More and more Australian mums are returning to the workforce after having children to work in what is a new career for many - the fitness industry. Personal training has become a sought after career as it is an employment path that provides social engagement, flexible hours, is financially rewarding and is also satisfying to help people achieve their fitness goals.
First and foremost, a career in the fitness industry enables you to stay fit and healthy – no more juggling your exercise schedule amongst work hours. When you are training clients as a personal trainer or running group exercise classes, you are participating in the work-out session so reaping the benefits of working as well as maintaining your fitness.
Imagine being employed to socialise with others – a career in the fitness industry will promise you that!
As a personal trainer I work with many different types of people – I don’t just see them as clients, they are friends. We share lots of time together from early morning sessions on the beach (plus the regular breakfast club), lunchtime sessions and after work training we establish great relationships. Often I train mother groups – and being a mother myself – we have so much in common: while our focus is to exercise, we share advice on raising children, enjoy each other’s recipes and catch up after class for park play and coffee.
One of the greatest things about what I do is having the incredible opportunity to work when I choose to - and that is what is attracting mums to a career in the fitness industry.
Mums love the flexibility of scheduling in client exercise sessions around their availability. Some mums I know in the fitness industry choose very early work-out sessions so they are finished before their family has woken up and can spend the day with their little ones when their partner goes to work; others fit their personal training sessions in the middle of the day – so they can be there for school drop-off and pick-up. The flexibility is one of the greatest benefits of the job.
As a personal trainer, you have so many workplace options and can fit in as many clients as you choose. It can also be a very financially rewarding career.
Plus there is so much opportunity within the fitness industry. There are jobs in gyms, working for other personal trainers, running group exercise sessions or if you prefer, starting up your own personal training business.
As we become more aware of our own health and fitness levels, lots of Australians are turning to qualified personal trainers of all ages to work with them on achieving their fitness and/or weight-loss goals.
To work in the industry you don’t need to be an athlete – you just need a love for keeping fit and healthy and be passionate about working with others. There are many different avenues you can choose within the fitness industry, such as group exercise leader, personal trainer, aqua aerobics instructor or working with a particular niche population of your interest. There are endless courses available for a personal trainer to educate themselves in the knowledge and skills required to fulfil these roles.
I am an Australian Institute of Personal Trainers Campus Director so I work with students wanting to become personal trainers. I am responsible for guiding students through their practical components of the Certificate IV in Fitness qualification (a must for anyone seeking a career as a personal trainer).
Being a part of someone’s journey to their dream career is an extremely rewarding part of my work-life.
If you are looking at a new career or thinking about heading back to work now that the kiddies are in school (as well as earning some extra dollars), I would absolutely encourage you to consider employment in the fitness industry.
I have mentored many mums entering the fitness industry and they never look back. The only regret they tell is that they should have done it sooner!
On a personal level, I can say it was one of the best decisions of my life and with two boys under three I get to work around their schedules and still get to spend quality time with them …what could be better?!
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