Fitness Instructor Courses
Fitness Instructor Courses and Career Options in Ireland
A Fitness Instructor provides and instructs clients in exercise routines and weight loss programs, which can allow them to reach their individual goals.
Personal trainers and fitness instructors provide leadership instruction and motivation to their clients. They devise and monitor exercise routines which are made up of a wide range of exercises including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), stretching, and strength training. They provide services for people at all levels of fitness, and from the young to the elderly.
Fitness trainers and Personal instructors perform a wide array of duties which include the following:
- Monitor the individual or groups technique and advise of any necessary adjustments they need to make.
- Provide a class structure which can be adapted to all skill and activity levels.
- When working for a company or organisation, promote the goals of the organisation.
- Take initial body measurements and keep an ongoing assessment of progress.
- Provide information about the safety procedures in the use of equipment and during activities.
- Provide relevant information on resources regarding diet, lifestyle and exercise.
- Administer First aid in an emergency situation.
Both group fitness instructors and personal trainers may devise or structure their own class. The class would usually be replete with warm up and cool down stretches and may be a mixture of cardiovascular exercises such as aerobics and strength training such as weights. Many classes focus on specific disciplines such as kettlebell training, cycle spinning or rope training.
Classes can be accompanied by suitable music also chosen by the fitness instructor or trainer. Some instructors, for example some martial arts or yoga instructors follow an instructors manual with routines that have been created by the original masters or organisations that created the practice.
Personal Trainers
Personal fitness trainers work with their clients developing a very specific exercise routine according to all the specifications of the client: such as time available, fitness level, desired outcome, health and other considerations.
Personal trainers are so called because their work is on a more personal level than that of a fitness instructor. When creating the fitness program for their client they focus on all aspects of their well being; so mental and emotional as well as physical. They are active in a supportive and encouraging ways to help the client achieve their objectives.
A personal trainer would usually have a background as an experienced fitness instructor with a recognised qualification, such as:
ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction
ITEC Level 2 Diploma in Health, Fitness, and Exercise Instruction
An ITEC Level 2 (EQF level 3) Certificate in Fitness Instruction is the minimum qualification required to work as a fitness instructor in a gym or sports centre. Having this qualification enables holders to create and instruct fitness routines and classes both in a freelance capacity and as an employee.
Fitness Instructor Career Prospects
Some of the more popular Careers for Fitness Trainers and Instructors include but are not limited to:
- Dance instructors
- Aerobic instructors
- Personal trainers
- Gym instructors
- Sports Coaches
- Fitness directors
- Fitness class instructors
There are a wealth of providers offering qualifications in Fitness Instruction:
Sprint Health and Fitness College in Gorey, Co. Wexford I.T.E.C qualifications are regarded highly within the fitness industry in terms of quality and also as being highly recognised both here in Ireland and internationally.
Profi Fitness School an international school that focuses on providing students with access to trainers who have many years of training and experience.
The NEFPC (National Elite Fitness Professional Certificate) from Image Fitness Training provides students with the industry knowledge to excel as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. Learn from highly qualified and experienced trainers that have achieved success in their specialised area.
The National Training Centre (NTC) offers a wide variety of courses in the areas of Personal Training, Pilates Instructor Training, Neuromuscular Physical Therapy and Fitness Instructor training.
To find fitness instructor courses and other fitness related courses view some Fitness Instructor courses on Findacourse.ie
The need for Fitness Instructors and Fitness trainers in Ireland has seen a rapid increase over the last number of years and projections have forecast this to increase over the next 10 years with a growth of 15 percent in the coming decade.
