At 35, an age where experience and physical strength coexist, it also becomes a career bottleneck for many in mid-life. Fitness trainers from the post-90s generation are facing this age-related anxiety.
As they grow older, their bodies recover more slowly than in their youth. With pay directly tied to class hours, trainers often have to work through injuries. Female trainers who have become mothers experience anxiety as they balance irregular schedules and the shift between their roles as trainers and mothers. Meanwhile, post-90s trainers worry about the irreversible injuries they've accumulated, which may force them to leave the profession, with an uncertain future in their careers.
35-Year-Old Fitness Trainers: Challenges and Resilience, the Golden Age of Their Careers
1.During the pandemic, some fitness trainers found themselves in a survival crisis, facing the lack of classes and income. Nearly 50% of fitness centers were closed for over a month, around 40% of trainers had almost no income, and 55% saw their earnings decrease by at least 60%.
2.Despite the multiple pressures of physical strain, family responsibilities, and a lack of job security at the age of 35, these trainers continue to stay true to their original purpose. They actively demonstrate that "being a trainer is not just a youth-dependent job," with 35 being the golden age of their careers.
Career Trends of 35-Year-Old Fitness Trainers: Experience Accumulation and Industry Challenges
1. According to a survey by the overseas job site ZIPPIA, in the mature fitness industry in the United States, the average age of group fitness instructors is 37, with over 40% being over the age of 40.
2. In China, 35-year-old personal trainers and small group instructors have accumulated significant teaching experience, showing a trend where "the older, the more valuable" applies. Many group fitness instructors continue to focus on their favorite programs while studying trampoline, functional group classes, or personal training to reduce the risk of injury. Yoga and Pilates instructors are also at an ideal age where physical capability and experience complement each other.
3. Although post-90s trainers have already made progress in the industry, they still feel anxious, largely due to a lack of job security. Especially after experiencing the survival crisis brought on by the pandemic, many have become more aware that job security is closely tied to the development of the industry and broader economic conditions.
The lack of job security
1. Job security begins with the development of the broader industry environment. The popularity of Supermonkey has driven a wave of group fitness classes, elevating the professional respect for trainers and providing a stronger sense of job security. Supermonkey coach Miao shared that in recent years, the stereotype of trainers as mere salespeople has gradually faded, and more people now refer to trainers as “teachers.”
2. Secondly, the sense of career insecurity for trainers also stems from the limitations on career longevity. Shenzhen group fitness coach Xiong Baobao explained that the key factors for a group instructor’s career longevity include a healthy body, sustained passion, sufficient income, and the challenge of new competitors. However, reality often falls short of this ideal: repeating the same content up to 15 times a week wears down both enthusiasm and knees.
3. Irregular schedules, inadequate rest between sessions, constant commuting, and the gradual decline in physical recovery with age all contribute to pushing trainers closer to the edge of their careers.
Conclusion:
The job security of fitness trainers depends on both the overall industry environment and individual differentiation. What trainers can actively work on is enhancing their own competitiveness to increase their irreplaceability.
First, a trainer’s competitiveness lies in their expertise — knowing more and teaching well. This requires continuous learning and professional development, such as attending workshops focused on youth, prenatal, or senior fitness, or deepening knowledge in anatomy, fascia, and sports rehabilitation. For trainers who already meet the technical standards, improving soft skills like communication and time management can further enhance their professionalism and service quality.