A Day In The Life Of A Fitness Instructor (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Squats & Speakers)

Welcome to a random day in the life of me, Thrilling I know, But I thought id put pen to paper so to speak and show you inside a day for a little insight.

People often think being a fitness instructor means just bouncing into a class in matching active wear, shouting “WOOO!” for an hour, then heading home for a protein shake, Bubble bath and bed..

Oh IF only

🤣

The reality? Most fitness instructors/Personal Trainers like me are basically a one-person business, marketing team, DJ, therapist, cleaner, admin assistant,content creator, programme writer, and caffeine-fuelled chaos coordinator… who also somehow has to remember 400 routines and to train themselves too.

Here’s what a pretty normal day can look like for me.

5:30am – The Alarm Nobody Deserves

The alarm goes off before the birds are even up and I'm definitely not awake and raring to go. I pick up my phone and check it to see at least 2 late night messages from someone wanting to join, or asking for the Timetable again, monthly for the last 15 yr .. yet again I send it wondering if this time they'll join .. No booking comes.

I peel myself out of bed, occasionally brush me mush and crawl down stairs.

First job? Coffee !!!

There was a time I would have been setting up my home and laptop for Online classes, I honestly think if I was still running them Id be dead, but now its straight

Then it’s straight back to checking messages on a million platforms, Facebook group, page, private, Insta private and B-Fit, whatsapp, Tik Tok and emails. By the time I answer one and move on, the first person has usually responded, My coffees stone cold and I make another one.

“Can I bring my friend?”

“Is class on tonight?”

“I can’t make it now, sorry”

“Can you save me a space?”

“Can beginners come”

“Can I pay next week?”

“I cant book in”

“Im thinking of joining BUT .. these ones can be hour long to and fro's and then GHOSSTTTTTT”

And before I know it my 2nd coffees COLD, Winston is using the kitchen doors as Springs for some kind of dog parkour in a bid to remind me its walk time .. Oh Man its walk time because it's now 730am and my First class is at 9am

Dog Walk and Stuff

I usually head out with Winston for around an hour if I'm on time otherwise my life is hell the rest of the day 🤣

Dog walking time is Choreo learning time, Whatever the class of the day is. Countless times I've been down Seargents walk or Double Hedges , stood on the spot started bopping some mambos out and heard a good morning from behind 🤣

At this time my phone is like the National Grid, Hey I'm not gonna make it, Hey sorry for the late notice, and suddenly I now have to rush my walk , get home and Replan the lesson I had planned or try as hard as I can to fill a space or balance the now less footfall against the cost and I've still got to get to the gym, Have looked at my class list, Checked for any modifications that need doing and plan THAT warm-up.

At that point I become Ferral, I rush home take multi tasking to a whole new level, pen and paper out , prepping, ramming clothes in the washer, realising I have no food, feeding the dog and legging it over the the gym.

Sessions and Stuff

I coach, sometimes almost all day in the gym, with just an hour here and there, Inside those hours its pretty much more rinse repeat, plan , message, quickly do a social media post and maybe just maybe eat.

I have a morning session EVERY day either for me or Crazy Strength, Once that's done I usually scoot home.

Mid-Morning – The “Invisible” Work

This is the BIT

The hours spent behind a laptop doing the jobs that actually keep the business alive.

Accounts.Invoices.Memberships.Class bookings.Emails.Timetables.Updating websites.Creating posters.Planning social media.Editing videos.Scheduling posts.Writing newsletters .. and at the same time trying to respond to family, friends, and more work messages. My Tea is now COLD.

The kick in the teeth is I can spend two hours making one graphic… for 6 people to see it and no one comment .. Bye bye facebook visibility more marketing needed. This is why I say please comment , share it makes facebook show it to people.

By this time, someone can't book a class, because they're logged in with their husbands email. My phones dies for the 1st or many times today and someones shift needs covering on top of my own ARGHHHHHH

Then there’s class planning...

Because those Bootcamp, kettlebell, Lift Lean and Booty Band classes don’t magically appear out of nowhere.

I sit and write every session, planning progressions, adapting exercises for injuries, beginners and advanced members, Choosing music - all while trying to make it FUN.

Then for the choreographed classes its creating playlists, Choosing track, learning choreography, testing routines in the kitchen. My kids laugh, I dont have a tambo at home handy and ill practice Soulsa with the pan stand 🤣

I can spend HOURS learning, prepping, planning.

That’s the bit people don’t see.

Not just making people sweat — making people feel confident enough to come back.

Afternoon – Client Programmes & Gym Coaching

Its a great Day If I've eaten yet and I'm usually ready for wine already. I have to put classes aside and write, check programmes.

I still do PT as well as write the programmes for Kids weightlifting and Ladies that Lift.

Some programmes are for fat loss.

Some for strength.

Some want confidence and coaching as opposed to exercise.

Some want to feel like themselves again after a hard year.

And every single person or group needs something slightly different.

A good coach doesn’t just throw random workouts together.

There’s thought and intent behind it.

I'll do some client catch ups and then its off i go back to the gym for my afternoon classes. Most days I don't finish until 4-5pm so I know that before I go I must make sure I have class stuff ready.

Off I go to start coaching youth Weightlifting sessions

Watching lifts.Correcting form. Building relationships with child and parents.

Celebrating PBs and manage hard days.

Sometimes you’re coach, motivator and emotional support human all in one session.

I make sure my phone is on charge ( usually lose it) and let yet another tea go cold.

Somewhere In Between… More stuff and Training

The hilarious part.

Trying to fit my OWN workout in.

I'm hungry, tired got a to do list 10 mile long because in all that stuff earlier I posted something wrong and 45 people are messaging to tell me. Someone in the gym is asking for a social media post and I've forgotten to Book out Bulford Hall YELP !!!!

On the days I finish a little earlier its Russian roulette as to go shopping, fix the social media post, check the dog or train... Often I miss out on training - and feel so sad that I have.

So I go back home and start to prep social media, update the website , walk the dog again and shove something in my grid.

Evening Classes – Showtime

Then suddenly it’s class time. I'm already exhausted. my phones pinging with cancellations and I've got no water. I go and collect claire and we go.

Music on.Lights going. Energy switched ON.

And no matter how tired I am, people need to walk into that room feeling welcome and out feeling valued, seen and happy.

Because classes are rarely just about fitness.

For some people it’s their social life.Their stress relief.Their confidence boost.Their escape from work.Their one hour for themselves.

That’s why we care so much.

We know it’s bigger than burpees.

The Day Isn’t Actually Finished

Home again at whatever time depending on where I've taught.

Now I need to post class round ups, reply to comments, send some messages and check up on some people. sort out those who didn't attends class allowances or bookings. Quickly getting the accounts up to date for that day so HMRC dont jail me. Ordering clothing or any other bits and bobs

I realise that one load of washing needs drying so I shove that in the dryer, Realise I forgot to go to Tesco so grab some weetabix. Hoover , wash up, Tidy, get the dogs food out for tomorrow, Before heading into the bath where I'm Replying to MORE messages or comments, Posting tomorrow’s reminders.Sorting playlists.… As I climber out I realise I forgot to drink water all day.

Again 🤣

I roll into bed, set my alarm, try to do a little study or research,watch some crap TV realise I forgot to order my HRT .... oh well

And in there I travel for client catch ups, meetings, to coach athletes in competitions, community events and more

The Truth About This Job

It’s exhausting sometimes.

There’s pressure.

Long hours.

Financial stress.

Constant juggling.

The feeling of always being “on”

But there’s also something really special about it.

Watching someone walk into class nervous and leave smiling.

Seeing members become friends.

Watching people grow stronger physically and mentally.

Hearing someone say:“I actually look forward to exercise now.”

That part never gets old.

Seeing people Bloom, Building Trust, genuinley helping

So yes, fitness instructors teach classes.

But behind every session is a whole lot of unseen work, love, organisation, panic, passion, and usually at least ten cold coffee's.

And honestly?

Most of us wouldn’t have it any other way.

But Ill never say no to a warm latte put in my hand

Lots of Love