Coach

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a coach, that is, a personal trainer, at Liikuntakeskus Hukka. I am responsible for clients’ individual coaching and the planning of training programmes, and I also work as the supervisor of the coaching team. My duties also include developing our gym. In addition, I plan and organise events for companies, such as recreation days and workplace well-being days.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I ended up in this field 14 years ago when I was working at an office in foreign trade. I began to think about changing fields and considered what kind of work truly interests me. As a result of these reflections, I decided to train as a professional in the sports and fitness field.

Describe your typical working day or week.

I have client meetings every day, which usually include guiding clients in the gym or discussing matters related to nutrition. In addition to client meetings, my working day also includes development work, planning training programmes, preparing offers, answering emails and participating in meetings.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work in a fitness centre. Typically, my working day begins at 7 a.m. and ends between 3 and 6 p.m. I rarely work on weekends, and I have the possibility to influence my working hours.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

Excellent interaction skills are essential in the coaching profession. Good theoretical knowledge of exercise and training alone is not enough. Communication skills and the ability to work with different kinds of people are extremely important qualities.

What is the best thing about your profession?

It is rewarding to see how the work done by clients leads to concrete results. I can follow closely how their well-being and quality of life improve.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

In customer service work, one sometimes encounters challenging client situations when a customer is not satisfied with the service they have received for some reason. In such situations it is important to be able to justify your decisions and act according to agreed rules.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a coach?

The personal trainer profession requires a great deal of commitment, especially at the beginning of a career, in order to gain clients. Promoting your own competence, continuously developing your skills and maintaining professional expertise are important for success at work. Customer acquisition is often supported by having some special expertise related to training and exercise.

How do you see the future of your profession?

The need for coaching expertise will increase in the future, as people’s inactivity and lifestyle diseases are becoming more common. This has a significant impact on public health and highlights the growing need for exercise professionals.