Fitness centre manager
Fitness centre managers generally work in centres or clubs that contain a fitness suite or gym and changing facilities, and perhaps some or all of the following:
Fitness centre managers may also be known as a health club manager, leisure club manager or sports centre manager. Their responsibilities usually cover the broad areas of marketing the facility, managing staff and dealing with the technical aspects of fitness provision and health and safety. The manager is also accountable for the overall profitability of the centre.
Large centres may have a team of several managers.
Tasks vary according to the size and facilities of the centre or club. There are also some differences between local authority and privately run establishments. Common tasks may include:
This area of work is open to all graduates, but the following degree, HND or foundation degree subjects may increase your chances:
Personal qualities, business and management interests and skills, and relevant fitness qualifications can be as important as the subject you have studied at university or college.
Entry without a degree or HND/foundation degree is fairly common, although entrants are increasingly educated to degree level. Some organisations specifically target graduates, particularly for promoted posts. Those without a degree may enter at a lower level and work up from an assistant role to a management level.
Pre-entry experience in a fitness or leisure centre is almost always essential. Related fitness qualifications in areas such as fitness instruction, sports coaching, pool operation or a national pool lifeguard qualification (NPLQ) can be useful. Ideally, fitness qualifications should be recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) . Marketing or events experience can also be useful, and experience and qualifications in management, sales or finance may also be advantageous.
First aid certification and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks are invariably required.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
There are often vacancies in fitness centres for part-time and casual staff, particularly for evening and weekend shifts, in roles such as swimming pool attendant, membership sales adviser or fitness centre assistant. Use roles such as these to build up your experience and be prepared to show your commitment by taking on as much responsibility as possible.
Learn as much as you can about the management of the centre, find out how other centres are run and start to establish a network of contacts. If possible, attend events such as Leisure Industry Week and listen to the key speakers from the fitness sector.
Most managers start their careers as fitness instructors or personal trainers, or in the public sector as centre assistants. Others may have backgrounds in the armed forces, teaching or coaching. For career-related news and information see:
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
New entrants to the profession are likely to start out as assistant or trainee managers and aim to work their way up to higher management positions by gaining experience and completing further training.
Many of the larger commercial organisations offer extensive programmes of in-house training. Topics covered may include corporate memberships, payroll management, teamworking skills, health and safety, customer care, employment law, business planning and IT skills.
It is common for staff to study on a part-time basis for the Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA) Sport and Recreation Management Certificate. Those in larger centres in particular may go on to study for the IMSPA Diploma.
A range of health and fitness and leisure qualifications are available from Central YMCA Qualifications and Active IQ .
Information on industry-recognised training and qualifications, together with national occupational standards, can be found at SkillsActive - Fitness Sector .
Details of approved training providers are also available at the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) .
Internal promotion is possible once sufficient experience has been gained. Progression may be to jobs such as senior leisure officer or centre manager, operations manager, general manager or regional manager (where you may manage several centres) but much depends on the size and turnover of each employer.
Career development usually involves moving to a larger centre where you can take on greater responsibility. You may need to move employers in order to achieve this and may need to consider moving locations in the country.
It is also possible to move to a sales or marketing role, either for a large centre or chain of centres, or as a sales representative for a company supplying equipment or fitness accessories. Management roles with sports development agencies are also available, although some background in sports coaching and development may be preferred.
Training and professional development should continue throughout your career. The Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA) provides a wide range of education and development opportunities. At more senior levels, fitness centre managers may consider an MBA qualification.
The broad base of transferable management skills gained in the fitness industry may make it possible to move into other aspects of general management.
Employment opportunities can be found in the following settings:
Hotels are also an employer of fitness centre managers as they increasingly offer guests on-site fitness facilities or provide complimentary use of a private club nearby. Many large companies and organisations also offer employees a gym or fitness centre at the workplace or negotiate discounted corporate membership of private fitness chains.
Chains of clubs tend to target different types of customers, so there is some variation in recruitment policies and pay, as well as the facilities provided.
Some health and fitness companies are looking to expand overseas, especially into Europe, where the industry is much less developed, so there may be opportunities to work abroad.
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