A new training programme for fitness professionals aims to boost the effectiveness of personal trainers by covering areas where skills are currently lacking.

The PT Skills Gap Programme has been devised by Future Fit Training in response to calls within the industry to increase skills and professionalism among personal trainers.

Research carried out by Future Fit Training in conjunction with ukactive and CIMSPA identified that knowledge and soft skills were often lacking among personal trainers. The findings add to a growing sentiment in the industry that many qualifications do not provide candidates who are fit-for-purpose, with a lack of ‘soft skills’ a frequent red flag.

Key areas of concern highlighted by operators, employers and the PTs themselves include: communicating with clients, preparing and implementing client-centred solutions, mastering behaviour change and developing a defined identity, business image and professional manner in the workplace.

Future Fit Training says it aims to address these concerns head on by creating its PT Skills Gap Programme, intended to enable personal trainers to improve their skill-set, build their confidence and excel in their career.

The Programme is designed to enable PTs to produce satisfied clients through 'Behaviour Change Coaching' and also maximise their profits through 'Building Your Fitness Business' training, combining marketing unique selling point (USP) advice.

“Our mission is to provide quality assured programmes and we consider this higher level of knowledge and extended skill-set to be essential components to produce elite and successful personal trainers,” says Rob Johnson, Future Fit Training managing director.

“With our bespoke PT Skills Gap Programme, all personal trainers can bridge the gap between their textbook training and the real world working with clients and colleagues to put them in a stronger position to attract employers and excel in their work.”