personal trainer - ymcafit · available to ensure that your career as a personal trainer is more...
TRANSCRIPT
Become apersonaltrainer
“A career where every day is different and every day you makea difference.”Denise Page, Head of YMCAfit
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YMCA Fitness Industry Training111 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NPt. 020 7343 1850 | f. 0843 221 1548 | e. [email protected]
YMCA® is a registered trademark in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Publisher's note: this brochure describes the training programme currently run by YMCA Fitness Industry Training.Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy but changes may be introduced after publication.
London Central Young Men's Christian Association Ltd trading as YMCA Fitness Industry Training; 111 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NP
A registered Charity No. 1001043 Registered in England and Wales No. 2551972
Contents04 Why choose us?
06 Become a world class personal trainer
08 How do I get the career I want?
12 Gym Instructor
15 Fitness Testing
16 Advanced Training
18 Exercise Nutrition
19 Business Skills
20 Outdoor Fitness
21 Sports Conditioning
22 Suspension Fitness
22 Padwork for PTs
24 Continue your journey
26 Contact
26 Venues
3ymcafit.org.uk [email protected] 020 7343 1850
A career within the fitness industry continues to be the best option for those seeking a positive work-life balance around a job that offers both freedom and happiness. The industry itself, meanwhile, is booming with an ever increasing number of health and fitness facilities opening up around the country.
Established in 1984, YMCAfit is the most experienced fitness training provider in the UK having trained over 70,000 instructors. We have developed the largest portfolio of fitness training products available and continue to lead the way with new training options to keep our graduates at the head of the industry.
Just like the fitness industry, we never stand still. We continue to invest heavily in a development programme that provides exciting, relevant and high quality training opportunities for instructors across a wide range of disciplines.
Whether you are thinking of beginning your career in exercise and fitness, or moving upwards into advanced levels, you’ll find that there are many new and exciting ways to add skills to your professional repertoire.
Making a differenceAs a registered charity and a not for profit organisation, we are able to use all our resources to constantly improve and develop our service. In addition to this, we educate individuals on the benefits of physical activity to mental, physical and social health, to empower them to improve the health of their wider communities.
Previously, we have designed specific projects to address inequalities and increase participation in the fitness industry. This has included successful programmes for black and ethnic minority women, unemployed individuals, disabled people, those living with HIV, those living in areas of deprivation and individuals with mental illness.
Founder member of REPs
“There were two reasonsI decided to train with YMCAfit. Firstly because it is a charity-based organisation and, secondly, the qualifications are recognised around the world.”Farzana Potter, Personal Trainer
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Become aworld classpersonal trainer
Train with us to get: internationally recognised qualifications
guaranteed interviews – with Virgin Active, Steiner, Rosemary Conley and many more
free Anatomy for Exercise DVD
interactive eLearning for both Level 2 and Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology
student support to help you along your way
Power Plate - free eLearning module and reductions on further training
equipment reductions – 10% off all products by Physique
7ymcafit.org.uk [email protected] 020 7343 1850
How do I get the career I want?
“I would definitely recommend this andany other course to others, as long as itis run and taught bythe YMCAfit team.”David White, Personal Trainer
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A career as a personal trainer can be both financially and emotionally rewarding. Once qualified you will have the opportunity to run your own business and develop a career that you can build around your life.
Training for a new career is a big step, often something that you will have been thinking about for quite some time. We understand this, and through our experience we have developed an array of different training options and formats to make this big step less daunting. Having trained over 70,000 instructors, we know what works and we have a variety of teaching styles and learning formats available to ensure that your career as a personal trainer is more achievable than ever before.
Over the next two pages, we’ll detail the different journeys that you can take to realise the career you want within the fitness industry and what you need to do to get there.
9ymcafit.org.uk [email protected] 020 7343 1850
Gym InstructorAn entry into working in the gym environment, the role of fitness instructor is a great way to develop your practical teaching skills and, for those unsure of their ultimate destination, this is the perfect starting point. Many fitness instructors ultimately return to study to progress into personal training.
What courses do I take?
Gym Instructor
What qualification do I get?
CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing
How long does it take?
Six weeks to complete training and assessment.
How much will I earn?Usually £12-£17k per year.
Certificate in Personal TrainingThe basic qualification for those who are keen to become personal trainers is the Certificate in Personal Training. Personal training offers significantly greater earning potential compared to the role of fitness instructor. Along with being profitable, this role is a great way to develop your own client base and advance your teaching and interaction skills.
What courses do I take?
Gym Instructor
Fitness Testing Advanced Training
includes Suspension Fitness Exercise Nutrition
What qualification do I get?
CYQ Certificate in Personal Training
How long does it take?
modular route: completed at a speed that suits you, five months to one year is definitely achievable.
How much will I earn?Depending on the gym, you will either receive a percentage on an hourly rate eg, 50% of £50p/h or, you will earn the whole £50 but pay a monthly rent to the gym, ranging from £400-£1200 pcm.
The more clients you have – the more money you make.
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Advanced Diplomain Personal TrainingRunning your own business and being unrestricted in where you practice your new career is a fantastic benefit of completing the Advanced Diploma in Personal Training. Having your own business is the most financially lucrative option due to the variety of locations that you can use and the freedom to charge as you wish. The skills gained on the Advanced Diploma will set you up for having a long and successful career in personal training.
What courses do I take?
Gym Instructor
Fitness Testing Advanced Training Exercise Nutrition Sports Conditioning Outdoor Fitness Business Skills
What qualification do I get?
YMCA Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Personal Training
How long does it take?
intensive route: 40 days over 15 weeks (week in, week off basis) modular route: a speed that suits you; seven months to one year is definitely achievable.
How much will I earn?
Charge what you want. Average is between £40 and £60 per hour. Average income is £32,500 per annum.
The more clients you have – the more money you make.
UK’s onlyPersonal Trainercourse to include
Padwork for PTs Suspension Fitness
scan to see thecourse in action
11ymcafit.org.uk [email protected] 020 7343 1850
GymInstructorOur Gym Instructor course is a fantastic first step into the fitness industry and the foundation for further progression to becoming a personal trainer.
You’ll learn how to teach and demonstrate good personal technique on a range of cardiovascular equipment, fixed resistance, free weights and body weight exercises. The underpinning theory behind these exercises will also be covered, focusing on identifying the major bones, muscles and muscle actions. Our experienced tutors will also give you their expert knowledge on adopting great customer care which is both vital for a fitness instructor and for retaining clients as a personal trainer.
Course format intensive: 10 days theory and practical over 3 weeks
blended learning: 5 days practical plus theory via eLearning
06:00Client: PallaviGoal: toning and better posture
First thing on a Tuesday morning is always a bit of a tough one with Monday consistently being the busiest day and therefore, most tiring. I started today with a new client who I met last week for a consultation. She’s completely new to the gym environment but wants to ‘tone up’ and develop better posture. With new clients like this, it’s important that the correct technique is demonstrated with plenty of opportunities for the client to practice. I was really pleased at how quickly she picked up these new techniques but more work is going to be needed on squatting. Although these sessions often aren’t the most physically challenging for the client, they build the foundation for future sessions.
scan to see thecourse in action
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“The tutors are excellent and you meet such a variety of people.”Deborah Snaith, student
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“The tutors here are great, really approachableand really friendly.”Selda Clough, student
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FitnessTestingTo effectively gauge if a training programme that you’ve implemented has been effective, many clients want to know more than just how much weight they have lost. Our Fitness Testing module will allow you to perform a range of assessments such as blood pressure, flexibility and body fat percentages. We’ll also look at how to assess clients’ current lifestyle, health and fitness. This module helps you to tailor exercise programmes to your clients’ specific goals. The skills learnt on this module will no doubt provide the foundation for all of your clients’ programmes.
Course format face to face: 2 days practical
07:00Client: AndreaGoal: decrease body fatand feel fitter
It’s 7am and client two for the day is already here. I used to hate getting up for 9am in my old office job, but now early mornings get the day off to a good start. A slightly apprehensive client comes through the door today because, for her, it’s measurement day. Every four weeks we do skinfold measurements to see how she is getting on. Often by taking these measures, you can keep the client motivated when weight loss begins to stagnate as it is evident that muscle toning is taking place and body fat levels are reducing. She was delighted with her progress and really worked hard with her new found motivation.
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AdvancedTrainingDeveloping effective long-term, periodised training programmes that are specific for your clients’ goals are the primary focus for this module. You will begin to feel like a personal trainer following this course as you’ll have an array of different training methods now within your repertoire. Advanced Training also explores working with clients outside of the gym environment, adequately preparing you for sessions in the home, studios or even the workplace. You will also further develop your anatomy and physiology understanding to ensure that you can apply the theory behind all your new practical knowledge.
Course format intensive: 12 days theory and practical
blended learning: 8 days practical plus theory via eLearning
09:00Client: RobertoGoal: strength gain
Third session of the morning and it’s time to lift the intensity. I sent my client a text yesterday to give him some advance warning that this session is going to be very tough. He is desperate to improve his strength levels but after a rapid rise at the start, things have gradually slowed. To shock the system and to hopefully get some results again, I’ll be doing a couple of training approaches to really push him to his limits. I’ll be doing some strip sets on the chest press and ‘negatives’ on the biceps curl with a bit of TRX work to finish. This will ensure that he is working at his absolute maximum capacity and even slightly beyond it which should get us some results.
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Includes Suspension Fitness
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“I found the training thorough, informativeand a lot of fun, especially the practical element.”Kenneth Howlett, Personal Trainer
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Exercise NutritionMany clients of a personal trainer will have a specific goal to lose weight. Although devising and implementing exercise programmes will be your primary role, it is imperative that you can offer advice on eating habits. Our Exercise Nutrition module will give you the knowledge on how to effectively analyse food diaries, educate your clients on healthy eating guidelines and offer generic food recommendations to help their goals to become attainable. This module will give you a broader understanding of the diet industry and the truth behind claims made by food manufacturers.
Course format face to face: 3 days theory based
home study
10:00Client: JacquesGoal: weight loss
The final client before a two hour break and a much needed bit of food. Frustratingly this client has seen little improvement of late with regards to his weight loss goals despite pushing himself hard in the sessions. I think I have cracked it now though. Last week I requested that a food diary was kept for five days so I could analyse what he is eating. His alcohol and calorific intake is significantly high with very low levels of water consumption. He also eats very late in the evening, often past 10pm. I address these with him and set a list of action points for developing a more effective eating pattern. Speaking of food, I’m off to grab a bite.
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Business SkillsBeing technically adept is vital to the success of being a personal trainer. But what separates those who are successful from those who aren’t? It is not always about technical competence, it is often about how effectively a trainer markets him or herself and the planning and preparations they have put into their business plan. Following this course, you will have developed a business plan that can form the foundation to your personal trainer career, including how to capture and retain clients. Also, you’ll have analysed the current market and consumer behaviour in order to develop your unique selling point (USP).
Course format face to face: 3 days theory based
home study
13:00Client: Paul and LeonGoal: marathon training
An afternoon off! Well this used to be the case on a Tuesday. People think that spare time and only working 20-30 hour weeks are fantastic, but when you are a freelance PT you want to be busy all of the time, so quiet times are not ideal. I commissioned a designer friend of mineto make my website more appealing and had 1000 leaflets designed and delivered around the local area. This resulted in three new consultations in the last week, including two friends who want to train together. Although this is always slightly harder work for me, it often makes a lot of sense as I, as a trainer, get more money per hour and the friends get a better deal for training together. It’s now 2pm and I’m ready for my own workout.
“I wanted to train with an organisation that is known worldwide.”Nicholas Rowsell, student
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OutdoorFitnessOutdoor Fitness is a concept that continues to thrive. Stroll through any park and there is a strong chance that you’ll see a variety of people taking advantage of the great outdoors for their fitness requirements.As a personal trainer, having the ability to take both individuals and groups outdoors is a fantastic way to generate more income and be a walking advertisement to passers by. This module encourages you to use the environment around you such as trees, slopes, benches and stairs, to create a challenging workout. You will feel confident in running your own innovative, imaginative and exciting bootcamp class.
Course format face to face: 2 days practical
18:30Client: outdoor group sessionGoal: full body workout
For reasons beyond my knowledge, Tuesday evenings are always quiet. Maybe sport on TV or a show that I’m not aware of! To make up for this lack of one to one sessions, I have set up an outdoor bootcamp class in the local park. This starts at 6.30pm which gives commuters enough time to get back, but also frees up everyone’s evening too. Eight attendees tonight with six regulars and two new ones, maybe this leaflet drop is working! The weather held off which was a bonus. It was a mix of cardio work and resistance exercises to give a full body workout. I also threw in a couple of team games which added a little competition. They all went home smiling but tired; I’ll take that as a good sign.
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SportsConditioningThe wider the range that you can offer, the greater the likelihood of becoming a successful personal trainer. Sports Conditioning will enable you to develop effective training programmes for clients who have a particular sporting goal or hobby. As part of this module you will analyse sporting actions and movements to establish what intervention you could implement to improve performance. Outside of a sporting setting, having the skills to improve clients’ agility, speed, coordination, power and endurance is extremely valuable. This module will help you to devise interesting methods to help your clients reach their peak performance.
Course format face to face: 3 days practical and theory
19:30Client: LizzyGoal: improved fitness for tennis
I have to admit that sporty sessions are my favourite, so my last client of the day is always an enjoyable one for me. She is a very talented young tennis player who has sadly struggled with the increased physical demands of the game as she has grown up and wants to catch up without getting frequently injured. Today is about lateral movements and developing core strength. Hurdles, stability discs and a BOSU are the order of the day. The motivation of this client is always inspiring. A great session and a fantastic finish to the day. Now I’m off home for dinner.
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“Being out in the fresh air, exercising daily, sleeping better, having more fun.... what can I say? I’m loving every moment.”Colin Homden, Personal Trainer
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Suspension FitnessSuspension Fitness is something that has exploded onto the fitness scene in recent times. It is rare to read a fitness article without the phrase ‘functional training’ popping up and this has led to trainers looking for something that is more whole body and multi-planar. Following this module, you’ll be competent in manipulating your client’s bodyweight to produce a suspension-based workout. The versatility that this kit offers is vast and along with its portability, it will offer an added dimension to your personal trainer offering.
This module is incorporated as part of the Advanced Training course.
Padwork for PTsDevelopment of speed and power can be achieved in a number of ways,but rarely will clients enjoy it as much as when hitting the pads with theirpersonal trainer. Our Padwork for PTs course uses equipment suchas gloves, focus pads and kick shields to develop combinations of jabs,hooks and knees. With an ability to run padwork sessions, you’ll be ableto offer a more stimulating approach to training which is sure to add tothe enjoyment of your sessions.
Course format face to face: 1 day practical
21:00Goal: tomorrow’s session plans
Working in a private studio often requires imagination when preparing sessions. If you have a selection of 30 machines and a free weights area, as you do in many gyms, then you don’t need to be too creative in your approach. Without this luxury, I do get very excited about new pieces of kit that can be used in a variety of locations and with a mix of uses. For me, I think training clients outside of a specific gym has given me a fantastic grounding as I’m as comfortable delivering a suspension session as I am teaching with resistance machines. On that note, it’s time to get creative as I’m planning tomorrow morning’s session just before bed – cue boxing pads, ropes and pulleys and possibly a trampette too.
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“YMCAfit is absolutely excellent. Everything is really in depth and it is an amazing company to train with.”Kerry Cornez, student
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Continue your journey
Expand your repertoire
Create exciting freestyle classes which express your own personality.
Showcase your skills to a class of potential clients.
Gain extra income in addition to your one to one sessions.
Recommended modulesCircuit TrainingDeliver indoor circuits using a mix of body weight exercises and a range of equipment.
Keiser Cycle FoundationTeach fun and effective indoor cycling classes.
Core StabilityGain competence using stability balls, BOSU and foam rollers.
Aqua TrainingProvide water-based exercise sessions for groups.
The holistic route
Offer a low impact alternative workout to new clients and within classes.
Incorporate holistic principles into your current sessions.
Recommended modulesSTOTT PILATES® Mat-PlusDesign and teach essential and intermediate level Matwork classes, including integrating small equipment which will allow you to add variety to your sessions.
STOTT PILATES® ReformerTeach a broad range of exercises, variations and modifications performed on the Reformer to offer a training approach different to any other form.
Diploma in Teaching YogaTeach asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha and other Hatha Yoga practices within a specialised class or incorporate into your one to one sessions.
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New direction
New and exciting career direction.
Facilitate the development of the next generation of fitness instructors.
Play your part in raising the standards of the fitness industry.
Recommended modulesAssessor TrainingAssess instructors to National Occupational Standards within your workplace to ensure your staff continue to offer the highest quality service.
Tutor TrainingProgress into the area of teaching instructor courses with this great first step in developing your informative and innovative teaching plans.
Specialist knowledge
Work with demographics with specific medical conditions.
Inspire under-active individuals and groups in the community.
Recommended modulesExercise for Older AdultsAge should be no barrier to exercise so broaden your market to offer classes or one to one sessions to older adults.
Ante and Postnatal ExerciseDevelop the skills to adapt any training programme to offer safe progressive workouts for ante and postnatal women.
Exercise ReferralWork with medically referred clients with low risk medical conditions either within an organised scheme or develop your own.
Exercise and DisabilityDeveloped as part of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI), following this module you will have the expertise to deliver effective sessions for a range of disabled people.
By completing the Advanced Diploma in Personal Training you’ll have developed a vast array of skills which will ensure that your personal trainer sessions are professional, varied and fun. The quality of your teaching skills will be evident and you will have appropriately planned how to develop your USP in the fitness industry.
We want to ensure that our graduates stay ahead of the game, with a range of exciting continuing professional development (CPD) courses. We keep abreast of any changesand trends in the fitness industry and as such have a continual influx of new and innovative courses throughout each year. This is evidenced by our current CPD selection, the largest of any training provider.
scan to see all CPD courses
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ContactYMCA Fitness Industry Training111 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NPt. 020 7343 1850f. 0843 221 1548e. [email protected]. ymcafit.org.uk
Venues
London
Colchester
Brighton
Birmingham
Manchester
Leicester
Sheffield
HullLeeds
26 ymcafit.org.uk [email protected] 020 7343 1850
YMCA Fitness Industry Training111 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NP
t. 020 7343 1850
f. 0843 221 1548
w. ymcafit.org.uk