Starting a career as a fitness instructor in Ireland now is a smart decision. The hourly rate for an entry level fitness instructor job is around €12. The rate can go as high as €18/hour or more for the experienced ones. Plus, if you take on the role of a personal trainer, you can get as much as €50 per hour.
Furthermore, the potential to get more clients and earn more is excellent, especially given business experts’ positive outlook about the fitness industry in the coming years. In a 2018 report, the total number of health and fitness club members was around half a million, roughly 10% of the country’s overall population. This figure is expected to go up as more people embrace the importance of having a healthier lifestyle.
Indeed, the future looks bright for the fitness industry and for professionals like fitness instructors and personal trainers. The opportunities are undeniably abundant! So, if you want to take a piece of the pie – earn while helping people achieve their fitness goals, take that first step to becoming a fitness instructor. All you need to do is to enrol in a fitness instructor course.
Tips on Choosing a Fitness Instructor Course in Ireland
How do you pick the best fitness instructor course in Ireland? Below are some questions which can help you determine which course amongst the plethora out there is worth your time, money and effort.
What qualifications will you be earning after finishing the course?
You need credentials before you could start your career as a fitness instructor. This means earning a fitness instructor certification.
The type of certification varies per institution and/or programme of study. There are some centres which require first-timers or those with no prior experience to take a gym instructor programme. While this teaches you the basics of handling group exercise classes, this is often just a gateway course. You’d need to take further studies if you want to become a personal trainer.
There are also institutions like NTC which offer an EQF (European Qualification Framework) Level 4 fitness instructor course to anyone – even to those who do not hold any qualification.
Unlike other programmes, NTC’s fitness instructor and personal trainer course equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to become a fitness instructor and a personal trainer at the same time. There’s no need to take two separate courses! To add, finishing this programme of study, being an EQF level 4, gives you the highest qualification there is in Europe for fitness instructors.
Is the course accredited?
Only enrol in a course that is accredited by a reputable health and fitness organisation. This is to ensure that the education you are getting from your chosen training provider adheres to national and/or international standards.With an accredited course, you can be confident that you’ll have the competency to work at a gym or health studio.
In addition, there are some accredited courses which can make it easier for you to get jobs in other countries. For example, finishing NTC’s Fitness Instructor course, a REPs Ireland accredited programme, makes you eligible to join REPS Ireland. Membership of this organisation is your golden ticket to landing jobs all over the world. So, if you plan to work abroad, a REPs Ireland accredited course is what you should look for.
What does the programme of study cover?
Determine the content of the course, specifically the topics or areas which will be covered. Essentially, the course should arm you with the basic skillset you need to start a career in the fitness industry. However, please do not settle for programmes designed to just meet the European minimum standard. Look for something that goes beyond the basic requirement. Choose a fitness instructor course that involves comprehensive training, one that’s going to teach you a broad range of skills.
You can check online to see the content of the course you are considering. Nowadays, this information is readily available on the training provider’s website. Alternatively, you can visit the school and request to view their student facilities.
Searching for a fitness instructor course in Ireland? Choose NTC’s fitness instructor and personal trainer course – the most prestigious course in Ireland. Call us today at 01 882 7777!