Despite positive feedback about working in the industry, the results of the Register of Exercise Professionals’ (REPs) Working in Fitness 2004 survey show that poor and arbitrary terms and conditions, especially among men and women at the same level, remain a major concern.

Key findings of the survey – which was carried out by Leisure-net Solutions and analysed by SkillsActive – show that three out of four employees would recommend their employer to a friend and nine out of 10 plan to remain in the industry for the next three years.

However, 55 per cent of those questioned said low pay would make them consider leaving the industry – just 22 per cent of those questioned earn more than £20,000 per year.

Major disparity was also shown between conditions and benefits offered to instructors and trainers versus those in management positions: managers were more likely to have experienced a pay increase in the last year, to have received a bonus and to have their training paid for by their employer.

In addition, inequality in pay between male and female employees doing the same job was highlighted, as was the apparently disproportionate level of men in senior management and directorial positions.

The findings also suggest that just 41 per cent of private sector employees received an increase in pay in the last year compared to 70 per cent in the public sector.

The REPs’ registrar, Cliff Collins, said that while the findings show most workers are happy with their work, dissatisfaction about remuneration packages and career development as well as gender divide discrepancies must be addressed.

“This report is not just designed to be looked at and then ignored. If the industry, and those that work within it, are to thrive and grow then all of those concerned need to take these findings, compare them with their own working practices and identify room for improvement,” he said.

“As part of its on-going commitment to the industry, REPs, along with SkillsActive, will be working with employees and training providers to ensure the concerns expressed on these findings are alleviated.”

More than 1,100 electronic questionnaires were completed for survey, with an even representation of employment in small, medium and large enterprises.

It found that: 72 per cent work full-time, 12 per cent work part-time, 15 per cent are self-employed and 1 per cent work on seasonal or casual basis.

The gender split for respondents was almost equal between men and women. However while more women than men are employed as instructors and trainers employees in management roles tend to be predominantly full-time and male. Only one in 5 respondents at director level were female.

The average basic salary in the sector is £19,300 per annum, an increase of just over £3,000 on last year. However, 63 per cent of those questioned said they earn less than £20,000 per year and a further 15 per cent have an annual salary of less than £10,000.

Across the five main occupations featured, men earn more than women for the same job role. Male general managers have on average a noticeably longer length of service than their female equivalents and most of the men questioned were marginally better qualified than the women.

In terms of retention and career history, 56 per cent of respondents had four years’ experience or more, with those in management positions clocking up the highest tenure. Full-time staff also had, on average, longer service records than those working part-time or the self-employed.

Ninety per cent saw a future for themselves in the industry and, when asked what factors were most important to them, 45 per cent said basic pay.

On average, employees have attended six days of training in the last 12 months, with 20 per cent of employees clocking up 11 or more days. The average spend on training and development is recorded as £330 per person per year.

There is a noticeable difference in the occupations when it comes to funding these training and development courses. A high proportion of instructors, personal trainers and facility managers and their deputies pay for their own development whereas most training costs for senior managers and directors are met by their employers.

For a full version of the Working in Fitness 2004 report email [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 7632 2000