Category: Starting a business

09:35:28 GMT • 14 January 2025

What to Include in Your Dog Walking Service Agreement

28 March 2019

•

5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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As a dog walker it is important to know what your clients expect of you. While a written contract between your business and your clients is not a requirement, it can be of huge benefit to the running of your enterprise.

The thought of writing up a contract can be a daunting one. In truth though, you don’t need to be a legal expert to put together a dog walking agreement between you and your client.

When starting a dog walking business it’s important to draw up a dog walking service agreement and ask each client to complete it.

Here’s what we suggest you include in your agreement…

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We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as Dog Walking, Pet Sitting insurance and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.

Service outline

In summary, this is where you will outline what the client is paying you to do. Have sections for the number of walks you are being asked to complete, how far they should be, and the times you are expected to carry them out.

It’s also wise to get the price that the client will be charged penned down in this section too. This avoids any unwanted confrontation if a client disagrees on the bill that they are presented with.

Dog specifics

Meeting a dog before agreeing to walk it is always advised. That way you, as a pet care professional, can get to know the animal and any of its likes and dislikes. While this is good, it always pays to have this information down on paper within the walking agreement beforehand.

In this section of the contract, document the name and breed of the dog plus any medical conditions it may have. Have in writing if it is taking any medication so you have this to hand in the event of an emergency.

As well as medical issues, asking the owner to note any behavioural traits is also wise too. Ask whether the dog is good with fellow canines, whether it will chase animals and whether the dog has good recall. This way you mitigate some of the risks of an incident occurring whilst walking.

Emergency protocol

Reducing the risk of an incident is one thing, but knowing how to react when something goes wrong on a walk is another. Ensure that on any contract you have with your client you document who to call if the animal is injured or injures another dog or person.

Also establish the protocol you and your client wish to take if the animal requires veterinary treatment. Do you wait until you’ve made contact with the owner before taking a dog to the vets, or is the decision based on your judgement?

Making a note of the dog’s microchip number is also a great idea too. In the event that the animal is lost whilst walking, having this might come in handy in identifying it if discovered at a later date.

Other rules to follow

You should also outline in your contract a few other house rules and regulations you or the owner wish to impose. For example, do you have permission to walk the dog off-lead? If anything were to happen when the dog was off-lead and it transpired the owner had not agreed to it, your dog walking business could be held liable.

Many professional dog walkers like to take photos or videos of their walk to share on social media. This is a great way to show clients the service that you can provide. And while it’s unlikely to be an issue, it’s worth obtaining the permission of the dog owner before posting on Facebook or Twitter.

And lastly, make sure you include some rules about cancellations in the contract. What happens if a client cancels your services at the last minute? It could leave you with empty time that might have been filled with other clients. Do you want to include some sort of cancellation fee in your agreement?

You don’t need to include legal jargon in your agreement, it’s just worth covering every base. If things were to go wrong that were covered in the contract it doesn’t necessarily mean you are absolved of any legal liability though. That’s why it’s always important to hold appropriate dog walking insurance policy. With cover in place you are protected if the dog were to be injured, lost, or caused injury to someone else or their dog.

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09:33:24 GMT • 14 January 2025

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

29 August 2018

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4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

We accept that insurance can sometimes be confusing. However, thinking about why you need to take out wedding insurance shouldn’t be a tricky decision.

After all, your wedding day will be the biggest day of your life, first of all emotionally and secondly financially. Everyone wants their big day to go smoothly, but with a large number of aspects coming together for the event, things can and do go wrong.

Taking out even the most basic wedding insurance policy will provide you with the peace of mind you deserve as you and your partner plan your wedding day.

What does wedding insurance cover?

There are dozens of different aspects to the average wedding day and each one has the potential to put a dampener on your day.

Cancelling or rearranging

Having both you, your husband or wife-to-be, and your family present is undoubtedly the main necessity for any wedding. But with most people planning their ceremony months or years in advance, a lot can happen in the meantime. Serious illness, accidents or worse may deem it necessary to cancel or reschedule your wedding. With an insurance policy in place, you are likely to be covered for the irretrievable costs that you have already shelled out.

Damage to your wedding dress or suits

Whether the bride opts for a princess dress or something more fitted, ensuring the precious dress is protected is going to be vital. A damaged frock close to the big day will surely put even the calmest bride in a tizz. Thankfully with insurance, you can rest assured that if something happened to the dress or the ceremonial attire of a member of the bridal party, the costs to replace them will be covered.

Failure of your suppliers

From photographers to florists to DJs, you rely on a lot of people on your wedding day. And if just one of those professionals you hire the services of let you down, it can be both worrying and frustrating in equal measure. Insurance will mean that if they were to pull out close to the event or not turn up, you are covered. The costs to book a last-minute replacement would be handled by your policy.

Damage to other items

Items such as the rings, flowers, gifts to your attendants and the traditional cake can also be protected under an insurance policy. If any of these were stolen or damaged within a week of the wedding our policy you could claim up to the value chosen on your policy to cover the costs of replacing them.

Public liability

Although not as sentimental as the dress or the rings, protecting yourselves is important too. In fact, many wedding venues will insist that you and any third-parties you have providing a service at your wedding have suitable Public Liability cover. If you were to cause damage to property belonging to a third party such as the venue or the DJ, you could be sued for damages. Having this cover in place ensures that if something like this occurred you’d be protected against the financial implications.

When to buy your wedding insurance?

A similarly straightforward question to answer as ‘Why do you need wedding insurance?’ is ‘When do I buy it?‘. In short, as soon as you start booking venues or suppliers or purchasing dresses or rings, you should consider insurance.

By buying early you give yourself maximum protection should the worst happen. If you purchase your insurance after something occurs that is likely to cause disruption to your wedding day, it’s unlikely it will be covered should those events unfold.

Purchase as soon as you beginning solidifying your plans and you can get full use out of your Wedding Insurance policy.

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09:26:51 GMT • 14 January 2025

Fit Britain: The top places to become a personal trainer

29 May 2018

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4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

The West Midlands and the City of Bristol have been named as two of Britain’s best places to become a personal trainer.

The number of personal trainers in Britain is growing, and according to Ibisworld, there are now over 23,000 registered PTs in the UK, but the local spread of these trainers, and the demand for their help, varies massively.

Our recent research shows that the two regions have some of the highest demand for fitness professionals in the country, but lack the competition of a large number of other PTs.

Figures show that in approximately one in 180 of Bristol’s residents will perform a Google search, looking for a personal trainer each year. This figure is usurped only by Greater London, where one in 135 people will seek out the help of a fitness pro in a 12 month period.

However, while the capital’s county is home to nearly 4,000 personal trainers, Bristol is only the 43rd most PT populous of the 106 counties and regions researched.

The West Midlands meanwhile has fewer personal trainers per capita than all but six English counties. Therefore anyone looking to become a personal trainer in Birmingham, Coventry or Wolverhampton and take advantage of the 1,000 people in the region looking for a PT each month, won’t have a huge amount of competition to contend with.

Where’s best to find a PT?

The highest build-up of fitness professionals is generally clustered towards the south-west of England, with Dorset and Somerset home to the highest population of PTs relative to total residents.

With over 300 personal trainers shared between it’s population of 422,900, Dorset boasts an impressive one personal trainer to every 1,337 residents.

However, not only is it already home to a large number of personal trainers, according to Google searches there isn’t much of a demand for their services, relatively speaking. The county came 99th of 106 regions in terms of number of searches each month, potentially making it one of the most tricky places to start a personal training career.

Another area that doesn’t appear to be on the look out for PT tutelage is Nottinghamshire. With a similar number of searches a month per head to Dorset, it’s worth noting that the county is the 15th most densely populated region of Britain for fitness professionals.

For those looking to start a career in the leisure industry in Wales, there’s some good news and some bad news. Seven of the 23 council areas sit in the bottom 10 when it comes to the areas that Britain’s PTs call home.

That being said, the search volume for personal trainers in the country sits in mid-table of our research, meaning while the competition may not be there, it may be that neither is the demand.

Market analysis is key

When considering a career in the fitness industry it’s wise to think about whether there is a) a demand for more fitness professionals in your area and b) room for another competitior on the market.

By looking at the number of Google searches and number of personal trainers already operating in your region, potential PTs can get a good idea whether this is the right career move for them. Of course, if you have a niche or are offering something that allows you to stand out ahead of the crowd, you could disprove the statistics.

By nailing your business plan and marketing your business wisely, life as a PT can be rewarding and a wise career move. It may not be for everyone, but by our numbers, fitness lovers in Bristol and the West Midlands, could be in the perfect spot to become a personal trainer.

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09:25:38 GMT • 14 January 2025

Your Guide To Dog Boarding Licences

18 April 2018

•

5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

As a pet business insurance provider, Protectivity receive a large number of queries about the rules surrounding the need for a dog boarding licence.

The rules about what licence you require and how you operate can vary slightly between different local authorities. However, the overriding statements regarding licensing of this type of business are covered in the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and Animal Activity Licensing Regulations 2018.

Who needs a dog boarding licence?

According to the act, anyone running “an establishment, whether a private dwelling or not, where a business is conducted for the provision of accommodation for other people’s cats and dogs” needs a licence.

Therefore, anyone running a commercial enterprise whereby they are looking after a third-party’s animal needs to closely pay attention to the licensing regulations.

How do you apply for a licence?

Licenses are handled by local councils, as opposed to being managed by centralised government. Depending on your location, it may be possible to apply online, while other councils will require you to post your application form.

Another varying aspect of the process is the cost. The price of an application is set by the authority and can start from as little as £70 a year for a dog only licence, to over £300 for a joint cat and dog licence with some councils.

The whole application process, on average, takes three to four weeks to complete before you will receive your licence. Some authorities apply ‘tacit consent’ to applications. This means that if you haven’t had your application explicitly rejected within a set time-frame of applying, you are able to start boarding. This is something to check with your local authority when applying for your licence.

What will you need to prove?

The requirements that councils will have before approving a licence are fairly self explanatory.

You will likely be subject to an inspection of your premises by a council official. During this visit your suitability to accommodate animals, through your provisions to provide clean and safe boarding, your skills and knowledge of what is required of boarders.

The health of the animals that you will be looking after is likely to be seen as paramount. Therefore, it will be a requirement under your licence that you keep a record of every animal that you take in, as well as any specific needs or health issues that they may have. You may need to provide a copy of this documentation if a council official or vet were to visit your premises while you are in operation.

Another prerequisite of obtaining a licence is insurance. Local councils will request that they see a copy of an insurance certificate that covers you for Public Liability (as a minimum) before granting you a licence. Having this cover in place gives you protection against legal costs that might ensue if a dog in your care was to injure a third-party or cause damage to their property.

Things to remember if home-boarding

As well as speaking to your local council, reading the full the specific section of the Animal Welfare England Regulations 2018 on home boarding will give you an in-depth understanding of animal boarding licences.

Much in the act may not be relevant to you, but here are five other key things you need to remember when running a boarding business from your own home:

If you have your own dog, or will be boarding dogs from multiple households, written consent must be gained from your clients stating they agree to their dog being kept on the same premises
Dogs must be accommodated within the home and have direct access to a private, non-communal, secure and hazard-free external area
Each dog must have it’s own safe, clean and warm designated room where it can be kept separate from other dogs if necessary
No dog registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be accepted
Puppies that have not completed their inoculations must not be boarded

If you are operating without a licence, the punishments are clearly set out. You can be prosecuted and sentenced to up to three months in prison and fined up to £500.

For anyone already operating, that does not hold a licence, it is advised that you contact your local authority immediately. Doing so doesn’t instantly mean you will be prosecuted. It is possible that the council will require you to stop boarding animals while they process any application from you for a licence. However frustrating it may be to curtail income from boarding clients may be, it is important to ensure you are fully licensed to avoid further punishment.

About Us

We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as Dog Walking, Pet Sitting business insurance and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.

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09:25:18 GMT • 14 January 2025

5 Legal Things To Remember Before Becoming A Dog Walker

24 January 2018

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6 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Setting up a business as a dog walker is, on the face of it, a fairly straightforward enterprise. Minimal equipment is needed, there is no requirement to have multiple qualifications (though this helps), and the financial outlay is reasonably small.

However, for everyone starting a dog walking business there are a few legal things to consider. While you may be chomping at the bit to get out there and work with your canine clients straightaway, make sure you know how to become a dog walker properly by following these legal requirements.

Here, we cover the legal dog walker requirements, as well as the importance of dog walkers’ insurance, so you know you’ve got everything covered.

Register with HMRC

If you are setting up your own business and becoming a professional dog walker it is important that you register with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). It may be that you are going it alone, known as being a ‘Sole Trader’ or setting up a wider business with employees and (potentially) higher turnover, in which you could be registered as a ‘Limited Company’.

By becoming your own boss you become responsible for things such as paying tax and National Insurance. After registering as a self-employed dog walker you will be expected to complete a self assessment tax return each year. Through this you will be required to pay income tax on any business profits over £11,500 a year.

National Insurance will also be due if you pass that threshold. Starting off at around £2.85 a week, the outgoings are relatively small, but important to remember. If your business is particularly successful you will end up paying a higher rate, as well as being liable for VAT if your profits exceed £85,000 in a year.

Obtain a DBS check

While paying for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check isn’t a legal requirement, being able to show your potential clients that you are a trustworthy person is well worth doing. An outlay of around £25 for a basic background check gives you extra kudos when it comes with comparisons with the competition.

Keep a record of all that you do

Not only are you legally required to keep a record of your incomings and outgoings for tax purposes, it can also help you run your professional dog walker business more economically.

When completing your tax return it is important to include every instance of income to the business in order to correctly calculate the amount of tax you should be paying. By also including your business outgoings you also avoid paying too much tax.

‘Allowable expendables’ include things such as dog leads, bowls, commercial vehicles and marketing your business and are taken into account when calculating the tax you pay. Keeping a record of such expenditures will ensure your business doesn’t overpay.

Records are not only good for financial reassurance, but also to help your business run smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Keeping track of whose dog you are walking and when, and ensuring all clients have signed some form of business contract with you (recommended), helps you maintain a professional dog walker set-up for your business.

Make sure you know the laws

There are a number of laws and acts that relate closely to canines. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is probably the most well-known, but do you know exactly what it says? Having a basic knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding dogs and the law can only be useful when it comes to running your business.

If you intend to walk dogs in a rural area, be aware that under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, landowners and farmers may hold the power to shoot dogs that come onto their land if they feel their livestock is under threat, for example. Although the likelihood of this happening is extremely minimal, with the knowledge in hand, those offering dog walking services will know not to put their clients’ pets into potentially dangerous situations. You can find a handy round-up of the various laws involving dogs on the Kennel Club website.

It’s not just national laws that you should research either. An increasing number of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are popping up around the country. These rules stipulated by local councils may ban dogs from being walked in certain locations or may restrict the number of dogs you can walk at one time. Always check the rules in your area before becoming a professional dog walker.

Get the best dog walker insurance

It may be least exciting of these aspects, but getting full public liability insurance for dog walkers is important. Having cover in place will protect you if a client’s dog is injured, lost or attacks another dog or person. If you are blamed for any of these instances, you risk facing legal action from the third party. The costs associated with compensation claims can soon rack up into the thousands of pounds.

With pet business insurance in place, you can cover yourself and your business for such claims. Some insurance providers will also cover you for handling your clients keys as well as damage to your business equipment.

Get the best dog walker insurance

If you’re looking for dog walking insurance, look no further than Protectivity. We can offer you expert cover to protect you against any unexpected incidents when you’re out dog walking, including £100,000 of Care, Custody and Control cover should an animal get injured, lost or killed. With the right cover, you can do your best job with full peace of mind that you’ll be covered if something goes wrong.

Once you have all of these things in place, you know how to become a dog walker and you are ready to go. Starting your own business is a big step and while a career working with dogs sounds like a dream job to many, there are a plenty of legal requirements and considerations to mull over.

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09:24:57 GMT • 14 January 2025

Revealed: The Best Towns To Become A Dog Walker

20 September 2017

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4 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Becoming a professional dog walker has been lauded as one of the UK’s fastest growing careers. A study in 2015 suggesting that walkers could earn up to £64,000 a year certainly provides enough temptation to take up the profession.

Of Protectivity’s customers, two-thirds said they became a commercial dog walker due to their love of canines or had previously worked with dogs. Another 25% were attracted to the prospect of a more flexible lifestyle the job afforded.

And if you’re thinking of taking up the profession there’s still room for manoeuvre, despite growing market competition.

According to Google there are 14,800 searches a month for “dog walker” in the UK, while the phrase “local dog walker” attracted 590 hits a month.

But where is there most demand for dog walkers in the UK?

How many people are looking for dog walkers?

Nearly 2,500 of searches came from the Greater London region – more than treble of Greater Manchester in second place.

However, with a population of over 8.5 million, seeing the capital on top-spot is hardly surprising. When taking the size of population into account it is actually the county of Hampshire that tops the pile.

Google suggests that there are around 550 searches for “dog walker” from Hampshire a month and with a relatively small population (comparatively) of 1.64 million, there’s plenty of room for more walkers.

Where are the most common searches?

Breaking it down even more we are able to reveal the UK’s top five towns and cities looking for a dog walker.

With a high search volume persisting, starting a dog walking business in the UK still has it’s merits. But should you reside in Harrogate, Peterborough or another location in our top 10, there’s even more of an incentive.

We’ve also taken a look at the potential competition. Using Yell listings we’ve given each town a ‘competitiveness rating’ out of 5, based on the number of other walkers in the area – five being the most competitive.

Here’s where there is the most demand for people to walk the dog…

The research found that one of the best places for would-be dog walkers was Stroud in Gloucestershire. Despite a relatively small population of 13,000, the townspeople perform 90 Google searches for dog walkers a month. That translates as a higher percentage-per-person than any other town in the UK.*

Where is the toughest competition?

Walkers will have competition for those canine clients though, with a relatively high number of fellow dog lovers already enjoying the profession according to Yell listings.

Conversely, those in Peterborough and Folkestone both have a large search volume per person, with very little competition. According to Yell.com there are just 15 dog walking businesses within 10 miles of Folkestone, while Peterborough – a town of 78,000 people – can boast just 23.

Other high scorers in our search research were the towns of Harrogate in North Yorkshire and Falkirk in Scotland. The former was only beaten by Stroud when it came to searches-per-person with 320 queries from those looking for walkers each month.

If you do take the plunge and become a full-time dog walker, remember to ensure you are fully covered. Our dog walking insurance protects you and the dogs you walk. Get a quote today to take advantage of our instant cover!

*Ranking based on Google’s estimated search volume for “dog walkers [town]” in relation to the population of that town. Only towns with 50 or more average monthly searches were included.

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09:23:38 GMT • 14 January 2025

The Professional Dog Walker’s Guide to Facebook Advertising

1 August 2017

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5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Starting a business as a professional dog walker is becoming more and more popular.

But with all the growth of the industry comes competition. In a business scene where every dog counts, ensuring you attract enough clients to pay the bills is becoming tougher.

Facebook has become the go-to place for dog walkers and owners alike to congregate and tout for business. There’s a good reason for this too. With the personable approach, the ability to focus on your location and the community spirit provide a fantastic arena to finding a professional walker to take care of your dog.

Three-quarters of the dog walkers asked in a recent Protectivity survey said they used the social networking site to promote their business. However, only six percent said they had turned to paid-for advertising to provide that added reach.

It could be that many walkers are missing a trick here. With even the smallest advertising budget you can really hone in on the people you really want to target.

Here are the three big reasons you should be using Facebook Advertising

Targeting the right people is easy

As a professional walker there are two things any prospective clients must be 1) dog owners and 2) reasonably local. With Facebook advertising, you can filter just those people. Want to show yourself off to as many dog owners in your community? Easy, just select the ‘Reach’ Objective when setting up your advertising campaign before you go and you’re on your way.

From there you can expertly target your desired audience. Select your location, plus the radius you are looking to cover to ensure you’re only going to pay for your advert to appear in front of your local residents.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Detailed targeting’ area to filter out those dog walkers you want to advertise to. By inputting the phrase ‘Pet Owners’ in the box you can find those that Facebook believes has a pet of their own due to their online activities. Filter that down further by clicking the ‘Narrow Further’ button and inputting the word ‘Dogs’. This will highlight those people who like pages that relate to dogs as well as being pet owners.

So, with a targeted campaign hitting pet (probably dog) owners in your local area you don’t need to waste money approaching people who will not be your customers

It can be extremely cheap

A career as a dog walker is unlikely to bring in mega bucks. Therefore, many dog walkers will be wary of spending unnecessary cash on advertising. However, showcasing your business with paid adverts doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

In fact, for as little as £1 a day you could reach many hundreds of potential customers.

Using the criteria highlighted above, using High Wycombe (and the surrounding 10 miles) as our location, we were able to create an audience of just over 8,000 people. With a daily budget of £1, Facebook suggests we would be able to get our advert in front of between 710 and 1,500 of those people each day.

With a one-hour walk costing dog owners anything between £7 and £11 approximately, pull in just one new client a week and you can recoup the costs of your advertising spend. Deliver a good enough service to that new client and with their repeat business soon adding up, the initial outlay pales into insignificance.

It looks much more professional

While touting for business within dog walking discussion groups is all well and good, putting out a well-made advert looks far more professional.

Pick out a nice image, be creative with your copy and deliver a bespoke campaign right to the heart of your potential clients’ newsfeed, rather than a plain, forgettable post in the local dog walking group.

If you haven’t already, think about some branding for your business. Maybe create a logo, nail down some company colours or maybe use a regular canine subject for your ads. Build that familiarity that will mean dog owners think of you when they are considering a walker and you will already be one step ahead of the competition.

Facebook advertising isn’t a substitute for the more stripped-back community group based approach. But by adopting some basic methods, the difference made for your dog walking services could be plain to see.

If you are operating without a licence, the punishments are clearly set out. You can be prosecuted and sentenced to up to three months in prison and fined up to £500.

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09:23:22 GMT • 14 January 2025

The top 5 benefits to becoming a personal trainer

4 April 2017

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4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

Thinking of a change in career? Why not join the thousands of other Brits making a living as a personal trainer? Protectivity Insurance provided insurance for over 7,000 PTs in 2016, and with that number growing again it seems as if the fitness boom is set to continue.

But what are the best things about choosing this career pathway? Luke Hughes, co-founder of health and fitness training and course provider, Origym picked out the top five benefits of becoming a personal trainer.

(Almost) Unlimited Earning Potential

Whether you are offering one-to-one training, boot camps or aerobics classes, you control what you earn. You set your rates that you are happy to charge your clients and if they are fair, those clients will come. If you can take on a larger number of clients at one time, then your earning potential increases.

So, how much can a personal trainer earn? Within reason, the sky is the limit as to what you can make from a career as a PT. Do bear in mind though, it’s about quality not quantity. If you take on so many clients that you can’t offer them an excellent service, numbers will soon drop off.

Flexible Working Hours

Similarly, you can choose when you work as well as how much you earn from it. A personal trainer’s working hours are essentially controlled by yourself. You manage your schedule to coach clients when you want. So whether you are a morning person that specialises in the early morning workouts, a weekend warrior that likes to spend Saturday and Sunday training or a workaholic that doesn’t know when to stop, it’s up to you.

Become Your Own Boss

Controlling your earnings and your hours, you become your own boss as a personal trainer. The benefits to that are vast. You can take your business in the direction you want it to, without the need to cut through endless red tape. Whether you want to try new things or stick to a traditional method of training, it’s entirely up to you. As your own boss you also have the perk that should you wish to take some time off, you can! Just make sure you keep your clients well informed as to your availability in the meantime.

Make a Difference to People’s Lives

Yes they may be your customers, but as a PT you can really connect with your clients. They have placed their trust in you as a personal trainer to help them reach their desired goals.

Be it weight loss or muscle gain, if you can deliver the service they require, it can go a long way to changing someone’s life. The sense of satisfaction when you guide a client to another few kilos off their waist, or a few more added to their dead-lift, is second to none.

True Job Satisfaction

The benefits above all help achieve one thing as a personal trainer – true job satisfaction! It’s easy to see why so many people are turning their hand to a career as a fitness professional. From choosing your own hours to improving someone else’s self esteem, a career as a personal trainer is really second to none.

If you’d like to learn how to begin a career as a PT and discover the courses available to you, check out Origym’s website.

Already taken the plunge and are in need of personal training insurance? Protectivity’s comprehensive liability cover is a true market leader.

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09:21:37 GMT • 14 January 2025

What qualifications do Personal Trainers need?

9 February 2017

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6 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

Making the decision to become a Personal Trainer represents an exciting time, as a career in the fitness industry is certainly one which can be both rewarding and profitable. Indeed, the sector is steadily growing an, according to Ibis World, there are almost 25,000 personal trainer businesses in the UK. Nevertheless, to be able to get started as a PT you will need to make sure you are fully qualified to offer your fitness activities. Without the proper qualifications you could find yourself invalidating your insurance.

So, the next question is “what qualification do I need to become a Personal Trainer?”. This article will look at some key considerations.

Industry regulation

While there is no legal requirement to hold a qualification to call yourself a personal trainer, the fitness industry in the UK is regulated to ensure safe practice. Most employers, gyms, and insurers require personal trainers to hold accredited certifications. The key regulatory bodies in the fitness industry include:

CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) – The professional body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, ensuring trainers meet professional standards.

Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) – Regulates qualifications, exams, and assessments in England to ensure their validity.

UK Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) – Though now replaced by CIMSPA, many still use REPs as a benchmark for professional credibility.

How do I know who is endorsed?

To do this you need to use a useful tool on the CIMSPA website. This tool will allow you to check if any provider you are looking at is genuinely endorsed by CIMSPA. (Tip: just because a provider chooses to display the CIMSPA logo does not necessarily mean that they are endorsed – always do this check).

Awarding bodies for personal training qualifications

If you are looking to become a personal trainer, it is crucial to select a qualification from an accredited awarding body. The most recognised awarding bodies include:

These organisations ensure that your certification meets industry standards and is widely accepted by gyms and fitness establishments.

What personal trainer course to choose?

Depending on your level of experience and career goals, there are different types of personal training qualifications available.

To be a qualified Personal Trainer, you need to look for a CIMSPA endorsed Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training. Before you do this, you will also need to complete a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing – however most providers will offer these two as one course. It is important to note that all CIMSPA PT qualifications have Level 3 Nutrition automatically embedded.

Beginner Level

Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing – This is an entry-level qualification that allows individuals to work as a gym instructor but not as a personal trainer.

Intermediate Level

Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training – This is the minimum requirement to work as a fully qualified personal trainer in the UK. It covers anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and program design.

Advanced Level

Level 4 Specialist Personal Trainer Certifications – These qualifications allow trainers to specialise in areas such as lower back pain management, obesity and diabetes, or strength and conditioning.

Highest Level

Degree in Sports Science or Strength & Conditioning – A university degree is not required to become a personal trainer, but it can provide advanced knowledge and open doors to elite sports coaching and research roles.

How long does it take to get qualified?

The time required to become a personal trainer varies depending on the chosen study method:

Full-time courses – Typically take between 6-12 weeks.
Part-time courses – Can take 6-12 months, depending on flexibility and study commitment.
Online or blended learning – Usually self-paced, allowing students to qualify within 3-12 months.

Routes into personal training

There are several pathways to becoming a personal trainer:

University Degree

A BSc in Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, or Exercise Physiology can provide in-depth knowledge, but it is not a necessity to work as a PT.

Apprenticeship

A Level 3 Personal Trainer Apprenticeship allows individuals to learn on the job while earning a wage, making it a viable alternative to traditional courses.

Vocational Courses

Private training providers offer Level 3 Personal Training Diplomas in flexible formats, making them the most common route into the industry.

Additional Skills and Certifications

While a Level 3 qualification is the minimum requirement, additional skills and certifications can enhance career prospects, including:

First Aid & CPR Certification – Often required by employers and insurance providers.
Nutrition & Weight Management Certifications – Helps expand service offerings.
Specialist Training (e.g., kettlebells, HIIT, pre/post-natal fitness) – Enables trainers to work with a wider client base.
Business & Marketing Skills – Essential for personal trainers looking to start their own business or work as a freelancer.

To finish…

As you embark on your PT career, you should now have a better idea of choosing the best Personal Trainer course for you and getting started in the fitness sector.

Once you have those qualifications in place, make sure you’re covered with our specialist Personal Trainer Insurance.

Affordable Personal Trainer Insurance from Protectivity

Personal trainer cover from as little as £3.86 a month, get a quote today!

At Protectivity, we can cover you for a wide range of training activities, from traditional PT, yoga or aerobics instructors and many more. Simply choose a personal trainer insurance policy, select your activities and you’ll be protected as a personal trainer in minutes.

You’ll find public liability insurance from £1 million included as standard, professional indemnity cover and £500 worth of equipment cover. To reinforce your policy, you can increase your cover or include optional extras, employers’ liability, personal accident and overseas extension.

Please note, you are expected to hold a certified qualification in the activity you are instructing. In the event of a claim, failure to disclose this may invalidate your insurance.

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