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  4. Job Profile: Personal Trainer

Personal Trainer

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Job Prospects
Openings 5 years to November 2019: 10,001 to 25,000
Salary
Median weekly earnings: < $920
Source
Australian Government Department of Employment 2015
Brief
There are in excess of 2000 registered fitness professionals (including Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers) working in South Australia. Most Personal Trainers are self-employed or operating out of an existing Fitness organisation as a sub contractor. Employment may also include Franchise operators as well as some Personal Trainers finding full time / part time employment with a fitness organisation.

TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Personal Trainer

Accredited (Award)

  • Introduction

    The Fitness Industry is a dynamic and evolving industry. The fitness industry contributes to the economy by providing benefits to consumers through increased health, which may decrease demand for other health related services and free up Government revenue for other purposes. Fitness instructors are at the entry level of a career within the Fitness industry. According to the recent Australian Fitness Industry Report 2012, trends within the industry show that aerobics, fitness or gym workouts are now the second most popular physical recreation activity after walking, amongst Australians. The fitness industry has more participants than swimming and cycling (the next biggest) combined and is continuing to grow. It also plays a supportive and preventative health role with sport specific programs, rehabilitation programs and mainstream fitness and health programs.

    Influencing and Personal Contact

  • Education Requirements

    TAFE SA offers courses relevant to this occupation including the Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Pathways include The Packaged Program in Fitness is also offered which incorporates the Certificate III, IV and Diploma in Fitness.

  • Career Path

    Students who complete the Certificate IV in Fitness are able to operate within the scope of practice of a Personal Trainer and depending on their preferred area of focus, may fulfil a range of job outcomes. For those wishing for further study pathways, studies at Certificate IV in Fitness level, provide a direct pathway into the Diploma of Fitness – Specialist Trainer. There may also be opportunities for those who have completed the Diploma of Fitness to pathway into related higher education University qualifications (eg. Bachelor of Human Movement, Exercise Physiology or Bachelor of Health Sciences etc.)

  • Nature of the Job

    The fitness industry is a client service industry. People working in the fitness industry need to enjoy working with others. The role of the Personal Trainer is to develop and deliver exercise programs that are tailored to the goals, needs and abilities of the client. These programs are based on the information that is gathered through a health and lifestyle assessment that is conducted by the Personal Trainer with each client prior to commencing exercise. It is their role to provide their clients with health and fitness guidance, motivation, education to establish exercise and healthy eating habits into their lifestyles.
    Personal Trainers are expected to be physically active themselves and have a reasonable level of personal fitness. They need to have a client centred focus throughout their work, be enthusiastic and understand how to motivate others through effective communication, and role modelling. There are not only opportunities for personal satisfaction, but also the reward of helping others through exercise and the social benefits of organised activities.

  • Typical Physical Working Environment

    Personal Trainers may operate in a range of working environments including: fitness facilities, community facilities, cruise ships, Health Clubs, including 24 Hour Health Clubs, Personal Training studios, Mobile Personal Trainer, Personal Training Franchise, Health Spa/Resorts, Outdoor Fitness, Boot Camps and Sports Specific conditioning settings.

  • Typical Occupational Example

    Perso
    nal Trainers may work in one or more of the following capacities –.
    Personal Trainer: design and deliver exercise programs for individuals and small groups in both predictable and unpredictable circumstances. Personal Trainers posses a wide range of relevant instructing and fitness-specific competencies to provide appropriate exercise prescription and delivery to their clients which would lead to a health lifestyle. They also become involved in exercise for specific population groups (ie. Older adults, children and adolescents).
    Older Adults Trainer: possesses the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to plan and deliver exercise for older adults with managed conditions.
    Children's Trainer: plan and deliver exercise for low risk children and young adolescents.
    Other Job outcomes may include: Program Coordinator
    For further information, contact:

    Centre for Recreation, Sport and Tourism
    TAFE SA Regency Campus
    Days Road
    Regency Park SA 5010

    Phone: +61 8 8348 4335
    Fax: +61 8 8348 4531
    Email: SportRec@tafesa.edu.au