Freelance vs Employed PT: Which Career Path Is Right for You?

Personal training is a highly rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for ambitious professionals. Once you finally secure your Level 3 Personal Trainer diploma, you’ll need to think about your next career move.

For many people, there are two choices: becoming a freelance personal trainer or working in a gym or health club.

While both options have a range of benefits, the right one depends on your long-term goals and the type of career you want.

In this post, we’ll explore both options in depth so you can make the best decision for your needs.

What are the main differences between freelance and employed PTs?

Both freelance and employed PTs can enjoy a diverse career with plenty of growth opportunities, but the two pathways have clear differences:

• Employed PTs: Employed trainers work in gyms and health centres and have contracts. You’ll receive either an hourly rate or a salary, and national gyms often have benefits and bonus schemes in place.
• Freelance PTs: As a freelance PT, you’ll be self-employed, which means you’re in charge of your hours and who you work with. Some trainers work with private clients, while others have freelance agreements with gyms and health centres.

The advantages of being an employed personal trainer

Being an employed personal trainer has many advantages, including stability, the opportunity to grow, and having a steady stream of clients. Let’s look at each in more detail.

Stability

A massive advantage of being an employed personal trainer is stability. You’ll receive a regular paycheck and won’t need to worry about downturns in the fitness industry.

Consistency is an important part of work for many people, and having a regular income means you don’t need to worry about paying bills.

Regular clients

Gyms are diversifying into offering holistic nutrition and fitness support, which includes clients working with a personal trainer. If clients want a more holistic approach, your gym automatically promotes your services, so you won’t need to worry about marketing.

Plus, taking specialist courses in nutrition can set you apart and ensure you have a steady stream of clients.

Structure

Anyone can learn the skills needed to be a successful personal trainer, but you’ll need passion. If you love working with clients and helping them achieve their fitness goals, gyms provide a structured environment.

There’s no need to worry about administrative duties, and you’ll have ongoing support. You’ll also know your hours in advance and can enjoy downtime.

Benefits

Many gyms offer additional benefits to employees, including holiday pay, pension schemes, paid sick leave and discounted memberships. There’s also an opportunity for professional development and support from more experienced PTs.

The disadvantages of being an employed personal trainer

As you can see, there are plenty of pros when you’re employed, but it’s also essential to consider the drawbacks, including reduced flexibility and limited earning potential.

Less flexibility

If you’re the type of person who likes to plan their hours, you might find employment too restrictive. Gyms are open evenings and weekends, so you’ll need to work shifts. You can’t just take time off either, as you have to request holiday leave in advance.

Limited earning potential

A stable income gives you peace of mind, but employment often comes with limited earning potential. The gym decides how much to pay you, often charging clients over double what you make.

However, you can take advanced courses like the Level 4 Personal Trainer diploma, which can help you access management roles and work with specialist clients.

Less autonomy

All gyms have set policies in place, and most will ask personal trainers to wear uniforms. You might also need to stick to set training programmes, which can be challenging for PTs who appreciate their independence.

The advantages of being a freelance PT

So, what does freelance personal training offer? It’s an opportunity to design your perfect career and enjoy freedom. You could potentially earn more if you grow a large client list.

Flexibility

Freelancers have control over their time and choose their working hours. For example, some decide to freelance part-time, while others might take on clients for a few months, then enjoy a few months away.

You can also adopt your training style and develop creative ways to support clients.

Earning potential

You can decide your rates and keep your earnings when you’re self-employed. There are no limits on how much you can earn, especially when you have a network of clients.

Personal trainers charge between £35 and £50 per hour, significantly more than the average annual salary of £30,000.

Build a successful business

While many people start their freelance careers working with a small group of clients, there’s also an opportunity to build a larger network and start a business where you employ other PTs.

You can also make extra money by offering online fitness programmes and creating videos for clients to follow.

The disadvantages of self-employment

It’s common to look at self-employment with rose-tinted glasses, because it offers so much freedom and flexibility, but it’s not all smooth sailing. Many freelancers deal with the following struggles.

Unstable earnings

Sure, your earning potential can be unlimited – but you’ll have to build a network of clients first. There might be months where you make a lot of money, and others where you only have one or two clients.

Plus, if a client cancels, you won’t be paid unless you have a policy. There’s also no holiday pay.

Marketing your business

Employed personal trainers don’t need to worry about marketing, because the gym does everything for them. However, as a freelance PT, you’ll need to market yourself, which often involves setting up a website, building a network and attracting clients.

Marketing can be complex, but once you understand the basics, you can enjoy regular enquiries from prospective clients.

The costs

It’s also important to factor in the costs of freelancing, which include budgeting for taxes, renting a gym space or turning your home into a studio, and investing in insurance.

You won’t receive sick pay and will need to figure out a pricing strategy that ensures you make a profit.

Which option is right for you?

When choosing employment or freelancing, there’s no right or wrong answer. Everyone is different, and it depends on your personal preferences.

Here are the most important considerations when choosing which career path is right for you:

• Experience: Newly qualified PTs can gain experience in gyms, while freelancers have to work things out on their own.
• Finances: Employment can give you peace of mind if you value consistency. However, freelancing offers higher earning potential.
• Personality: Independent people love freelancing because it gives them more flexibility. However, if you value support, employment might be best.
• Long-Term Goals: Some trainers want to go into management, while others dream of starting their own business. Employment can help you climb the ladder, while freelancing can lead to a successful business.

The bottom line

As you can see, freelancing and employment are fantastic options for fitness enthusiasts, and the right choice depends on your preferences. If you’re unsure, working in a gym or health centre and choosing a side hustle could be the perfect option.

No matter what you decide, it all starts with qualifications. Studying with The Fitness Circle gives you access to a flexible learning experience where you can fit studying around your schedule.

Please book a free call today for more information.