Journey to Becoming a PT

My PT journey started back in 2010 when I had no idea about what career I was interested in. One thing I did know was that I didn’t want to follow my dad into his ready-made car garage. So, if it wasn’t mechanics what could it be? I’d seen an open day at a local college advertising a new full-time 2-year course, taking people from a level 2 Gym Instructor to a level 3 PT. At this point in my life, I’d only kept fit through some sport and helping my dad in his garage. However, I knew a few friends at the college and had nothing to lose. 

After a tour of the facilities and an explanation from a lecturer, Ryan Palmer (now Central YMCA CEO), I knew this was for me. 

The first 2 years 

I really liked the idea that the first year was filled with eleven Level 2 qualifications. It wasn’t just your standard course which you complete in a few months that ‘tick the box’ to become a gym instructor. In just a year, I was given all the skills and confidence to get a job in a gym – and I did exactly that. 

“If I talk to anyone wanting to become a PT, I’d always say time spent in a gym as a level 2 instructor is an invaluable way to gain experience and some confidence”. 

The second year was tougher from a theoretical point of view, between the level 3 and 4 modules while building a reputation at the gym I was working at. Members would ask for training sessions and programmes, but until I earned my certification, I did not want to offer something I wasn’t qualified in. 

Having face to face lessons were key for me to build an amazing understanding of the industry. Practical sessions were invaluable to me as I came from a zero-gym experience background. Additionally, the theory lessons allowed me to ‘switch on’ and focus on the content that suited my learning style best, allowing me to get the most out of the course. 

Earning close to 20 qualifications (ranging from Gym Instructor and Circuit Training all the way through to Walk Leading and Client Fitness Assessments) over the 2 years helped me stand out from the rest of the PT crowd once I completed my course. This gave me a huge number of options for my future. 

After qualifying 

I quickly realised that being a Level 3 PT wasn’t going to be enough to truly reach my potential. While it gave me a great set up to start working in the gym, I was still working out what I was interested in doing within the industry. I took a weekend and analysed my client base and the member demographic at the gym I was working at. 

This is something I learnt on the YMCA business module of the course, and I feel like it’s an invaluable practice to do. It helps find your niche as well as any CPD courses that will be helpful for you to grow and progress. 

Do the ‘boring’ work – so many of my clients I picked up were simply because I said hello to them as I was doing the rounds of the gym and clearing up a few weights. 

In essence I believe almost all the success I’ve had in 15 years in the industry is down to me starting on the right foot and becoming qualified through YMCA. The number of modules, qualifications, and face to face classroom lessons is what I credit with getting me started off on the right foot.  

Of course, this isn’t to say you can’t be a good coach if you didn’t complete a longer course. But from discussions I’ve had with PTs starting in the industry, many of them have the passion and enthusiasm needed to be great but are aren’t properly equipped with some of the basic ‘accessory skills’ like business and communication skills. 

Close to 15 years after starting my personal training career, I never imagined that one of my course lecturers, Ryan Palmer, would become CEO of Central YMCA. I was excited to reconnect with him to share my story and experience on the course that gave me a sense of direction and confidence to build my own health and fitness brand, move on to study for a degree, and work with more than 1000 people. 

Ryan had the following to say about Ben: “It was clear from the first week of Bens studies that he had a determination and a set of values that would see him succeed in the Health and Fitness industry. It’s been a pleasure to reconnect with Ben after so many years and to see him. Ben is an asset to the Fitness industry, and his charity work is nothing short of inspirational. I wish him every success for the future.” 

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We’re excited to see all the other amazing accomplishments Ben has in the future! If you would like to follow his PT journey, here are the links to his website and socials: 

Website: www.bsfitness-therapy.co.uk 
Instagram: @BSfitnesstherapy 
Facebook: @BenSFT 

And if you would like to learn more about the course that kick-started his career, click here to learn more about our Fitness Training Academy.