“Inside a PT Manager’s World: Kristy from Fitness Cartel on How New Trainers Can Thrive”
Stepping Into the Gym Floor With Confidence
For many new trainers, the idea of working in a big commercial gym feels exciting… and a little intimidating.
Will I fit in?
Will I get clients?
Will anyone help me, or am I on my own?
On this episode of the Women’s Fitness Education Podcast, Dani spoke with Kristy, Personal Training Manager at Fitness Cartel Oxley, who has almost 30 years of industry experience. She gave us a behind-the-scenes look at what she actually does in her role, what kind of trainers thrive in a commercial space, and the common mistakes new PTs make when they’re starting out.
If you’re a WFE student or graduate thinking about working in a commercial gym, this is exactly the kind of insight you wish you’d had earlier.
A Day in the Life of a PT Manager
Kristy’s role is anything but one-dimensional.
Her days might include:
One-on-one meetings with PTs – weekly or fortnightly, depending on where they’re at in their business
Lead distribution – matching sales leads with the right trainer so members are supported by someone with the right skillset
Running workshops and training – group sessions to help trainers improve their communication, systems, business skills and coaching
Maintenance and problem-solving – from reformer beds to leg extension machines to fixing things around the club
As she puts it, she’s a bit of a jack of all trades – and that’s exactly what keeps the job interesting.
At the heart of it, though, her role is about supporting trainers to grow: in confidence, communication, client care and business.
What Kind of Trainer Thrives in a Commercial Gym?
Kristy believes that technically anyone can work in a commercial gym…
But the ones who truly thrive have a few things in common:
They’re willing to put the work in to build their business
They actually want to make a difference in people’s lives
They’re open to training a variety of people – different ages, backgrounds, goals
At Fitness Cartel Oxley, the member base is incredibly diverse: younger women, older adults, men, women, beginners and experienced lifters.
And for trainers who only want to work with women? That works too.
“We actually have more female members than male, so if you want to train women, this is absolutely the place to be.”
What Makes Fitness Cartel Different?
From a member’s point of view, Kristy says community is everything.
Fitness Cartel Oxley offers:
Two functional training areas (indoor and outdoor)
A large range of equipment and a dedicated “comfort zone” focused on glutes/booty training
Three group fitness studios
Crèche/childcare, at a time when many gyms are removing this service
The crèche is a big part of supporting parents – allowing them to train at the same time, even if they’re not doing the same workout. For so many of our WFE students who want to work with women and mums, this kind of environment is gold.
From a trainer’s point of view, the biggest difference is the support structure:
A full onboarding day at HQ – learning about the brand, values and expectations
A structured booklet and follow-up process back at club
Ongoing mentoring, business guidance and training from Kristy, the club manager and sales manager
An open-door policy – trainers are encouraged to ask questions, share challenges and get help early
This is a far cry from the “here’s your contract, good luck” approach many trainers experienced in the past.
Mentoring, Development and Real Support
Kristy is very clear: the goal is not to throw trainers in the deep end and hope they swim.
Instead, support looks like:
Regular check-ins to review what’s working and what isn’t
Brainstorming solutions – not just focusing on the problem (“no leads”)
Training on social media, marketing and communication
Guidance around lead generation strategies on and off the gym floor
She shared an example of a trainer who was doing “all the right things” on paper, but not getting traction. Together, they reviewed her approach and came up with new strategies to help her be seen more and connect more naturally with members.
Where Female Trainers Can Shine
Fitness Cartel Oxley has a very varied member base, which opens up opportunities for many different niches:
Women’s health (perimenopause, menopause, prenatal and postnatal)
NDIS clients
Beginners
Older adults
Strength, bodybuilding, powerlifting
Kristy herself has further education in perimenopause, menopause and pre/postnatal training, as well as group fitness – which means women in these life stages have someone who truly understands them.
She also encourages female trainers to tap into group fitness and functional classes as a powerful way to:
Build visibility
Demonstrate their coaching style
Connect with women who might later become one-on-one clients
What She Looks for When Hiring (Beyond Cert III & IV)
This is where Kristy is very direct.
The number one thing she looks for?
👉 Attitude.
“I can teach you everything else – business, systems, how we do things here. I can’t teach you attitude.”
She looks for trainers who:
Are willing to learn and admit they’re “green”
Take responsibility rather than blaming the gym or the industry
Show up with genuine passion for helping people
Skills and knowledge can be developed.
An open, coachable mindset is non-negotiable.
Common Mistakes New Trainers Make
After decades in the industry, Kristy has seen some patterns.
Some of the biggest mistakes she sees new trainers make when approaching gyms include:
Poor presentation at interviews – turning up in ripped shorts, tiny booty shorts or clothes that look like they’ve just rolled off the gym floor
Doing zero research – not knowing anything about the club, its values or how it operates
Expecting clients to just appear – assuming that once they’re “in”, the gym will fill their books
She encourages new trainers to treat interviews like any other professional situation:
Dress well, in clean, professional activewear or smart casual
Research the brand, values and culture
Show that you take yourself – and the role – seriously
First impressions matter, especially in an industry where you are your brand.
Contracts, Rent and the Reality of the Setup
Kristy also touches on something many students are curious about:
How does it actually work at Fitness Cartel?
Like most big commercial gyms:
Trainers are on a contract, often around 12 months
They pay rent to use the space and run their business
In return, they get exposure to the gym’s member base and the opportunity to grow a client list within the club
She emphasises that a year is a reasonable amount of time to give it a genuine go. By around six months, if you’re doing the work – showing up, networking, using the support available – you should see steady growth.
Her Advice for WFE Students and New Grads
Kristy’s advice for WFE students or new graduates who’d love to work in a place like Fitness Cartel is simple and powerful:
Go in and introduce yourself – even while you’re still studying.
Get a feel for the environment and whether it feels like “home” for you.
Don’t rely on a resume alone – human connection always wins.
Ask questions: “I’m studying and I’d love to work here one day. What do you suggest I do?”
Dani echoes this in the episode too: most first jobs come through people, not just paper. Showing up in person helps both sides work out whether it’s the right fit.
Final Thoughts
This conversation with Kristy is a reminder that:
You don’t have to know everything to start.
You do need to bring a good attitude, willingness to learn and genuine care for people
The right environment – with community, support and mentoring – can make all the difference in your first few years in the industry.
If you’re a WFE student or graduate dreaming of stepping into your first gym role, let this be your reminder: you’re allowed to start small, ask questions, and grow into the trainer – and business owner – you want to be.
If you’re thinking about becoming a qualified personal trainer or group fitness instructor, check out our Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
