How does a Non Qualified Person Run Classes??

markeekay1986

I am A fully qualified Fitness Instructor, PT and have qualifications for several classes and am REPS level 4 registered. I Know a guy who is running fitness classes and is not a qualified Instructor?? How is this possible?? I don't understand how he is legally allowed to run any class or event without any papers?? What I am more concerned about is why clients dont ask for proof?? Feed back needed please!

Figerty

markeekay1986 wrote: »

I am A fully qualified Fitness Instructor, PT and have qualifications for several classes and am REPS level 4 registered. I Know a guy who is running fitness classes and is not a qualified Instructor?? How is this possible?? I don't understand how he is legally allowed to run any class or event without any papers?? What I am more concerned about is why clients dont ask for proof?? Feed back needed please!

Because it's not that important to them.
People have a freedom of choice. They can walk away (baring injury!!) if the they want to, if they don't like what the see.
I know guys with 'fitness' qualifications that wouldn't have any real sports inclinations.

partyatmygaff

I'm not 100% sure but glancing at REPS' website, they appear to be a voluntary association to offer support for instructors and assurance to their clients. They're not a state body with a mandate in the same way that for example, the Medical Council or Pharmaceutical Society are. I also don't think "Fitness Instructor" or "Personal Trainer" are protected titles, anyone can use them and market themselves as one, qualified or not.

markeekay1986

partyatmygaff wrote: »

I'm not 100% sure but glancing at REPS' website, they appear to be a voluntary association to offer support for instructors and assurance to their clients. They're not a state body with a mandate in the same way that for example, the Medical Council or Pharmaceutical Society are. I also don't think "Fitness Instructor" or "Personal Trainer" are protected titles, anyone can use them and market themselves as one, qualified or not.

So in that case Why did i bother spending 4 years in college? what was the point? So Reps is a Registered professional and you have to have meet so many objectives to become registered which I respect and so do many others. I could use other societies if I was given ideas for these! I pay insurance and I love my work but what I can't understand is how you do not need to be qualified to do this? I feel like I have wasted 10 years of my life!!! Its not like I can move to another country and say im a quantity surveyor and get away with it so why can they get away with this!?? Really is quite shocking! I have been asked by a lot of people over the years "do you think I should do the course" and I feel like now I should advise them not too as it's a waste of time!!!

Mellor

None of the items you listed, (qualifications, courses, Registration) carry any real weight from a legal standpoint. It's not a protected title, and there's nothing exclusive about random fitness certificates.

For example, you don't need to do a kettkebell cousre to use kettkebells during a bootcamp.

markeekay1986 wrote: »

So in that case Why did i bother spending 4 years in college?what was the point?

To be educated, simple as that. Do you think you had the knowledge to be a PT before college?

You'd also struggle to get insurance without it. The person you mentioned possibly doesn't have insurance.

shutup

markeekay1986 wrote: »

What I am more concerned about is why clients dont ask for proof?? Feed back needed please!

Why would they ask? Would they gain strength, lose fat or achieve any of their goals by looking at some piece of paper that says he is qualified.
The proof is in the trainers class. If people go and don't enjoy or don't think it's of benefit they will stop going and find a new instructor. Maybe even a qualified one.
I could be wrong but you sound a bit jealous of the trainers ability to run a career "unqualified". It is of course a very human reaction to feel aggrieved if somebody who you feel has not put in the work that you have, to come along and do well in your industry.
I have competition down the road who is undeserved of their career. They are on the coat tails of somebody who actually is qualified and very respected in our industry. It does not bother me though. Let people go and find out how bad that person is and hopefully go find somebody better.
A qualification is just a piece if paper. I have met qualified instructors who I thought were too fat, too skinny or just clueless.
I think instead of being angry at the situation, think what is he or anyone else successful doing that I could do to further my career.
Maybe your career is already going great. Genuine best of luck.

What course did you do that takes four years to become a PT/fitness instructor?

Genuine question.

Hanley

Someone's butt hurt.

Personal Training is not a regulated industry in Ireland.

THere's no protection over the title, or the performance of role.

The only real reason to do a PT course is to get insurance to cover your ass in case you **** someone up.

Figerty

markeekay1986 wrote: »

So in that case Why did i bother spending 4 years in college? what was the point? So Reps is a Registered professional and you have to have meet so many objectives to become registered which I respect and so do many others. I could use other societies if I was given ideas for these! I pay insurance and I love my work but what I can't understand is how you do not need to be qualified to do this? I feel like I have wasted 10 years of my life!!! Its not like I can move to another country and say im a quantity surveyor and get away with it so why can they get away with this!?? Really is quite shocking! I have been asked by a lot of people over the years "do you think I should do the course" and I feel like now I should advise them not too as it's a waste of time!!!

To be honest there are load of mickey mouse 'Sports and Recreation courses' in colleges that are only there to put bums on seats and tap into the current fitness expert crap. Most of them will be regretting it in a few years and wondering why they were sold a pup.
There are however people like yourself who seem to have a genuine interest in Health and Fitness. Unfortunately with the proliferation of mickey mouse courses and random qualifications this sector is the soft option.
You can't move anywhere and say you are QS if it's checked out. Courses like QS for example are professional qualifications and accredited by professional respected bodies and awarded by proper third level bodies. IF somebody does that and gets away with it then it's a weakness of the employer.

markeekay1986

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What course did you do that takes four years to become a PT/fitness instructor?

Genuine question.

Batchelor of Business in recreation and Leisure.......waste! ha!

markeekay1986

Figerty wrote: »

To be honest there are load of mickey mouse 'Sports and Recreation courses' in colleges that are only there to put bums on seats and tap into the current fitness expert crap. Most of them will be regretting it in a few years and wondering why they were sold a pup.
There are however people like yourself who seem to have a genuine interest in Health and Fitness. Unfortunately with the proliferation of mickey mouse courses and random qualifications this sector is the soft option.
You can't move anywhere and say you are QS if it's checked out. Courses like QS for example are professional qualifications and accredited by professional respected bodies and awarded by proper third level bodies. IF somebody does that and gets away with it then it's a weakness of the employer.

I Always played competitive sport as a child, teenager and adult. My experience is a great base! I also suffered a Brain hemorrhage 2 years ago and thanks to my health and fitness I recovered very quickly! I am also a type 1 diabetic! I support mental health issues and try to gain awareness as it is proved you can feel better by moving your butt mentally and physically so thats where I am placing my trade at the minute!!

Transform

Hanley wrote: »

Someone's butt hurt.

Personal Training is not a regulated industry in Ireland.

THere's no protection over the title, or the performance of role.

The only real reason to do a PT course is to get insurance to cover your ass in case you **** someone up.

plus who really cares.

just do good work and get on with it

Birdsong

The most important thing for people when picking a class or going to a Personal Trainer is liking the person, first & foremost. Qualifications not the most important thing.

Transform

Birdsong wrote: »

The most important thing for people when picking a class or going to a Personal Trainer is liking the person, first & foremost. Qualifications not the most important thing.

what they said^^^

helps if they know their stuff - a decent blog should show that

and look like they train

Lots of 'fat loss' experts look like they need a fat loss expert and same can be said of those that make big claims about how to gain muscle

nice_guy80

So I can just call myself a PT?

Great, so now i'm a PT. Must update CV

Doug Cartel

You can also call yourself a computer programmer. (Or any number of professions, but computer programming is the one I know about, so I'll stick with it for this analogy.)

You don't need to go to college to become a computer programmer, and there are plenty of really good computer programmers who are largely self taught. Still there is a big demand for 4 year long BSc Computer Science degrees and they are more or less considered essential if you want to get into the field.

Even though they are not technically essential, and actually a lot of stuff you learn probably isn't all that important if all you are interested is learning how to do a job, a huge chunk of what you learn is really valuable to you. There is a lot more to getting that degree than the piece of paper that comes with it.

calfmuscle

You also don't need a qualification to call yourself a physical therapist, massage therapist, chiropractor, spinologist, sports therapist, neuromuscular therapist, endorphinest or any other "health" qualifications. Only doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians and radiographers are protected titles.

angela8915

Really good job on the site, Keep up the good work!