Do you need a qualification to open a gym?

For those of us who love sports, physical activity, and especially fitness and its derivatives, open gym It's a recurring idea that comes to many of our minds. Dedicating oneself to a field one is passionate about is always exciting, and at BodyTone we often find many examples of this. entrepreneurs or sports enthusiasts who are encouraged to start their own businesses an adventure like this.

It so happens that in many of them the question arises of whether Do you need a license to open a gym ? That's why we want to dedicate a short post to answering any questions you may have about this.

Is it necessary to have a qualification to open a gym?

The answer is very simple, but it requires further explanation. First, we'll tell you no. You don't need a degree to open a professional gym . Anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur can embark on this adventure if they take all the necessary steps: choosing the premises, preparing it, equipping the space, etc.

However, a clarification is necessary. Just because someone can become an entrepreneur and own their own professional gym doesn't mean they can then be involved in every task related to it. We're talking, for example, about everything related to managing the gym and the activities that take place there. To work within the gym as a monitor or sports advisor, it is essential to have one of the qualifications that allow you to be a monitor or coach:

• A degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences.
• Vocational training for sports technician.
• Official certificate of professionalism.

It's important that you keep this in mind because it's a legal obligation. If your future gym is subject to a labor inspection, one of the things that What will be required immediately is the official certification of the business members and their employees, as well as the functions that each of them performs.

Therefore, if you do not have one of these qualifications but want to start a project like this, you can choose one of these options:

Open your gym and hire the necessary staff

You can dedicate your work to all aspects of business management, marketing, administration… and Hire professional staff for the tasks of gym instructor, group class instructor, nutritionist, physiotherapist… activities that do require a professional qualification.

Obviously, you must ensure that the qualifications of the staff you hire are appropriate for the professional activities they will perform at the center, and for the specific tasks and responsibilities they will have. All of this should be included in the business plan for your gym , which we teach you how to do in another post on this blog.

Obtain a qualification to work in the gym

If your dream is not just to be an entrepreneur, but to work day in and day out as a gym instructor, you can opt for obtain one of the necessary qualifications to do it.

• The Bachelor's Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences lasts 4 years and is what we now call CAFD, formerly known as INEF.
• You can, however, opt for the Intermediate Level, which is two years of study, and the Complementary Pedagogical Training, which would be an additional four months. That would be enough to obtain a Vocational Training qualification as a Sports Technician.
• Finally, there are specific sports-related qualifications that allow you to perform specific, highly specialized tasks. We're talking about official certifications such as Fitness and Bodybuilding Instructor, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor… Many private companies offer this type of training, either in person or remotely, each with its own specific conditions. We recommend you check with some of them.