Experts are predicting strong growth in the health and fitness sector over the next five years, particularly for those who have undertaken personal training courses. Job opportunities are also increasing in line with society’s awareness of the health benefits of physical activity and growth in health consciousness.

Because this sector is also not clearly defined, it overlaps into many fields including medicine, natural therapies, sports, recreation, tourism and education … so the career possibilities are endless! 

Our new course, the Certificate of Health and Fitness, is ideal for anyone keen to improve their own wellbeing as well as help others achieve their health goals. This includes personal trainers, gym and group instructors, fitness services coordinators, or those who work in other health and fitness-related sectors.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes achieved by undertaking personal training courses include: 

• Exploring the scope and nature of the health and fitness industry 
• Studying the definition of fitness 
• Learning about the components of physical fitness 
• Gaining access to health and fitness resources 
• Studying health and fitness organisations
• Gaining insights into exercise physiology
• Learning about muscle and muscle contraction
• Exploring fast and slow muscle 
• Studying how exercise affects muscles 
• Examining pulse rate and the cardiorespiratory system
• Learning about energy and enzymes 
• Exploring food as an energy source 
• Studying the recommended daily intake of nutrients
• Gaining an understanding of respiration and exercise recovery
• Examining exercise principles and cardiorespiratory programming
• Gaining insights into the relationship between heart rate and workload 
• Learning about the biology of the circulatory system
• Exploring blood composition, blood functions and blood vessels
• Studying the heart, pulse rate and cardiac output 
• Examining heart disease and cardiovascular disease 
• Gaining insights into the spleen and the lymphatic system
• Learning about biomechanics and risk
• Exploring the skeleton and the muscular system in terms of risk
• Studying the risks involved with training
• Gaining an understanding of the common musculoskeletal injuries
• Examining back and spinal injuries
• Gaining insight into how to prevent injury
• Learning about fitness program design and the typical process
• Exploring the kinds of exercise used in a fitness program
• Studying how to develop the physique and provide a balanced program
• Gaining an understanding of indoor and outdoor locations and the equipment and music needed
• Learning how to deliver a fitness program
• Exploring fitness leader functions including teaching, counselling, motivation and evaluation
• Studying leadership communication and the barriers to communication 
• Gaining an understanding of how to communicate with children and young people
• Examining communication techniques including whistling and raising an arm
• Gaining insights into motivation including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation 
• Learning about the factors that affect motivation
• Exploring self-belief and self-talk
• Gaining an understanding of relationships with your participants 
• Gaining insights into motivating for fitness and weight control
• Learning about nutrition and sport 
• Exploring sports psychologists and fitness programs
• Studying the elements of a session or class and how to deliver and conclude them
• Gaining insights into how to write an exercise program
• Learning how to support participants’ needs 
• Exploring communication strategies including active listening and reinforcement
• Studying how to deal with problems and conflict 
• Understanding safety, injury and general wellbeing
• Examining safety considerations including those in aerobic activities 
• Gaining insights into dealing with injuries including giving First Aid 
• Learning about occupational health and safety regulations
• Studying how to identify hazards and the legalities of the fitness sector 
• Gaining insights into how to pre-screen clients
• Learning about suitable surfaces, clothing and footwear 
• Exploring anthropometric measurements 
• Studying cancer and general wellbeing when it comes to fitness 
• Gaining an understanding of fitness programs for special groups
• Understanding inclusive program management 
• Examining exercise variables including frequency, duration and intensity
• Gaining insights into training zones 
• Learning how to deliver programs for older adults 
• Studying how to deliver programs for those with physical and mental disabilities 
• Understanding how to deliver programs for ethnic groups 
• Examining the principals of weight control and how to deliver weight control programs
• Learning how to evaluate cardiorespiratory and muscular strength and endurance

Australia’s Top 5 Fitness Influences on Instagram

Many personal trainers these days are more than just influencers, they’re downright celebrities! The following fitness gurus are fantastic examples of how personal training courses can ignite your passion, and you can use your knowledge to launch an Insta-worthy business! 

#1 – Kayla Itsines – over 12 million followers 

Kayla began her fitness journey in 2008 after graduating from a PT course. Her business includes a series of fitness E-books, and a meal planning and workout app called Sweat with Kayla. Kayla has inspired thousands of women to achieve their ‘bikini-confident body’ and believes that healthy eating is a vital part of weight loss.

#2 – Tammy Hembrow – over 11 million followers 

Tammy and her sister Emilee have combined their skills to develop a global, multi-million dollar health, fitness and fashion business empire. The sisters are the creators of the Tammy Fit app, which is used by nearly half a million people worldwide, and they also have a leisure clothing line known as the Saski Collection. 

#3 – Emily Skye – over 2 million followers 

Fitness model Emily shows women of all ages and body types how to tone, trim and shape their entire bodies via motivational exercise videos and nutritionist-developed meal plans. Her workouts can be done both in and out of the gym, and she is a prime example of how personal training courses can lead to a successful career in the industry.

#4 – Amanda Bisk – over 720K followers 

Amanda was previously a Commonwealth Games pole vaulter, and national high jumper and gymnast at the West Australian Institute of Sport. She now brings all of her training and knowledge to her work as a coach and fitness trainer. Her personal mantra is to lead, learn and love your active journey empowered with health, balance and happiness.

#5 – Dan Conn – over 290K followers

A former NRL star who played for the Gold Coast Titans, Sydney City Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs, Dan is passionate about the future of the health and fitness industry. After being sidelined with a neck injury, Dan decided to share his knowledge of fitness and extends his reach through modelling, social media and TV commercials.

Characteristics Of Good Personal Trainers 

Personal training courses can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to work in the sector, but what other characteristics make for a good personal trainer?

They Have Experience 

One of the most important qualities of a good PT, many trainers will attest to having learnt a lot about what they know from achieving their own fitness goals. From tailored exercises to technique, rest times, and sets and reps – they have probably gone through the motions thousands of times before! And if their venue of choice is a gym, they would have also had the bonus of sharing what they have (or haven’t) learnt with similarly motivated people, including qualified trainers.

They Care About Your Goals 

Whether a client’s fitness goals are weight-related, sports-driven or simply a need for a healthier lifestyle, it’s a PT’s job to motivate clients in ways they couldn’t achieve themselves. Many PT’s are on a long-term journey with their clients to meet personal training goals, and in fact, clients are a reflection of their PT’s work. Successes and failures are shared, and they will invest in them as much as their clients do. 

They Have Great Communication Skills 

There is no point in a trainer spouting textbook moves or medical phrases that their clients don’t understand – it just leads to confusion, frustration and a lack of motivation. Good PT’s should be able to communicate their knowledge – ideally learned from personal training courses – inefficient and straightforward terms. Communication should also be two-way in that clients should feel comfortable talking to their trainer about their goals before, during and after their sessions.

They Know Their Limitations 

Great PT’s should be honest about understanding any limitations in their own expertise. Trainers come from a variety of backgrounds and have experience in different areas. These range from nutrition, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning to group training and even yoga and pilates. Because it is unwise to give recommendations on subjects they are not qualified in, PT’s should also have alliances with medical and other allied health professionals to arm themselves with accurate and up-to-date information. 

They Practise What They Preach 

For clients to have complete faith in their PT, they need to see that they care as much about their physical health as they demand! They need to personally understand what it’s like to train hard and be disciplined about their fitness. However, fitness isn’t just about the perfect physical body. In other words, it’s not just what they look like, but what they should be like. They should have knowledge, integrity, character and passion. And more importantly, they should want to help clients achieve a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. 

They Make Excercise Enjoyable

Training sessions should be fun, and something clients look forward to rather than dread. Good PT’s will encourage and clients to train beyond their capabilities, so they are challenged. Patience is also a key to a great client-trainer relationship, as achieving fitness certainly doesn’t happen overnight! Tailoring sessions to a client’s individual needs will ensure they are not pushed beyond their limits, which can cause frustration, let alone exhaustion. Ultimately, it’s a fine balance between trust, understanding and compromise.

They Are Adequately Trained 

This is undoubtedly the most important quality as PT’s need to be able to help clients achieve their goals safely and professionally. Personal training courses can assist those who are keen to work in the sector in a variety of ways. They help PT’s stand out as experts by understanding how the body works, and they can look for warning signs that certain actions could compromise a client’s wellbeing. Ultimately, having skills and knowledge in health and fitness helps trainers not just talk the talk, but walk the talk! 

 

Keen to develop and operate a health and fitness program for individual or groups that will positively change people’s lives? Get your career up and running with our Certificate of Health and Fitness!