OriGym, in collaboration with Active Careers, reported a 25 per cent increase in female enrolment in personal training courses since 2016.
The data, based on more than 40,000 students, highlights a growing female presence in the fitness industry, a field traditionally dominated by men.
This trend is mirrored in Active Careers’ job board statistics, where 46 per cent of personal training job applicants are now women.
To understand this shift, 824 female personal trainers were surveyed about their primary motivations for entering the field.
The top reasons cited were helping other women (19 per cent), improved job satisfaction (16 per cent), and flexibility (15 per cent).
Notably, income and entrepreneurship ranked lower, suggesting that personal fulfilment and the desire to support others are key drivers for women entering the profession.
The average age of women qualifying as personal trainers is 32.2 years.
Interviews with female trainers over 30 revealed motivations such as personal health concerns and a desire for a career change.
Alison Eade, an OriGym graduate, cited menopause as a significant factor in her decision to join the fitness industry, aiming to assist other women navigating similar life stages.
For the full report, visit activecareers.org.uk/articles/women-in-personal-training.