What do people think of doing a fitness instructor course?

BetterThanThou

I've been considering doing a fitness instructor course in NTC Dublin. I've got practically nothing to do and fitness related things have been dominating my life for the last while, I train around 14/15 hours a week minimum. I feel I have a decent knowledge on the subject, and while I'm not expecting to do a course like this, not study and get full marks, as I know I'll know very little of the course, I feel I do have some basics which may benefit me. And I'm interested in even the stuff I know nothing about, so I'd enjoy doing the course and give it my all. Right now, physically, I'm in quite good shape, but visually, I'm quite average. I know people with qualifications in fitness instructing are very much ten a penny. If I were to get in good visual shape, get fitness instructing qualifications, do a few other courses to complement that. Does anyone think I could come out and make a career out of that? Or would I most likely be putting myself out of pocket a few grand for a qualification that I'll be unlikely to do anything with?

Burkatron

BetterThanThou wrote: »

I've been considering doing a fitness instructor course in NTC Dublin. I've got practically nothing to do and fitness related things have been dominating my life for the last while, I train around 14/15 hours a week minimum. I feel I have a decent knowledge on the subject, and while I'm not expecting to do a course like this, not study and get full marks, as I know I'll know very little of the course, I feel I do have some basics which may benefit me. And I'm interested in even the stuff I know nothing about, so I'd enjoy doing the course and give it my all. Right now, physically, I'm in quite good shape, but visually, I'm quite average. I know people with qualifications in fitness instructing are very much ten a penny. If I were to get in good visual shape, get fitness instructing qualifications, do a few other courses to complement that. Does anyone think I could come out and make a career out of that? Or would I most likely be putting myself out of pocket a few grand for a qualification that I'll be unlikely to do anything with?

Do you know anyone in the business that will help you get your foot in the door?

If not I've seen some of the bigger chain gyms advertise for instructors through the jobsbridge scam, are you willing to go down that route to scrub, clean & teach classes for your extra €50 a week?

Have you got working capital to open your own place? Have you researched any areas you think would benefit from such services?

You might get lucky & be extremely succesful or you might be like the majority in the industry who are fighting for every penny & every client they earn!

It's not an easy profession & if you don't love it (even if you do) & if you're not ready it will swallow you up & spit you out! Get some hours shadowing & then decide!

Courses are piece of paper to get you started BUT the NTC course needs a serious update!!

BetterThanThou

Burkatron wrote: »

Do you know anyone in the business that will help you get your foot in the door?

If not I've seen some of the bigger chain gyms advertise for instructors through the jobsbridge scam, are you willing to go down that route to scrub, clean & teach classes for your extra €50 a week?

Have you got working capital to open your own place? Have you researched any areas you think would benefit from such services?

You might get lucky & be extremely succesful or you might be like the majority in the industry who are fighting for every penny & every client they earn!

It's not an easy profession & if you don't love it (even if you do) & if you're not ready it will swallow you up & spit you out! Get some hours shadowing & then decide!

Courses are piece of paper to get you started BUT the NTC course needs a serious update!!

I do know a few people who are in the industry, one of them I know quite well, and he's quite successful, though, unlike some of the failures in the industry though, he has definitely put in the effort to make his services appealing.
I know the industry is not an easy one to make it in, for many reasons, one of the reasons would be the fact that most people aren't going to want a personal trainer who's in worse shape than them, so for that, I'd need to be in tip top shape all year round. And of course, it's a changing industry, the guy I was talking about, in addition to being in fantastic shape, is constantly doing more courses to update his qualifications. In no way am I expecting to do an 18 week course and walk out into a job for life.
So would you say I'd gain basically no benefit from the NTC course? Right now, I'm 17, so, I'm not eligible for JobBridge, if I'm correct, as I believe you have to be claiming jobseeker's benefit. So I was thinking the NTC course could be something I could do in the time that I have practically no other options available, do you feel the course is so bad that I'd be wasting my time and money?

Burkatron

BetterThanThou wrote: »

I do know a few people who are in the industry, one of them I know quite well, and he's quite successful, though, unlike some of the failures in the industry though, he has definitely put in the effort to make his services appealing.

Good, get some experience working for him! Shadow him (& others if you can). Decide if it's really for you!

one of the reasons would be the fact that most people aren't going to want a personal trainer who's in worse shape than them

,

Most people don't want a personal trainer, it's a very small market with that's getting more & more crowded! Everyone has a cert these days, you'll need to learn how to sell yourself! Being in shape will help ofcourse!

In no way am I expecting to do an 18 week course and walk out into a job for life.

So would you say I'd gain basically no benefit from the NTC course?

Nope, not saying that at all! You'll get a reps qualification that will allow you to get insured & work in the industry! This is #1 reason for doing these courses! The content is secondary! The NTC is outdated. IMO look at Elite Fitness academy (formerly LIA) or Image Fit for the best content!

Right now, I'm 17, so, I'm not eligible for JobBridge, if I'm correct, as I believe you have to be claiming jobseeker's benefit. So I was thinking the NTC course could be something I could do in the time that I have practically no other options available, do you feel the course is so bad that I'd be wasting my time and money?

You obviously don't want to be told to go back to school & college but that would be your best option imo! You need to do something that sets YOU apart! I get clients over other trainers around my area because I offer physical Therapy & rehab combined with S&C! Most of my clients end up in my classes. Very few go the PT route!

JJayoo

Get your lifeguard qualifications.