Level 2 Apprentice gym instructor Review

My role ranged from desk duties with full admin duties to assisting in exercise classes. I would have to sign customers into the gym, sign up new members/cancel memberships if needed, deal with customer queries and answer the phone/emails. In addition to this I would assist in exercise classes by being an extra pair of hands or I could be taking customers through gym inductions. This would consist of a session usually lasting between 30 minutes to an hour with a customer in which I would take them through how the equipment in the gym works. I would ensure that they know how to use the machines and free weights safely to avoid injury when training. I would also need to interview them briefly to find out why they wanted to join the gym in the first place, for example it could have been to lose weight. If the customer requested me to, I would develop an exercise plan for them.

I was never good at talking to people but the apprenticeship has really helped me develop communication skills both over the phone and in person. I used to be better in the written format but through training my interpersonal skills have very much improved. I was sent on a one day, off site training course that tort us all about customer service. This helped with my admin duties. The course showed us ways to be professional whilst remaining informal and friendly. The Leisure centre needed to be a relaxed environment because the customers could often be nervous if they were new but it was always a place for people to unwind after a hard days work. I would have struggled with this element had it not been for the skills I was introduced to.

I enjoyed it very much because at the end of it I came out a better person and employee. The skills, to me, are worth more than money as they will help me through employment for the rest of my life. Furthermore, I'm an active person and play/watch a lot of sport. Therefore working in a leisure centre is great because I can fulfil my hobbies everyday. Everyday there was something different to do. One day I could be assisting in a badminton session with young children, the next I could be helping to unpack and assemble new gym machines. I also got to work both independently and in a team; I could share the workload or get my head down and get on with what needed to be done. Both are the styles of working that I enjoy.

Out of 10 I'd have to say 10! Colleagues were always there to support me and I liked the feeling I got when I knew they were relying on me. I knew I was needed there and they often told me this. Feedback from customers also helped me to understand my importance because with any questions they had, they always came to me. I had meetings with my line manager for a one month review and a yearly appraisal. These meetings helped me to understand where all my hard work had got me thus allowing me to understand how valued in the company I was.

It was structured well because the workload increased gradually the longer I was there. I wasn't overwhelmed on the first day. Support was always there whenever I needed it from both colleagues and my management team (two managers). The college were really helpful as well because I found it hard to balance college coursework in time with my employment duties. They helped me to work this out and allowed for more flexible deadlines if I needed them.

The college were very supportive as previously mentioned and so were the training providers that did our off site training courses. They too helped me managem workloads and answered my emails whenever I contacted them. My work priorities came first as this was more important than college coursework. My training providers understood this and worked with me to make the course more manageable. If I needed to rearrange training sessions to suit the needs of my job they were more than helpful in doing so. Also, the course was broken down into sections making it more understandable. The course could be quit technical from time to time and took a lot of understanding. However, the training providers delivered it to me in "bitesize", useful, factual junks allowing me to have a better understanding of, for example, the respiratory and circulatory systems.

A lot to say the very least. They were always there to help with less than a moment's notice. They would stop what they were doing if I needed their assistance. The appraisal meetings were useful as they helped me to understand the progress I had made and what I needed to do to improve. At first I found the work difficult as it was a new environment to me. I've always been in gyms and leisure centres but, prior to my apprenticeship, I hadn't been there as an employee only a customer. However, my colleagues helped me through an initial daily struggles I had. The things they helped me with and showed me are all things I do independently now throughout my working career. The help they gave me, gave me the confidence I rely on now.

I lived close to the job so travel costs were non existent, walking in was my travel to work. This meant that my salary wouldn't have as much taken out of it when deductions were accounted for. The salary was great as it was far more than what would be considered the average hourly rate. This allowed me to make savings earlier on in my life. I past my driving test during my employment and there was more than enough in my salary to pay for: the theory test, the practical test and the driving lessons themselves (two a week). Due to the fact that the salary was this good, I was able to pass and pay for my driving much quicker than friends of mine who receive the average wage. Also, when looking for employment in the first place, although the money wasn't everything I looked for, the salary offered was much more appealing from my employer than from other establishments.

Yes as my qualifications from working there will allow me to work in health clubs, leisure centres and gyms up and down the country. I wish to work abroad some day so the opportunities through my work are limitless. There were also opportunities to progress throughout the company. Obviously coming in as an apprentice I was at the lower end of the business, but through the training I received and through more in the future I will be able to progress to a more senior level such as management. I would like to open my own gym in the future and have a successful business, I cannot do this without receiving a PT qualification. The qualification received through the apprenticeship allows me to go on to obtain this through more college lessons and through another apprenticeship at and advanced level.

Yes

Everyday there was something new to do, the salary was superb and the staff were great to work with. Nothing felt repetitive and I loved the challenges it presented. Furthermore when getting to know the customers you make plenty of new friends and acquaintances. I believe it is important to find a job you enjoy and that job satisfaction is more important (and more valuable) than your salary. Through my apprenticeship I definitely reached a high level of job satisfaction whilst earning a fantastic amount of money, especially for someone at the bottom of the business and under 25. This is why I cannot recommend it enough to a friend or anyone who wishes to get involved in the leisure and fitness industry.

Don't be afraid to take on board all the training they are willing to provide. There are plenty of opportunities and I was keen to utilize them all. By doing this I'm more highly employable than I thought I ever could be. Initially when you first join there isn't a lot you can get involved with because you don't have the experience nor the right training. To begin with I mainly did observation work. However, my advice would be to remain patient because it gets better day in and day out. I never found the job boring but when I started it definitely wasn't as enjoyable as I find it now. This is why it's important to be keen and take on the opportunities they are prepared to give because it allows you to get into the more enjoyable tasks right from the get go.