If you thought that there isn’t a difference between a personal trainer and a gym instructor, you couldn’t be more wrong. Personal trainers and gym instructors can actually work hand in hand with each other but it is possible to have one without the other.
Personal Trainer vs Gym Instructor
What does a gym instructor do?
A Gym Instructor is permanently employed and based exclusively at a gym or fitness facility, and is there to offer assistance to all members, for example, by teaching new members how to use gym equipment correctly and safely.
A Gym Instructor also has to ensure that members are using the correct techniques when performing any exercises. If the incorrect techniques are used, injuries could occur, so it is vital to have a fitness professional available to help members get the best results from their workouts.
Other jobs would include tidying up equipment, signing up new members, offering gym inductions and tours of the gym facilities. If qualified, they may also instruct certain group exercise classes.
For those that are not quite sure whether personal training is the right career path, by starting with the Gym Instructor qualification it can give them a rough idea of what it’s like to work in the fitness industry.
What does a personal trainer do?
A Personal Trainer is similar to a Gym Instructor, however, they have a more personal approach, and this is often on a one to one basis.
The primary focus for a Personal Trainer is to help their clients reach their health, fitness and weight loss goals. The starting point is a consultation to discuss goals, existing levels of fitness and/or any injuries. It will then assist the Personal Trainer in building a personalised exercise programme, as well as advise on nutrition.
Personal trainers can work anywhere at any time, including training clients at home. Many different fitness centres, health clubs and gyms will have different propositions they give to self-employed personal trainers; where they pay a rental fee so that they can use the fitness facility’s equipment to train their clients.
Because a Personal Trainer will primarily focus on working on a one-to-one basis, they are also there to provide motivation and encouragement to ensure the client has success achieving their goals. Developing this long-standing relationship is one of the key differences between that of a Personal Trainer and a Gym Instructor. While the Gym Instructor will help you, their services are utilised on a more ad hoc basis. They are not focused on you helping you achieving your personal goals.
Other differences between a personal trainer and a gym instructor
A Personal Trainer is more advanced than a Gym Instructor; but it is worth noting that those who become gym instructors will more than likely become personal trainers.
It is a Personal Trainer’s responsibility to ensure that an exercise programme is suitable for their client. Furthermore they have to motivate their client to achieve his/her health, fitness and weight-loss goals. A Personal Trainer can also advise on nutrition and a home exercise programme if needed.
A Personal Trainer’s clients will develop a long-standing relationship with them; whereas gym members will only use the skills of a Gym Instructor on an ad hoc basis.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
Being a gym instructor can also be the first step towards becoming a personal trainer. Trifocus Fitness Academy offer both personal training certifications as well as a gym instructor certification which will make you the best fitness professional out there! Make your passion your career today with Trifocus Fitness Academy.
