As the old saying goes, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." And if working out is what pumps you up, then you've likely considered a career as a personal trainer.
Unfortunately, loving what you do doesn't pay the bills, and if a career in the gym has crossed your mind, then so too has the average personal trainer salary.
There's a lot of information floating around about how much personal trainers make, and a lot of the figures are either skewed or outdated.
In this article, we'll walk you through the average personal trainer salary, how personal trainers can maximise their earnings, and how you can start a career as a personal trainer with Your Personal Training.
Now the stretching is complete and the pre-workout is down the hatch, let's get into it.
What is the Average Personal Trainer Salary?
According to the popular online job board Indeed, and based on 3,500 salaries reported as of December 2, 2024, the average base salary for a UK-based personal trainer is £30,879.
However, there are several factors that can impact that figure, such as location, certifications and specialisations, experience and reputation, online training and digital services, clientele, facilities, and branding — to name a few.
For example, the average personal trainer salary in London is higher because, well, London is a pretty expensive place to live—and that’s reflected in how much people get paid.
A personal trainer based in the capital can expect to earn an average of £33,666, with total earnings rising to around £40,000. In contrast, the average personal trainer salary in Liverpool is £28,404.
It's important to remember this is an average. According to Glassdoor.co.uk, salaries can range from £15,000 to £60,000.
Newly qualified personal trainers tend to charge between £20 and £40 per session, but if you perfect your craft, there's no reason you couldn't go comfortably north of that upper figure.
An established personal trainer with a strong client base can earn £84,000 per year by charging £70 an hour for 25 sessions a week.
How Do Personal Trainers Earn Their Money?
There are numerous ways personal trainers can make money, but one-to-one sessions on the gym floor are still very much the bread and butter.
Some gyms pay personal trainers a base salary and charge members a higher rate for sessions. In this instance, there are often commission structures in place to incentivise personal trainers to sell more sessions and bolster their salaries.
In other cases, personal trainers are contracted for a certain number of hours a week to interact with members, lead group classes, onboard new members, and conduct inductions.
The rest of their income is made up from booking additional sessions, with a portion of their earnings paid as rent to the gym.
Indeed, there are also completely freelance trainers who either pay rent to a gym, lead sessions from their own private facilities or even use public spaces.
At The Gym Group, for example, personal trainers are typically self-employed, earning around £30 per hour while paying a fixed fee to operate within the chain's gyms.
How Can Personal Trainers Improve Their Average Salary?
Experience and qualifications go a long way to improving the average salary of a personal trainer. A Level 2 Fitness Instructor course is a stepping stone into the industry, and will allow you to build your skills and start commanding a higher hourly rate or salary.
To run one-to-one sessions (where the better pay usually is), you’ll need a Level 3 Personal Trainer course.
With Your Personal Training, you can get both Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications—and if you do them together, you’ll save £195.
The courses mix remote and in-person learning. You’ll get access to YOUR Academy’s online portal, Active IQ manuals, regular tutor check-ins, gym-based workshops, and practical assessments.
You can finish each course in as little as two months, or take up to 12 months if you’re juggling other commitments.
When you’re done, Your Personal Training guarantees you a job at one of their partner gyms across the country. It’s a straightforward plan that could have you working as a personal trainer in just two months.
Finding a niche as a personal trainer really is the key to boosting your average salary. Being known as the best in the business for a certain discipline is what will set you apart from the flock and, much like your clients, personal development should always be encouraged.
After earning your Level 3 qualification, you can level up your skills by taking Continuous Personal Development (CPD) courses.
These courses cover a wide range of specialisations, from nutrition and bodybuilding to elite performance and wellbeing.
Picking a niche and enhancing your skills through CPD will not only increase your value but also attract more clients who are looking for your specific expertise.
There's one final piece of the puzzle for boosting your personal trainer salary: Marketing, marketing, and more marketing.
No one will know how amazing you are unless you put yourself out there. Building a brand doesn’t mean creating some huge, faceless company.
You are your brand. The best personal trainers have clients lining up to work with them because they’ve invested time and effort into their social media presence.
Consistently showcasing your expertise, client results, and personality online helps people connect with you and see the value you offer.
In short: shout about your skills, show your passion, and let your brand do the talking! Start your journey to limitless earnings as a personal trainer today with Your Personal Training.