About our Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer Qualification Course

No. The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training course is open to all individuals.

On successful completion you will be able to teach group exercise classes, work as a gym instructor and/or work independently as a Personal Trainer.

Some other qualifications require that graduates complete an additional course of study to qualify as a personal trainer.

The standard of examination given by the NTC ensures that any individual who achieves the minimum pass mark is qualified to offer safe and effective exercise prescription to all, whether individually or in a group.

Yes. The National Qualification in Exercise Health Studies and Personal Training is fully accredited by the REPs Ireland, Ireland’s professional fitness register, at EQF Level 4 which is the highest European standard for fitness instructors.

REPs Ireland operates independently of all Education Providers and facilities and works to maintain professional standards in the industry.

All approved REPs Ireland Education Providers are independently audited every 2 years and adhere to agreed terms and standards.

Yes. The National Qualification in Exercise Health Studies and Personal Training is fully accredited by REPs Ireland which allows for international recognition via the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPS) which is an international partnership between bodies around the world that register exercise professionals.

The health fitness industry continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors in Ireland with many new health fitness clubs and gyms opening up nationwide. As a result, there is excellent job availability for NTC graduates. Many of our graduates choose to work independently as personal trainers either in gyms or they may set up their own private PT studio.

Yes. NTC graduates are highly sought after by employers for their knowledge and skills and it is through our graduates excellent work in the industry that has enhanced the reputation of NTC.

Many graduates also opt to work abroad as once they have their NTC qualification they can join REPS Ireland which will give them the portability to work throughout Europe and worldwide.

The starting pay rate for fitness instructors is around €13.50 per hour depending on location.

Instructors may also generate additional income through specialist areas of qualification such as Indoor Cycling, Stability Ball, Pilates etc. whereby employers may enter into a separate arrangement for payment for additional classes.

Individuals who choose to follow a career in Personal Training can earn an average of €50.00 per hour. Personal Trainers success will be dependent on the results they achieve for their clients and it will be a benefit having an extrovert personality.

Graduates can also operate as sole traders by offering fitness classes in parish halls, community centres etc. Again success will be based on the instructor’s personality and motivational skills plus results achieved.

It is not unusual for instructors working in this sector to turnover in excess of €1,000.00 per week for part-time evening work.

Yes. Places can be booked by paying the deposit required and there are options listed above for the payment of the balance. There are discounts available where fees have been fully paid at least one month before the course start date.

Students of the National Training Centre regularly receive part funding through the Department of Social Protection’s Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) scheme.

Individual students will need to contact their Local Employment Services (LES) facilitator to establish their eligibility.

For those who hold a recognised fitness instructor qualification which is recognised by REPs Ireland are eligible for up to 25% funding through the Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet. For more information contact Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet.

For assistance please contact the NTC office of administration on 01 882 7777.

The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is an eighteen-week programme of education. Final examination usually commences during week eighteen and may continue into week nineteen or twenty depending on exam scheduling. The weeks of attendance are generally consecutive but sometimes break for bank holidays and Christmas etc. Classes do not break for summer or Easter.

We also offer an intensive course in Dublin. The intensive course has the same amount of tutorials but delivered over a shorter time-frame.

The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is available at the National Training Centre in Dublin and the Mardyke Arena, University College Cork.

No. As the structuring of tutorial schedules sometimes contains differences between day and evening courses it is not possible to interchange. The exact same content is covered by both programmes although, not necessarily on the same days.

Additionally, as courses are frequently oversubscribed there may not be space available to offer the opportunity to interchange.

If a student enrolled in any course discovers that their circumstances have changed and it would be more suitable to move from day to evening or vice-versa, this may be allowed by the Educational Committee of the National Training Centre if there is space available.

Application must be made in writing to the Educational Committee and they will give an official written response.

It may, subject to availability, be possible to move between courses in Dublin and Cork.

Students of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training are assessed through both written and practical examination.

Students must also complete and submit a Learner Workbook throughout the course. Students cannot graduate without successfully completing all written and practical exams and having submitted, in full, their Learner Workbook.

You will need to complete your Learner Workbook and study the various modules outside of face to face tutorial hours.

You will need to complete about 8 hours per week of independent study and practice.

Work experience is not compulsory on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training.

Students who do wish to participate in work experience are actively encouraged and supported administratively as much as possible.

NTC graduates are highly sought after by employers and many gyms offer internship programmes to students whilst they are on the course. If you are interested in getting a work placement please contact our support team once you have commenced the course.

80% – to 90% of students participating on the course will successfully complete all of their final examinations on the first attempt. Of the remainder most will need to repeat one exam with a small number having to repeat more than one exam.

Every individual’s ability to succeed will be in direct proportion to the number of tutorials attended and the commitment and time and effort they are prepared to commit to their studies.

Students of all ages participate on the course. The minimum age for registration is 18 years old.

The National Training Centre’s code of ethics requires that all NTC graduates who are actively working with the public, hold a professional indemnity insurance policy which covers them against legal action taken by a client as a result of an injury which was received by following the graduate’s professional advice. Graduates who are working on private premises may also need to hold public liability insurance if such cover is not held by the owners of the premises.

The National Training Centre have a customised insurance scheme with discounted rates available exclusively to those who have qualified with NTC. The policy is one of the broadest available including many important features that other policies may not offer.

The policy has been arranged through Balens Ltd and the insurer for the scheme is the Zurich and DAS Legal Expenses.

Balens are a very well established, fourth generation family-run business dedicated to looking after health professionals. They are built on solid roots going back to 1950 and are pioneers in the development of top quality cover for all types of health professionals with special rates and industry leading cover that has been developing and improving over 22 years in this speciality.

The scheme will cover thousands of other therapies/activities you may require cover for and many at no extra premium subject to suitable qualification held.

Some of the features covered in the policy consist of Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Product Liability, Loss of Reputation, Breach of Intellectual Property, Client Confidentiality Protection, Loss of Documents cover, First Aid cover as well as Good Samaritan Acts.

The indemnity limit is €4,000,000 per claim for the Republic of Ireland.

Unlike some other policies on the market, an unlimited number of claims may be made for any year and unlimited legal defence costs are also included.

Also included, at no extra charge, is retroactive cover to pick up any previous insured work.

Temporary cover abroad (excluding USA/Canada which is available on request) is available with no time restrictions and at no additional premium as long as you are a UK/Ireland resident.

If you cease to practice Balens include unlimited run off cover which means the policy will always be in place if a claim was made after you stop the policy running and this is also free of charge.

For further information or proposal form, please contact Balens directly on 00441684 580771 or e-mail- [email protected]