Personal Trainer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness (5254) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation and Sport (F154) 
• 2011 NOC: Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (5254) 

Personal trainers work closely with each client to build a positive working relationship. They may meet with clients weekly or daily depending on the level of involvement the client has requested. Individual training sessions vary depending on the client's goals and the amount of coaching or demonstrating required. Personal trainers may work with the general public or with a particular client group (for example, obese adults without health complications, persons with disabilities, seniors, teens, elite athletes).

In general, personal trainers:

• assess client needs, abilities and goals
• measure body composition, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, joint flexibility and postural alignment (which may include measuring blood pressure, heart rate and heart recovery rate)
• develop personalized health and exercise plans
• demonstrate correct exercise techniques and proper use of exercise equipment
• ensure clients exercise safely
• teach proper breathing techniques
• lead clients through exercise routines
• monitor client progress and adapt programs as needed
• regularly increase the level of difficulty to challenge clients
• provide resources regarding nutrition, healthy living and physical activity.

Personal trainers who work for fitness facilities may have additional responsibilities, such as:

• recording member information
• promoting the facility through membership sales
• teaching and demonstrating the use of equipment (for example, treadmills, weight machines)
• cleaning and maintaining equipment
• advising clients about proper clothing and shoes
• leading or assisting with workshops and information sessions.

Personal trainers work in a variety of settings. They may meet clients at fitness facilities or in the clients' homes. Clients may provide their own fitness equipment, or the trainer may supply it.

The work is physically and mentally demanding. Trainers are responsible for the safety of their clients and must ensure they and their clients perform exercises correctly to prevent injury. Lifting items (for example, weights) weighing up to 20 kilograms is required.

Early-morning, noon-hour, evening and weekend work is common. Personal trainers spend a considerable amount of time preparing for client sessions and revising training plans.

Personal trainers need the following characteristics:

• excellent physical condition
• flexibility
• open-mindedness
• good multi-tasking skills
• good problem solving and decision making skills
• the ability to hold others accountable for their performance
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• the ability to react to emergency health situations alone or in a team.

They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods, dealing with people and designing new programs.

Personal trainers may be self-employed or employed by:

• private fitness facilities
• public leisure centres
• municipal recreation centres
• YMCAs and YWCAs
• large corporations
• resorts and hotels.

Personal trainers employed by fitness facilities may move into supervisory or management positions. For more information see the Recreation Co-ordinator and Recreation and Sport Administrator occupational profiles.

Advancement for self-employed personal trainers generally takes the form of building a larger client base. Therefore, entrepreneurial and business management skills are an asset.

Personal trainers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5254: Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport and fitness. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)
• Educational Services (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 11,900 Albertans are employed in the Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 179 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As personal trainers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for personal trainers.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA) and Provincial Fitness Unit website: www.provincialfitnessunit.ca

National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA) of Canada website: www.nflacanada.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.