Trainer Kath gears up for busy season
Hairdresser to army to aircrew, mum-of-two Kath Hinsley-Jones has now launched her latest career change to become a fitness instructor and personal trainer.
As the New Year gets underway with millions of people signing up for gym memberships, the 46-year-old from Stockport, Gtr Manchester, is bracing herself for the busy season.
Take us through your day Whether it is spin classes, Weights 4 Women, Boxfit or in the gym, my day is spent motivating and supporting members at Life Leisure who join my classes. I love that there are different ages, confidence and fitness levels, all shapes and sizes. My job is to make everyone feel like they belong and help them get the best from my classes. How did you get into fitness?
After training to be a hairdresser as a teenager, I joined the army and was among the first wave of women to train with weapons. Following five years as a radio operator with the Royal Corps of Signals in Germany I left to become cabin crew with Monarch Airlines where I stayed for 17 years.
I then took voluntary redundancy and tried my hand at a few different roles, including a shop assistant selling Chanel handbags. I decided it was time to return to hairdressing and in order to brush up my skills I thought I should go back to college.
I popped along to an open day at Stockport College but instead of signing up for the hairdressing refresher course, I found myself drawn to the health and fitness information stand. I decided on
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the spot to sign up for a fitness qualification instead. I’d been an active gym member at the nearby Life Leisure club for nearly 20 years and had often talked with the instructors there about making this step. Now was the right time.
Was it weird being back in the classroom? Not at all. I did my Level 2 gym diploma over 10 months, which involved on-thejob sessions at Life Leisure. After qualifying I was then invited to interview for a job and was so chuffed to get it.
I started in 2017 and went on to complete my Level 3 diploma while working. I also reached the finals of WorldSkills UK Fitness Trainer Competition and got a silver medal.
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What do you like about the job?
I love taking classes and helping inspire people. Over the years I have been it all – fit, not fit, gained weight, lost weight – and I understand that not everyone is at their happiest starting classes. I really enjoy what I do and I want people to feel good in their own skin.
Does this time of year get crazy?
It does but I love the buzz. There’s a feeling of positivity and change, and every class at the gym is busy. My new year is going to be different too. I have just qualified as a personal trainer and plan to start with new clients this year. Now that my son Rafferty, who is 11, is settled into senior school and my eldest son Alfie, 16, is at college, I have more time to increase my workload. I’m very excited for 2019.
What do you say to those who are too scared to come to the gym?
All you have to do is walk in. Once you’re in the building you’ve started. Just get going and you won’t walk out. When it comes to classes make sure you go three times before you decide to stop.
FITNESS JOBS
At this time of year as everyone’s mind turns to new year resolutions, there’s a boost to job numbers. We’ve found 9,621 available now. At fish4jobs. co.uk there are 1,300 ranging from a personal trainer in Tower Hamlets (up to £31,000) and a canoeing paddle safe officer in Nottingham (£21,417 to £30,840) to a gym instructor in Derby (£30,000) and a lifeguard and senior leisure assistant in Northwood, North West London, (£20,000).
Jobcentre Plus (gov.uk/jobsearch) has 3,824 jobs including a gym instructor in South Shields (£16,881), a gym manager in Milton Keynes (£20,000) and a Level 3 fitness instructor in Norwich (£10 per hour).
We spotted another 3,456 relevant vacancies at leisurejobs.com which include permanent and temporary jobs for 55 aerobics instructors and 1,204 fitness instructors, 925 personal trainers and 364 gym instructors. It recruits for fitness firms such as Fitness First and PureGym.
At leisureopportunities.co.uk there are 871 jobs, while getingofar.gov.uk has 170 apprenticeship opportunities.
CONTACTS
Life Leisure: lifeleisure.net SkillsActive: skillsactive.com
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