Last updated 15:54, Wednesday, 26 March 2008

PERSONAL trainers provide physical fitness instruction and fitness and lifestyle assessments. Due to increasing public interest in health and fitness, there are opportunities to work in a range of settings. Personal trainers are either employed in or work on a freelance basis within fitness centres, health clubs and hotel leisure centres; some also work in corporate fitness offering services to employers.

Experienced trainers, who have built a reputation, may also work privately with individuals.

Typical work activities include:

working closely with clients to develop personalised health and fitness plans

providing information and advice on nutrition and stress management

measuring and assessing blood pressure, heart recovery rate and body fat ratio

monitoring client development

maintaining and updating client records

providing practical feedback and support

Employers may require a qualification in sports science, exercise and health studies, leisure studies, sports studies, recreation management or human movement studies but qualifications approved by the Register of Exercise Porfessionals (REPs) are the preferred industry-related standard.

There are four levels of entry onto the register, and graduates with a relevant degree and six months current work practice will usually be given provisional entry at level 3.