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YOUR ELC ON COURSE: SPORT AND FITNESS
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE REPS …
coaching or lifeguard awards, and
If you are serious about finding work in the fitness industry, you should be affiliated
gain experience before moving into
to the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). This is an independent public
management.
register that recognises the qualifications and expertise of health-enhancing exercise instructors in the UK. One of its key functions is to provide a system of regulation for
Sports development
instructors and trainers, to ensure they meet the health and fitness industry’s agreed
Most local authorities and governing
national occupational standards (NOS). Members are acknowledged for their:
bodies have sports development teams
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professionalism
that provide sport and recreation on
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adherence to the industry’s nationally recognised standards
an outreach basis, taking it into rural
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ongoing education.
and urban communities. Experience
They are bound by a Code of Ethical Conduct and hold appropriate public liability
in voluntary sports coaching and
insurance. In order to remain on the Register, members must continue to meet the
administration or strategic leisure
standards set for their profession through continuing professional development
management is relevant. Specific sports
(CPD).
development qualifications and courses
Membership, which costs £40 a year, is open to exercise and fitness professionals
exist at certificate and diploma levels;
in a wide variety of roles. It also allows for the transferability of skills throughout the
however, coaching awards are usually
UK, across participating countries in Europe and around the world.
sufficient.
To find out more, visit www.exerciseregister.org
What can you earn? The sport and fitness sector is not particularly well paid, starting with the minimum wage. According to the latest available edition of SkillsActive’s Working in Fitness Survey, the average basic salary is £22,700 across all occupations working in full-time employment. However, this varies widely according to factors such as location and type of work. Some examples are:
personal qualities of the coach are ‘people
office staff who organise and market
skills’. There is a growing trend within
the activities, and a number of
coaching towards part-time or freelance
freelance leaders and guides
employment. Work is available as a
who manage things in the field.
voluntary coach within sports clubs or as a
Service experience is relevant in
part-time session coach in leisure centres.
this area, and it is common to start as
Many coaches work freelance for a number
a contracted expedition manager before
of organisations, and most have other jobs
joining a company in a regular capacity.
The outdoors
Sport, recreation and leisure centres
There are many organisations providing
Sport, recreation and leisure centres
all age groups with a range of sporting,
catering for a wide range of indoor and
physical and development activities, like
outdoor sports exist throughout the UK.
walking, climbing, kayaking and caving,
Employment varies from receptionists,
or just enjoying their surroundings.
lifeguards, coaches/instructors,
Instructors must hold a recognised
supervisors, booking managers and plant
award from the relevant NGB. Expedition
technicians to centre managers. Most
companies usually have a small head
people start in this area by obtaining
August/September 2019 l questonline.co.uk
full-time gym instructor £15,100
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full-time personal trainer £22,500
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part-time sports coach £16,700
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part-time exercise referral £18,100. Q
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as well.
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KEY CONTACTS
Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) 0330 004 0004 www.exerciseregister.org @REPsUK SkillsActive 0330 004 0005 www.skillsactive.com @SkillsActive UK Coaching 0113 274 4802 www.ukcoaching.org @_UKCoaching