Category: Starting a business

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.

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09:49:39 GMT • 14 January 2025

What is the Average Salary for a Personal Trainer?

By Mandy Czyz

24 October 2019

•

4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy Czyz

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

The amount that a Personal Trainer will earn depend on a few factors including how many hours you work, your level of qualification and experience, location and any specialist disciplines. Typically, you can expect to earn from £20 to £100 per hour for an elite Personal Trainer.

There are two ways of working as a Personal Trainer. Either you can become an employee of a gym which gives you the financial security of knowing that you have a regular income coming in, or you can become a freelance Personal Trainer which although might have a greater potential to earn, means that you need to source and retain clients yourself.

If you are employed within a gym then you could expect your starting salary to be around £16k. However, if you are self employed then your potential to earn is greater, anywhere from £20k – £40k. The average salary of a Personal Trainer is dependent on a number of factors.

Hours of work

If you work as a Personal Trainer at a gym, then your hours are likely to be set in your contract.

When freelancing, the hours that you work very much depend on what works for you and your clients. You might find that your key hours of work might be evenings and weekends if your clients are working 9am-5.30pm, 5 days a week. You might then be able to accommodate other clients throughout the day.

Level of qualification

There are colleges nationwide offering courses to become a Personal Trainer with different levels of qualification.

A Level 2 qualification is easier and faster to achieve and will enable you to become a Fitness Instructor. A Level 3 qualification gets you to a Personal Trainer level and enables to charge more per hour.

You can then work towards further qualifications in specialisms such as sports nutrition to boost your knowledge and your earnings.

Experience

As with most skills, the more experience that you have, the better the service that you can offer and therefore the more that you can charge.

Try and build up a portfolio of experience across a range of different skills and disciplines and ask clients to provide testimonials.

Location

You might find that if you are a Personal Trainer in a city (London for example) that you are able to charge a higher hourly rate than those in other parts of the country.

Before setting your hourly rate, you should do your research and see what other Personal Trainers in the area charge so that you are in line with them. It is also worth considering that other costs in a city might be higher such as your overhead costs, rent etc.

Specialist disciplines

If you can get a qualification in a specialist discipline, then you can position yourself as an expert in this field and therefore charge a premium.

For example, if you are qualified in weight loss management or sports nutrition then clients who are looking for this as an additional service to their personal training programme are likely to pay an additional cost also. Speak to your local college to find out what courses they can offer to complement the service that you provide to your clients.

Celebrities

If you work with celebrities and become a name within the fitness industry, then you can look to boost your earnings further still. Promotion through social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram can attract more clients willing to pay a premium for a celebrity Personal Trainer!

So, do some research about potential earnings and the average salary you could make when considering these factors and set your own pricing structure taking these key areas into account.

Your potential to earn is often dependent on how much you are willing to invest in the role as a Personal Trainer in terms of time and qualifications gained.

As well as Personal Trainer Insurance we offer insurance to other leisure section entities such as Sports Clubs. To get your quote today you can visit our Sports Club Insurance page.

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09:49:22 GMT • 14 January 2025

What to Remember When Becoming a Dog Groomer

24 October 2019

•

6 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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Setting up a dog grooming business might be a long-term ambition of yours but there are some important things to keep in mind when starting a new business venture in dog grooming.

About Us

We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet care professionals and offering a variety of tailored products such as Dog Grooming Insurance.

Suitability

There are several parts of the job to consider when assessing if it is the right job for you. You need to consider that you will be working on your feet all day and so need to be sure that you are comfortable doing this.

You will also need a certain amount of confidence as you might need to deal with difficult or anxious dogs. Previous experience of handling dogs would be a distinct advantage, even if it is only as a dog owner.

Also consider that you are likely to be working alone most of the time, although you will of course have company in the form of your canine friends!

Qualifications

You don’t need any qualifications to become a dog groomer, however dog owners are always likely to look more favourably on you to provide a great service for their beloved pet if you are able to state that you have qualifications and of course, experience.

Get in touch with your local college who will be able to give you more information about qualifications that you can study for. Gaining a certificate in dog grooming can only be positive when you are trying to recruit new clients.

Locations

You can operate your business from a salon which has the benefit of space and a fixed site where you might get walk in enquiries. However, you also need to consider the overheads that you will need to pay to run the venue.

Costs include rent, electricity, water, gas, insurance, maintenance etc. Some dog groomers run their business from a room in their house. This has the advantage of providing a fixed premise without hefty overhead bills. But this isn’t always possible as you may not have this space available.

The alternative is that you can provide a mobile service offering dog grooming in a clients home. This has the benefit of significantly reducing the impact of the cost of overheads and enables you to provide treatments in an environment where the dog feels comfortable. You need to consider that you will need to be able to transport your equipment between clients.

Experience

The more experience you have, the better the service that you can provide for your client and their pet. Practice on your own dog or on a friend’s to gain experience in dealing with dogs of different breeds and sizes. Then, when you do a wonderful job ask your friends and family to recommend your services!

Insurance

Public Liability insurance is a minimum requirement when you run your own business and this will cover you for injury or damage to third parties or their property, which may be important if your grooming business travels to client’s houses.

Care, Custody and Control cover will offer protection against the accidental injury, illness or loss of an animal under your care. You should also take out a policy covering any specialist equipment that you use as part of your dog grooming business.

Equipment

There are some key items that you will need to purchase to be able to provide a dog grooming service. You need to ensure that all equipment is cleaned and sterilised between treatments. The key items to include in your kit list are:

1. Table – for grooming the dogs on. When making this investment, be sure to find something that suits your needs. Consider that it needs to be big enough for the dogs that you will be treating. It also needs to be the right height for you to be able to stand at to groom the dogs and easy to clean between pets. If you will be providing a mobile dog grooming service, then you need to ensure that the table you get is portable.

2. Clippers – these should be an essential part of your toolkit. It is worth making an investment to get the right clippers ensuring that they are comfortable to hold as well as being easy to maintain and clean.

3. Dryer – Essential for providing the perfect finishing touch, make sure that the dryer you choose is practical and appropriate for the task. For example, a tiny dryer with little output won’t be very useful for a large dog.

4. Brushes and combs – You should have these in a variety of sizes and for a range of hair types as you are likely to be handling many different dog breeds.

5. Nail clippers – these are another essential tool for keeping those nails trimmed and should be practical and easy to use and maintain.

6. Products – Such as shampoo and conditioner are essential. Make sure that you have a range of products available, taking into consideration that some of the dogs that you treat might have sensitive skin.

Pricing

Put a price structure in place considering the range of treatments and size of animal. You might want to offer a pricing structure based on small, medium and large dogs and could offer packages so that clients can treat their pets to a wash and nail clipping for a standard price.

Additional treatments such as teeth descaling and ear cleaning could be offered at an additional price.

So, keep these considerations in mind when setting up your dog grooming business to ensure that you have everything in place that you need.

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09:48:45 GMT • 14 January 2025

8 Ways for Personal Trainers to Reconnect with Past Clients

By Mandy Czyz

23 October 2019

•

5 mins read

Contributors

Mandy Czyz

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

The sports industry and specifically personal trainers is a competitive one. Keeping hold of the clients you already have is clearly a top priority but, what can you do to reconnect with those clients who have used your services in the past?

1. Understand why they left

A questionnaire for all clients who leave can be a great way to understand if there are any improvements that need to be made.

For example, it might be that a client left because you couldn’t offer them the hours that suit them. If, at a point in the future, you can provide this time slot you can use that to restart a conversation.

2. Offer them the next goal

Often clients will work with you to reach a target and achieve a specific goal. This means that the risk is that they will leave once this target has been reached.

So, offer your clients the opportunity to aim for a new goal and therefore continue using your services. For example, if their target was to reach a specific weight, work with them to improve their fitness or train for a specific event for example.

3. Database

It is advisable to keep a database of clients and potential clients. For all clients, past and present and for new enquiries, ask permission to add them to your database. You can then send them details of future sessions, programmes and offers.

It is very important that you obtain permission to do this and store clients data responsibly and in line with GDPR guidance.

4. Marketing

Having a good marketing campaign will enable you to have the tools in place to reach out to potential and lapsed clients. Ensure that you have an impactful and informative website.

Make use of social media such as Facebook and Instagram to remind clients that have lapsed of the services that you provide and they will keep you top of mind. At the heart of your marketing campaign should be the service that you can offer clients ensuring that you communicate how you can and will meet their needs.

5. Newsletters

Regular newsletters are a great way to keep in touch with clients past, present and future. Programs such as mail chimp are free and easy to use making keeping in touch with your clients that bit easier.

6. Training days/bootcamps

Why not hold a training day or bootcamp session and invite potential and lapsed clients. This not only enables you to showcase what it is that you do, but also gives you the opportunity to remind those past clients of the great service that you provide!

7. Focus on client retention

It is less costly to work to hold onto a client than it is to go and find new clients. Keep this in mind and consider having a budget available for small gestures which will help existing clients to remember you and keep them loyal to you.

Some trainers have a loyalty scheme in place, offering clients a discount when they book a certain number of sessions in advance. For example – receive a 50% discount on your 6th session.

8. Offers and packages

This is becoming an effective way for trainers to sell their services and for clients to feel like they are getting value for money. By detailing a package to obtain a specific goal eg. Marathon training package you can include details of a certain number of training sessions as well as diet and nutrition advice all for a set price.

Packages like this can be a great way of reconnecting with past clients and get them using your services once again.

Do I Need to Renew my Training?

Yes, you will need to renew your training every 3 years to ensure that you keep your skills up to date and in order to validate your insurance. Your training provider will be able to give you more details.

Get personal trainer insurance with Protectivity

Protectivity has years of experience insuring personal trainers just like you. Our cover includes personal trainer public liability insurance, personal injury, equipment cover, and employer’s insurance if you run a business that employs other people. With our affordable, flexible policies, you can take your business to the next level with confidence that you aren’t at risk of long-term financial stress.

Take two minutes today to have a closer look at our affordable, flexible personal trainer insurance policies.

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09:48:13 GMT • 14 January 2025

Salon Chair Rental: What to Consider

9 October 2019

•

4 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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If you are one of the thousands of self-employed hairdressers or barbers in the UK then it is likely that you have considered renting a chair in a salon. This way of working can be mutually benefit for both the salon and you as a hairdresser.

But what does salon chair rental involve and what should you consider?

How do you rent a chair in a salon?

There are a few methods of renting a chair:

Fixed Rent

You can agree a fixed amount that you will pay the salon each week for renting a chair. This works in your favour if you succeed in getting lots of clients as the cost that you pay each week won’t increase as your earnings do.

Percentage of takings

You can also agree with the salon owner that you will pay them a percentage of your takings. While what you pay stays in line with what you take, Salon owners are often less keen on this method as their income decreases if you cut less hair.

A combination of both methods

Sometimes you can agree that you will pay a lower fixed rent as well as a percentage of the takings.

What are the hairdressing chair rental costs?

The average costs to rent a chair in a hair salon can vary between salons, so it is worth doing your homework to assess the average charges in your local area.

If you are paying a percentage of takings as a method of renting a chair, then you could expect to pay anywhere between 40-60%.

What are the benefits of renting a chair?

There are several benefits to renting a chair:

1. Cost – It is a fairly low-cost option for both parties. Salon owners don’t have the costs associated with permanent staff and for hairdressers it is a fairly straightforward way of managing outgoings.

2. Risk – There is less risk and commitment required for both the salon owner and hairdresser. You can enter into an agreement and if it doesn’t work out then you can terminate the arrangement.

3. Flexibility – In theory you can choose what hours you work. You can plan to work at key times of demand (evenings and weekends) in order to maximise your opportunity to earn.

4. Working in a Salon Environment – This can be beneficial for a number of reasons: Lots of clients prefer having their hair cut in a salon environment making you more appealing as a hairdresser, you can benefit from working around other hairdressers making it a more positive working environment with the opportunity to learn share skills and techniques.

What else should you consider before renting a chair?

If you are renting a chair, then you will need to work on a self-employed basis. This means that you will need to register for self-assessment and submit your income annually.

It is also unlikely that you will receive any employee benefits such as paid holiday, maternity leave, pension, healthcare etc.

Do you need a contract to rent a chair?

Yes, you should be sure to have a contract in place if you are renting a chair. A rent a chair contract will protect both you and the salon owner by ensuring that all details of your agreement are captured in writing and agreed by both parties.

If there isn’t one already available at the salon, there are plenty of templates available online. Be sure to capture all the important details: Price, length of agreement, working hours, ownership and payment for products and equipment that you will use when in the salon, as well as highlighting what happens if either party wants to end the agreement.

In summary, rent a chair hairdressing can be a low risk and flexible way of working. If you can build up a regular book of clients, then your potential to earn can be quite significant.

Protectivity is a specialist provider of Hairdressing Insurance. We cover thousands of individuals and small to medium size businesses including barber shop insurance across the UK, offering a range of tailored insurance products to protect our customers against unforeseen events.

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09:47:25 GMT • 14 January 2025

Understanding Chakra Stones and Healing Crystals

9 October 2019

•

7 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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Chakra stones, or healing crystals, are thought to correspond to the seven chakras or centres of energy in the body. These energy centres are believed to govern our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. When they are in balance, energy flows freely and harmoniously. But when one or more chakras become blocked or imbalanced – often due to trauma, stress, or emotional distress – this can manifest as worry, insecurity, fatigue, or even a sense of disconnection from oneself.

As chakra therapists or those exploring the path, working with healing crystals is a powerful, intuitive way to support clients in their healing journeys. Chakra stones are often used in Reiki therapy as well, where practitioners place specific crystals on or around the body to align and activate the chakras during energy healing sessions. This combination of crystal healing and Reiki can help amplify energetic shifts, clear blockages, and restore balance on multiple levels.

In this guide, we explore the chakras, the crystals that resonate with them, and how to use these stones in your practice with depth and integrity.

What are Chakra Healing Crystals?

Chakra healing crystals, also known as chakra stones, are natural minerals thought to carry vibrational energies that interact with our own energy fields. The word ‘chakra’ originates from Sanskrit and translates to ‘wheel,’ referring to spinning centres of energy in the body.

Each of the seven primary chakras is associated with specific physical, emotional, and spiritual attributes, and each resonates with particular colours and frequencies. Chakra stones are chosen based on these qualities, to either balance, activate, or calm these energy centres.

This video from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads gives you a great overview.

The seven chakras and their healing crystals

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Location: Base of the spine and pelvic floor
Associated with: Security, grounding, survival
When blocked: Anxiety, fear, feeling unsafe or unrooted
Crystals: Hematite, Black Onyx, Smokey Quartz

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

Location: Just below the navel
Associated with: Sensuality, creativity, emotional flow
When blocked: Low libido, creative blocks, guilt
Crystals: Carnelian, Sunstone, Orange Calcite

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Location: Upper abdomen / navel area
Associated with: Confidence, personal power, will
When blocked: Low self-esteem, lack of direction
Crystals: Citrine, Pyrite, Yellow Jasper

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Location: Centre of the chest
Associated with: Love, compassion, emotional balance
When blocked: Jealousy, grief, inability to trust
Crystals: Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Jade

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Location: Throat
Associated with: Communication, truth, self-expression
When blocked: Fear of judgement, difficulty expressing oneself
Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Sodalite

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Location: Between the eyebrows
Associated with: Intuition, insight, clarity
When blocked: Lack of direction, poor judgement, overthinking
Crystals: Amethyst, Fluorite, Iolite

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

Location: Top of the head
Associated with: Spiritual connection, enlightenment
When blocked: Disconnection, isolation, apathy
Crystals: Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Moonstone

How to use chakra crystals in healing sessions

As a chakra therapist, your intuition is one of your greatest tools. You might begin a session by using a pendulum to assess energy flow in each chakra, or by simply sensing where there are imbalances in your client’s body or aura.

Crystal Placement: Place the appropriate stone on or near the corresponding chakra while your client lies down in a relaxed state. You might combine this with reiki, breathwork, or guided meditation.

Gridding: Use a sacred geometry grid layout to amplify the energetic impact, especially for deeper emotional clearing or spiritual connection.

Energy Sweeping: Gently move the crystal over the chakra in circular or sweeping motions to help shift stagnation or blockage.

Client Interaction: Encourage your client to hold or meditate with a crystal between sessions, to deepen their own connection with that chakra’s energy.

Choosing the right stones for your practice

Start with a basic set of the seven chakra stones and slowly build your collection based on your intuitive pulls or client needs. Keep an open heart – sometimes a stone will call to you without a logical reason, and that’s often exactly what you (or your client) need.

Dual-purpose stones like Amethyst (which supports both Crown and Third Eye) or Citrine (Solar Plexus and Sacral) are wonderful additions. Always work with ethically sourced stones when possible, honouring the earth from which they come.

How to care for your crystals

Crystals absorb energy, so regular cleansing is essential. Common methods include:

Placing them under the full moon
Smudging with sage or palo santo
Sound baths (using a singing bowl or chime)
Burying them in the earth overnight

You can also charge your crystals with an intention by holding them in your hand and mentally or verbally infusing them with purpose.

Integrating crystal healing with other practices

Crystals work beautifully alongside other holistic tools and modalities. Depending on your training and personal style, consider incorporating:

Meditation and Breathwork – Let your client hold a stone during guided meditations focused on chakra activation.
Sound Healing – Use singing bowls or tuning forks aligned with the vibrational frequency of the chakra being worked on.
Aromatherapy – Diffuse essential oils that complement each chakra’s energy (e.g., patchouli for Root, peppermint for Throat).
Movement Practices – Introduce gentle yoga poses or intuitive movement to help open blocked energy centres.

How to assess chakra imbalances

Being able to intuit or assess where energy is stuck is a vital skill. Some methods to explore include:

Pendulum Dowsing – Hold a pendulum above each chakra and observe the movement.
Body Language Cues – Hunched shoulders may point to a closed Heart Chakra, while crossed arms can signal defensive energy.
Client Dialogue – Ask simple reflective questions about their emotions and physical sensations.
Energy Scanning – With practice, many therapists sense energetic shifts or stagnation by moving their hands over the body.

Empowering clients between sessions

Give your clients tools to stay connected with their healing journey:

Crystal Meditations – Simple daily meditations with a chosen crystal.
Chakra Journaling Prompts – Encourage writing about themes of each chakra to deepen awareness.
Crystal Carrying – Recommend keeping a stone in their pocket or wearing crystal jewellery.
Chakra Affirmations – Pair affirmations with specific stones (e.g., “I am safe and grounded” with Hematite).

Navigating science and scepticism

Some clients (and therapists) might feel uncertain about the metaphysical aspects of crystal healing. It helps to:

Acknowledge the energetic and symbolic value of crystals even if not scientifically proven.
Embrace the placebo effect as a valid and powerful component of healing.
Speak from personal experience and observation rather than rigid belief.
Frame crystal work as complementary, never a replacement for conventional care.

Ethical practice and intuitive integrity

Always approach crystal healing with responsibility and humility:

Recognise that each client is on a unique path.
Avoid spiritual overreach or pushing ideas that don’t align with their belief systems.
Clearly communicate that crystal therapy is supportive, not curative.
Continue to educate yourself and seek mentorship from experienced energy healers.

Get Chakra Healing Reiki Insurance from Protectivity

Whether you incorporate chakra stones into your Reiki sessions or focus purely on energy healing, having good-quality therapist insurance is essential. It not only protects you and your business against potential claims, but also ensures that any investment you’ve made in ethically sourced healing crystals and equipment is covered in case of damage or loss.

At Protectivity, we offer specialist Reiki insurance policies designed for practitioners, including Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and equipment cover. Whether you practise chakra healing, crystal Reiki, or traditional energy work, our flexible and affordable plans give you the peace of mind to focus fully on your clients. Why not get a quote today and safeguard your practice with confidence?

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10:22:23 BST • 11 April 2025

Talking Wages: How Much Does a Barber Earn?

11 September 2019

•

4 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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There are several ways to work as a barber and therefore several ways that you can earn money. Here are some of the structures available and gives an indication on how much a barber can make.

About us: Protectivity is a specialist provider of Barber Insurance. We cover thousands of individuals and small to medium size businesses across the UK each year.

Employed at a barbers salon

You might be employed at a salon and paid an hourly rate. Your salary will then be paid to you on either a weekly or monthly basis.

A barber’s salary will depend on experience and can range from £8 to £12 per hour. This is something that you will agree with the Salon owner at the start of your employment.

Self employed (Freelance)

A lot of barbers salons will hire you as a self-employed barber. This simply means that you will work on a freelance basis and would need to manage your own financial records and pay your own taxes.

This is done by registering for self-assessment, on the Government website.

Rent a chair

A common way for barbers to work is to rent a chair in a Salon. You will pay a fixed (usually weekly) fee to rent a chair. After you have paid this rent, you then keep the rest of the money that you earn. This works well if the salon is a busy one.

The amount that you can charge for a haircut will depend on several factors eg. Salon location and reputation, competitor charges etc. but you could expect to earn £100 – £200 per day. You then need to deduct the cost of renting the chair from this amount.

This structure works best once you have built up a good client base, so you know that you are going to have paying clients to cover the cost of renting the chair.

Split & commission

This is a common structure amongst barbers and enables you to share the revenue from the salon that you work in. For each haircut you complete, you would keep a percentage and the remainder you would pass to the salon.

The potential to earn very much depends on how many haircuts you do in a day, but this method can work well for a barber who is prepared to work hard and contribute to the success of the salon, attracting and retaining clients.

Own your own salon

There is obviously a greater potential to earn if you own your own salon once you have developed your experience and client base. However, you also need to consider that you also have the overhead costs of running the salon, staff wages etc.

Are there any opportunities to boost how much a barber can make?

You can boost your salary as a barber either through earning commission on the sale of hair products which you can offer your clients at their appointment. You can demonstrate which products would suit their needs best and then if they purchase it to take home you can earn between £2 and £3 on each purchase. If you can sell these products across your client base then this can become a great additional income.

Tips are also a great way to boost your earnings. Tips are entirely at the discretion of your clients but if you provide a great service and a great haircut leaving your client happy, they might choose to leave you a tip. The amount is again at the discretion of the client but averages between 5 and 10%.

So, there are plenty of options available and it is worth exploring each one in more detail to find the best structure for you. The London School of Barbering also has a great interview about the earning potential for barbers.

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09:41:13 GMT • 14 January 2025

How to Become a Barber: Training and Courses

4 September 2019

•

3 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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If you have made the decision to become a barber, then there are a number of ways to achieve your goal! There are different routes depending on your age, working status and financial situation.

The majority of barbering courses will offer a mix of classroom-based learning where you will learn about styles and techniques, and practical learning where you can put what you have learnt into practice and will cut hair on live models.

About us: Protectivity is a specialist provider of Barber Insurance. We cover thousands of individuals and small to medium size businesses across the UK each year.

College course

There are lots of college courses available nationwide providing both classroom-based learning as well as some experience cutting hair on live models.

Duration: 1 – 3 years
Content: A combination of theory and practical learning but offers the least amount of practical cutting experience.
Cost: Approximately £2000 (There is funding available for some students. Your local college should be able to provide more information.)
Outcome: Most will result in an NVQ qualification at the end of the course.
Benefits: Courses are easily accessible at colleges throughout the UK and training can be quite flexible to fit your needs.

Apprenticeship

Typically a route for school leavers, an apprenticeship involves in salon training where you can get lots of experience.

Duration: Approximately 3 years
Content: Usually an apprentice would start work doing the very basic tasks eg. Shampooing hair and sweeping up hair whilst watching and learning from the barbers in the salon.
Cost: £0
Outcome: At the end of an apprenticeship you would be awarded an NVQ.
Benefits: An experience-based way of training to become a barber and there is no cost.

Private courses

Some organisations (eg. London School of Barbering) can provide a private course which can be a more intensive course of barber training but often costs more to complete.

Duration: Usually between 6 and 12 weeks
Content: A combination of theory and practical learning, sometimes offering additional training in specific techniques.
Cost: Approximately £4000
Outcome: An NVQ and strong experience
Benefits: Smaller classes meaning more focused tuition

So, no matter what age you are or what stage of your career you are at, there is an ideal route for you and your circumstances so that you can gain the qualification and the experience that you need to become a barber.

Once qualified, remember you will need to take out suitable hairdressing insurance before you start to cut clients’ hair.

If you are just starting your training, then there are some useful websites to support you:

The British Barbering Association (BBA) is the leading association for the barbering industry in the UK.
The Barber Council is the statutory body established by The Hairdressing Act (1964) and tasked by Government to maintain a register of hairdressers and barbers in the UK.

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09:40:29 GMT • 14 January 2025

Rowing Workouts for Beginners

By Mandy Czyz

3 September 2019

•

4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy Czyz

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

A rowing machine is a great piece of equipment if you are training, trying to improve your overall fitness or a personal trainer looking to build a plan for a client, as it can give you a full body workout with the right programme. The right exercises can help to build muscles, tone muscles, lose weight, provide an aerobic workout or increase stamina.

So, if you are new to rowing and are looking for a workout for beginners, there are some tips below to help you to find the exercise programme that works for you.

Getting started

As with all exercise programs it is important to receive the proper training to make sure that you are using equipment correctly. This is to ensure that you are using it safely so that you don’t do any damage to your body but also that you are using it effectively and getting the most from your workout. If you are using a rowing machine in a gym, then the staff there should be happy to help you. There are also lots of great videos on You Tube, demonstrating the correct posture and technique when using a rowing machine.

The other important tip when starting a new exercise is to build up gradually. Start with short, light rowing workouts and focus on getting the right positioning. Once you are used to the machine then you can gradually increase the intensity.

Exercises

Muscle Toning Rowing is a great exercise which burns calories and tones the body. Because rowing uses so many muscles, you can tone your back, shoulders, abs and arms in a single workout. If you are looking to achieve significant growth for specific muscles though, you will need to combine some exercises with weights as rowing will give a more general and even muscle tone. Endurance Endurance exercises are quite straight forward as the objective is to build up to being able to row as fast and consistently as you can. A great way to start is to begin with a five-minute warm-up at a pace that you feel comfortable with. Next you row for 20 minutes at the highest effort level you can consistently maintain. Make a note of your average stroke rate and average speed and then next time you can build on this target. Weight loss and burning calories The higher the intensity and longer that you row for will increase the number of calories burned during a session. The great thing about using a rowing machine is that many of them will be able to track your speed, distance covered, and calories burned during your workout so you can keep track of your progress as you build up your workout. Cardio A great way to get a cardio workout is through a high-intensity interval style session. Start with a gentle warm up for five minutes. Next row as hard as you are able to for 30 seconds and follow this with a period of rest for a further 30 seconds. Repeat this six times, then rest for 3 minutes. You then need to repeat this process 3 times and maintain the same intensity.

Rowing is a great piece of equipment for improving overall fitness and there are many different ways that using a rowing machine can fit into your exercise programme. If you need further support, then staff in your local gym can put a programme together for you.

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09:40:10 GMT • 14 January 2025

Do You Need a Licence to be a Hairdresser?

21 August 2019

•

3 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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If you are solely a mobile hairdresser that visits clients in their home to cut hair, it’s unlikely that you will require a licence.

However, if you are operating within a commercial premises, or have clients come to you, it may be necessary to register your hairdressing business with your local council. The specific requirements may vary depending on your local area.

It is therefore worthwhile getting in touch with your local council to find out what needs to be done. You can also find out what is required in your local area on the Gov.UK website.

What requirements are there to become a hairdresser?

It is likely at the very least that the council will need to be aware of the business that you are running and check that it complies with health and safety requirements:

1. Cleanliness – Your premises are required to be clean, safe, well-lit and well ventilated.

2. Risk of Infection – You will also need to show that you take all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection or contamination.

3. Training – Your staff should be adequately trained, work hygienically and use equipment efficiently.

4. Insurance – As with most businesses, it is necessary to have a suitable hairdressing insurance or barber insurance policy in place.

Having Public Liability cover will protect you if a third party should make a claim for compensation and legal costs for injury or damage while on your business premises or while you are working on their premises. So, for example if a client has an accident as a result of a spillage of hair products, they can claim against you.

It’s also worth checking that having professional treatment risk cover and products liability in place too. This will protect you if a third party makes a claim against you due to your negligence. So, for example if your client’s hair is permanently damaged due to a mistake you made with the hair products that you used for them, you could face a huge legal bill. With cover in place, the costs are covered.

Certification

A representative from your local council will come and inspect your premises and check that you have all the necessary procedures in place. They will then issue a certificate and is a requirement that this is displayed so that it can be clearly seen by your customers.

How much does it cost to register my business?

There is no charge for registering a hairdressing business.

What hairdressers would not need to register?

If your business provides hairdressing services to people in their own homes or residential accommodation (for example, a care home), then you are not required to register your business in this way as you do not operate from business premises.

So, for example if you are a mobile hairdresser cutting your clients hair in their own homes you would not need to register in this way or hold a hairdresser licence.

In summary, before you set up as a hairdresser, contact your local council and they can advise on the requirements in your area. Then, make sure that you have all the necessary training, certifications and insurance in place to run your business with peace of mind.

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