AusLeisure

With 27,000 adults working as fitness instructors or trainers in Australia, new research from Fitness Australia suggests that another 8,000 to 15,000 fitness jobs are likely to come open over the next five years.

Fitness Australia’s just released Profile of the Fitness Industry in Australia report also shows that 32% of fitness instructors and trainers are self-employed and that the majority of fitness instructors and trainers are aged 25 and 44 years.

The Report, focuses on the fitness industry workforce, and indicates that the number of people employed as a fitness instructor or personal trainer has more than doubled over the past decade.

Commenting on its findings, Fitness Australia Chief Executive Lauretta Stace says that if the outlook on fitness instructor and trainer jobs are viewed as a barometer of demand for fitness services, then the coming years are looking strong.

Stace explained “there are currently approximately 27,600 people employed as fitness instructors or trainers with predictions for between another 8,000 and 15,000 job openings over a five year period.”

The Report shows that the bulk of the workforce growth took place between 2005 and 2010, while growth since 2010 somewhat variable.

It also shows that the nature of employment for fitness instructors and personal trainers is exceptionally diverse with respect to employment conditions, hours worked, and income earned. Overall, however, it appears that secure full-time working conditions are rare, that many would prefer to work more hours than they currently are, and that in general it is not a high-income occupation.

The Report shows that there are very few fitness instructors and personal trainers over the age of 44, suggesting that increasing employment among this age group could be a useful strategy to grow participation in fitness by older Australians, by giving them greater access to relatable instructors.

The Report’s other key findings show:

• Fitness instructors and trainers working between 25 and 40 hours/week prefer to be working more hours. 
• 55% of trainers and instructors work less than 16 hours per week.
• 59% of fitness business owners who are working more than 41 hours/week want to be working less.
• 65% of fitness instructors and trainers earn less than $40,000 per annum. 

Fitness Australia is the peak health and fitness industry association, providing support services to almost 30,000 registered exercise professionals, fitness service providers and industry suppliers Australia-wide.

The Profile of the Fitness Industry in Australia: Fitness Industry Workforce 2016 is an independent report conducted and collated by Empirica Research, to provide the fitness industry, its stakeholders and the broader community with current and relevant information on the status of the Australian fitness industry in 2015.

Click here to view the full Profile of the Fitness Industry in Australia: Fitness Industry Workforce 2016 report.

30th April 2015 - FITNESS, RECREATION AND SPORT EMPLOYMENT GREW BY 34% OVER FIVE YEARS

8th December 2014 - FITNESS CLUB MANAGERS AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARIES APPROACH $70,000

7th May 2014 - AQUATIC, FITNESS AND SPORT PROFESSIONALS’ SALARIES LAG BEHIND AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS

20th December 2013 - FITNESS AUSTRALIA CONTINUES FITNESS JOBS PARTNERSHIP WITH SPORTSPEOPLE

6th August 2013 - REPORT INDICATES LEISURE INDUSTRY SKILLS SHORTAGE 

20th June 2013 - AQUATIC, FITNESS, RECREATION AND SPORT EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY TRENDS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

21st November 2012 - ABS RECORDS MORE THAN 50% EMPLOYMENT GROWTH FOR FITNESS INSTRUCTORS, MANAGERS AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

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