Have you been considering a career change? Maybe your office job simply isn’t cutting it anymore or you just don’t know where to go. The fitness industry is a growing and lucrative field, and it just might be the right fit for you! Don’t sweat! It’s a straightforward process.
We know that embarking on a new career path can be a little intimidating, so we’ve gone ahead and given you the steps you need to take to go from where you are in your career to where you want to be – working in a career you LOVE and using your passion for fitness to inspire others!
Make a Commitment
Do you really want this change, or are you simply mulling it over?
(Hint: if you hate going to work, are constantly daydreaming about being somewhere else, and feel you’re not using your natural gifts, then it IS time for a change. If you’ve just had a bad day at work, well then it’s probably not a change you want to make now)
As much fun as it can be, working in the fitness industry isn’t easy! In addition to the demands on your body, you’ll also be presented with the same stresses as everyone else. You’ll need to readjust your work-life balance and tailor it to your new lifestyle and fulfil licensing requirements.
Start Dreaming About Your Future
Dream about where you see yourself in the industry.
Have you had a Personal Trainer before or seen a few online? Do you want to work from home, in a gym, or on the go? Dream your dream and SEE where you’d like to run your business. There are many options available to fitness trainers. From gyms and home studios to travelling fitness centres, fitness workers can work from anywhere they want! The sky’s the limit but the clearer you are with what you want, the easier it will be to stay motivated and know which course is best for you.
Fitness careers are growing in popularity across the world; Australia isn’t an exception to the trend. With a competitive market and strong projected growth, the world of an Australian fitness instructor is looking bright!
It’s worth knowing that you don’t have to stick to the same paved road as everyone else, either. There are, of course, your standard fitness careers:
- Nutritional coach
- Exercise coach
- Fitness coach
- Secondary education instructor
- Occupational therapist
But, like any profession, there are also some less known options. While these niche applications of fitness may not be as recognized or common, they’re no less rewarding or important. Some of these less obvious fitness careers include:
- Specialized sports instructors (dance, SCUBA, horseback riding, and more!)
- Outdoor adventure leaders
- Exercise scientists
- Stunt workers
Choose an Educational Program
You can’t start a career without the right know-how.
Before you can open your business or start applying for jobs, you’ll have to get the appropriate training. In order to become a fitness instructor in Australia, you’ll need to obtain a Certificate IV (SIS40215). While some jobs—such as a few specialized sports instructors and many outdoor adventure leaders—won’t require the certification, having it in your possession dramatically boosts your resume and credibility. (We’ll go over the exact requirements for the certification in a second, but we’re going to begin by saying that it’s important to pick the right school.)
There are many places to complete the training you’ll need to become a fitness instructor, but they’re not all created equal. Not every fitness academy will prepare you for a fitness career, nor will they all give you the right tools to succeed in your fitness career. Some schools will help you develop a postgraduate career; others won’t. Some schools offer continuing education courses (CEC); others only provide the core knowledge you’ll need.
One of the best options is PT Academy. Our staff is made of the most dedicated, driven, and hyped up folks we can find. With deep roots in many parts of Australia’s fitness industry, we can also kit you up with the necessary tools to succeed after you graduate. (Like the requirements, we’ll also talk about this a little bit later, too.)
Dedicate Time to Learning
You won’t become a fitness instructor overnight! You need to dedicate time to learning and growing.
If you’re serious—really, really serious—about this career change, then it’s time to buckle up and get ready for the ride. Keep your head in your books when you can, because you’ll need to understand a variety of concepts before you can even start that Certificate IV course.
At PT Academy, we offer all of the classes you’ll need to receive a Certificate IV. We also offer additional courses, electives, and accreditations. To boost your Certificate IV’s credibility and increase the likelihood of getting hired into your dream role, we offer combination courses, such as:
- Certificate III (perfect for spa work, cruise line employment, and holistic work)
- Certificate III & IV (great for personal coaches, fitness instructors, and work-from-home coaches)
- Movement coach training (Certificates III & IV with 5 specialty CEC courses)
Know What You’ll Need to Know
To become a certified fitness instructor, you’ll need to gather 20-course credits, all of which will be spread across a variety of topics and areas of expertise.
There are elective courses, which will give you the tools to nurture a business, work as a cohesive team with others, and provide insight into the nitty-gritty science behind exercise. There are also core courses, which you absolutely must complete to get your Certificate IV. Some of the required courses are
- Healthy eating habits and nutrition
- Individual and group instruction
- Collaboration with medical professionals
- Understanding and integrating scientific movement principles into exercise routines
- Positive motivational instruction and attitude
- Creating exercise programs to match the physical weight and activity goals
- Liability with regards to providing dieting advice
Of course, while it’s essential to know these skills, they won’t cover everything. Properly serving your clients is only half of the battle. The other half of the equation is running a business. Whether you’re running your own business or working with an established group of trainers, (such as us!) you’ll need to have a few other skills under your belt. Some key formal electives include:
- Franchise establishment
- Sustainable workplace practices
- Small business marketing and management
- Teamwork skills
- Courses based on specific sports, programs, and activities
Never Stop Learning
It’s not just recommended that you continue your educational journey as a fitness coach, it’s mandatory!
Even after you obtain that golden Certificate IV ticket, you shouldn’t stop growing as an instructor! Continuing education is important for every job, but fitness instructors must pay special attention to their ever-evolving field. Effective fitness coaching requires someone dedicated to knowing the latest information and trends.
PT Academy can also help you out with this! Our ongoing education courses are as useful for registered fitness instructors as they are for individuals in the process of obtaining their certification.
In addition to tool-based training programs, such as TRX suspension and YBell training, PT Academy also offers electives to further your personal growth. Some of our courses will prime you for entering or advancing in a specific field of practice, such as our movement coach credential program. Other courses, like our motivational speaking classes, will equip you with the tools to be the best instructor you can be.
Also included as electives or CEC courses at PT Academy are:
- Myofascial technique (MCT) trigger point therapy (with a virtual option for GRID)
- Multiple personal coach growth and development programs
- Classes on growing, training, and maintaining a happy client base
- … and more! We’re always adding new courses, tweaking existing ones, and doing what we can to make sure you are at the top of your game.
Take Advantage of Our Interview Guarantee
When you choose to start your journey with PT Academy, we won’t leave you after graduation.
At PT academy we have close relationships with most of the TOP gyms chains in AUSTRALIA including Fitness First, Virgin Active, and Anytime Fitness as well as smaller boutique studios that specialize in functional and outdoor fitness. Prep that resume and get ready to step into your new career!
The benefits don’t stop there, either. PT Academy is dedicated to our students and Australian fitness as a whole. Becoming part of the PT Academy community grants you access to educational and professional opportunities in addition to sponsored events and content.
Long Story Short
While no career change is easy, there’s no more rewarding career for active individuals than that of a fitness professional.
From leading mindful exercise programs and creating individualized plans to instructing SCUBA and horseback riding, Australia’s fitness world has a lot to offer. Not everything has to be within the confines of a gym or exercise program, either. You can host travelling yoga courses, teach mountain climbing, or host riveting adventure hikes if you want.
The first step is always the biggest challenge, and that’s why we made PT Academy. Our courses are affordable, practical, and valuable. With our help, you can start your journey to the job of your dreams! Enrolling in PT Academy is more than just a commitment to a new lifestyle, it’s a promise to yourself to achieve your dreams.
If you’re ready to take the plunge, sign up today! We offer a free demo course for you to get a hang of the industry and decide whether or not we’re the right fit for you.
