Am hoping someone will know a bit about this and might be able to offer some advice. I am a Secondary English teacher but after a long childcare break, I really don't want to teach any more.
I'd like to work P/T hours, actual earnings are not that important. What's more important to me is doing a job that I can enjoy and that will allow me to have some work-life balance.
I am considering training as a fitness instructor (as in, teaching group classes rather than being a personal trainer or gym instructor). I love fitness and dance and particularly enjoy some of the Les Mills classes (Body Combat and Body Pump in particular).
As I understand it, I would need to take a qualification in teaching Exercise to Music and then more specific courses if I want to teach Les Mills classes.
If anyone here does something similar or has some experience of it, I'd love to know:
-Which companies offer the best training courses, in your opinion?
-Are most fitness instructors self-employed? How and where do gyms typically recruit instructors?
-What could I expect to earn per class?
-Would I be most likely to be working evenings/weekends or are there enough opportunities for teaching daytime classes?
-What are the most and least enjoyable aspects of the job?
I have been a member of my local council gym for 4 years and attend a lot of classes. Would it be a good idea to try and get pally with them even before I do the course in the hope of some employment there?!
Very many thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions you may have.