Client Retention’.
#7 – Maintain an Online Presence
Having an online presence is an integral role of a personal trainer. Through this you can advertise your services and attract new clients to your business.
Social media is perhaps the easiest way to do this, for example you can set up an Instagram or Facebook account in a matter of seconds.
Some good things to include on your personal training social media pages are:
- Transformation/progress photos
- Client reviews
- Videos of your sessions
- Fitness tips
- Price list
- Contact details
- Paid Ads
You may also decide to create a personal training website to improve your visibility on search engines such as Google. This is an often overlooked responsibility of personal trainers, but one that is critical to your overall success.
#8 – Keep Up to Date With Fitness Trends
As with any job, staying up to date with the latest news, trends and developments in your industry is always beneficial.
The fitness industry is constantly growing,so an important role and responsibility of a personal trainer is to keep up with the changes. Social media is a great way to do this, as it is full of fitness accounts, videos, and trends.
There are also a whole host of blogs, websites and forums where you can chat to fellow PTs and keep up to date with the latest fitness news. Networking face-to-face with other personal trainers in your local area is another great way to learn about what is going on in the industry.
#9 – Act as a Role Model to Your Clients
As a personal trainer, you should think of yourself as a role model for your client. Especially if they are new to fitness or struggling with motivation, they likely look to you for inspiration.
Whilst there is certainly no personal trainer ‘physique’ or ‘look’, an important duty is to keep yourself in shape too. Clients will be much more likely to be engaged and motivated if they see you as a positive role model to aim for.
But this is more just physical, your client should also be inspired by your attitude. Part of the role of a personal trainer is to always be positive, optimistic and outgoing.
How To Qualify As A Personal Trainer
In order to become a personal trainer you’ll need to complete a prerequisite Level 2 Gym Instructor Course, before progressing onto a Level 3 Personal Training Qualification.
The initial Level 2 certification is the minimum requirement to work in gyms in the UK. It provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to kickstart your career.
The Level 3 Personal Trainer Course builds upon this, teaching you how to create customised workout programmes for your clients. Earning this qualification is absolutely essential, without it employers won’t consider you for vacancies and insurance providers won’t cover you.
You should ensure that your chosen training provider’s courses are regulated by Ofqual and endorsed by CIMSPA, such as OriGym’s.
Think of this accreditation as a stamp of approval that the qualification trains you to the national standard. Check out our guide comparing personal training courses to find the best one for you.
Where Do Personal Trainers Work?
Once you’re a qualified personal trainer, there are a plethora of employment opportunities for you to explore, from working for established gyms to starting your own business and travelling overseas.
#1 – Employed By a Gym
Whether it’s a popular chain or independent venue, gyms are always looking to hire personal trainers to support their members.
When working at these facilities you’ll need to fulfil all of the aforementioned personal training roles and responsibilities, in addition to tasks set by your employers. This can include hosting inductions, running classes, monitoring the gym floor, providing demonstrations and cleaning equipment.
There are many ways you could become employed at a gym. For example, you may find a full-time position or work select part-time hours around your current career (such as weekends).
Some of the perks of this type of employment include:
- Guaranteed working hours
- Dependable source of income
- Built-in client base
- Senior professionals to offer guidance and support
This is an ideal place to start when you’re newly qualified and looking to find your feet in the industry.
#2 – Start Your Own Business
This gives you total freedom and control over your roles as a personal trainer. It’s a popular choice for those who have gained initial experience in the industry and are looking to branch out.
Naturally, this comes with a greater level of personal training responsibilities.
Not only will you have to complete all of the aforementioned tasks, but you’ll also be responsible for registering your business, finding your own clients, sourcing a venue to train in, and submitting your own taxes. Having a personal training business plan can significantly help with this.
However, there are also several positives to working in this manner, such as:
- Setting your own working hours
- Choosing your own clients
- Unlimited earning potential
- Complete control over your brand
For more information, check out our guide on how to start a personal training business from home.
#3 – Become an Online PT
Other professionals decide to become online personal trainers, and exclusively offer virtual services.
In this capacity, trainers may fulfill their roles and responsibilities via their website or social media platforms, communicating with their clients solely online.
There are many perks to this employment type, the most prominent being that it significantly increases your reach. Rather than being confined to your local area, you can onboard clients from all over the world, significantly increasing your income.
What Career Progression Will I Have As A Personal Trainer?
Through progressing your personal training career you can add additional services and increase your income. There are a vast number of ways you can do this, let’s take a closer look at a few examples:
#1 – Become a Sports Nutritionist
If you want to delve more into the nutrition side of personal training, a Level 4 Sports Nutrition Course is a valuable qualification to add to your belt.
After qualifying, you should have an extensive knowledge of macros and micros, nutritional legislation, specialist diets and how to meal prep. You’ll also have a deep understanding of the relationship between nutrition and physical activity, allowing you to tailor nutrition programmes to your clients’ specific needs.
Whilst this role involves much of the same roles and responsibilities of a personal trainer (such as training clients) it also allows you to create custom meal plans, that compliment the client’s tailored workout programme.
In doing so, you could charge extra for packages that include both tailored workout programmes and meal plans. You may also find that some clients come to you specifically for your nutrition services.
#2 – Offer Sports Massage Therapy
Another popular career progression for personal trainers is to take a Level 3 Sports Massage Course. Once qualified, you’ll be able to aid in injury rehabilitation and enhance sporting performance.
Many of the roles and responsibilities of a personal trainer will overlap with your sports massage qualification, such as carrying out an initial assessment and working on a 1-on-1 basis. This is one of the reasons that it is a perfect progression for a qualified PT.
While many clients will come specifically for SMT or PT services alone, you could even cross refer clients between services. In doing so, you could double your income.
For example, if a personal training client is injured they would have to sit out their sessions, which would otherwise result in a loss of income. However, with a SMT qualification you could offer them treatment that aids in their rehabilitation to avoid financial issues.
#3 – Become an Exercise Referral Specialist
If you want to expand your client base, completing a Level 3 Exercise Referral course is a great way to add even more value to your personal training services.
Completing an Exercise Referral course allows you to work with clients referred to you by medical professionals. It is similar to the role of a personal trainer, but you’ll be creating workout programmes that help clients manage their conditions or rehabilitate from injury.
Not only will this help you enhance your earning potential as a personal trainer, but it is also hugely rewarding on a personal level. Exercise Referral is all about helping your clients achieve their potential, regardless of their conditions.
FAQs
What Does a Personal Trainer Do?
A personal trainer has many roles, including assessing clients fitness abilities, creating tailored workout programmes, as well as delivering 1-to-1 training sessions. Other responsibilities include monitoring a client’s progress as they work towards their unique goals.
What Does a Personal Trainer Do on a Daily Basis?
The daily responsibilities of a personal trainer can vary, including tasks such as creating custom workout plans, running fitness assessments with new clients, conducting check-ins, and of course running 1-to-1 sessions.
Other daily tasks could also be influenced by the way you’re employed, for example if you work in a gym you may be expected to monitor the gym floor, clean equipment, and lead workout classes.
What Are The Duties of a Personal Trainer?
Personal trainers are expected to fulfil varying duties, such as:
- Conducting fitness assessments
- Creating workout programmes
- Leading 1-to-1 training sessions
- Conduct check-ins
Other tasks may be influenced by the way in which you’re employed. For example, if you own your own business, you’ll need to market and sell your services by yourself.
What Are The Roles and Responsibilities of a PT?
Some of the most common roles and responsibilities of personal trainers include:
- Running initial fitness assessments
- Tailoring workout programmes to clients’ needs and abilities
- Training clients 1-to-1
- Checking-in on a client’s progress
- Maintaining an online presence
- Attracting and retaining clients
Ultimately, each of these responsibilities will need to be fulfilled in order to become a successful personal trainer.
What is the Most Important Role as a Personal Trainer?
Arguably the most important role as a personal trainer is to keep your clients safe during your 1-to-1 workout sessions. Their wellbeing is in your hands, so be sure to consistently check-in and offer adaptations if they’re struggling with particular aspects.
Failure to keep them safe could result in injury and subsequent legal consequences.
Before You Go!
So, do you think you’re ready to take on the roles and responsibilities of a personal trainer? Be sure to enrol on OriGym’s Personal Training Diploma today! This course will act as a launching pad for your career, preparing you for a successful career as a PT.
Alternatively, download our FREE prospectus here and learn more about other careers you can explore with the correct qualifications
