So… You’re Thinking About a Career in Fitness If you’re reading this, chances are fitness has already done something to your life. Maybe it helped you lose weight. Maybe it saved your head. Maybe it gave you confidence you never had before. And at some point — usually while training, listening to a podcast, or watching some lad on Instagram — the thought pops in: “Could I actually do this for a living?” Most people don’t say it out loud. But they do wonder: Could I earn a decent living? Is this realistic in Dublin? Am I mad for even thinking this? This isn’t a hype piece. It’s not a “follow your passion and the money will magically appear” blog. This is a clear-eyed look at what a real coaching career actually looks like — the stages people move through, what they earn at each one, and where most people either progress… or stall.Before Anything Else: What Does “Winning” Even Look Like for You? Before courses, certs, or gyms — you need to answer a few uncomfortable questions: Where do I actually want to be in 5–10 years? What kind of life am I trying to build? What does “success” look like for me — not Instagram? You wouldn’t walk into a gym, start lifting random weights, and expect results. Careers are no different. Most people drift. The ones who do well have a destination, even if the route changes. Get clear on that first. Stage 1: The “Not Coaching Yet” Phase (a.k.a. the Sponge Phase) This is where almost everyone starts. Fitness has helped you, so you start consuming everything: YouTube Podcasts Instagram coaches Books Trying things on yourself Giving your mates advice whether they asked or not 😄 You’re learning loads. You feel useful. But you’re not coaching yet. People here usually fall into one of three camps: 1. You just love learning — no intention of making it a career. 2. You want to do it… but you’re “waiting for the right time”. 3. You’re planning to make a move in the next 6 months. Quick truth bomb: There is no right time. People who wait usually just get older and more frustrated watching others go for it. If you’re in camp #3, the smartest move isn’t quitting your job — it’s starting part-time, testing it, and seeing if you actually enjoy coaching people, not just training yourself. Earning at this stage: €0 (But lots of thinking, dreaming, and “one day” energy) Stage 2: Part-Time Coach (Side Hustle Mode) This is where things get real. You’re coaching a few people: Early mornings Evenings Weekends Or part-time hours in a gym The goal here isn’t money. The goal is: Learning how different people actually are Learning how to communicate Learning how messy real life coaching is Some people stay here forever — and that’s totally fine. Teachers are a classic example. They love coaching, love helping people, but don’t want to leave their main career. If you do want to go full-time, don’t quit your job until: Your finances are stable Or your job is the only thing holding you back Earning: roughly €10k–€20k Stage 3: Full-Time Coach Now you’re all in. There are two main routes here: Option A: Coach in a Gym You’re employed or contracted. Pros: No rent No marketing stress You focus on coaching and client experience Your income is tied to: How good you are How well clients stay How much value you bring Option B: Self-Employed Coach You’re the coach and the business. That means: Finding leads Selling Delivering results Paying rent Managing stress Done well, this pays more — but it costs more energy, time, and responsibility. This is where many coaches hit a comfortable plateau and stay there for years.Nothing wrong with that. Earning: €37k – €150k (Some people hit six figures quickly. Some don’t — and that’s fine.) Stage 4: Gym Owner This is where reality punches people in the face. Owning a gym often means: Coaching Managing staff Managing cashflow Managing stress Managing your own expectations It’s not “freedom” out of the gate. Without solid systems, it’s two full-time jobs. The big question here becomes: How do I earn more without working more? Because if that answer isn’t clear, burnout isn’t far behind. Earning: €37k – €100k (Yes, many owners earn less than good full-time coaches at first.) Stage 5: Coach of Coaches Now you’re building people, not just programmes. You have coaches working with clients. Your role is: Developing staff Protecting culture Improving systems At this stage, five systems matter more than anything else: Lead generation Sales Referrals Re-activation Fulfilment Miss one, and the whole thing leaks. Earning: €80k – €500k Stage 6: Visionary Leader You’re no longer coaching sessions. You’re building: A brand Locations Education Online & offline revenue streams Your job is vision, direction, and decision-making. Few people want this stage. Even fewer are suited to it. But for the right person? It’s powerful. Earning: €150k – €1m+ One Last Thing: Know Your Natural Role This comes from The E-Myth, and it matters more than people realise. Every fitness business needs three personalities: The Artist – loves coaching, the craft, the science The Manager – loves systems, structure, order The Entrepreneur – loves ideas, growth, change Most people are strong in one, decent in another, weak in the third. Problems start when: Artists force themselves to be entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs pretend they love coaching Managers avoid people Know who you are. There’s no “better” role — just a better fit. If you’re serious about exploring where you fit in fitness — and what paths actually exist beyond “be a PT in a gym” — there are ways to map this out properly, with real support and real-world experience. But first, be honest with yourself. That’s where all the good careers start. — Sean