Fitness Instructor

Sonee

Hello

I a 28 yr old male,thinking of a career change,im self employed for the last few years and find it too stressful,I would like to get out of it!

I have read a good few threads on the subject only snippets of info in them

I've been thinking of doing a fitness instructor/PT course,I like to keep fit by jogging and doing some bodyweight excercises at home but i've never set foot in a gym or lifted weights in my life.....would this be a problem or set back? I do plan to join a gym soon though.

Also being 28 im a bit worried of the long term prospects of the job seing as its poorly paid,I would like to settle into a new career not just a job to get by,if you know what I mean! Im not sure if its for me yet but if anyone has an inside view or advice on courses please let me know

Thanks!

Chet Zar

Sonee wrote: »

Hello

I a 28 yr old male,thinking of a career change,im self employed for the last few years and find it too stressful,I would like to get out of it!

I have read a good few threads on the subject only snippets of info in them

I've been thinking of doing a fitness instructor/PT course,I like to keep fit by jogging and doing some bodyweight excercises at home but i've never set foot in a gym or lifted weights in my life.....would this be a problem or set back? I do plan to join a gym soon though.

Also being 28 im a bit worried of the long term prospects of the job seing as its poorly paid,I would like to settle into a new career not just a job to get by,if you know what I mean! Im not sure if its for me yet but if anyone has an inside view or advice on courses please let me know

Thanks!

It sounds more like you want to explore this as a way to get out of your current work situation, as opposed to having a passion for fitness and helping others feel passionate about it.

I would say that nearly anyone can be a fitness instructor in a gym with the right training, and provided they are in reasonable shape. Being a personal trainer is another matter, chances are you'll still be self-employed and you'll need to be in excellent shape and have a real passion and drive to succeed in the area!

Fitness instructors don't make much, personal trainers on the other hand can do very well if they are among the top in their field.

Hanley

You'd ultimately end up leaving one stressful self employes role for another tbh.

Unless you've a passion for it and are a natural extrovert, I'd avoid.

Sonee

Well thanks for the advice fellas,im still interested though ?

Can I ask why you think its stressful?

I've always never associated stress with fitness and healthy living or is the actual job/pay? Im just concentrating on the gym instructor side of it for now as I know being a personal trainer can come in the future and would take years...... if I was to persue it that far.

Stench Blossoms

Sonee wrote: »

I've always never associated stress with fitness and healthy living or is the actual job/pay? Im just concentrating on the gym instructor side of it for now as I know being a personal trainer can come in the future and would take years...... if I was to persue it that far.

I'd say it's something to do with the public that would make it stressful.

Burkatron

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I'd say it's something to do with the public that would make it stressful.

Public can be a pain
Pay is crap
Leisure industry in this country is horrible!
I work in a couple of places (thank god it's not as a fitness instructor in them) for a certain chain of gyms, the managers don't have a clue about fitness! They cut corners on saftey,insurance & if you question them on it your ass is on the line! So many gripes,that's just the start!

Hanley

Fitness instructors and basically low level grunts. You clean, show ppl how to use machines and teach brutal classes.

The only viable route out is working for yourself as a PT, if being your own boss is stressful now, nothing will change when you're selling your services as a PT!

Hailhail1967

Can I ask why you want to work in a gym but you have never even been inside one? Have you seen or know what a fitness instructor actually does?

I am a personal trainer, i went straight into it after doing 5 years in college in the health/fitness field. i'm 28 myself. I am not full time at the moment but when I re-locate it will be my full time job, it is hard work but it is very rewarding , especially when people buy into what your saying and get results, it is very satisfying and enjoyable to actually be able to change peoples lives for the better. In 90% of cases though, its only a small change that makes the difference to the person involved.

Personal training is really the only way to make any sort of career from being a fitness instructor and i believe that all personal trainers should have a degree but again that's my personal opinion. At a minimum you would want to be able to register with repsireland.ie, so check out their site or the european equivalent ereps.eu.com. Working in a gym is a horrible job, you spend more time cleaning than anything else and you never get much satisfaction from using your own methods etc, again just my personal opinion.

You have to love this job to do it, otherwise you wont last long at all.

COH

Gym instructor = cleaner/sales assistant. I don't know anyone that does this that isn't doing it solely to get experience in the fitness industry and isn't using it solely as a stepping stone to personal training.

Expect minimum wage, unsociable hours, and no respect - that's if you can get a job somewhere at all as gym positions are highly over subscribed for the reasons above. Keep your job - do the qualifications if they interest you, and look for some unpaid work experience at weekends to see what its all about. The fitness industry can be a fun and highly rewarding sector to be in, but you'll have to work your rear-end off to make it happen!

Gael23

Its an entry level position with fairly low pay. Most of them tend to use it as a stepping stone to something else. I know one of the fitness instructors at my gym has gone on to do physiotherapy.
About pay, I do think you earn extra for doing classes and swimming lessons etc.

Burkatron

ryanf1 wrote: »

Its an entry level position with fairly low pay. Most of them tend to use it as a stepping stone to something else. I know one of the fitness instructors at my gym has gone on to do physiotherapy.
About pay, I do think you earn extra for doing classes and swimming lessons etc.

The OP could keep his current Job & go onto to do Physical Therapy, Osteopathy, NMT or he could go full time & train to be a physio (if he qualified for the course) but from the original post I don't see that as an option!

The industry has changed alot in the past few years & alot of places don't pay extra for teaching classes! He'd have to go & do another course to teach swimming & then there's the case if he actually can swim & then teach! It's a different animal so shouldn't be really involved in this conversation!

Hanley

It's really 100% an employers market at the moment and unless you're bringing something very special to the table you're basically f*cked.

It's a rare person that gets outs of the trap, goes out on their own and is successful.

Sonee

Sounds pretty depressing alright....lol

I guess it is only a stepping stone to something else but what are the other typical courses or jobs could it lead onto?

Hanley

Sonee wrote: »

Sounds pretty depressing alright....lol

I guess it is only a stepping stone to something else but what are the other typical courses or jobs could it lead onto?

...the thing you're tryna escape!!

Chet Zar

Yeah, to be fair you can't go into something like personal training or physiotherapy or any of these kind of things unless you've got a real desire and passion for the fields. You're going to be there to motivate people, inspire them, treat them, educate them, and educate and fund yourself all along the way.

It's not like a desk job working for some company and then maybe a year or two later you say see-ya and move on somewhere else and get a pay-rise.

I'm not saying you couldn't do this, but if you look at the top trainers in the country, they live and breath what they do, have vast experience and ability, and get themselves out there in a big way (natural extroverts / self-promoters). That's the kind of level you'd need to be motivated and prepared enough to be gunning for.

Sonee

Ok fellas,thanks for your advice,will think about it

COYW

Can anyone recommend a full time or near full time course (eg diploma) in fitness instruction in the Dublin/Kildare area, starting in late Sept/early Oct? I am in my early 30s and really want to move into this area now, as I have a nice financial cushion from my current career which I wish to move away from for a few years. I have a real passion for fitness and would love to have the chance to pass it on to others as a career.

JJayoo

All gyms will require you to have some previous experience, which is a bit of a b1tch when a person has just finished a course. I have tried many gyms and each has told me to bugger off

COYW

COYW wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a full time or near full time course (eg diploma) in fitness instruction in the Dublin/Kildare area, starting in late Sept/early Oct? I am in my early 30s and really want to move into this area now, as I have a nice financial cushion from my current career which I wish to move away from for a few years. I have a real passion for fitness and would love to have the chance to pass it on to others as a career.

Individual day courses are good too.

nice_guy80

I think there is a market out there for people who are good at personal or group training and willing to work hard at it

I know for instance that a lot of sports clubs will pay for someone to come in and take structured fitness sessions in the club or for advice on stength and conditioning work

Hanley

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I think there is a market out there for people who are good at personal or group training and willing to work hard at it

I know for instance that a lot of sports clubs will pay for someone to come in and take structured fitness sessions in the club or for advice on stength and conditioning work

Full agree. When someone can sell their service AND deliver results, its a very potent combo. Unusual to see both happen at the same time tho

Hailhail1967

nice_guy80 wrote: »

I think there is a market out there for people who are good at personal or group training and willing to work hard at it

I know for instance that a lot of sports clubs will pay for someone to come in and take structured fitness sessions in the club or for advice on strength and conditioning work

I hope that's the case anyway :-) it can be very difficult to get into clubs, you almost always need to know someone involved in the running of the club, thats my experience anyway.

Hanley wrote: »

Full agree. When someone can sell their service AND deliver results, its a very potent combo. Unusual to see both happen at the same time tho

Very very true.

jayjaynomad

hi im starting a personel training course with this crowd called image fit in dublin,they give a nefpc certificate! wondering has anyone heard of them? and what is it like to get into the fitness industry when i complete the course cheers..

Hailhail1967

Cant say I know much about them but they appear to have all the proper backing. Reps ireland etc.

Getting a job will alll depend on what exactlly it is you plan on doing in the fitness industry?

jayjaynomad

cheers for getting back to me! i would like to go towards the personal training side but i could imagine it will be competitive with so many being out there! im a sparks and there is no work anymore so changing career and a bit anxious on what to expect in the fitness industry!
im pretty motivated and go the gym alot even bring the sister training in the park boot camp style..

Hailhail1967

Ya it is pretty competitive depending on your local area. I know some PT's that are in small towns and are doing fantastically well because they are the only reputable trainer in the area.

It depends on the type of training you offer as well. If you become known for high level sports or athlete training, will people who are less "fit" want to come training with you and visa versa.

I am currently embarking on starting my own PT business. My expectation is I will continue to have the small number of clients I have now for a number of months, that is until my name becomes known, my clients get talking to other potential clients and I get to devote more time to promoting myself.

If you are interested in your clients, are willing to help them, are reasonably priced, give excellent service and are professional, you will get clients. However I wouldnt be expecting to be rich or anything, especially starting out.

B.A._Baracus

If it's ok with mods, I will post this here

I too am looking at image fit (as jayjaynomad said) The price appears to be €2400 and includes:

This fee covers all our course contents

• Fitness Instruction at EQF level 3
• Group Instruction at EQF level 3
• Personal Training at EQF level 4
• seven complimentary workshops valued at €250 each
• Examination Fees
• I.F.T. Workbook
• Gym Sub-Membership
• 1 year Subscription to efitnesstracker.com

There are no additional fees or hidden extras!!

Is this a good course to take?
Also they say you can get a grant from FAS. Does anyone know how much would the grant generally be? ... 50% of the fee? more? Less?


totally new to this whole thing

chinaplate

did any one do the image fitness course. if so what is it like and would you recommend it

Hanley

Y'all need to look @ LIA

B.A._Baracus

Hanley wrote: »

Y'all need to look @ LIA

Lia?

DylanJM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Lia?

Leisure Industry Academy.

It's in Blackrock.

B.A._Baracus

DylanJM wrote: »

Leisure Industry Academy.

It's in Blackrock.

Cheers Dylan.
Just had a look at them. €735 euro for a fitness instructors course. States a mix between face to face learning and home learning.
Personal training costs €1,762. A bit pricey. But such is the way i've noticed. Again, mix between face to face and home learning.

So the total would be €2,497. Same price as ImageFit basically. I wouldnt be mad into this home learning stuff. Not when you are paying over 2 grand. But whats better in people's opinions?

Burkatron

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Cheers Dylan.
Just had a look at them. €735 euro for a fitness instructors course. States a mix between face to face learning and home learning.
Personal training costs €1,762. A bit pricey. But such is the way i've noticed. Again, mix between face to face and home learning.

So the total would be €2,497. Same price as ImageFit basically. I wouldnt be mad into this home learning stuff. Not when you are paying over 2 grand. But whats better in people's opinions?

You get a piece of paper at the end which allows you to get insured & work with clients! The real learning starts after on the job! Both places have a pretty decent team of instructors! If I had my choice though I'd go LIA going by Hanley's & others who've gone there,feedback.

Hanley

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Cheers Dylan.
Just had a look at them. €735 euro for a fitness instructors course. States a mix between face to face learning and home learning.
Personal training costs €1,762. A bit pricey. But such is the way i've noticed. Again, mix between face to face and home learning.

So the total would be €2,497. Same price as ImageFit basically. I wouldnt be mad into this home learning stuff. Not when you are paying over 2 grand. But whats better in people's opinions?

It's face to face, home learning is studying for the exams.

They do a fast track discount deal if you get theL3 and L4 together.

It really is a fantastic course.

B.A._Baracus

Burkatron wrote: »

You get a piece of paper at the end which allows you to get insured & work with clients! The real learning starts after on the job! Both places have a pretty decent team of instructors! If I had my choice though I'd go LIA going by Hanley's & others who've gone there,feedback.

Heard alot of people say this in relation to fitness. can anyone go into detail?

Hanley wrote: »

It's face to face, home learning is studying for the exams.

They do a fast track discount deal if you get theL3 and L4 together.

It really is a fantastic course.

Whats the l3 and l4? couldnt see it on the website.