London-based Fitness club operator Soho Gyms has announced plans to launch its own training academy in January.

The Soho Gyms Academy will offer both personal trainer and Level 2 gym instructor courses, with all training taking place at working gyms operated by Soho. The Academy head office will be based at Soho Gyms' club in Borough, with courses also being run from its site in Waterloo.

The launch of the academy means that Soho Gyms will become one of the first health club operators to offer recognised training as part of its operations.

The first batch of Level 2 fitness instructors will qualify at end of February 2010 and personal trainers beginning of May 2010.

According to a spokesperson, the personal trainer course will include marketing and career advice to assist students to assist them in promoting themselves. Some of the students will also be offered jobs with Soho Gyms.

"The most outstanding students on our courses will be offered the opportunity to work with us at Soho Gyms as our personal trainers," the spokesperson said. "We aim to set a new standard in training for the fitness industry, helping our students become highly successful fitness professionals."

Soho Gyms was founded in 1994 by current chair Jeremy Norman. The company currently operates six clubs in London, with the latest site, Borough, having launched in 2008.