The role of the fitness instructor employed by private gyms or sports clubs is
multifunctional, since they are assigned with a variety of different tasks and are expected
to perform not only as trainers but as customer care representatives, entertainers and
psychologists as well. In order for one to meet the complexity of such a role, technical
skills and knowledge are not sufficient, neither are they the only requirements demanded.
Soft skills are the ones, which are to provide them with a competitive advantage and to
aid them so that they can stand out among other fitness employees. Soft skills are the
unique personality traits, attitudes and behaviours, which one employs either in their
personal life or at their working environment and they are connected to the way they
interact with others and the ability to manage challenges.
The focus of this research is to examine the awareness of soft skills on the part of the
managers and their employment as criteria in the staff recruitment process. Furthermore,
issues have been expressed about the teaching and evaluation of soft skills based on the
perspectives of managers of private gym centers/clubs. Qualitative research directed to
12 gym owners/managers in the prefecture of Thessaloniki has revealed the necessity of
the soft skills presence in the working environment. Moreover, it has been discovered
that gym managers tend to be more interested in employees who possess communicative,
team-working, flexibility and problem-solving skills. Although their assessment is
considered difficult, the need to train fitness employees on these skills through proper
practice according to international literature is clear, as is the demand of these skills in
recruitment. This research combines human resources principles with their application in
the Greek fitness industry. As the immersion of soft skills in the latter is still in its infancy
this research is expected to provide valuable insight towards this purpose.
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