Becoming a Personal Trainer Overseas: Detailed, Sequential Guide
Are you passionate about fitness and considering a career as a personal trainer? Why not take your skills global and work abroad? In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to become a personal trainer and find work in various countries.
1. Get Qualified
To start your journey, obtain a relevant education such as an associate or bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related field to build foundational knowledge. Then, earn a professional personal trainer certification from a reputable organization such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), or International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). Certification courses typically take a few months to a year depending on your pace.
2. Choose an Internationally Recognised Certification
To work abroad, it is crucial to hold an Internationally Recognised Diploma in Personal Training endorsed by organizations like the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). For example, UK-based CIMSPA qualifications are recognized in Europe through EREPS via a Mutual Recognition Agreement.
3. Prepare and Pass Certification Exams
Prepare for certifications by studying official textbooks, guides, and taking practice tests. Successfully passing such exams grants you credentials employers look for worldwide.
4. Research Target Countries and Legal Requirements
Identify countries where you want to work (popular choices include Spain, UAE, Australia) and research their specific credential recognition processes, work visas, and whether additional registrations (like EREPS in Europe) are needed for personal trainers.
5. Gain Experience and Build a Network
Gain practical experience through internships, gym employment, or freelance training to build a client base and professional references. Studying or volunteering abroad beforehand can help you establish useful contacts and cultural familiarity.
6. Apply for Jobs Abroad
Look for personal trainer jobs at gyms, resorts, cruise ships, or fitness centers internationally. Many employers offer seasonal contracts, enabling flexible lengths of stay. Use online job platforms, recruitment agencies specializing in fitness careers abroad, and professional networks in your target region to find opportunities.
Popular Options for Personal Trainer Jobs Abroad
- Working as a PT in a hotel or resort can help you build a local client base and establish yourself as a PT in that area. Be aware that most jobs in hotels are on a seasonal basis.
- Fitness retreats are another option for personal trainer jobs abroad, focusing on improving guests' health and fitness through classes, nutrition, physical activities, and social activities.
- Becoming a personal trainer on a cruise ship is another option for those who prefer to travel rather than stay in one place. Cruise ship jobs can be found on general job sites, specific websites such as All Cruise Jobs, or major cruise lines such as Princess or P&O.
- Working for TUI resorts can offer benefits such as free accommodation, insurance, and flights.
Tips for Success
- Choosing a course that is both Ofqual-regulated and CIMSPA-endorsed (such as OriGym's) increases your chances of finding personal trainer jobs abroad.
- Establishing yourself as a reputable personal trainer on a global scale can help carve out a new avenue in your fitness career.
- When deciding which country to find personal trainer work abroad, it's important to look into the rules and regulations for the specific country.
- Working abroad as a personal trainer can also provide valuable skills and experience to take home and benefit your career.
Salary and Registration Information
- The average PT salary in the UK is £28,313 a year, but salaries in other countries such as UAE, America, Canada, and Australia are higher.
- To work as a personal trainer in Australia, registration with AusActive is required.
- To work as a personal trainer in America, registration with the US Registry of Exercise Professionals (USREPs) is required.
- To work as a personal trainer in Europe, registration with the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPs) is required.
- To work as a personal trainer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), registration with REPs UAE is required.
Finding Jobs Abroad
- Job sites such as Indeed can be used to find personal trainer jobs abroad in gyms by changing the location.
- Retreat-specific sites such as Retreat Hub can be used to find jobs at fitness retreats all over the world.
- Personal trainer opportunities can also be found at fitness retreats through connections in the fitness industry.
- Major hotel chains with locations worldwide, such as Four Seasons, can be a good place to find personal trainer jobs in hotels.
Continuing Your Education
- Additional qualifications can help expand your knowledge and skill set, find your personal trainer niche, and increase your earning potential.
- CPD courses can also help enhance your skill set and increase your chances of finding personal trainer opportunities abroad.
In summary, becoming a personal trainer and working abroad involves earning internationally recognized certifications, passing exams, researching country-specific requirements, gaining experience, and actively applying for foreign positions in the fitness industry. With the right preparation and determination, you can build a successful career as a personal trainer while exploring the world.
- To work abroad as a personal trainer, it's essential to hold an internationally recognized diploma in personal training, such as those endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
- Certification exams like those offered by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), or International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) should be prepared for by studying official textbooks, guides, and taking practice tests to ensure success.
- Once certified, gaining practical experience through internships, gym employment, or freelance training builds a client base and professional references that may help during the job application process.
- Research targeted countries' specific credential recognition processes, work visas, and additional requirements (such as EREPS in Europe) to ensure compliance and maximize opportunities when working abroad.
- Successful personal trainers work towards expanding their knowledge and skillset by pursuing additional qualifications and CPD courses, making them more attractive to employers seeking passionate professionals ready to share their fitness expertise on a global scale.
