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How To Choose The Right Course, and Training Provider For You.
20th FEBRUARY, 2023 | BY ANDY MORIARTY
Deciding you want to become a Fitness Professional is the easy part. Next you'll find out that you need to have Certificate III and IV (depending on the role/s you wish to undertake - see 'Certificate III and IV, What's The Difference'). Then the big question.... who do you study with?
Becoming a personal trainer in Australia can be an excellent career choice for fitness enthusiasts who want to help others achieve their health and wellness goals. However, with so many courses available, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you. In this blog, we'll outline some key considerations to help you choose the best personal training course for your career.
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Accreditation: One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a personal training course in Australia is accreditation. The key is to look for courses that are from accredited Nationally Recognised Training Providers, which is only possible if the organisation is registered and accredited with ASQA. Accreditation ensures that the course meets industry standards and that you'll receive the education and training needed to be a successful personal trainer in accordance with government guidelines, which offers you the ability to gain certification for a national qualification.
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Delivery mode: Personal training courses in Australia can be delivered in various modes, including face-to-face, online, and blended learning. Consider your learning style and schedule when choosing a course delivery mode. If you prefer hands-on learning, a face-to-face course may be the best option. On the other hand, if you need more flexibility and prefer self-paced learning, an online course may be more suitable. At times even when struggling for time and aiming for a self-paced option, it's often worth talking with someone about it, to understand whether or not course completion is realistic. For a large number of people, although busy it's worth paying to attend on fixed dates at a set location to help you get through certain aspects of the course, and helps with accountability.
Tip: If seeking a self-paced (online only) course, be sure to seek clarification on the support you will receive. It's incredibly common as a training provider for us to get phone calls from students with other organisations seeking clarification on this, as they often fall behind and feel that they can't get the answers they need. This is most common when it comes to completing practical tasks and submitting videos of tasks, when face to face training provides you with the opportunity to get it all done in one location.
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Course duration and cost: Personal training courses in Australia can vary in duration and cost. Consider how much time and money you can afford to invest in your education and career. The crucial aspect to consider here, is 'cheap' doesn't always make it a great offer, and linking to the delivery mode, make sure you seek clarification as to what you get for your money. A longer course may provide more in-depth knowledge and skills, but it may also be a greater investment. Look for a course that fits your budget and provides the level of education and training you need to become a successful personal trainer. Always remember however that many course providers will offer payment plans to help you in getting started, and make it manageable for you to get qualified.
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Industry connections: Look for courses that have connections with the fitness industry in Australia. Don't be afraid to ask either. Being in the industry and being organisations that help provide employees, we often have gyms, and fitness facilities coming to us looking for students and recent graduates. These connections can provide you with opportunities to network with industry professionals, access job placements, and gain practical experience.
Consider courses that offer work placement programs or internships to help you gain real-world experience. If you are required to conduct work placement hours, and the organisation can't help you get them, even if they said they have a great network, it still may not help. So be sure to get confirmation on how this is done. Knowing that this is one of the bigger downfalls of conducting work placements we do not enrol students in our self-paced study option, without first confirming your placement location.
In summary, when choosing a personal training course in Australia, consider accreditation, delivery mode, course duration and cost, and industry connections. With these factors in mind, you'll be able to select a course that provides the education and training you need to start your career as a successful personal trainer.
Want to know on what we offer? From face to face training to self paced study, we can help you with a variety of Personal Training Courses.