The YMCA personal trainer course is part of a long list of courses that the organisation offers for those who wish to make a career within the vast and growing fitness industry. The course can be followed at a number of centres up and down the country from Brighton in the South to Manchester in the North West and Colchester in the far East, as well as up into Scotland with a centre at Cardonald College in Paisley . The YMCA are the leading provider of fitness courses in the United Kingdom. Those who are qualified can also link up their personal business web pages with the YMCAFIT site.
Beginning training for a new career, or even adding qualifications to those already held, can be a big decision. That is why the YMCA has regular open evenings so that you can go along, see the facilities, find information to help you make a decision, and meet up with both tutors and those already taking the course. There will be presentations about such things as the course content and format, the support that is available, the way assessments work and the possible course dates.
The YMCA’s Advanced Diploma in Personal Training is a Level 3 REPS course made up of seven distinct modules. Completion of all of these to a satisfactory level means that you will then be entered as a personal trainer on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REP) as well as the National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT). You can complete the course as one intense ‘fast-track’ course or can take it at a slower pace to fit in with other commitments you might have. Whichever option you choose you personal preferences as far as learning styles will be taken into account by tutors. The modules are:-
Gym instructor
Fitness Testing
Advanced Training
Exercise Nutrition
Business skills
Out door fitness
Sports Conditioning
An important point is that you are guaranteed that on successful completion of the course interviews will be set up for you with a variety of employers. Many personal trainers choose to set up business on their own while others prefer to work within a larger organisation, which means they can get on with being a trainer and do not have to worry about such things as advertising, income tax and the necessary cover. It does of course mean a certain loss of control and independence. Having gained a little experience many trainers prefer to work part time in a large gym and some time on their own in premises they have rented or own, or even set up a mobile business working with clients in their own homes or other premises or outdoors.
As a qualified personal trainer you will be able to enjoy a varied and flexible career supporting and encouraging a wide range of clients to achieve their personal goals as far as fitness and health are concerned. Taking a YMCA Personal Trainer course could be the first step.