A gym instructor (or fitness instructor) is someone whose job it is to help other people improve their fitness. They are usually employed to work within a specific gym, providing support to gym members, often acting as the first person to show them around during their induction.
What is The Role of a Gym Instructor?
Now that you have a general overview of ‘what is a fitness instructor’, it makes sense that we list the main duties and responsibilities of a fitness instructor so that you can get a better idea of what the role involves.
So, what does a fitness instructor do? These are the kind of things you can expect to be doing day-to-day:
Carry out gym inductions for new members
Demonstrate how to perform exercises and use machines
Be present on the gym floor and build relationships with members
Help members exercise safely
Give general advice on exercise and healthy eating
What is a Gym Instructor?
A fitness instructor is an individual who works within a gym, health club, or leisure centre. As we’ll discuss in more detail very soon, a fitness instructor is required to complete at least a Level 2 course in Fitness Instruction
Gym Instructor Working Hours
If you land a full-time job as a gym instructor, you’ll be working an average of around 40 hours a week. However, when you work those 40 hours isn’t always set in stone.
Just because the role is full-time, that doesn’t mean that you’ll be working 9-5 Monday to Friday. Depending on the gym, health club, or leisure centre that you work in, your hours could be the same as a regular working week, but it’s equally likely that they’ll be quite the opposite.
How to Become A Qualified Gym Instructor In South Africa
If you still want to train to be a fitness instructor after reading about the role, your next question is probably something along the lines of ‘what qualifications do I need?’. Fortunately, you’ve landed on this blog post!
In this section, we’re going to explain what you need to do to qualify as a fitness instructor. After that, we’ll cover some other important points, such as the skills and traits that make a good fitness instructor.
A little further on, we’ll also talk about the more practical side of things, such as how long it takes to qualify, how much you can earn, as well as where you can find a job!
Qualifications Needed to Be A Gym Instructor In South Africa
To qualify as a gym instructor, you’ll need a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing.
When you’re looking up qualifications, you might see this course advertised as a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing or a Level 2 Personal Trainer course, all are the same qualification.
There are no entry requirements for the Level 2 qualification, however, you will need to be at least 16 years old to enrol onto the course.
Honestly, we’d say that getting qualified as a fitness instructor is definitely achievable. The content of the course is around the same level as GCSE so it’s not particularly difficult to pass.
All Level 2 Fitness Instructor courses should include modules that cover anatomy and physiology, the principles of exercise, and health and safety. Here at OriGym, our Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing covers the following topics:
Motivating Groups and Individuals
Tailoring Training Sessions
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Principles of Exercise and Fitness
Health, Safety, and Welfare
Learning the Business
Programme Writing and Delivery
From this qualification, you’ll gain the fundamental knowledge and skills to be a good fitness instructor and begin your career in the fitness industry.
Gym Instructor Insurance Requirements
Public liability insurance is the main insurance policy that you should take out as a fitness instructor.
As a fitness instructor, you will usually work in a gym, but you may still need public liability insurance to protect you from having to pay to replace any equipment that you are responsible for damaging or losing. This is especially important if you work as a freelancer and hold a group fitness class either in a gym or in an independent venue.
Having public liability insurance will cover you against any accusations of injury from members, it will cover the costs of resolving a legal dispute if a member alleges that you or your advice has resulted in them getting injured.
What qualifications do you need for a gym instructor?
You can do a recognized qualification like: Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing. Level 2 Diploma in Instructing Exercise and Fitness. Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training.
How long does it take to become a Personal Trainer in South Africa?
The programme is delivered through mixed-mode which combines contact in the form of seminars and workshops plus self-study. The duration of this learning programme is approximately nine months
What qualifications do you need to be a Personal Trainer in South Africa?
Our qualifications: National Certificate Fitness (SAQA ID 67693) and National Diploma Fitness (SAQA ID 67691) and also accredited by CATHSSETA. SSISA is also a provider of the Register for Exercise Professionals South Africa (REPSSA).
Where can I study to become a Personal Trainer in South Africa?
TOP 10 PERSONAL TRAINER CLASSES IN SOUTH AFRICA
| Institute Name | City | Course Name |
|---|---|---|
| FitPro Fitness Education | Johannesburg | National Certificate in Fitness |
| TriFocus Fitness Academy | Randburg | National Certificate of Personal Training |
| HFPA Fitness Academy | Durban | National Personal Trainer Certificate |
| IFPA SA | Sandton | Personal Trainer |
Can you work in a gym without qualifications?
You May Not Get Hired
While there are no laws that require certification, many gyms and other employers only hire certified trainers. This is for good reasons. They are committed to providing clients with high-quality training and to keeping them safe. It can be a liability issue to hire trainers who are not certified.
How much do fitness instructors make in South Africa?
Virgin Active South Africa Jobs by Salary
| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Job Title:Fitness Instructor | Range:R42k – R123k | Average:R72,597 |
| Sales Consultant | Range:R34k – R236k | Average:R106,125 |
| Personal Trainer | Range:R67k – R456k (Estimated *) | Average:R191,619 |
| Maintenance Technician | Range:R22k – R299k (Estimated *) |
Where can I study physical fitness in South Africa?
WHERE CAN I STUDY?
Exercise Teachers Academy. Diploma Fitness: NQF level 5.
Health and Fitness Professionals Academy. Diploma: Personal Fitness Trainer/Sport Conditioning and Coaching Science.
Institute of Fitness Professionals. Personal Fitness Training Course.
Trifocus Fitness Academy. Personal Training Courses.
How much is a personal trainer in South Africa?
Costs for the programmes are as follows: 4-week programme – R650; 8-week programme R1,100; Individual sessions from R185/session.
Is it illegal to personal train without certification in South Africa ?
No.Then in addition to a Certificate III you’ll also need a Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40215) to be able to coach individual clients.
Is it worth being a personal trainer part-time?
Part-time personal training allows for a flexible schedule. This is particularly beneficial if you are working full time in another field. Being hired through a club allows you to collaborate with other trainers, have access to the latest gym equipment, and potentially gain more clients.