When you start out as a Personal Trainer there are various different job roles you can undertake, and if you’re going to work for someone else, there are some key questions you need to ask before you agree to sign anything!
Gym rent questions:
Gym rent is when you work as your own business and hold your own ABN, carry your own insurance, manage all your finances, tax, super etc – but you work inside a gym, and you pay the gym a weekly rent in order to use their facility.
- How much is weekly rent?
- Do I have to sign a contract?
- What happens if I break the agreement?
- Is there a discounted period while I’m building my client base?
- How long have PT’s been there?
- How many Trainers vs Members are there?
- What percentage of members do PT ongoing?
- How much do you market PT (versus gym membership)?
- Does the gym offer any assistance, ongoing education, mentoring, marketing etc?
- Do you have a limit on how many PTs you have?
- Do I find my own clients or do you provide clients?
- Do I have to give away free sessions?
Contractor questions:
If you are hired as a contractor you still work as your own business, but the employer is agreeing to pay you a set amount per session, usually they will provide you with the clients, and you will give them an invoice for your sessions each week/fortnight. They will pay you a flat rate and you are responsible for your own insurance/taxes/super etc.
- What do I get paid per session?
- How much unpaid work do I have to do?
- What if I have gaps between sessions?
- Do I have to have my own equipment?
- What happens if I’m sick or go on holidays?
- Do I find my own clients or do you provide clients?
- Do I have to give away free sessions?
Employee questions:
If you are hired as an employee you are generally covered by the employers insurance, you do not need an ABN, and you are paid a set hourly rate for all the hours you are required to spend at the gym – this includes any free sessions, consultations, marketing, phone calls etc. You are likely to be paid a lower hourly rate compared to other types of roles, but you have the security of guaranteed hours and the benefits of getting paid super, accruing sick leave and holiday pay (depending if you are casual or part/full time).
- What is my hourly rate?
- Do I get the same hourly rate for a session as for other duties?
- Do I have a guaranteed number of hour per week?
- Will I be casual, part-time or full-time?
- Do you supply uniform and equipment?
- Am I covered by your insurance?
- Do I get paid super? (legally you MUST be paid super as an employee)
- What if I have gaps between sessions? (legally you MUST be paid for all hours you are required to be at work)
- Do I have to sign a non-compete agreement? (This prevents you from doing any other type of PT work that may be competing with your current employer)
Find out more about Fitness Enhancement job opportunities and Personal Training Franchise opportunities!
