After the pandemic, people have become more conscious about their health and fitness. People started to focus on their health when they were locked away in their homes and the recovery of gyms and fitness clubs post-pandemic has been terrific. 

Just before the pandemic hit, there were some surprising statistics that emerged— according to Annie (mobile data and analytics provider), about 71,000 new fitness and health apps were launched in 2020 which is approximately a 13% increase over 2019. During the pandemic, when physical gyms and clubs were closed, a World Economic Forum report revealed an increase in downloads of health & fitness apps by 46% and India witnessed the highest percentage - 156%. This is approximately 58 million new active users in India.

So you see that the fitness industry is already on the rise even after the pandemic. According to a report, the overall fitness industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 27% and touch the US $32 billion mark by 2022, of which fitness services like gyms, aerobics, crossfit etc. will contribute around US $6.6 billion.

How to Become a Personal Trainer in India?

The future of personal training as a career in India is bright. The requirements of becoming a personal trainer are: 

1. Identify your niche: Fitness is a diverse industry and there are plenty of options to choose from. You can start by picking an area that appeals to you the most like exercise, diet, mental health, holistic health, etc. After picking your niche you can start looking for courses that are offered in that particular niche. 

2. Enroll in a course: After you have chosen your area of interest, you can enroll in a certification course. There are many renowned fitness institutes that offer quality education to fitness trainers and fitness enthusiasts. For example, the Lexicon Fitness Academy offers various certification courses like ACE, CPT, and RPL. 

3. Master your niche: The certification course makes you an expert in the field and it also gives your profile more credibility. The qualifications of a personal trainer in India matter a lot. It is your knowledge and experience that sets you apart from others.

Personal Trainer Career in India

After going through all these data, you will realize the importance of personal trainers in India. There are tons of fitness trainers out there in gyms and fitness clubs, but are all of them certified? If you are a fitness trainer without a certification or just a fitness enthusiast looking forward to making a career in fitness, here are a few career options to choose from:

1. Personal Fitness Trainer: Becoming a personal fitness trainer allows you to work one-on-one with clients, helping them achieve their fitness goals. It is one of the most popular career options in the fitness industry. Whether it's weight loss, muscle gain, or overall health improvement, your job is to provide customized exercise routines, monitor progress, and offer motivation & support. 

2. Group Fitness Trainer: As a group fitness trainer, you conduct fitness sessions in gyms like aerobics, HIIT, circuits, and more catering to the needs and preferences of a group of participants. 

3. Gym Management: You can become a gym manager with the right certifications and experience. These positions usually involve managing daily operations, staff management, facility maintenance, and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for members.

4. Nutrition Expert: Fitness trainers can also expand their expertise in nutrition by helping their clients with workouts and diet plans. You can also choose to become a nutrition coach. 

What is the Salary Of a Personal Trainer?

The average salary of a personal fitness trainer is approximately Rs 28,840 to Rs 2,20,010 per month according to Glassdoor jobs. In another statistic by Ambition Box, the average salary for personal fitness trainers with less than 1 year of experience to 10 years range from Rs 0.2 lakhs to Rs 6 lakhs. 

Become a Fitness Entrepreneur: Business Opportunities 

There is nothing better than being your own boss even when you are a fitness trainer. You can open your fitness studio, launch specialized training programs, or even develop a fitness-related product line.

1. Fitness Studio: Opening your own fitness studio allows you to create a dynamic and unique fitness universe that aligns with your vision & expertise. YouOnline Training Platform: You can launch your own online training and you can design specific workout routines, hire trainers, and build a loyal clientele.

2. Platform offering virtual training sessions. Online classes are cost-effective and flexible. It will also help you to reach a large client base globally and minimum investment.

3. Fitness-Related Product Line: If you are passionate about fitness-related products, you can plan to launch your own fitness product. It can be fitness gear, supplements, or other items. Your expertise as a certified fitness trainer will add credibility and insight to your product offerings.

These various career paths for certified fitness trainers offer a range of opportunities, allowing individuals to find a niche that aligns with their interests and expertise within the fitness industry. Whether you prefer one-on-one training, group instruction, business ownership, or product development, there's a path for you to make a meaningful impact on people's health and well-being.