Think You’re Job-Ready? You Might Be Missing This.

Lead the Room. Get Results.

Employers need instructors who can lead with confidence, energy, and skill.
This nationally recognised certification helps you stand out - and stand in front - by adding group fitness coaching to your qualifications.

  • Real-World Training
  • The Module You Never Got
  • Exactly What Employers Want
  • Built by NTC - Since 1985

Why This Missing Piece Matters.

Group fitness isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s the skill employers want and most instructors lack. Fix that now.

Face to Face Learning

Train in person with real-time coaching, feedback, and support. Build the energy, presence, and confidence you need to lead the room - not just participate in it.

Exclusively For Pros

Exclusively for certified fitness instructors. If your qualification didn’t cover group coaching (most don’t), this course gives you the essential skills you’re missing.

What Employers Want

Gyms run on group classes - but most instructors don’t have the  group fitness cert employers need. We hear it all the time: they can’t find qualified group instructors.

success stories

Hear from our graduates!

Real stories from students who turned their passion into a profession

Your professionalism and knowledge ... shines through

A big thank you for a wonderful course. You are all very special in your own ways. Your professionalism and kn...

Karen Reynolds
Personal Training Graduate

A big thank you for a wonderful course. You are all very special in your own ways. Your professionalism and knowledge delivered with love and passion shines through. I will miss you all. Be that body!

Karen Reynolds
Personal Training Graduate
We really had a great group and we’re all keeping in touch

I really enjoyed my time at the NTC. We had a great group and are all keeping in touch.

Toni Anderson
Personal Training Graduate

I really enjoyed my time at the NTC. We had a great group and are all keeping in touch.

Toni Anderson
Personal Training Graduate
Jessica Barbosa Robles
I got a gym job in London after impressing with a fitness class

Hi Michelle, I wanted to thank you and the team. I got a gym job in London after impressing with a fitness cla...

Jessica Barbosa Robles
Personal Training Graduate
Jessica Barbosa Robles

Hi Michelle, I wanted to thank you and the team. I got a gym job in London after impressing with a fitness class I taught. What I learned at NTC was worth every penny.

Jessica Barbosa Robles
Personal Training Graduate
I really found the course to be a very high standard

Thanks for the excellent classes in ETM and Sports Nutrition. The course was of a very high standard, and the ...

John O’Carroll
Personal Training Graduate

Thanks for the excellent classes in ETM and Sports Nutrition. The course was of a very high standard, and the tuition was impressive.

John O’Carroll
Personal Training Graduate
I really am blown away by the standard

The standard of teaching on this course is amazing… so organised, enthusiastic, and down to earth. I feel luck...

Richelle Daly
Personal Training Graduate

The standard of teaching on this course is amazing… so organised, enthusiastic, and down to earth. I feel lucky to experience this. Just wanted to say… FANTASTIC!

Richelle Daly
Personal Training Graduate
I simply can’t wait to come back

Fantastic facility. I can’t wait to come back. The tutors are great, and the high standards are inspiring.

Caroline Mallon
Personal Training Graduate

Fantastic facility. I can’t wait to come back. The tutors are great, and the high standards are inspiring.

Caroline Mallon
Personal Training Graduate
All you need to know

The Skill Gap Employers Notice - and How to Close It

(Looking for specifics? Check the FAQs at the bottom of the page.)

The Qualification You Didn’t Know You Were Missing - Until Now

The National Qualification in Group Fitness and Exercise to Music gives certified fitness professionals the credentials they need, that many don’t realise they’re missing, to lead safe, effective, and insurable group exercise classes.

This course covers everything you need to coach groups with energy and confidence: planning and delivering workouts to music, cueing and choreography, structuring engaging classes, and managing group dynamics. You’ll also gain the right to train and deliver classes like kettlebells, circuit, suspension training, bootcamp, and more - areas many instructors are not insured to teach without a recognised group fitness qualification.

Employers are actively looking for instructors with this certification - and struggling to find them. If you want to expand your role, grow your impact, and stay protected, this is the must-have next step.

The Skills You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to step confidently into any group setting with the skills to:

  • Design and lead engaging fitness classes for all levels and ages - from beginners to special populations.
  • Adapt movements on the fly with smart progressions and regressions to keep everyone moving safely.
  • Set up your space and equipment with confidence, covering all health, safety, and emergency bases.
  • Use music like a pro to energise, motivate, and drive the tempo of your classes.
  • Carry out verbal health screenings to make sure every participant is good to go.
  • Deliver smooth, well-structured classes with seamless verbal and visual cueing.
  • Spot and correct technique issues without disrupting the flow of the session.
  • Build strong client relationships through confident communication and professional coaching.

A Smart Investment in the Qualification You Didn’t Know You Needed

This certification doesn’t just tick a box - it fills the gap in most fitness careers. If you’re not qualified to lead group classes, you’re likely missing out on job opportunities, client demand, and insurance coverage.

The National Qualification in Group Fitness and Exercise to Music gives you the skills, confidence, and credentials to lead the room and stand out in the industry.

Course Fee: €1,195.00

Get €250.00 off when you pay in full at least one month before the course start date - bringing your total to just €945.00.

Exceptional value that includes full certification in Kettlebell Training and TRX® Suspension Training, which alone would cost €425 if booked separately.

Booking Options:

  • Secure your place with a deposit of €400.00 followed by three monthly instalments of €265.00 (total is €1,195.00). If you pay the balance (€545.00) in full at least a month before the start date total is only €945.00
  • A single fee payment of €945.00 at the time of booking 

Funding Available: You may be eligible for funding through Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet. Contact them to find out more.

This course is designed for qualified fitness professionals who want to add certified group instruction to their toolkit.

To enrol, you must hold a REPs-approved EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor qualification (or higher).

Not sure if you qualify? Email a copy of your primary cert to info@ntc.ie and we’ll review it for you. If it doesn't meet the standard, you may still be eligible for a professional development certificate of attendance.

Important: This course isn’t suitable for those without a recognised fitness qualification.

Learners will be assessed through:

  • Submission of a Learner Workbook
    This workbook allows you to demonstrate your understanding of group fitness principles, class planning, music use, and client safety in a structured, reflective format.
  • Observed Summative Group Fitness Assessment
    You’ll deliver a real-time group fitness session in a supportive, in-person environment. This practical assessment is your chance to showcase your ability to lead, cue, motivate, and manage a safe, effective class - just like you’ll do in the real world.

Ready to Fill the Gap in Your Certification?

This course runs regularly in Dublin and Cork as part of our full fitness qualification schedule.
Use the form below to get matched with the next available dates and secure your place.

DUBLIN OR CORK

VARIOUS SCHEDULES

Good Availability

NTC Dublin / Mardyke Arena Cork

VARIOUS START DATES

Meet The Team

Only fully qualified tutors deliver the National Qualification in Group Fitness and Exercise to Music course with each having extensive expertise in their individual field.

Rachel Bolton

Rachel Bolton

Rachel has been immersed in the fitness industry since 1999, beginning her journey at the National Training Centre before joining Westwood Club that same year, where she has remained ever since. As a Studio Manager/Coordinator, she is dedicated to fostering an engaging and high-energy environment. Qualified in nine Les Mills programs, Rachel began tutoring in 2009 and has a passion for developing top-tier instructors and making a meaningful impact in the industry.

Mairead Kieran

Mairead Kieran

Mairead Kieran
Mairead Kieran

Mairead is an experienced and dedicated fitness professional with over a decade of experience in the health and fitness industry. She has a passion for helping her clients achieve their health and fitness goals through a holistic approach to wellness. Mairead’s clients appreciate her caring and motivational style, which has earned her a reputation as one of the most effective trainers in the industry.

As a lifelong learner, Mairead is committed to continually improving her knowledge and skills. She holds numerous fitness and personal training qualifications, including yoga instruction, powerlifting coaching, and a range of Les Mills group fitness classes. Her diverse skill set allows her to work with clients of all fitness levels and provide personalized training plans that are tailored to their individual needs and goals.

Mairead’s approach to fitness is focused on a holistic view of health and wellness, which encompasses not just physical fitness, but also mental and emotional well-being. Her dedication to this approach has made her a popular choice among her clients, who appreciate the individual attention she provides and the positive results they achieve under her guidance.

In addition to her work with individual clients, Mairead is also a valued member of the National Training Centre (NTC) faculty. Her expertise in yoga, powerlifting, and group fitness instruction make her an invaluable resource for the NTC’s students. Her approachable manner and supportive teaching style create a positive and engaging learning environment, which helps her students achieve their qualifications with confidence and success.

Overall, Mairead’s passion for health and fitness, combined with her dedication to continued learning and development, has made her a highly effective and respected fitness professional. Her ability to inspire and motivate her clients and students is a testament to her caring and motivational approach, and her expertise in a wide range of fitness disciplines has made her a valuable asset to the NTC faculty.

Michelle O’Melia

Michelle O’Melia, MSc

Michelle O’Melia
Michelle O’Melia, MSc

Michelle is an accomplished and dedicated NTC tutor with over 20 years of experience in delivering educational excellence to students. Her passion for fitness and health is evident in her teaching, and she is committed to inspiring and empowering students to achieve their full potential. Michelle’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of fitness and nutrition are supported by her Masters Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Chester.

As a tutor, Michelle teaches a range of subjects on our primary health fitness programmes, including exercise to music, anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, and exercise physiology. She also teaches extensively on our Neuromuscular Therapy and Holistic Massage courses. Michelle has a talent for breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand terms, making her teaching accessible to students of all levels. Michelle’s engaging and interactive teaching style keeps students motivated and focused, and she is always available to offer guidance and support when needed.

In addition to her primary teaching responsibilities, Michelle also delivers specialised courses in suspension training and indoor cycling. These courses are designed to provide students with advanced skills and knowledge in these popular and effective fitness techniques.

Beyond her work at NTC, Michelle is a passionate advocate for health and wellness. She is actively involved in local fitness and nutrition initiatives and is committed to promoting the benefits of healthy living in her community. Michelle’s dedication to her students and her profession has made her a valued member of the NTC team, and her contributions have helped to establish NTC as a leader in fitness education.

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

The National Training Centre has been delivering respected education since 1985. Over the years, we’ve answered thousands of questions from future students - here are the ones we’re asked most often.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us!

This course is designed especially for fitness professionals who already hold a REPs-approved EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor qualification – or higher. Not sure if your qualification fits? No problem! Just email a copy to us at info@ntc.ie, and we’ll happily check for you.

This course is perfect for professionals looking to stay current and inspired- but it’s not suitable for those without a recognised fitness qualification.

We completely understand that life happens. Our CPD courses are short and often run over just one day, two mornings, or a weekend. Because your spot is planned and reserved in advance, we’re not able to offer refunds for non-attendance.

However, if there’s a medical reason and you can send us a valid medical cert, we’ll gladly reschedule you for a future date. Otherwise, we’ll do our best to find a spot for you on a later course – but this isn’t always guaranteed. If in doubt, just get in touch – we’re here to help.

You can contact us on 01 882 7777 or by email to info@ntc.ie

On rare occasions, we may have to cancel a course due to low numbers or unforeseen circumstances. If that happens, don’t worry – you’ll be offered:

  • A spot on a future date
  • A place at another location (if available)
  • Or a full refund- your choice!

We’ll always give you as much notice as possible and work with you to find the best solution.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us!

ONSITE LESSONS
Practical classes take place either at NTC or SPORTSCO, Ringsend, Dublin 4
Saturday from 10:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4:30pm

July 2025 –  26th♦
August 2025 – 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
September 2025 – 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
October 2025 – 4th, 11th, 18th♦, 25th
November 2025 – 1st, 8th♦, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 30th
December 2025 – 6th & 7th
Examinations and/or class will start at 9:30am on dates indicated with ♦

ONLINE LESSONS
Tuesday and Thursday Evenings from 7pm to 9pm
(Recordings available afterwards)

July 2025 –  29th, 31st
August 2025 –  5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 28th
September 2025 –  2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, 30th
October 2025 –  2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd

OPTIONAL FREE COURSE
National Qualification in Kettlebell Training

November 2nd, 2025 – Sunday from 10:00-17:00

PLEASE NOTE
Dates are provisional and, although unlikely, NTC reserve the right to make changes to the timetable if and when necessary
National Training Centre, Dublin
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