Independent guides
Personal Trainer Careers in UK Gyms
Practical guides to working as a personal trainer at UK gym chains — how PT schemes work, what you'll pay, what you can earn, and what it's actually like on the floor.
Gym guides
Working as a PT at PureGym
Independent guide to working as a self-employed PT at PureGym — how the PT scheme works, estimated rent (£500–£800/month), the Fitness Coach hour requirement, earnings, and pros and cons.
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Working as a PT at David Lloyd
Independent guide to working as a personal trainer at David Lloyd — the employed revenue-share model, 50% session split, estimated OTE of £26,000–£30,000, lead allocation, and pros and cons.
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Working as a PT at Anytime Fitness
A guide to working as a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness — how the franchise model affects PT arrangements, earnings, pros and cons, and how trainers manage their businesses.
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Working as a PT at The Gym Group
Independent guide to working as a self-employed PT at The Gym Group — how the PT Partner scheme works, estimated rent (£250–£600/month), first month free for new partners, earnings, and pros and cons.
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Working as a PT at JD Gyms
Independent guide to working as a personal trainer at JD Gyms — the zero-rent service-hours model, how Fitness Coach shifts work, typical earnings, and how JD Gyms compares to PureGym and The Gym Group.
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Working as a PT at Foundry Gym
A guide to working as a personal trainer at Foundry Gym — what the boutique gym environment is like for PTs, how training arrangements work, and what to expect.
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PT business models explained
Before choosing a gym to work from, it helps to understand the different ways personal trainers operate commercially. The model determines your overheads, your income stability, and your day-to-day autonomy.
Rent-based (self-employed)
The most common model at UK budget and mid-market gyms. You pay a monthly fee to operate from the gym. You set your own hours, pricing, and client roster — but there is no salary and no guaranteed income.
Employed
Some premium chains (e.g. David Lloyd) employ personal trainers directly on a salary plus commission structure. You get employment benefits and stability, but less autonomy over pricing and how you run your business.
Commission / revenue share
Rather than a flat fee, some gyms take a percentage of each session you deliver. This lowers your upfront risk in quieter periods but reduces your earnings per session once you have a full client base.
Hybrid / independent
Many experienced PTs combine a gym base for in-person sessions with online coaching, home visits, or studio hire for additional income. This diversifies revenue and reduces reliance on any single venue.
Related guides
How Much Should Personal Trainers Charge?
UK session rate guidance by experience, location, and specialism.
How Many Clients Do Personal Trainers Need?
Work out the client numbers you need to hit your income target.
Nextro Pricing
The booking and payments platform used by independent PTs. £9.99/month.
Get Started with Nextro
Create your booking page and start accepting online payments.