Job market information
Finding out about health and fitness
The health and fitness industry is part of the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, represented by SkillsActive Sector Skills Council. This sector is based on leisure and recreation and includes: sport and recreation; playwork; the outdoors; and the caravan industry. The UK active leisure, learning and well‐being sector currently employs 663,300 people, representing just over 2% of the UK workforce, and an estimated 1.9 million volunteers in England (equating to 54,000 full‐time equivalents). There are an estimated 39,800 workplaces, of which 74% employ 10 or less people. Much of the workforce work in a part‐time capacity (47%) and seasonal employment is important for outdoors, caravans and playwork, which attract students and other temporary workers.
The health and fitness industry focuses on the supervision of exercise and physical activity. The UK has thousands of fitness clubs, leisure centres and gyms for public use. Over the last decade, the industry has grown rapidly, which has come both from within the private sector, but also through the government’s reliance on the industry to help it deliver on public health and activity targets in the fight against illness and obesity.
Key facts:
- There are 51,500 people working in the health and fitness industry.
- There are over 3,100 private fitness facilities within the UK with 4,397,200 members.
- There are just under 2,600 public health and fitness facilities, which have over 2,758,400 members.
- 38% of the workforce is employed full‐time, 42% part‐time and 20% self‐employed.
- Around 29% of the health and fitness workforce is aged 16‐24 years (compared with 14% across all industries in the UK).
Jobs in the industry include: fitness instructor, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, yoga and pilates teacher, recreation assistant, club managers, duty managers, sales personnel, receptionist, lifeguard, finance manager, beautician, crèche staff, children’s activity staff.
Entry and progression
Traditional entry qualifications (such as first aid, health and safety, introductory coaching awards, the sports leadership awards, and life guarding qualifications) are valued by employers, together with a solid grounding in academic studies including English and Maths at GCSE, and potentially physical education (PE) at either GCSE or A level. Work experience in the sector can also be an advantage. Entry to certain occupations in the sector will be restricted by insurance and legal regulation.
Within the health and fitness industry opportunities are broadly defined as:
- the operational and maintenance aspects of running a facility
- the instructional and training capacity of teaching people how to use machines and free weights, designing programmes and helping clients achieve specific targets
- the management side of the facility concerned with the business elements of a club
- the sales and marketing element which designs membership packages and promotions
In smaller clubs these jobs are often combined, with staff taking on multiple responsibilities. In larger clubs, there are usually managers and staff who only work in specific departments, like the gym, swimming and spa pool, racquets, reception and administration.
A common entry route is as a fitness instructor. There are no formal academic requirements, but candidates usually require a recognised fitness instructor qualification. The minimum age to practise unsupervised is 18 years. Applicants to instructing courses require no formal qualifications. A first aid certificate can be an advantage.
For those wishing to enter the industry, it can be an advantage to register with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). The Register uses a process of self‐regulation that recognises industry‐based qualifications, practical competency and requires fitness professionals to work within a code of ethical practice.
For those wishing to change career and enter the industry, there are a range of opportunities as recruiters do not always insist on qualifications. Entry to roles at an older age is not uncommon.
There is a range of industry endorsed courses, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
51,500 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
There are over 3,100 private fitness facilities and just under 2,600 public health and fitness facilities |
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| Gender: |
49% male |
51% female |
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| Ethnicity: |
94% of the workforce is white, 2% Black or Black British, 2% Asian or Asian British, 1% Chinese or other ethnic background, and 1% mixed |
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| Age: |
29% of the workforce is aged 16‐24 years |
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| 22% aged 25‐34 years |
| 18% aged 35‐44 years |
| 30% is 45 years and over |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (Annual average), 2008.]
[N.B. The following data are for the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector as a whole.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Long term forecasts (undertaken in 2004) indicate that employment across the sector will grow by around 21% over the period to 2014. However, these forecasts were made both before the announcement that London would host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and before the recent economic downturn.
Skill requirements and shortages
Jobs and roles in health and fitness require varying skills sets, technical skills and qualifications, including:
- Job specific/technical skills such as fitness instructing, personal trainer, exercise referral and statutory training such as health and safety; child protection; and first aid.
- Generic skills (literacy, numeracy and IT user skills)
- Communication
- Customer care/service
- Team‐working
- Initiative
- Organisational skills
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Management and leadership (dependent on level)
Cross sector skills include: Health and Safety; Child Protection; and First Aid.
Occupational trends
| Managers and Senior Officials |
12% |
|---|
| Professionals |
12% |
|---|
| Associate Professional and Technical |
23% |
|---|
| Administrative and Secretarial |
9% |
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| Skilled Trades |
7% |
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| Personal Service |
21% |
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| Sales and Customer Service |
2% |
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| Process, Plant and Machine Operatives |
1% |
|---|
| Elementary roles |
13% |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (Annual average), 2008.]
The following will affect new and emerging jobs:
- Consumer trends – the demands of consumers and changes to lifestyles and tastes have a particular impact on all aspects of the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector. Customer Relationship Management may be increasingly important as the effects of the economic downturn are realised.
- Economic impact – the performance of the UK economy impacts on people’s spare time and disposable income, which may result in a shift in demand for recreational activities and domestic tourism.
- Government drivers – changes to government polity and/or legislation can affect the sector. For example, the government’s drive to increase participation in physical activity and utilise it as a means to address health issues around obesity will affect the demand for the sector and the skills/knowledge requirements of those dealing with people with health issues. A growth area is roles dealing with special populations and children’s fitness. The industry is also diversifying into wellbeing including advice on nutritional products and weight management programmes.
- Technological advancement – the greatest impact of technological change at present relates to advancements in booking systems, electronic communications and high‐tech sporting/fitness equipment. The use of these tools is likely to impact on a range of occupations, although there may also be a requirement for those occupying clerical/administrative roles to obtain higher level skills.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are 44,300 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region hosts a broad range of activities, including coastal and countryside destinations (e.g. the Peak District, Sherwood Forrest and the National Forest). There are many places to walk and cycle, and the growing network of rights of way, footpaths, multi‐use trails and long‐distance paths forms an important recreational resource. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; and child protection.
East of England – There are 61,400 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 6,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
London – There are 70,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. London has a rich mix of active leisure and learning facilities, high profile sporting clubs and venues and hosts a wide range of international, national, regional and local events. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; initiative; first aid; child protection; project management; and working with people with disabilities.
North East – There are 24,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 1,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region has 20 facilities listed in the London 2012 Pre‐Games Training Camps Guide and 4 universities providing sports provision recognised in the 2012 Training Camps Guide. The region hosts to the Great North Run, which has the largest participation in the world. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; first aid; team‐working; health and safety; working with disabled people; child protection; and initiative.
North West – There are 65,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,400 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region is home to the Lake District, Forest of Bowland and the coast, so facilities include a purpose built mountain bike trail and outdoor activity centres. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; initiative; team‐working; planning and preparing work; child protection; and first aid.
South East – There are 96,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 8,700 are employed in the health and fitness industry. Two of the nine UK Sports Institutes are based in the region at Bisham Abbey and Bisley. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; child protection; communication; management; and planning and preparing work.
South West – There are 53,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 4,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region offers a range of opportunities for surfing, sailing, surf lifesaving, Tarka Trail, Camel Trail and coastal paths. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; planning and preparing work; initiative; project management; and problem solving.
West Midlands – There are 48,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,700 are employed in the health and fitness industry. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; initiative; and planning and preparing work.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 51,900 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,500 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region has a strong sporting infrastructure and is home to a cluster of sports science, technology, medicine and economics research and development units. The region hosts three National Parks and a range of outdoors activities including rock climbing, airborne activities, water sports and cycling. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; child protection; initiative; and management.
Northern Ireland – There are 10,738 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 1,000 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
Scotland – There are 58,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
Wales – There are 29,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 2,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry (GB), 2007, Northern Ireland, 2005 and Labour Force Survey (Annual average), 2008.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry vary so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Sport and fitness occupations between £15,000 ‐ £18,000
- Health trainers – starting salaries can be between £15,200 and £18,200. Supervisors can earn between £21,000 and £27,000. Many health trainer jobs are offered on a part‐time basis, so earnings would be a portion of full‐time rates, which means that actual annual income may be less.
- Martial arts instructor ‐ instructors usually charge per lesson at rates starting at around £5.
- Personal trainers – trainers are usually paid by the hour for each session with a client. There are no set salary scales and earnings depend on location, number of clients and on whether the trainer is independent or works for a gym. Freelance instructors can earn between £20 and £40 an hour. Some popular instructors with high profile clients can earn between £50 and £100 an hour. Personal trainers in full‐time employment can earn between £18,000 and £40,000.
- Sailing instructor – salaries can range from £11,000 to £25,000, depending on experience. Yachtmaster instructors and cruising instructors can earn £60 to £90 a day.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using SkillsActive AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
