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Becoming a fitness instructor in Ireland is easy. All you need to do is to complete a fitness instructor course and earn a certification. A regular programme of study takes at least 18 weeks to finish. Meanwhile, if you want to get your qualification faster, there are also intensive fitness instructor courses which only last 9 weeks. Once you are certified, you can start teaching at a fitness studio or work as an independent fitness instructor.
Landing a job in the fitness industry shouldn’t be difficult as long as you have the required certification. Employers may even aggressively recruit you if you finish a renowned fitness instructor course from a prestigious institution like the National Training Centre (NTC). You have to keep in mind, however, that being certified just gets your foot in the door. It is not the lone thing that’s going to determine the upward trajectory of your career in this industry.
On top of being certified, you must also possess certain qualities to become a successful fitness instructor. So, what qualities are necessary to have a thriving career in this field?
As they say, you cannot teach what you do not know. This is also true in this line of work – you need to have the know-how and skills in order to help your clients achieve their fitness goals. This is one of the major reasons why you need to undergo training and be certified before being eligible for a fitness instructor job.
However, having the required certification isn’t always tantamount to being knowledgeable. Sure, your education can equip you with all the information and skills you need to become a fitness instructor. But it’s how you use the knowledge you have that’s going to set you apart from your fellow personal trainers.
Furthermore, you cannot stop learning after being certified. You won’t succeed if you are stagnant. If you want to help more people and expand your clientele, you need to grow your knowledge and skillset. This means investing in continuing education to earn additional certifications in other exercise disciplines as well as to stay abreast with the latest in the world of fitness.
Succeeding at this job is very difficult if you do not know how to interact well with people. In this line of work, clients should be able to trust you; they should be comfortable around you. This wouldn’t happen if you are unfriendly, aloof and unapproachable.
You have to build good rapport with your clients. You need to know them – what their struggles and motivations are. Only when you have truly empathised with your clients would you be able to effectively help them achieve their fitness goals.
As a fitness trainer, you would be doing a lot of talking, from setting goals to motivating clients during workout sessions. You’d also be doing a lot of explaining, informing clients how the nutritional plan helps them or why the routine is designed as such. Moreover, during workouts, you’d be constantly giving out instructions on how to do a certain exercise or movement.
For these reasons, it is imperative that you have good communication skills. You should be able to properly and effectively talk to your clients. This includes giving crystal clear explanations and instructions.
Being a good communicator, however, is not just about talking properly but also listening actively. You cannot help your clients if you do not know what they need or want. So, make sure you hear them out. Listen to their requests or feedback and learn how to read their non-verbal cues. All these can greatly help you become an effective fitness instructor.
Becoming a successful fitness instructor does not happen overnight. It entails time, effort and hard work. It also requires constant personal improvement – building on existing knowledge and skills as well as developing essential qualities such as those mentioned above.
Want to be a successful fitness instructor in Ireland? Enrol in Ireland’s highly coveted fitness instructor and personal trainer course. Call us today at 01 882 7777!
