Working in Fitness Survey

The REPs UAE Working in Fitness Survey provides valuable insights into the fitness industry across the United Arab Emirates. The report explores key topics including employment trends, salaries and working hours, training and professional development, career pathways, and emerging industry trends.

The 2024 edition was produced in partnership with the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF), a globally recognised leader in health and fitness education, serving more than 300,000 professionals worldwide. NCSF shares REPs UAE’s commitment to raising professional standards and promoting the recognition of qualified exercise professionals.

Executive Summary

The REPs UAE Working in Fitness Survey (2024 Edition) has been developed as a trusted source of industry data and insight, providing an overview of the current fitness workforce in the United Arab Emirates.

The findings support government entities, employers, education providers and exercise professionals by aiding decision-making, workforce planning and the continued development of a safe, professional and thriving fitness industry.

The Composition of the Sample

The survey received 287 total respondents. "81.2% are working as exercise professionals (personal trainers, group fitness instructors etc.) and 18.8% as fitness managers." Gender breakdown: 58.2% male and 41.8% female. "The majority (73.5%) are located in Dubai, with a further 16.7% working mostly in Abu Dhabi." A total of 48 different nationalities are represented.

Fitness Trends

"86% of respondents believe that maintaining overall wellness (including health, fitness, nutrition, appearance) is a higher priority for consumers since the COVID pandemic." Additionally, "74.3% of respondents believe the habits and demands of clients have changed since the COVID pandemic."

The primary client fitness goal reported is weight loss, followed by better health and wellbeing.

Exercise Professionals

"Just over a third of respondents have been working as an exercise professional for 10 or more years, with further third of respondents working for 5 or more years in fitness." This demonstrates industry retention capability.

"89.5% of exercise professional respondents are a member of REPs showing their commitment to professional registration and personal development."

Exercise professionals work with diverse populations. "A large majority of exercise professionals work with older clients and children, with almost half also working with clients with disabilities and pre- and post-natal clients."

Regarding education: "two thirds of respondents took their main fitness qualification in the UAE." Training participation is strong: "82.6% of respondents have taken part in training and development in the last 12 months, including 57.4% reporting having done more than 3 days and 25.1% reporting having done more than 10 days."

However, "an overwhelming 86% of respondents reported that they alone pay for their training and development with no support from their employer."

Fitness Managers

"44.4% of fitness managers held the role of exercise professional before they became a manager and 42.2% of manager respondents came from managing in another sector." Leading training needs include strategy, leadership, managing people, finance, and project management.

"The biggest areas of dissatisfaction for fitness managers are prospects for promotion and career development, and renumeration package." Yet, "a high proportion of respondents (79.5%) showed a strong commitment to the fitness industry and stated they expect to continue working in the industry for more than five years."

An important finding: exercise professionals felt competent after initial qualification, while "fitness managers overwhelmingly reported the need to provide additional training to fitness staff to ensure they are work ready."

Both groups agree that "the most popular stated time period it is felt necessary to complete a personal trainer qualification is between 3 and 6 months."

Conclusion

"The results of the REPs UAE Working in Fitness Survey 2024 show a diverse, hard-working and flexible workforce serving the fitness and wellness needs of the UAE."