The world of health and fitness is a competitive one, but there are plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for qualified personal trainers, fitness instructors, holistic massage therapists, and neuromuscular therapists. If you want to join them on this path, consider taking one of Ireland’s many health and fitness courses.
An Overview of Health and Fitness Courses in Ireland
If you’re considering entering the health and fitness industry, it’s important to know that there are different types of courses available – personal trainer, fitness instructor, holistic massage therapy, neuromuscular therapy, sports massage therapy, Pilates, etc.
There are entry-level courses for those who want to start a career in this field, as well as advanced programmes for those who wish to upgrade their skills or specialise in a certain area.
For example, the National Training Centre – the oldest provider of health and fitness courses in Ireland – offers a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer Qualification course for individuals looking to start their career as a fitness instructor or personal trainer in Dublin. They also have courses for those who want to advance their career by specialising in specific exercise disciplines like suspension training and indoor cycling.
Depending on the training centre and programme, full-time or part-time schedules may be available. Some students choose full-time studies to gain the knowledge and skills they need in a shorter span of time. Meanwhile, part-time options are available for those who want to combine their studies with another job or other responsibilities outside school hours.
Nowadays, you’ll find classroom-based and online health and fitness courses. There are also programmes like those offered by the NTC that are delivered using blended learning. Basically, blended learning marries the online and classroom-based approaches. The theory part of the course is delivered online, while the practical part is held face-to-face.
Other useful information about these courses and the industry:
- Health and fitness courses have different levels of qualification.
- You need at least a Level 3 certification to work as a fitness instructor in Ireland. Meanwhile, you should have a Level 4 qualification to work as a personal trainer.
- Having a Level 3 qualification is not always a requirement to be eligible to enrol in a Level 4 personal training course. For example, the National Training Centre’s Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer course is open to anyone.
- Completing a holistic massage therapy course qualifies you to work in spas or health clubs and provide relaxing massages.
- If you want to provide therapeutic massages that treat pain and injury, you need to finish a neuromuscular or sports massage therapy course.
Choosing the Right Health and Fitness Course
To have a successful career in the health and fitness industry, it’s vital that you get the proper education. As mentioned earlier, competition can be cutthroat in this field. Hence, getting quality training is imperative to set yourself apart from other professionals.
But what does it mean to get the proper education? It starts with picking the right health and fitness course – one that suits your interest and areas of expertise. So, ask yourself what kind of work you want to do in this industry. Do you want to help people stay fit and healthy? Or do you want to alleviate their pain using massages?
Aside from identifying the type of work you want, you need to find a course that would provide you with the competencies required in your chosen health and fitness profession. This task can be overwhelming with the numerous options available. To make the selection process easier, know that the goal is to enrol in a reputable course.
A reputable programme is one that is accredited by a trusted organisation. For example, REPS Ireland is the body that oversees fitness professionals in the country. They audit fitness instructor and personal trainer courses, ensuring they meet industry standards.
Apart from being accredited, reputable courses are taught by competent tutors. They are experts in their respective fields and experienced in teaching health and fitness courses.
You can visit the training centre’s website to learn more about their courses – accreditation, tutors, and content. You can also check with REPs Ireland if the programme you are eyeing is accredited.
In addition, you can read feedback online to learn more about the quality of the course. The reviews from previous students can give you an idea about the programme – whether it will equip you with the competencies needed to work in the health and fitness industry.
How Much Do Health and Fitness Courses Cost in Ireland?
The prices vary per training centre and course. Often, trusted institutions have higher prices because their programmes are of high quality. Apart from being accredited, their health and fitness programmes are comprehensive and well-designed. Plus, they are taught by industry experts passionate about training new professionals.
Different courses have different prices. At the NTC, the costs of fitness instructor and personal trainer courses range from €145 to €2350. On the other hand, their neuromuscular therapy costs €3850, while their holistic massage therapy costs €1350.
Some schools offer discounts and payment plans. Certain grants are also available for eligible students.
Ultimately, the best way to learn how much the course will cost you is to contact the training centre.
What Do You Need to Enrol in a Health and Fitness Course?
The requirements are different per course and school. In most cases, you do not need any qualifications to enrol in an entry-level programme. Meanwhile, many training centres require students to have at least a Level 3 qualification to be eligible to take a Level 4 course. But there are exemptions to this practice, such as NTC, which has a Level 4 Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer course that is open to anyone – including those who have no qualification yet.
When it comes to advanced courses, you may need to have a qualification to be eligible to enrol in them. For example, NTC requires a primary fitness instructor qualification from those who intend to take their Kettlebell Training course. Similarly, those interested in taking their National Qualification in Myofascial Trigger Point Needling need to have a National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy.
Once you’ve completed your course, you can start applying for jobs. There are plenty of opportunities for you to grow in this field. As we’ve stated previously, this sector is growing rapidly, meaning more jobs are available than ever.
However, the industry is also highly competitive, with many people vying for each role. If you want to be successful in this field, it will require dedication and hard work.
Do you want to become a personal trainer or a neuromuscular therapist? Let’s help you earn the qualifications you need to start your career! Call us today on 01 882 7777 or click here to learn more about our accredited health and fitness courses in Ireland!