Personal trainer
Encourage people to achieve their personal fitness goals. Advise them about health and exercise.
About the job
What it's like
You would encourage and motivate people to achieve their personal health and fitness goals.
You would:
talk to clients to find out about their levels of health and fitness
set fitness goals and plan programmes for reaching them
teach clients to follow their programmes safely and effectively
give clients advice on health, diet and lifestyle
help clients with their workouts
record clients' progress, using methods such as measuring heart rate and body fat levels
In some cases you might work full-time as a gym instructor and do personal training outside your normal hours of work.
You'll have a good understanding of health eating and the way the body works. Plus, you'll have a responsible attitude to health and safety.
Hours
Your working hours must suit the needs of your clients, which is likely to mean working evenings and weekends. Travelling between locations would add extra time.
Environment
You could work for a gym or become self-employed. This could involve renting space in a gym, setting up your own facilities, or visiting clients in their own homes.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- upskilling
- selling techniques
- sports massage
- biomechanics
- strength training and conditioning
- fitness training
- weight management
- public liability
- employee assistance programs
- financial advising
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- motivating others
- mentoring
- coaching
- time management
- self esteem
- developing a plan
- empathising
- verbal communication
- resilience
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Food Health and Wellbeing
PE (Physical education)
Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation
Science
You’d need a Level 3 qualification in Personal Training, endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
To access this course, you’d normally need to already have completed a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing. You can do this in a variety of ways; such as through YMCA Awards, Active IQ as well as at selected colleges.
It's not mandatory to have a degree to become a personal trainer. Some personal trainers do have degrees such as sports science or sports therapy. Some can also come from a career with a strong focus on fitness such as professional sports or the Armed Services.
To study for a degree in sports science, you’d likely need either:
at least 4 Highers at BBBC
at least 3 Advanced Highers at ABB
a relevant HNC or HND
Some courses have stricter entry requirements. They may also need qualifications in Maths, science subjects or PE.
If you want to expand on your skills and knowledge, additional qualifications you can study include:
Level 2 Group-Based Training
Level 3 Supporting Clients with Long-term Conditions
Level 3 Pre and Post Natal Exercise
You may also want to become a member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) as a Personal Trainer Practitioner.
You could also find volunteering opportunities in a fitness or sports to gain experience skills. Visit Volunteer Scotland to find opportunities local to you.
You may also require a First Aid Certificate, which includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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