NTC courses question

andy.s

What you think about them ? Are they good?

I am thinking about this http://www.ntc.ie/course.php?id=1239196549

Thanks

Dr.Sanchez

Hey Andy,

I did that course, just finished it June actually and got my results recently... I have to say its a brilliant course, they manage to squeeze a lot into the six months and don't waste any time getting into it.

A lot of the lads, including myself were a bit nervous during the first few weeks as you HAVE to teach an exercise to music class as part of the final exam. I thought I never be able to do it as theres much more to it than one would think! But after a couple a weeks it gets easier..

I would recommend it anyway, its the best one in Ireland as it qualifies you as a Fitness Instructor AND Personal Trainer while other places require you to do two separate courses for the same qualification...

Hope this helps!

andy.s

Thanks man !!!:)

Chris89

I dId the course. I got a and b grades in every section bar the step aerobics. I had to resit that part of the exam in limerick. They faileD me again. No explanation. Just a fail.

I may not be Dave Tate but intake a very keen interest in fitness and all things gym.

I had 'debates' throughout the course with teachers as they told the class that proteins shakes were like steroids. Squatting below 90' was wrong, deadlifts were unsafe and smith machines were better than squat racks.

The course is just geared towards people who want to lose weight. Nobody seemed to have any clue about any form of resistance training that wasn't performed on a machine.

I wrote a letter to their office, appealing my result as I had consistently got b grades and higher throughout the continuous assesment.

I refuse to believe that completing this certification on any way makes you a competent trainer, unless the individual has an interest to further ther learning elsewhere.

It will get you a job in a gym alright. But you will learn next to nothing about the human body and how it responds to any kind of training or exercise.

Wouldn't reccomend them if you held a gun to my head.

Sorry if any spelling mistakes. Typed this on my phone.

Zamboni

Chris89 wrote: »

I dId the course. I got a and b grades in every section bar the step aerobics. I had to resit that part of the exam in limerick. They faileD me again. No explanation. Just a fail.

I may not be Dave Tate but intake a very keen interest in fitness and all things gym.

I had 'debates' throughout the course with teachers as they told the class that proteins shakes were like steroids. Squatting below 90' was wrong, deadlifts were unsafe and smith machines were better than squat racks.

The course is just geared towards people who want to lose weight. Nobody seemed to have any clue about any form of resistance training that wasn't performed on a machine.

I wrote a letter to their office, appealing my result as I had consistently got b grades and higher throughout the continuous assesment.

I refuse to believe that completing this certification on any way makes you a competent trainer, unless the individual has an interest to further ther learning elsewhere.

It will get you a job in a gym alright. But you will learn next to nothing about the human body and how it responds to any kind of training or exercise.

Wouldn't reccomend them if you held a gun to my head.

Sorry if any spelling mistakes. Typed this on my phone.

Interesting read. Thanks Chris.
I get the impression that if you pay your two and a half grand to Sharkey (or whatever it is these days) and you don't question anything you will pass.

They don't like the folks who challenge them on anything.
Witnessed it myself.
Yet, I have seen morons who couldn't spell 'anatomy' pass that course.
Fitness education in the country is wrecked from top to bottom.

Andy if you want to work in a globogym, then stump up the cash to them, jump through the hoops and you're sorted.

cmyk

Chris89 wrote: »

I dId the course. I got a and b grades in every section bar the step aerobics. I had to resit that part of the exam in limerick. They faileD me again. No explanation. Just a fail.

I may not be Dave Tate but intake a very keen interest in fitness and all things gym.

I had 'debates' throughout the course with teachers as they told the class that proteins shakes were like steroids. Squatting below 90' was wrong, deadlifts were unsafe and smith machines were better than squat racks.

The course is just geared towards people who want to lose weight. Nobody seemed to have any clue about any form of resistance training that wasn't performed on a machine.

I wrote a letter to their office, appealing my result as I had consistently got b grades and higher throughout the continuous assesment.

I refuse to believe that completing this certification on any way makes you a competent trainer, unless the individual has an interest to further ther learning elsewhere.

It will get you a job in a gym alright. But you will learn next to nothing about the human body and how it responds to any kind of training or exercise.

Wouldn't reccomend them if you held a gun to my head.

Sorry if any spelling mistakes. Typed this on my phone.

Can I ask how long ago you did the course, as I recently completed it. In the end I had several issues, but in its defence it did cover a lot of what you say it didn't. I know it was completely re-vamped at the end of last year though.

Dr.Sanchez

Chris89 wrote: »

I dId the course. I got a and b grades in every section bar the step aerobics. I had to resit that part of the exam in limerick. They faileD me again. No explanation. Just a fail.

I may not be Dave Tate but intake a very keen interest in fitness and all things gym.

I had 'debates' throughout the course with teachers as they told the class that proteins shakes were like steroids. Squatting below 90' was wrong, deadlifts were unsafe and smith machines were better than squat racks.

The course is just geared towards people who want to lose weight. Nobody seemed to have any clue about any form of resistance training that wasn't performed on a machine.

I wrote a letter to their office, appealing my result as I had consistently got b grades and higher throughout the continuous assesment.

I refuse to believe that completing this certification on any way makes you a competent trainer, unless the individual has an interest to further ther learning elsewhere.

It will get you a job in a gym alright. But you will learn next to nothing about the human body and how it responds to any kind of training or exercise.

Wouldn't reccomend them if you held a gun to my head.

Sorry if any spelling mistakes. Typed this on my phone.

None of this is true at all, I did the course in their head office in Dublin. The lecturers all have master degrees so they know what their talking about.

They never once mentioned the protein shakes were like steroids, during sports nutrition classes they explain what supplements to use at the correct times and benefits from them, etc.

The course is not geared towards weight lose as they go through all aspects of training - weight lose, strength, endurance, bodybuilding, etc

As for the resistance training they explain and demonstrate about 30 different free weight exercises including the deadlift so I don't know what your on about there.

As for squatting below 90 degrees, they don't say its "wrong" they tell you not to do during the course and exam because its against their safety standards which their strict on.

We had a guy like you in our class, who thought he knew everything and failed miserably...

One thing I do agree with is that doing this course doesn't automatically make you a "super trainer" - if you want to get into it seriously you'd have to do follow up courses and educate yourself more as the fitness industry is constantly changing all the time!

Vegeta

Anyone have a copy of the curriculum as one of my best friends is thinking of doing this course

Dr.Sanchez

Vegeta wrote: »

Anyone have a copy of the curriculum as one of my best friends is thinking of doing this course

• Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology, Basic Exercise Physiology
• Concepts and Components of Fitness
• Exercise Principals & Energy Systems
• Lesson Planning & Class Structure
• Muscular Actions & Exercise Analysis
• Resistance & Flexibility Training
• Exercise to Music, Choreography & Music Appreciation
• NCEHS Key Elements to successful Instruction and Personal Training
• Safety and Contra - Indicated exercise
• Personal Training & Instructional Teaching Skills
• Diet & Sports Nutrition
• Injury Prevention in exercise
• Introduction to Sports Massage
• Business Aspects
• Code of Ethics

Chris89

00Blaine00 wrote: »

None of this is true at all, I did the course in their head office in Dublin. The lecturers all have master degrees so they know what their talking about.

They never once mentioned the protein shakes were like steroids, during sports nutrition classes they explain what supplements to use at the correct times and benefits from them, etc.

The course is not geared towards weight lose as they go through all aspects of training - weight lose, strength, endurance, bodybuilding, etc

As for the resistance training they explain and demonstrate about 30 different free weight exercises including the deadlift so I don't know what your on about there.

As for squatting below 90 degrees, they don't say its "wrong" they tell you not to do during the course and exam because its against their safety standards which their strict on.

We had a guy like you in our class, who thought he knew everything and failed miserably...

One thing I do agree with is that doing this course doesn't automatically make you a "super trainer" - if you want to get into it seriously you'd have to do follow up courses and educate yourself more as the fitness industry is constantly changing all the time!

Sorry for the big quote.

You're either calling me a liar or just don't have a grey way with words.

I realize what I said is a rather large blanket statement, unfortunately though my experience was bad enough to warrant same.

It's very possible we had different instructors whosaid different things. So I'd appreciate if you wouldn't be so quick to brush my comments under the mat as untrue.

By your own admission, the nct is not enough to make you a competent and capable gym instructor. Thus rendering it a pointless moneymaking racket.

I don't think I know everything at all. I do think howeverthat I know enough to pass that exam. Again I refer you to my results. Only module I failed was the step aerobics one. Which I have no interest in whatsoever.

Chris89

Oh and of olcourse thy showed the deadlift.

Incorrectly.

And advised we stay away from it as it's unsafe. Hamstring curls are apparently a suitable alternative.

Chris89

cmyk wrote: »

Can I ask how long ago you did the course, as I recently completed it. In the end I had several issues, but in its defence it did cover a lot of what you say it didn't. I know it was completely re-vamped at the end of last year though.

It was in 2008.

Before this thread starts going off the wall I want to reiterate that this was my personal experience. I obviously appreciate that this standard isn't the same across the board. But I couldn't give a toss because thy won't get me my money back.

Dr.Sanchez

Chris89 wrote: »

Sorry for the big quote.

You're either calling me a liar or just don't have a grey way with words.

I realize what I said is a rather large blanket statement, unfortunately though my experience was bad enough to warrant same.

It's very possible we had different instructors whosaid different things. So I'd appreciate if you wouldn't be so quick to brush my comments under the mat as untrue.

By your own admission, the nct is not enough to make you a competent and capable gym instructor. Thus rendering it a pointless moneymaking racket.

I don't think I know everything at all. I do think howeverthat I know enough to pass that exam. Again I refer you to my results. Only module I failed was the step aerobics one. Which I have no interest in whatsoever.

You said you did your course in Limerick University before editing it out of this post? Are you even sure you did the same course that we're talking about?

The OP wants to know about the NCEHS course which is run by NTC in Dorset St, Dublin. They only hold this course in Dublin and Cork, nowhere else.

The CHEF, which i believe is the one that you did - is run by NCEF who have their head office in UL. They hold this course in UL and in various locations around the country.

Two completely different courses!

Chris89 wrote: »

I don't think I know everything at all. I do think howeverthat I know enough to pass that exam. Again I refer you to my results. Only module I failed was the step aerobics one. Which I have no interest in whatsoever.

This statement does not make any sense at all. You say you know enough to pass the exam yet you failed the step aerobics module. If you know enough then why didn't you pass? Obviously you don't...

Oh and just one more thing, the NCEHS course doesn't have a "step aerobics" module in it, only an exercise to music one but I noticed the CHEF course does have a "step aerobic" aerobic module in it.

You did a completely different course than the one we're talking about!

Chris89

00Blaine00 wrote: »

You said you did your course in Limerick University before editing it out of this post? Are you even sure you did the same course that we're talking about?

The OP wants to know about the NCEHS course which is run by NTC in Dorset St, Dublin. They only hold this course in Dublin and Cork, nowhere else.

The CHEF, which i believe is the one that you did - is run by NCEF who have their head office in UL. They hold this course in UL and in various locations around the country.

Two completely different courses!



This statement does not make any sense at all. You say you know enough to pass the exam yet you failed the step aerobics module. If you know enough then why didn't you pass? Obviously you don't...

Oh and just one more thing, the NCEHS course doesn't have a "step aerobics" module in it, only an exercise to music one but I noticed the CHEF course does have a "step aerobic" aerobic module in it.

You did a completely different course than the one we're talking about!

You're right, They are different causes, I did the NCEF, which is a university of limerick thing. Still the same outcome but yeah, different courses. Sorry for the confusion, for some reason when i read NTC it just clicked with me.

I stand by what i say about the NCEF (as off topic as it may be), and i still dont appreciate being labeled as "the lad who thinks he knows everything or whatever", on the contrary, i know how little i know in the greater scheme of things, but i would put my house on it that i could get someone in shape quicker than any of the tutors from my course, all of whom were overweight, bar one woman who was seriously underweight.

it is unfortunate that one of these courses, ncef, ntc, nceh or whatever that oen is, certify you to work in a gym. you are, as a pt or gym instructor, basically taking someones wellbeing into your hands... and if you are naive enough to think that a proper, below 90 degree squat is unsafe (nitpicking i know), then in my opinion, you are severely underqualified.

And if you are an advocate of proper squatting but adhered to the incorrrect, and arguably unsafer method of stopping above parallel, (way above parralell in most cases, with horrible foot placement, actually i wont get started).. then you need to realise that the entire course is just a moneymaking racket, with no real benefit, considering you will have to do further tests to enable you to competently train an individual (i use you in a general sense, not directed at you mate)

Again, sorry for the confusion, i didnt do the NTC, curriculum looks identical to the NCEF, and from what i can tell from above, some problems are the same.

sorry if rambly and ill-worded, just back from training and am absoloutely wrecked.

Magic Eight Ball

Chris89 wrote: »

You're right, They are different causes, I did the NCEF, which is a university of limerick thing. Still the same outcome but yeah, different courses. Sorry for the confusion, for some reason when i read NTC it just clicked with me.

I stand by what i say about the NCEF (as off topic as it may be), and i still dont appreciate being labeled as "the lad who thinks he knows everything or whatever", on the contrary, i know how little i know in the greater scheme of things, but i would put my house on it that i could get someone in shape quicker than any of the tutors from my course, all of whom were overweight, bar one woman who was seriously underweight.

it is unfortunate that one of these courses, ncef, ntc, nceh or whatever that oen is, certify you to work in a gym. you are, as a pt or gym instructor, basically taking someones wellbeing into your hands... and if you are naive enough to think that a proper, below 90 degree squat is unsafe (nitpicking i know), then in my opinion, you are severely underqualified.

And if you are an advocate of proper squatting but adhered to the incorrrect, and arguably unsafer method of stopping above parallel, (way above parralell in most cases, with horrible foot placement, actually i wont get started).. then you need to realise that the entire course is just a moneymaking racket, with no real benefit, considering you will have to do further tests to enable you to competently train an individual (i use you in a general sense, not directed at you mate)

Again, sorry for the confusion, i didnt do the NTC, curriculum looks identical to the NCEF, and from what i can tell from above, some problems are the same.

sorry if rambly and ill-worded, just back from training and am absoloutely wrecked.

Wait.. so now your not even sure what course you failed?!

Chris89

oh, and considering a pass rate is 40%, and i aced every module bar that, by my calculations i should have got a pass, no need to be a smart hole.

Chris89

Magic Eight Ball wrote: »

Wait.. so now your not even sure what course you failed?!

no idea. sure theyre all the same to me.

Zamboni

Chris may have got his courses mixed up but I can still tell you I have seen what I can only describe as intellectually challenged people pass the NCEHS.

Pay the dosh, don't ask too many questions, turn up and you'll get your cert.
Even if you don't know the difference between anterior deltoid and quadratus lumborum, or you haven't got the rhythm to instruct ETM listening to Annie Lennox...

On the plus side the staff are mostly sounds decent folks and at least the management made the effort regarding accreditation unlike some course providers.

Dr.Sanchez

Chris89 wrote: »

but i would put my house on it that i could get someone in shape quicker than any of the tutors from my course, all of whom were overweight bar one woman who was seriously underweight.

Just because someone is overweight doesn't mean their not fit. I know one guy who is overweight but can run 10km at the drop of a hat and finish in a reasonable time. Gaining muscle or loosing weight is a different game though. Some people are just born endomorphs, nothing can be done about it.

Chris89 wrote: »

And if you are naive enough to think that a proper, below 90 degree squat is unsafe (nitpicking i know), then in my opinion, you are severely underqualified.

They don't tell you its not safe, they just tell you not to do it during the exam and I can see why... Imagine you brought an overweight guy/girl into the final exam and set them up in the squat rack and told them to squat down below 90 degrees, it probably wouldn't happen. Some people might not be flexible enough!

Squatting below 90 degrees may be safe for me or you but for the total beginner who's not flexible it might not be so safe.

TommyKnocker

Ok All

If you have nothing constructive to offer the OP re their request, then please desist from posting on this thread.

This thread has been dragged way off topic and enough is enough.


Best Regards,

M

JJayoo

Hiya guys, im just wondering if anyone has come across this company/course

http://www.littonlanetraining.com/

Any feedback or comments from anyone would be appreciated

joepenguin

Chris89 wrote: »

oh, and considering a pass rate is 40%, and i aced every module bar that, by my calculations i should have got a pass, no need to be a smart hole.

I could be wrong but when i did the ncef im pretty sure you needed 70 to pass.

OP: Both the NTC and NCEF are good courses and will give you a good starting point in the fitness industry. They will both cover the basics of endurance, resistance, etc etc. but wont go into great detail with any. This is ok though as it takes more than knowledge to be a good trainer.
You will learn how to teach and adapt exercises for people and at the end of it all you can then focus on whatever area you want and even go on to more advanced / cpd courses.

So I would go with either the ntc to ncef depending on what is more convenient for you.
Bottom line... The ntc is a very good place to start your health and fitness education. I would recommend them for this.

DL Saint

Chris89 wrote: »

You're right, They are different causes, I did the NCEF, which is a university of limerick thing. Still the same outcome but yeah, different courses. Sorry for the confusion, for some reason when i read NTC it just clicked with me.

I stand by what i say about the NCEF (as off topic as it may be), and i still dont appreciate being labeled as "the lad who thinks he knows everything or whatever", on the contrary, i know how little i know in the greater scheme of things, but i would put my house on it that i could get someone in shape quicker than any of the tutors from my course, all of whom were overweight, bar one woman who was seriously underweight.

it is unfortunate that one of these courses, ncef, ntc, nceh or whatever that oen is, certify you to work in a gym. you are, as a pt or gym instructor, basically taking someones wellbeing into your hands... and if you are naive enough to think that a proper, below 90 degree squat is unsafe (nitpicking i know), then in my opinion, you are severely underqualified.

And if you are an advocate of proper squatting but adhered to the incorrrect, and arguably unsafer method of stopping above parallel, (way above parralell in most cases, with horrible foot placement, actually i wont get started).. then you need to realise that the entire course is just a moneymaking racket, with no real benefit, considering you will have to do further tests to enable you to competently train an individual (i use you in a general sense, not directed at you mate)

Again, sorry for the confusion, i didnt do the NTC, curriculum looks identical to the NCEF, and from what i can tell from above, some problems are the same.

sorry if rambly and ill-worded, just back from training and am absoloutely wrecked.

did you do this course?
http://www.motions.ie/ncef.html

Chris89

Yep, I did that one.

A's in every model bar that ex to music one. Should still be more than 70.

bigron2109

Lads i need abit of advice..Basically this is where i am..Ive got a Honours degree in Marketing and have had it for 2 years..No work = No money,So im thinking of doing something totally different..

Ive been in the gym for 3 months now, 5 days a week, and i have to say i love it..I love reading things about the gym, and different techniques and stuff, so i was thinking of doing one of these courses..

Ive been on their website and its quiet good..Ive Just a few questions, that maybe some kind soul on here can help me out with.

1.Ive no experience in this field, what so ever, will i struggle or will i be ok in this course??
2. Im currently unemployed and been on Job Seekers allowance for a while now, but i see on their website, that they accept Fees from the Social welfare or Fas.I dont have 2 grand to pay for the course, so has any one every done it through either of the above mentioned??
3.Also im living in wexford at the moment, but they course only takes place in Dublin(Starts the 5th of October,Cork is sold out), so would i be entitled to travel allowance..

Im going into FAS tomorrow to speak to them, but im just wondering can some one answer these questions before i go in.

Thanx very much and im sorry for the long winded post..

itsallaboutheL

All i have to say on the matter is that exercise to music is a load of bollix

Cheeky_gal

Wouldn't recommend the course to anyone. I did it and I must say I felt they were a money racket business. They didn't seem to show any interest in their students. It was just a "go in - go out" service imo.

In relation to one of the above posters' comment, they did talk a lot of sh*te. And the ETM classes are completely irrelevant/waste of time.

The oddest thing about the course was the hypocracy of the tutors. Not one of them I would have regarded as "fit". We were told that smoking would be very unprofessional in the industry, which obviously is 100% true! However the siiiiiize of some of them, they'd wanna lay of the take aways! Awful course imo. I can guarantee you having spoken to some of the people in my class that passed, they haven't the appropriate knowledge to train someone. Sure the theory exams consist of ticking the box! As a previous poster said it's a course which will probably get you a job in a gym, but you'd wanna build on it imo if you really want the proper knowledge of the body etc.

tough__cookie

JJayoo wrote: »

Hiya guys, im just wondering if anyone has come across this company/course

http://www.littonlanetraining.com/

Any feedback or comments from anyone would be appreciated

Hi, I'm starting that course this month. Anyone else out there doing it?

Banks

Zamboni wrote: »

Fitness education in the country is wrecked from top to bottom.

Agree totally.....

JJayoo

Tough_cookie are you doing the full time course or the part time course? and where are you doing it?

tough__cookie

Im doing the part time course in Cork. You doing it yourself?

silverwex

Anyone know of any good fitness instructor courses WITHOUT the annoying E2M module!

shev7924

Very smart money making business this is the ntc.Got my Cert in march from them all A grades.Course used to be 1800euro which was far to much for what you get.I see now it has gone up to 2150euro.80 per cent of the course was all around the bloody Exercise to Music in which there was just hours and hours awkwardness(is it a word) as 35 people were pushed into a small room and a person was picked at random and told to teach the next bit of the class.doesnt sound to bad ...but this is week two we cant even walk straight never mind teach.Giving 70 percent of the class were male and very very big guys at that you can imagine what it looked like.it also made some of the older students quit the course because they couldnt dance like a chicken like the rest of us.They didnt mind taking there money in the beginning.You also have to purchase some "proper" music for your class which of course they provide.And dont get me started on the parking around dorset street..NONE.You are giving some notes printed out on a few sheets of paper in which you could just read it yourself but you have to turn up on a wet wednesday night for 3 and a half hours to listen to someone else read them to you like a bloody bed time story.Most of us were so happy on the last day,that we went away feeling that the place was amazing and what they had done for us but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert....

Hammar

I was considering doing one of their graduate degrees next year after i complete my degree

http://www.ntc.ie/masters-degrees-nutrition

University of Chester being the awarding body.
Id say its a long shot asking if anyone has any experience of them,but sure what the hell
Feedback would be appreciated.

Dr.Sanchez

shev7924 wrote: »

but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert....

Not really, both NTC and NCF are ridiculously expensive and their more or less the only way to get into the industry... I know people with degrees in exercise and heath science but still need either one of these certs to work in a gym...

Zamboni

shev7924 wrote: »

Very smart money making business this is the ntc.Got my Cert in march from them all A grades.Course used to be 1800euro which was far to much for what you get.I see now it has gone up to 2150euro.80 per cent of the course was all around the bloody Exercise to Music in which there was just hours and hours awkwardness(is it a word) as 35 people were pushed into a small room and a person was picked at random and told to teach the next bit of the class.doesnt sound to bad ...but this is week two we cant even walk straight never mind teach.Giving 70 percent of the class were male and very very big guys at that you can imagine what it looked like.it also made some of the older students quit the course because they couldnt dance like a chicken like the rest of us.They didnt mind taking there money in the beginning.You also have to purchase some "proper" music for your class which of course they provide.And dont get me started on the parking around dorset street..NONE.You are giving some notes printed out on a few sheets of paper in which you could just read it yourself but you have to turn up on a wet wednesday night for 3 and a half hours to listen to someone else read them to you like a bloody bed time story.Most of us were so happy on the last day,that we went away feeling that the place was amazing and what they had done for us but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert....

Lol
Great post, brought me back years.
I see nothing has changed then...

cmyk

shev7924 wrote: »

Very smart money making business this is the ntc.Got my Cert in march from them all A grades.Course used to be 1800euro which was far to much for what you get.I see now it has gone up to 2150euro.

I'm going to play devils advocate here, the ntc is a private college, it's not a non profit organisation. I came from a graphic/web design background and courses on web design can run into that sort of figure for a 4 day course in some cases. The way I personally try to justify the cost of educational courses is whether or not that course will give a.) give me the ability to make that money back with the skill I've earned and/or b.) improve the quality of that service I provide. Take a quick look at the price of the 2 day level 1 cert for crossfit.

shev7924 wrote: »

80 per cent of the course was all around the bloody Exercise to Music in which there was just hours and hours awkwardness(is it a word) as 35 people were pushed into a small room and a person was picked at random and told to teach the next bit of the class.doesnt sound to bad ...but this is week two we cant even walk straight never mind teach.

I'll agree with that, far too much given over to it and pointless for 90% of the students, should be an option on this front, however it is part of the course, it's really not difficult to pass. I asked why this formed part of the course and was told it needed to be there to get the course lifted to level 4 status, which I believe is the highest in Ireland and only offered as an add-on for different courses, that may have changed now though.

shev7924 wrote: »

And dont get me started on the parking around dorset street..NONE.

Christ now this is a bit pedantic, it's a privately run small college in a city centre location served well by public transport. I used to go directly from work at 5.30, reach there by 6.30 and never had a problem parking.

shev7924 wrote: »

You are giving some notes printed out on a few sheets of paper in which you could just read it yourself but you have to turn up on a wet wednesday night for 3 and a half hours to listen to someone else read them to you like a bloody bed time story.

Have you ever done a course before? U know that's the format for most? Did you learn nothing on how to apply those notes? Did you not ask questions on them? If you answered no to those I'd suggest this was more of a shortcoming on your part.

shev7924 wrote: »

Most of us were so happy on the last day,that we went away feeling that the place was amazing and what they had done for us but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert....

There are much easier ways of learning to drive than to take lessons and pass your test, but unfortunately to drive on a public road you're legally obliged to have insurance. I won't say that the course was perfect by any means, as it has plenty of shortcomings, but your statements above show a fair amount of immaturity.

shev7924

Cymk...Iam talking off my personal experience.I went in there as a "mature" student and i think making statements about someone person smacks of in your words "immaturity" on your part.If you have a different experience of the centre then by all means put them up but dont comment on personal experience please.Keep them to yourself

cmyk

shev7924 wrote: »

Cymk...Iam talking off my personal experience.I went in there as a "mature" student and i think making statements about someone person smacks of in your words "immaturity" on your part.If you have a different experience of the centre then by all means put them up but dont comment on personal experience please.Keep them to yourself

Apologies about the immature statement...all my other points however, I stand over, this is a public forum and some of your points were disingenuous toward the centre. Have you any answers for the questions I asked?

Your post, though stating your 'personal' opinion was completely negative, have you no positives regarding the course at all? I'm only countering some of the statements you make about the place. The course has shortcomings, but those shortcomings I directed at the NCT in writing on completion.

Will Heffernan

shev7924 wrote: »

Cymk...Iam talking off my personal experience.I went in there as a "mature" student and i think making statements about someone person smacks of in your words "immaturity" on your part.If you have a different experience of the centre then by all means put them up but dont comment on personal experience please.Keep them to yourself

I think you completely missed the point...but who am I to say because you are just expressing your opinion...oh....wait a second...the is a forum and a place for discussion.

Personally I think the points were well made.

We've a lot of people who come to informed performance from universities in Ireland as well as all the major private providers of 'gym related' courses to do interships and work placements and all I can say is that I've always been most impressed by the students we've had from the NTC....going so far as to choose to employ 2 of them...when university graduates were on offer for similar positions...the guys that we have a far better qualified...not academically but practically.

That is good enough for me to recommend them to people that ask. As an employer...that should surely count for something shouldn't it.


p.s: None of them do aerobics classes here...so would be more than happy to see that dropped or relegated to an elective module.

Zamboni

cmyk wrote: »

I'll agree with that, far too much given over to it and pointless for 90% of the students, should be an option on this front, however it is part of the course, it's really not difficult to pass. I asked why this formed part of the course and was told it needed to be there to get the course lifted to level 4 status, which I believe is the highest in Ireland and only offered as an add-on for different courses, that may have changed now though.

I have to say I hated ETM at the start but by the time I was doing the exam it was a bit of fun.
Are they still using the awesome dance version of the Sweet Dreams by the Euryhtmics for the ETM?

cmyk

Zamboni wrote: »

I have to say I hated ETM at the start but by the time I was doing the exam it was a bit of fun.
Are they still using the awesome dance version of the Sweet Dreams by the Euryhtmics for the ETM?

Ye it's a bit of craic in the end, and they don't mark it that hard, as I'm sure they're aware not many are going to be using it. I got a B but in my head it felt like the final scene in napoleon dynamite.

I just remember a lot of lady gaga, but I was concentrating on my grapevine.

Will Heffernan

cmyk wrote: »

Ye it's a bit of craic in the end, and they don't mark it that hard, as I'm sure they're aware not many are going to be using it. I got a B but in my head it felt like the final scene in napoleon dynamite.

I just remember a lot of lady gaga, but I was concentrating on my grapevine.

I'll tell you what I actually think...that if you can't do that exercise to music examination and pass it because you are either too uncoordinated, embarrassed, self conscious etc you shouldn't be in the industry anyway. I learnt my 'routine' 20 mins before the exam went in passed it had some craic and moved on.

cmyk

Will Heffernan wrote: »

I'll tell you what I actually think...that if you can't do that exercise to music examination and pass it because you are either too uncoordinated, embarrassed, self conscious etc you shouldn't be in the industry anyway. I learnt my 'routine' 20 mins before the exam went in passed it had some craic and moved on.

Exactly, it's prepared me well for the tasks ahead, in which the majority of clients will be pointing and laughing at me.

It actually took me 8 weeks to learn mine....not sure what exactly that says about me.

ntcoffice

shev7924 wrote: »

Very smart money making business this is the ntc.Got my Cert in march from them all A grades.Course used to be 1800euro which was far to much for what you get.I see now it has gone up to 2150euro.80 per cent of the course was all around the bloody Exercise to Music in which there was just hours and hours awkwardness(is it a word) as 35 people were pushed into a small room and a person was picked at random and told to teach the next bit of the class.doesnt sound to bad ...but this is week two we cant even walk straight never mind teach.Giving 70 percent of the class were male and very very big guys at that you can imagine what it looked like.it also made some of the older students quit the course because they couldnt dance like a chicken like the rest of us.They didnt mind taking there money in the beginning.You also have to purchase some "proper" music for your class which of course they provide.And dont get me started on the parking around dorset street..NONE.You are giving some notes printed out on a few sheets of paper in which you could just read it yourself but you have to turn up on a wet wednesday night for 3 and a half hours to listen to someone else read them to you like a bloody bed time story.Most of us were so happy on the last day,that we went away feeling that the place was amazing and what they had done for us but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert....

Normally I don't answer these sort of posts directly as usually NTC graduates will answer them most effectively. I notice that this is also the case here but I wanted to correct some of the things in your post which are misleading or just plain wrong.

You say "Course used to be 1800euro which was far to much for what you get.I see now it has gone up to 2150euro"

Reality is that the cheapest discounted price for the course was €1,850.00 (not €1,800.00) and the current cheapest discounted price is €2,000.00 (not €2,150.00). The standard price was €1,995.00 and is now €2,150.00. Incidentally the price had not increased for over six years (all through the 'Celtic Tiger') and is still better value than any other comparable course, with proper accreditation, available in Ireland.

You say " 80 per cent of the course was all around the bloody Exercise to Music"

Reality is that about 20% of the course is Exercise to Music. I accept that some people don't really want to do ETM, however it is not possible to obtain EHFA accreditation at any level, let alone at the highest level of EQF Level 4, without ETM. Therefore the NTC will not be in a position to offer a qualification that does not include ETM as the qualification would not be EHFA accredited and as a result would not be internationally recognised. In my 11 years at NTC I have never encountered a student who quit the course because "they couldn't dance like a chicken" ETM is not about dance, it's about exercise and don't forget that classes like Indoor Cycling are ETM based and you cannot qualify as an Indoor Cycling instructor without having studied and qualified in ETM first. If graduates do not want to use ETM post graduation, that's fine, but show me any course in any discipline or area of education where graduates use all that they learned during the course.

You say "You also have to purchase some "proper" music for your class which of course they provide."

Not true. You can provide your own music for ETM exams. The CD which NTC make available has been externally sourced and meets the requirements, again set down by EHFA accreditation. It's a double CD and NTC make nothing from the sale price of €20 and only source it as a service to students.

You say "And dont get me started on the parking around dorset street..NONE."

The NTC is in a city centre location and there is lots of pay and display on street parking available locally.

You say "You are giving some notes printed out on a few sheets of paper in which you could just read it yourself but you have to turn up on a wet wednesday night for 3 and a half hours to listen to someone else read them to you like a bloody bed time story."

All students are provided with extensive notes that amount to hundreds of pages, not a few sheets, and I really think your notion of a training provider handing out notes and leaving the student to their own devices is lacking. Incidentally classes are two and a half hours long, not three and a half.

You say "Most of us were so happy on the last day,that we went away feeling that the place was amazing and what they had done for us but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert...."

Based on the feedback we receive from students via the evaluation forms handed in during the final days I would suggest that most people are happy on the last day because they realise that they have achieved something and that the course they have completed,, and the certificates which they will receive, are of the highest standard available, i.e. EQF Level 4. To suggest that you just paid for the cert is very disingenuous to all the people who worked hard to gain their qualification. I would suggest that if you achieved all A results as you say in your post, then you too must have worked hard as nothing is handed on a plate to students at NTC. They work very hard to earn their qualification and very few get all A grades. The NTC also work extremely hard to provide a fully recognised qualification and to provide excellent facilities, including a fully equipped gym for student use outside of class hours.

By all means post negative comments regarding NTC - that way we can learn and improve - but please be factually correct.

Red Cortina

cmyk wrote: »

Ye it's a bit of craic in the end, and they don't mark it that hard, as I'm sure they're aware not many are going to be using it. I got a B but in my head it felt like the final scene in napoleon dynamite.

I just remember a lot of lady gaga, but I was concentrating on my grapevine.

A bit OT but all this talk of grapevines brings me back to my good old aerobics days! Think I would be great at this infamous exercise to music module as I love Lady Ga Ga and I used to love going to aerobics classes:pac::pac::pac:

flywheel

ntcoffice wrote: »

don't forget that classes like Indoor Cycling are ETM based and you cannot qualify as an Indoor Cycling instructor without having studied and qualified in ETM first.

Hi, Indoor Cycling is not Exercise to Music based, it is based primarily on cycling and a knowledge of physiology, cycling biomechanics, and other areas including coaching, musicality, mind/body connection...

The pre-requsists to doing the 'official' Spinning Instructor Certification course is a fitness qualification or to complete a 'Exercise Physiology Fundamentals' course... not specifically Exercise to Music...

Just to clarify

I'm thinking about doing this course, and i'm wondering what the story is with using this qualification abroad?? It says on the website it is recognised abroad but seemed to be only for the european union, is this a recognised qualification say in australia or north america anybody know??

Chet Zar

ntcoffice wrote: »

Normally I don't answer these sort of posts directly as usually NTC graduates will answer them most effectively. I notice that this is also the case here but I wanted to correct some of the things in your post which are misleading or just plain wrong.

You say "Course used to be 1800euro which was far to much for what you get.I see now it has gone up to 2150euro"

Reality is that the cheapest discounted price for the course was €1,850.00 (not €1,800.00) and the current cheapest discounted price is €2,000.00 (not €2,150.00). The standard price was €1,995.00 and is now €2,150.00. Incidentally the price had not increased for over six years (all through the 'Celtic Tiger') and is still better value than any other comparable course, with proper accreditation, available in Ireland.

You say " 80 per cent of the course was all around the bloody Exercise to Music"

Reality is that about 20% of the course is Exercise to Music. I accept that some people don't really want to do ETM, however it is not possible to obtain EHFA accreditation at any level, let alone at the highest level of EQF Level 4, without ETM. Therefore the NTC will not be in a position to offer a qualification that does not include ETM as the qualification would not be EHFA accredited and as a result would not be internationally recognised. In my 11 years at NTC I have never encountered a student who quit the course because "they couldn't dance like a chicken" ETM is not about dance, it's about exercise and don't forget that classes like Indoor Cycling are ETM based and you cannot qualify as an Indoor Cycling instructor without having studied and qualified in ETM first. If graduates do not want to use ETM post graduation, that's fine, but show me any course in any discipline or area of education where graduates use all that they learned during the course.

You say "You also have to purchase some "proper" music for your class which of course they provide."

Not true. You can provide your own music for ETM exams. The CD which NTC make available has been externally sourced and meets the requirements, again set down by EHFA accreditation. It's a double CD and NTC make nothing from the sale price of €20 and only source it as a service to students.

You say "And dont get me started on the parking around dorset street..NONE."

The NTC is in a city centre location and there is lots of pay and display on street parking available locally.

You say "You are giving some notes printed out on a few sheets of paper in which you could just read it yourself but you have to turn up on a wet wednesday night for 3 and a half hours to listen to someone else read them to you like a bloody bed time story."

All students are provided with extensive notes that amount to hundreds of pages, not a few sheets, and I really think your notion of a training provider handing out notes and leaving the student to their own devices is lacking. Incidentally classes are two and a half hours long, not three and a half.

You say "Most of us were so happy on the last day,that we went away feeling that the place was amazing and what they had done for us but as time passes you come to see there were much easier and cost effected ways into the industry you begin to see you just paid for your cert...."

Based on the feedback we receive from students via the evaluation forms handed in during the final days I would suggest that most people are happy on the last day because they realise that they have achieved something and that the course they have completed,, and the certificates which they will receive, are of the highest standard available, i.e. EQF Level 4. To suggest that you just paid for the cert is very disingenuous to all the people who worked hard to gain their qualification. I would suggest that if you achieved all A results as you say in your post, then you too must have worked hard as nothing is handed on a plate to students at NTC. They work very hard to earn their qualification and very few get all A grades. The NTC also work extremely hard to provide a fully recognised qualification and to provide excellent facilities, including a fully equipped gym for student use outside of class hours.

By all means post negative comments regarding NTC - that way we can learn and improve - but please be factually correct.

Glad you responded to the previous post because there was so much nonsense in it!

I did the course last year and thought it was great. I didn't like ETM one bit but I just sucked it up and got on with it. Was fairly dreading the exam but with preparation it all went well and I ended up getting a B in it in the end! I would have preferred if it wasn't in the course but I can see why it needs to be included if it is needed to meet regulations.

All in all the NTC trainers and facilities were top-notch and they really made the most of the tight space - in fact they were even expanding and renovating the building to improve facilities for students as we finished up the course. I'd definitely go back to brush up on my skills and if you have issues with the cost then I'd suggest you aren't willing to invest in your own learning, training and development as a potential trainer.