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Are you thinking of becoming a personal trainer in Ireland? To make this happen, you need to earn your qualification first. This means completing an accredited personal trainer course.
Over the past years, the number of training centres offering this programme of study has grown. This is not surprising since the Irish fitness industry is booming. More health clubs and fitness studios are opening all over the country. This is one of the primary drivers of the increased demand for fitness instructors and personal trainers.
Given the sheer number of personal trainer course providers in Ireland, many think that those planning to start a career in this industry should not have a tough time finding a school. To some extent, this notion is true. More training centres mean more choices for aspiring personal trainers like you. However, the abundance of institutions doesn’t make the decision-making process less difficult. In fact, it can make it even more tedious and confusing.
Deciding where to study to become a personal trainer is a complex task. It is an endeavour that demands time and effort. This is because you’d need to do extensive research if you want to get the best education.
Below are some of the criteria you should use in selecting the training centre where you are going to get your qualification:
Naturally, you should pick an institution that offers the course you want to take. Before you do this, you have to identify your career goals first. If your target is to work independently teaching one-on-one exercises, then make sure a personal trainer qualification is included. If you also want to handle and design group exercises in a fitness club, your programme of study must include a group fitness instructor qualification as well.
In most institutions, if you want to become both a fitness instructor and a personal trainer, you will need to complete two courses – a fitness instructor course and a personal trainer course. There are few providers, just like the National Training Centre (NTC), that allow you to earn both qualifications by taking one course – the fitness instructor and personal trainer course. Going for this option is more practical and economical.
It is not enough that the institution you are considering offers the course you need. The programme of study must also be accredited. An accreditation assures you that the course meets the high standards set by a prestigious health and fitness organisation. In Ireland, an example of a reputable accreditation body is the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). You are guaranteed that you’d be ready to start a career as a personal trainer when you finish a course accredited by REPs Ireland.
Furthermore, when the course is accredited, the qualification is usually recognised internationally. This means that you can use your certification to secure jobs abroad.
Apart from its accreditation, the course’s EQF qualification level should also be checked. In some institutions, would-be students without any existing qualifications can only take an EQF level 3 course. Meanwhile, in NTC – a trusted training centre in Ireland, their EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer course is open to anyone, including those who do not hold any qualification or have no prior experience in this field. This is an excellent option for you since finishing this course means getting the highest European qualification for personal trainers.
Only enrol in a personal trainer course that’s offered by a reputable training centre, one with a proven track record of producing excellent graduates. Doing this won’t just guarantee that you’d be taking an accredited and a comprehensive programme of study. It is also going to make it easier for you to get a job since employers tend to favour graduates from prestigious training centres like NTC.
Companies in the fitness industry know that NTC’s personal trainer course is a comprehensive one. It is a programme that produces competent and reliable personal trainers. This is why these fitness companies place a premium on NTC graduates.
How do you find out if the training centre is a good one? Basically, a reputable institution only offers accredited courses. Moreover, the programmes are designed to exceed the minimum requirement, ensuring that graduates acquire more knowledge and develop a wide range of skills. Lastly, it is an institution which students and employers highly recommend. The measure of this nowadays is the reviews it gets online. Basically, reputable training centres have numerous positive online reviews – 5-star ratings and glowing testimonials from clients.
Is becoming a personal trainer in Ireland your dream? Let us help you make it happen! We offer a REPs-accredited, EQF Level 4 personal trainer course. Call us today at 01 882 7777!
