Kimberley Parker
Interview
What are your main responsibilities?
I carry out pool tests, cleaning and maintenance of the spa, sauna and pools, lifeguard duty, gym inductions, and membership. Once I become a studio coordinator I will be responsible for setting up, instructing and promoting classes such as aqua aerobics, Body Pump and ‘legs, bums and tums’.
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Kimberley ParkerDo you work alone or in a team?
I work with a gym manager, senior manager and duty manager. We all share lifeguarding and cleaning duties. Although I have more qualifications, I don’t want to manage, I want to teach classes.
What would a typical day contain for you?
A typical day on a 12pm until 9pm shift would involve a handover from the previous member of staff until 3pm, a pool test at 2pm, and if the reading is out I have to calibrate it which takes an hour. We haven’t got a full-time receptionist so I need to watch for people coming in and out and check that the changing rooms are clean and tidy. My cleaning duties such as backwashing the hot tub take about two hours. I’d do another pool test at 6pm and then start the cleaning again in the evening.
How many members of the public do you meet on a day-to-day basis?
We have our regular members and one-off users from the hotel guests. The club has a capacity of about 50 to 60 people at any one time.
Why did you choose a career in the health and fitness industry?
I hated school but PE was me; I was a complete tomboy. I was a good runner from primary school onwards and I loved it.
What is your educational background?
Learning on-the-job is much better for me as I’m practical rather than academic. I’ve pushed myself to go on as many courses as possible, sometimes it’s a little boring but I really want to teach studio classes so it’s what I have to do. I left school with no GCSEs, and enrolled on a hairdressing course but I hated it. I heard of a training provider called Locomotivation, through a friend and phoned them up. They got me a placement more or less right away, I hadn’t realised how easy it was to get on an apprenticeship.
I would recommend the apprenticeship. I had a few problems halfway through the programme and my friends didn’t believe I would see it through. Every time I wanted to quit, Locomotivation and my mum encouraged me to keep going. I struggled with my key skills as I lacked confidence but Locomotivation had the patience to see me through.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Having specialised knowledge about health and fitness gives me a real sense of achievement. We have businessmen and women who come into the club that might have very important jobs but don’t know anything about health and fitness and really respect my knowledge when I help them. Similarly, having the knowledge to use potentially dangerous chemicals safely to clean and maintain the pool is very satisfying.
What do you like least?
The cleaning is hard work but it is worth it when you see the results. Doing a pool and plant course taught me how vital cleaning is to health and safety.
What skills are important in your job?
Good people skills, an outgoing personality and a desire to learn and improve your own knowledge.
What training have you received whilst in your job?
There are many opportunities for training in this industry, I have done fitness and gym instructor courses as well as lifeguarding and pool and plant. I would recommend people do as many courses as possible as you never know when it will come in useful. I didn’t want to do lifeguarding as I’m not a strong swimmer but I’m glad I did it.
What are your career aspirations?
My goal is to work as a freelance instructor in around two years’ time. I would also love to be a trainer and assessor for a training provider like Locomotivation.
I left school with no GCSEs, and enrolled on a hairdressing course but I hated it. I heard of a training provider called Locomotivation, through a friend and phoned them up. They got me a placement more or less right away, I hadn’t realised how easy it was to get on an apprenticeship.
What is the most memorable incident in your career so far?
I once had to dive in a pool and save a young boy who had cramp and was having difficulty in the deep end. It was quite a scary experience, he was struggling but I managed to get him to the side.
What do your friends think about what you do?
My friends didn’t think I’d get where I am today but my mum and Locomotivation really supported me. I was a bag of nerves on the day of the exam, but I was one of the two learners out of five being examined who actually passed. It was an amazing feeling of achievement.
What is the best way to get into the health and fitness industry?
Go to your local health and fitness centre and speak to them, have a look around. Send your CV out to lots of centres and clubs. Being a trainee or an apprentice is a good way to learn, also speak to Connexions to find out what is available in your area.
Organisation Overview
Best Western Chine Hotel in Bournemouth offers hotel guests and regular members’ access to an indoor and outdoor pool, gym, spa facilities and studio classes. Kimberley first entered the health and fitness industry through the training provider Locomotivation.
