Re-training as a PT / fitness instructor

[Barbarachicken]

Hello, first post in about 10 years but very VERY long time lurker!

I was wondering if anyone has retrained as a personal trainer / fitness instructor in their 40s?

I've been running my own (unrelated) business for the past 6 years but would like to do something new, around the business. My hours are currently flexible and kids are older so I could easily fit something else in, but I don't really know where to start.

Would I be self employed or employed at a gym? Do I need to study for different qualifications for PT & fitness instructor (classes) - I imagine yes! What's the pay like? How long would retraining take? Aside from people skills and an interest in health & fitness what other skills would help me? Is 40s too old!

If anyone can point me in the right direction or offer any advice and words of wisdom I'd be very grateful, thank you.

Start here? National Careers Service

Not a PT, but I retrained to be a Pilates teacher in my 40s.

It took me about 2 years to gain a fully comprehensive Pilates certification. As well as doing the course and passing the exam, I had to undertake 100 self-practice hours, 100 teaching hours and 50 observation hours before qualifying. I started teaching friends/family for free right from the start of the course and then I found paying clients to teach (at a discounted rate) from when I was about 3 months in.

I am qualified to teach groups and individuals in matwork and on all the Pilates equipment. I am self employed and do a combination of teaching private clients in their own homes, teaching private clients at a Pilates studio (which I pay to hire) and teaching group classes at various fitness studios.

I think that pay depends on where you live/work. In central London I charge a minimum of £80 per hour for private sessions and would usually expect to receive £40 per hour to teach a group class for a fitness studio.

I love my work and am very glad that I made the change.

Thank you so much @QueenOfToast for such a detailed reply! Really useful info, and glad to hear that you are happy to have made the change. Bet it is very rewarding and interesting work, and it's great that you have variety too. I think I'd like that as I get bored easily.

@MetaDaughter thank you for this, I have had a look and it's really helpful.

I’m also considering doing this so it’s really nice to hear your passion for it! Can you recommend any Pilates instructor training courses? I have seen Future fit. Any one else out there you would recommend? Thanks

I did my training here polestarpilates.co.uk/

It's a very thorough training programme and they're a lovely bunch. I still regularly teach clients at their London studio.