As a gym instructor, you’re expected to deliver a routine exercise to healthy individuals who want to keep themselves in good shape and live a healthy lifestyle or individuals with medical clearance to engage in some exercise (rehabilitation) in other to get them back on their feet.

Gym instructors or trainers motivate their clients by setting collaborative goals, monitoring the progress, and getting feedback. A trainer must be reliable and accountable for his decisions.

Types of Instructors in the Gym

Personal Trainer: a personal trainer makes sure that every individual who comes to the gym does their routine judiciously and in good posture
Body Builder: Bodybuilders undergo more rigorous exercise, they have to follow a special diet and sometimes take supplements to see the desired results.
Group Exercise Instructor: A group exercise instructor helps clients with similar goals to exercise together. Take, for example, people who want to perform aerobic exercise, it’s better to do it collectively rather than individually. The group instructor must be able to handle people with different personalities to work collaboratively.
Senior Fitness Instructor: some elderly men and women are also interested in performing exercises, but they can’t practice with the rest of the clients because the elderly usually have help issues which may include bone and joint-related problems, in other to carry them along special sessions are organized for the senior citizens in the country
Medical Fitness Instructor: this kind of trainer is responsible for individuals who have medical conditions that prevent them from walking or exercising regularly. The physical and mental wellness of the clients is essential in well-assigning routine to this set of people.
Yoga Instructor: this form of exercise is common among ladies because of its low-impact routines. Yoga involves the perfection of different kinds of forms, both the execution and the formation of the form itself are essential to make sure that the form is perfected

How to Become a Gym Instructor

To become a gym instructor or fitness instructor in Nigeria you need the following qualifications

IREP: obtain a certificate from the Institute of Registered Exercise Professionals from a certified institution in Nigeria.
HSE: another very essential certificate is the Health and Safety Executive certificate. An instructor should be knowledgeable about safety precautions in other not to engage the clients.
Gain practical experience: In addition to formal education, it is important to gain practical experience in the fitness industry. Volunteer or intern at gyms or fitness centers to learn about different exercise techniques, gym equipment, and how to interact with clients.
Specialize in a specific area: Consider specializing in a particular fitness niche such as weight training, group exercise, yoga, or aerobics. This will help you stand out and offer specialized services to clients.
Build your network: Attend fitness conferences, workshops, and seminars to expand your knowledge and network in the industry. Networking with other fitness professionals can lead to job opportunities or referrals.

How Much Does a Gym Instructor Earn

To become a certified instructor, you only need to take between 3 to 6 months of training. In Nigeria, the salary of a Gym Instructor is dependent on various factors, some of which Include:

Location
Experience
Client Base
Specialization

An entry-level Instructor typically earns between N29,000 to N66,000. After gaining more experience an instructor can earn up to between N96,000 and N120,000 monthly. It is also important to note that some gym instructors charge per client and per session of training.