Inside Story - Health Club Manager



Steven

Age Range
26-35

Countries of Work
UK

Study and Career History
I went to Peebles High School and then on to Telford College where I completed an NCE in Health and Fitness and my second year focussed on sports coaching.

How long have you been doing the job?
10 Months.

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
This is something I've always wanted to do. I had a job at the local swimming pool, where I worked for nine years. I have always thought that it's easier to get a job if you're in a job. I ended up working my way up to assistant manager but I realised I wasn't going to get any further than that. Then one day this job came up at Stobo Castle and I jumped at the chance.

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
I heard the fitness manager was leaving and that's how I got word of it. My wife already worked here and she had also heard that someone was leaving.

What does the job involve?
The main job for me is taking classes and the day to day running of the fitness department. I take up to eight classes a day including aquafit, chi-ball and fitball. The club is set in really nice grounds with lovely surroundings so we do a lot of walks as well.
There's a new swimming pool being built and I'm involved in co-ordinating that which will be really exciting. I get to travel round all the gyms in the
North of England for research.

Describe a typical day at work.
We get a lot of guests that book in for a health and fitness package so especially weekends we are choc-a-bloc. I work from 9-6 five days a week. That will change because the gym will be open at night as well. I take a lot of classes - which takes up most of my day.

What do you like most about the job?
There's nothing I don't like! This is exactly what I want to do.

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
There's nothing I don't like! This is exactly what I want to do.

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
Not really from school. I was always quite sporty and good at PE. Telford College really helped and I did my gym instructors course there too.

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I left school at 17. I did O Grades. I got maths, English arithmetic and biology. I wish I'd stuck in a bit more - I just wanted to play games all the time.

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
I'm really glad I studied biology because of the PE side of it. When I came back to do my gym instructors course it was all about anatomy and physiology and where the joints go - that definitely helped a lot.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
Yes, National Certificate in Health and Fitness and the second course was sports coaching and development. It was something I really wanted to do.

What was your first job?
I worked as a pool attendant at the local swimming pool.

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
I worked at Camp America - it was really hard work and really challenging. There was free time at night but I was just shattered and spent most nights sleeping. I would recommend it to anybody though - it was great. I spent 4 months in Maine, during the summer. We worked with all kids of different ages and all levels. There were a lot of water sports like jet skiing involved.

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
I think this is it. This is a local job, I love my work and my wife and I are both quite happy here. Working for the council there were cut backs and here they have just spent £4.5million developing a new spa and gym. it seems like a place that's going places. I'm hopefully here for a long time - it's not as if I'm looking to go somewhere else.

What are your top tips for personal success?
Find something you enjoy doing. There's no point in spending time doing something you don't like. It's always easier to get a job if you've already got one.
Don't give up looking, it will eventually come.

Any comments?


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