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Answered2 years ago

Can I Find Work as a Personal Trainer in Thailand as a Foreigner?

Boonan **********
asked Apr 14, 2025
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I recently retired at 62 after a long illustrious career as an English high school teacher in Japan

I would like to get work but this time as a certified personal trainer so I wonder if there are gyms in Thailand that employs foreigners as trainers

I am multi-lingual and speak 6 languages
Answer summary
The post discusses the prospects of working as a certified personal trainer in Thailand for a retired English teacher planning to relocate. Various comments suggest that while employment as a personal trainer for foreigners in gyms may be uncommon, opportunities exist through freelance work, especially targeting English-speaking clients. The conversation touches on visa issues, the perception of employment, and personal trainer dynamics in popular areas like Pattaya and Phuket. Some users advise checking the Thai embassy for job restrictions and suggest that experience may outweigh age in the fitness industry.
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David ********
David ********
Define illustrious. It doesn't fit in that sentence.
Chang ******
Chang ******
Anything is possible
Paul *********
Paul *********
Pretty sure that would be a hard no
Billy *******
Billy *******
Get your videography skills up, every pt I see at the gym are pretty much just taking videos of their clients every single session lol.
Tom *********
Tom *********
Many PTs in Phuket, but if you have the qualifications, it's very possible.
Boonan **********
Boonan **********
OP
I plan to move to Petchaburi end of this year so probably if I could find work in Hua Hin is best
Tom **********
Tom **********
The gym I worked out at in Pattaya had several English speaking personal trainers (freelance) and most were busy training english speaking expats and nomads. Their rates seemed much higher than the Thai Personal Trainers. In the end, I hired a Thai trainer just to save money. He was excellent and very knowledgeable. Just have friendly conversations with people at the gym that speak a common language and offer your services. It's easy to identify who in the gym would benefit from your expertise.
Boonan **********
Boonan **********
OP
@Tom *********
good advice thanks
Jiji ***********
Jiji ***********
There is such work here.

Of all the fitness classes I've attended in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Koh Phangan, over half of them have been coached by a foreigner.
Aaron *********
Aaron *********
my understanding is it's easy to pick up cash on hand work at gyms if you have skills. not sure about getting a visa
Tom *********
Tom *********
@Aaron ********
a reputable gym, won't accept any trainer without a WP.
Aaron *********
Aaron *********
@Tom ********
define reputable? The person I'm thinking of was training people for pro fights
Tom *********
Tom *********
@Aaron ********
one that obeys labour laws. Failure to do that will result in being deregulated.
Us *****
Us *****
Every youtuber is trying to be a personal trainer here ripping off other farangs. They are working illegally.
Boonan **********
Boonan **********
OP
@Us ****
that’s true
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Boonan *********
good luck as many young people out here
Boonan **********
Boonan **********
OP
I appreciate your kind advice

Training for many years and studying the science of bodybuilding age is not a number for me but experience. Doing customized training in the gym that works best 👍🏼
John ********
John ********
You can go to the thai embassy website to see the list of jobs you cannot do in Thailand
Michael ********
Michael ********
Send your CVs around but i never seen foriegners as personal trainers employed by gyms. Seen gyms owned by foriegners, seen foriegn personal trainers.
Tom *********
Tom *********
@Michael *******
i have a foreign PT, and the gym I use has multiple foreign trainers.
Michael ********
Michael ********
@Tom ********
ok cool but you go to posh gyms i guess in Phuket
Michael ********
Michael ********
@Tom ********
i do know you and Sue. 🤩
Tom *********
Tom *********
@Michael *******
depends on your definition of posh.
Boonan **********
Boonan **********
OP
Michael ********
Michael ********
@Boonan *********
I did ask the boss in my local gym in Om Noi after someone else asked similar question. He pays his trainers
*****
a month base plus commision on lessons and most of these trainers have degrees or have been body building champs in Thailand. Hour lessons cost 1500 baht and they never had any foriegners do, but this is out of the way. But they have hell of a lot of people doing personal training
Boonan **********
Boonan **********
OP
@Michael *******
where is Om Noi?

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